Chapter 10 Morning
Suddenly, I felt something close by, and I instinctively grabbed it.
"Oh, impressive. A former soldier. Quick reactions!"
When I opened my eyes, a beautiful person with silver hair was staring at my face, wide-eyed.
I realized I had grabbed his right wrist.
"Good morning, Tsukumo"
Seeing a man with a bad grin that didn't match the beautiful girl's face, I remembered that I had a new roommate since yesterday.
"...Good morning, Yuruyana"
"Will you let go? You're strong!"
Yuruyana tried to scratch my fingers to get me to release him, but he couldn't even break free, not putting in much effort after just waking up.
"So thin"
I thought he was thin when we first met, but feeling his wrist again, it was even thinner than I expected, making me blurt it out.
"Shut up. I'm a lot healthier than you, Tsukumo"
He seemed to be trying to touch my shoulder to wake me up.
Now, he rubbed his wrist like it hurt, pouting.
As I slowly sat up and rubbed my eyes, Yuruyana looked at the clock on the wall and let out a pleased sniff.
"Exactly 8 hours. I'm great."
"? Ah, the effect time of the medicine...”
"Yes, I adjusted the time with magic."
"You can do that?"
While I half-listened to a heavy explanation about how that's the difference between normal medicine and arcane medicine, and how few can adjust it so accurately, I got out of bed and stretched my body.
"How was your sleep? You didn't seem to have nightmares."
"...That's right. I slept well for the first time in a while."
I hadn't woken up in the middle of the night or had bad dreams, it had been so long since I slept straight through until morning.
Thanks to that, my head felt much clearer.
"You helped me. Thank you."
When I sincerely thanked him, Yuruyana froze with a shocked expression,
"You're welcome?"
He replied nervously, his eyes darting as if he wasn't used to receiving thanks.
Poor thing.
As I gave him a warm glance, Yuruyana narrowed his eyes at me, as if sensing what I was thinking, looking somewhat upset.
"More importantly, sleeping pills are not a real solution. First, get some sunlight, eat well, and go to bed at a decent time! Remember, it's just a helper."
"I know."
Yes, in the end, I have to get my act together.
I can't keep dragging on what's already happened; I need to make peace with it properly.
Just when I started to get lost in thought,
"So, are there any good places open in the morning besides diners? I want to shop after that."
Yuruyana easily changed the subject.
I just noticed, but he's already ready.
Unlike yesterday, he's in pants, but still, his clothes are made to look like a woman's.
"You bought so much yesterday, and you still want to buy more?"
"I'm just getting more materials for the medicine. I heard my master's acquaintance has a shop on White Brick Street."
Speaking of White Brick Street, that's where my old one-room apartment was──so, it's the street where Ms. Kanae's café is.
I haven't been there for a week; maybe it's a good idea to go have breakfast again.
Ms. Kanae would probably be happy to have more regulars.
Yuruyana is probably safer than Luka.
* * *
When I opened the café door, I heard the familiar sound of a bell, and Ms. Kanae turned around.
As soon as she saw my face, her expression brightened up.
"Good morning, Mr. Tsukumo. Is it the usual breakfast today?"
Her unchanged response felt warm to me.
But today, I would order something different from usual.
"Good morning. Um, can I get 2?"
"Good morning, nice to meet you!"
Ms. Kanae froze when she saw Yuruyana peek out from behind me at such a perfect angle.
"I was surprised! I thought she was your girlfriend."
Ms. Kanae brought over 2 breakfast sets, and when Yuruyana revealed the truth, she was first shocked, then giggled with genuine relief.
Do I really look like I wouldn't have a girlfriend?
"I don't really like loud types."
"It's just that Tsukumo's energy is too low."
Yuruyana, who had peeled off a few cats, rested his chin on his hand and impatiently opened and looked into the sugar cube pot on the table.
"Yes, sorry for the wait. I didn't start making it today."
When I try to reach for the toast that was brought over, I can't help but lift my face.
"...Could it be that you usually prepare it first?"
"Yes, because it's always the same order at the same time every day. It's better to serve it quickly, right?"
"Thank you very much..."
Just as I feel moved by the consideration, a middle-aged man at the back seat, who was spreading out a newspaper, suddenly interruptes.
"Kana-Kana, Mr. Tsukumo accidentally made some the day after he moved, and he ate it himself, you know."
The man who chuckles gently is not a regular customer but actually the owner of this shop.
Because he often leaves the shop to Ms. Kanae when he's free, walking around, he's called 'Kana-Kana's Cafe' by the regulars, but he doesn't really mind.
"Please don't say that!"
Ms. Kanae panics.
"Is that so... I'm sorry, somehow."
"Don't apologize, it's something I did on my own. But I'm happy you came again."
As she nervously says she's sorry for bothering everyone because she suddenly moved, Ms. Kanae murmurs while hiding her face behind a tray.
"Huh?"
"Mr. Tsukumo always looks down and eats quietly, so the master says maybe he just orders the cheapest set here because it's not really tasty."
"That's not exactly true..."
I didn't realize they cared so much.
After hesitating a little, I think I should tell them now, so I answer.
"I don't understand the taste. I can smell it, so I think it looks delicious."
"Really? I see."
Then the owner's eyes widen too.
"That's tough. Is it some kind of illness?"
"The doctor said it's psychosomatic... Even if I quit my job, it doesn't get better, so I've given up."
"I see... Well, I'm glad it's not that it's bad, Kana-Kana."
"Yes!"
He looked really relieved.
He was a regular, but he only ordered cheap food.
Ms. Kanae was really too kind, worrying about what he liked.
"Hmm, I see."
Unlike when he was with Mako, Yuruyana was quietly munching on toast.
He mumbled a little while listening to me and Ms. Kanae.
"What is it?"
"Nothing? Ms. Kanae, it's really delicious, so don't worry."
"Hehe, thank you."
I felt frustrated because there was something going on between them.
I wonder when my sense of taste will come back.
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