Ever since that cleanup, it seemed the wall between Amane and Mahiru had eroded just a little. The distance between them did not close much however,
At school, they were akin to strangers, and even after school, they would merely exchange a few words while sharing dinner.
A few days ago, Amane was reminded to maintain the cleanliness of his house. She was harsh, but he understood very well she was a girl who loved to care for others.
Thanks to the timely reminder and cleaning advice she gave, Amane's house remained clean.
"Ooh, it looks a lot better."
Once he heard the apartment was looking better, Itsuki came running over on the weekend. He could only marvel in amazement at the sight of this rejuvenated house.
"Never thought it would become so clean, especially when it was so messy. I did help you clean up the last time, and not even two days later, it got dirty."
"Shut up."
"No, I don't want to nag at you, but think about how long it has been since you last threw something all over the place."
"Don't worry, it's a new record. Two straight weeks."
"Can you please be ashamed that your new record is only two weeks?"
You don't usually throw your stuff onto the floor.Itsuki nagged, Amane frowned, but could not refuse Itsuki's earnest pleas of common sense,
In fact, he was actually troubling Itsuki before Mahiru helped out, so he was unable to retort harshly.
*Grrr. *As Amane clamped up, Itsuki chirped happily.
"But well, since it's so clean, I want to bring Chii here."
"Don't. Why do I have to see you two flirt with each other in my house?"
"You don't have to be so courteous."
"Don't treat my house like a dating spot."
How tragic was he for him to see his friend flirt around with his girlfriend?
Having seen what others called the idiot couple being all lovey-dovey, he hoped that they could show some consideration for him.
He could not laugh despite knowing Itsuki was joking, given that he had been seeing them every day.
He hoped they would do it at their own place.
"Well, enough with the jokes. I guess it won't be dirty now that it's so clean, right?"
"I've been dealing with it."
"So I say... whatever. It's good to have the habit of putting back the things you took out though."
"Are you my mom...?"
"Seriously, Amane, you have to start cleaning your house more often, you know~?"
"That sounds disgusting, and also scarily, disgustingly similar to my mom."
Amane felt a chill up his spine when Itsuki made a falsetto impression of his mother.
While Itsuki had never seen Amane's mother, it was scary how much he resembled her.
Furthermore, a boy faking a woman's voice was really disgusting, and Amane really had the urge to stop Itsuki there and then.
He stuck his tongue out in a pretentiously repulsive gesture, and Itsuki kept laughing away.
"So your mom's like this, Amane? My mom's pretty hands-off."
"Guess I'll say that I envy you. My mom's the type to keep talking."
"Just a good mother worried for her son, no?"
It appeared she had been preparing this since morning. Inside was oden; it was the perfect dish for the soon-to-be chilly season.
Amane accepted the tupperware graciously, letting out a sigh as he looked at Mahiru, who looked as though it was to be expected of herself.
"...ERm, well, I've always been grateful of the care you showed me, but I never had the time to express it. Sorry."
"I am not doing so to be thanked by you...but it is impressive, your place is presentable enough to invite your friend."
"Do I have to prostrate and express my thanks?"
"Not at all. Please do not."
*Stop making me look like a bad girl.' *She gave such a dumbfounded look, and Amane could only give a wry smile.
He really was indebted towards her, so he was somewhat serious with what he said. After being in her care for so long, even a dogeza might be insufficient.
She brought quite the ample portion of dinner, and he was sorry about being a freeloader. He intended to find a chance to talk about dinner money.
"...Since your friend is here, I shall not disturb you for long. Please excuse me."
"...Thanks for all the help. I won't tell Itsuki about you."
"Please do so."
"Well, even if I do, he's not going to believe me."
"I guess."
Amane felt conflicted that she affirmed his statement so readily, yet looking from Itsuki's perspective, he would have wondered if Amane was delirious if he said,Shiina is actually cooking for me.
After all, the Angel herself was a flower at an unattainable place.
It would be one thing if he was a talented, handsome guy, but it would have been impossible to assume a lazy, useless bum like him could have her cooking for him.
"... May I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Since you cook for me every day, are you planning anything?"
Labor cost money, and such free meals typically would be impossible. Amane himself would not have done so if he was in her shoes. While he had no expectation of a one-in-a-million chance that she liked him, his curiosity got the better of him.
Mahiru lifted her head a little as she pondered. "Just for self-satisfaction," she said without changing expressions.
"It is not difficult at all. It is easier for me to cook two servings instead of one, and I simply like to serve others."
"So you just like to cook?"
"That may be one reason. I too feel relieved that you do not have any strange misunderstanding, just expressing what you think. I worry whenever I see what you eat, so I am doing so for self-satisfaction."
"...Is that so?"
"Of course. You do not have to worry about it. Do think of it as fortune falling from above."
"Fine, fine."
It appeared Mahiru had no intention to talk further. "Please excuse me," she bowed courteously and returned to her house.
...Is that really the case?
Amane did not think it would be enough reason for free dinner, so he muttered as he too returned to his house.
"Who was that?"
"Just a neighboring sharing some food. I'll put it in the fridge. Don't continue without me."
"Ah sorry, I finished off the boss."
"Damn you."
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