CH 14

Chapter 14

Seized by the Spear of Sorrowful Love*

The grief of losing a family member is immeasurable…

The sadness I felt at the time and the loneliness that followed was something that I… regretfully got used to… with the passage of time.

I lost my father first, and then my mother a few years after, I really felt like a hole was gouged in my heart.

My father’s side of the family disliked me for some reason, but my maternal grandparents loved me. So when I lost my parents, they asked me to come and live with them.

“… I appreciate your kindness, but I prefer this house.”

I appreciated the proposal from my grandparents. But I didn’t want to leave the house where the memories of my family remain. I didn’t want to move from this place that I have been in for so long now.

I was worried about a lot of things, but as I said before, frustratingly, I got used to it after giving it some time.

Life without my father and mother has become the norm, and now I feel no more discomfort at all on living on my own.

But there was one feeling that has never disappeared…

“Hayato.”

“Hayato.”

I dream of it from time to time. I dream that they are alive and still calling out to me now. I dream over and over again of a world in which the two people I loved did not disappear, but I always resign myself to the fact that this is a world that can never be realized.

What I mean to say is that the only thing that did not go away was my heart’s desire for the warmth of a family. The house is quiet, so I feel lonely and a little sentimental.

But each time I do, I remind myself that I shouldn’t be so gloomy, and try to live in the present.

That’s right… It should be okay.

I’m sure I’ll be fine. I know this is a bit of a serious monologue, but I’m not thinking pessimistically about leaving this world because I feel lonely. My friends are very lively, and I also enjoy talking with Arisa and Aina.

So it’s okay. It’s going to be okay, no matter what happens…

“……”

“Oh my, did I wake you up?”

When I opened my eyes, I was speechless.

Because what I saw in front of me was two huge balls, no they are not balls, but huge b*****s wrapped in a knitted sweater.

“… Erm?”

My memories were clouded.

Probably because I was asleep until now. As far as I remember, I was talking with Arisa, Aina, and Sakuna-san.

In the middle of that, I got sleepy and… Did I just fall asleep like that?

“S-sorry—”

“Fufu, it’s fine. Take your time.”

A hand was placed on my shoulder and so I couldn’t get up.

The owner of this voice was Sakuna-san, and apparently I was being held in her lap. I could not see her face because of her huge b*****s, but I was sure that it was Sakuna-san.(E/N: Yes!!! Mommy Sa-chan.)

“Am I… in a lap-pillow…?”

“Yes. Is it comfortable to sleep on? It might be rough compared to a pillow.”

Well, it’s something that shouldn’t be compared to a pillow.

Although she told me to rest, I got up, saying that I am already fine.

“Oh…”

Sakuna-san sounded sad and looked at me ruefully as I got up. Please stop, I’d be in trouble if you gave me that look… Speaking of which, Only Sakuna-san is right next to me. I wonder where those two went?

“…? This is.”

Then the savory smell of curry wafted through the air.

I looked toward the back of the room and saw Arisa and Aina there. They were both wearing pretty pink aprons and it looks like they are cooking.

“Oh, I see you’re awake.”

“I didn’t want to wake you up because you were sleeping so comfortably… though Mom’s so unfair.”

Though Sakuna-san was seemingly unaffected, even under Arisa’s gaze.

Hmm, it looks like it’s almost noon since they’re preparing curry.

In actuality, I planned to leave in the morning, but I’m sure this is going to be me getting treated by them.

“Is it okay for me to?”

“Of course. Rather, the two of them are making it for you. Well, originally I was going to make it myself, but I had you resting on my lap so…”

I apologize for any inconvenience that I may have caused.

Sakuna-san laughed at me, saying it was okay as I bowed. She is such a beautiful lady, perhaps it was because she is the mother of Arisa and Aina. I was even more impressed when I saw her up close. To be honest, she is more like an older sister than a mother.(E/N: Saku-nee, Ahem! Anyway…)

“Is something wrong?”

“… Ah, it’s nothing. I just feel like you’re more like an older sister than a mother.”

What stupidity in the world am I saying?

Sakuna-san rolled her eyes for a moment but smiled happily. I appreciated that reaction much more than if she had been strangely stifled by words.

“Thank you, Hayato-kun. I am glad to hear you say so. But can I ask you one thing as well?”

“Yes. Please allow me to answer your question.”

“Hayato-kun, somehow, are you missing someone?”

“I…”

I’m… Surprised, I didn’t think Sakuna-san would ask me that. I guess she must have noticed it from my reaction. The way she speaks in honorifics gives the impression of being friendly, but the way she is looking at me right now is quite sharp. I was even afraid that she was looking into my mind.

“… Perhaps I’ve crossed the line. I’m sorry.”

“Ah, no…”

Sakuna-san thought for a while then gave me a reassuringly gentle smile right after. I really… thought she looked like a big sister earlier, but the gentle expression on her face like this is that of an adult. That made me think she’s a mother after all.

“It’s totally fine. But you’re right, I do miss them.”

“That’s…”

“Please excuse me~!”

“It’s done, Hayato-kun, Mom.”

Ohh, looks like the curry for lunch is ready.

Sakuna-san and I got up together and headed toward the prepared table. The curry there was just an ordinary curry, but to me, it looked doubly delicious.

“… Looks so good.”

The main reason was simply the delicious smells wafting through the air and the fact that they were made by two of the most beautiful girls from my school.

“I’m glad to hear thatt.”

“And I guarantee it tastes great. I made it because I wanted to serve you, Hayato-kun.”

I chuckled at Arisa’s words and promptly sat down in the chair. I thanked them for making such a delicious looking curry.

“Itadakimasu…?”

I picked up a spoonful and was about to eat, but Arisa and Aina were staring at me. I felt a little awkward as they stared at me without even blinking, but I took the curry into my mouth anyway.

“… Omu*”

“……”

“……”

They are both still staring at me…

Only Sakuna-san was giggling and smiling happily, and in a way I wondered if this kind of situation between them was normal.

But still… The combination of moderate spiciness, sweetness of the rice, and the potatoes was just like a curry. I don’t mean that in the normal sense, but it really was better than any other curry I have ever had.

“It’s very tasty. Yes, it’s really good. Thanks, you two.”

My words finally brought a smile to their faces.

…That reminds me, this may be the first time I’ve sat around a dinner table with a family like this, other than my group of friends, but well, the only time we’ve gathered together for a meal has been for events like Halloween, so this is probably the first time I’ve had a meal with a family like this.

“……”

It’s warm… really warm.

The curry was delicious, but this moment with Arisa, Aina, and Sakuna-san really made me feel the warmth. This warmth is probably due to the fact that all three of them care about each other just like a real family.

“…….”

Come to think of it, I wonder if the curry my mom used to make tasted like this. I don’t think the taste of curry has changed that much, but the atmosphere reminded me of the family dinner table I used to enjoy.

“Hayato-kun!?”

I heard Aina’s impatient voice.

Not only Aina, but also Arisa and Sakuna-san looked at me in surprise. I tilted my head to meet their gazes, but soon I was able to realize what was happening.

“… Ah.”

It looks like… I’m crying.

I felt pathetic and said, “I’m sorry” as I wiped away my tears.

“That’s fine, but…”

“Was it that bad?”

I shook my head with a wry smile at Arisa’s words, saying that that’s not the case.

I think they were taken aback by the fact that I suddenly cried, but I guess I could at least tell them why this happened. My friends know about it, and it’s not something I had to hide from them.

“I’m sorry, this place is just so warm, it reminds me of the old days.”

“Reminds you of the old days?

I nodded to Sakuna-san’s question.

“I lost my father and mother early on, and I’ve been on my own ever since. This warmth reminded me of what it was like to be part of a family.”

After apologizing for ruining the mood, I started eating my curry again.

.

.

.

There’s no turning back now, since they’ve known…

And so he felt as if someone smiled.