CH 10.3

After paying the bill, we got on my bike in the queue and started to pedal.

When we got home, I could at least help with the curry, so we worked together in the kitchen.

While we were preparing the ingredients, Hinagata reminded me of something.

“What did you and Honma-san talk about?”

You mean on Saturday?

” What do you mean…. Nothing important.”

“Hmm yeah. But it looked like you guys seemed to be having fun.”

Why do you have a sulky look on your face? You’re the one who brought this up.

It’s not that I didn’t enjoy it, because I don’t feel bad about being ganged up on.

“Try to concentrate on your game.”

“I was happy because I didn’t expect you to come to see… I kept checking upstairs to see if you were still there…”

When I whispered to her, Hinagata’s cheeks flushed.

I’ve peeked at the games in the gym a few times, but this is probably the first time I’ve been invited to watch one.

I wondered if the guy Hinagata liked had ever seen her play before.

I was going to ask her, but I decided not to since it wouldn’t make any difference even if I did.

“There’s a spring league game at the ….Municipal Gymnasium. I’d like you to come and watch.”

“Does it have to be me, or do you want to invite someone else…?”

She seemed to know what I was talking about and nodded.

“I want Ryunosuke.”

She looked me straight in the eye and I was thrown for a loop.

“….Well… okay. I’ll come.”

“Yeah, I’ll do my best.”

Hinata bit her lip loosely and closed her mouth in a tight line that still seemed to be fraying.

Is that guy… me?

I don’t know how many times I’ve asked this question, but it came up again.

I don’t have the confidence to ask it jokingly. If I say it out loud, it will be 100 percent serious.

Because it would be such a serious confirmation.

When Hinagata peeked at me, I panicked and shook my head, saying it was nothing.

“Ryunosuke, please chop the onions.”

“Don’t force me to do it…. just because you’re crying.”

Hinagata laughed as if to cover up the fact that I was right.

If I ask her and she says, “No,” then──

“…….”

I’m not sure why my heart ached when I imagined it.

Making the curry was a success, and we put our hands together and said, “Let’s eat it together.”

With the TV variety show playing in the background, we ate the curry..

“How is it?”

Hinagata asked me with a concerned look, and I shared my honest opinion.

“I’m sure there’s nothing special in there, but it’s delicious.”

“There’s… something special in it.”

“Ehh? Like a secret ingredient?”

Hinagata gave a small nod of her head, looking embarrassed.

I don’t know if I’ve ever put anything like that in my coffee.　I’ve heard of adding instant coffee or chocolate as a secret ingredient. The Tonomura family puts Worcestershire sauce in their store-bought curry. I guess each family has their own secret flavor.

She didn’t mention what she had added, so I said, “Huh? When did you do that?” and took another bite of the curry.

Probably hungry or something like that?

They say hunger is the best seasoning. Or not──

“Love? I wonder.”

As soon as she said that, she laughed and ate the remaining curry.

I glanced at Hinagata’s hand and saw that it stopped moving.

“…….~”

“Hinagata?”

“No, it’s nothing…….”

Laughing awkwardly, I put the spoon that hadn’t been used to scoop the curry into my mouth.

It’s rare for  hinagata to tell a joke.

I couldn’t help but think, if you’re that embarrassed, don’t say it.

I refilled my bowl and proceeded to have seconds.

“I should have made a salad.”

“That’s true. Maybe next time.”

“Next time?”

“Oh, no, I mean, if you get a chance.”

I don’t want to force you, and I don’t want to take advantage of you making dinner for me.

I was going to say that, but Hinagata shook her head.

“I’ll make it. Next time, too. If it’s okay with Ryunosuke.”

“You’re busy with club activities. You don’t have to push yourself.”

“I’m not.”

She sounded stubborn.

“It’s okay with you. Thanks”

“Yes.”

We ate dinner together – this atmosphere tickled me and made me feel somewhat satisfied.

I realized that the word “delicious” was not only an evaluation of the food, but also an evaluation of the atmosphere.