SCPK 01

Chapter 1

Supermarket

The day after I was discharged from the hospital, I headed to the nearby supermarket.
Partly for rehab, but mostly because I suddenly really wanted some ice cream.
My damn little sister ate even my share that was in the freezer… I really wish I could swap her for my best friend’s sister.

“Ah…”

As soon as I walked in, I saw that very best friend’s sister—Tsukiyo Kaminagi. Her long chestnut hair was so distinctive that I recognized her even from behind.
She was in the vegetable section at the back, choosing a cabbage.
She lives with my best friend, and to be honest, it’s hard to call their lifestyle “normal.”
Because of that, she’s the one who holds the purse strings and does the everyday shopping.
It felt wrong to interrupt her, so maybe I’d just grab my ice cream at a convenience store instead.
I turned around in the store and started walking toward the exit.

“Taiyō-san!”
“Whoa, you scared me!”

Startled by the loud voice, I turned around and there she was, right next to me.
Even though it’s summer vacation, she was wearing her school’s designated blazer. Seriously, she’s such a pretty girl. Just having those big double-lidded eyes fixed on me made me flush and step back.

“Huff… huff… what a coincidence.”
“Why are you out of breath? And you were so far away, too… ah!”
“Aaah! I knew it, you ignored me, didn’t you! So mean!”

She puffed out her cheeks and turned away. Her chestnut hair, reaching all the way to her back, swayed gently. Cute girls look cute no matter what they do. I couldn’t help but laugh.
After paying for our stuff, we stepped outside the store.

“From now on, don’t you dare ignore me!”
“O-okay, I got it.”

Looking at her face, I remembered yesterday.

You know… I think I might have fallen in love with you, Taiyō-san.

That was definitely her voice.
But from how she’s acting now, she doesn’t look like someone in love.
Maybe it was the “I like you as a person” kind of like.
A little disappointing, a little relieving.
I’d better stay on her good side anyway.

“As an apology, here, take this.”

I handed her a coupon that could be used at this supermarket—100 yen off most items.

“I can’t take something like this. I mean, our family…”

Her face clouded a little. Maybe I’d made her misunderstand. I absolutely didn’t mean it as pity for being poor.
No—that’s not the face I want to see on her. What I should say now is…

“Well, if it means I can get your cooking for 100 yen, that’s a bargain.”
“Eh?”
“Cook me something delicious next time. That meat-and-potatoes you made before was amazing. I really love your cooking.”
“You love… my cooking…? Ehehe…”

Her cheeks flushed red, and she covered her face with her hands. Her slightly misty eyes looked so incredibly cute that I swallowed hard.
She really is a good cook; I’ve had her food before when visiting my friend’s house. I still remember how she looked in an apron… no, stop.
This is… not the reaction I was expecting. If I stay here any longer my sanity might be in danger. I should go.

“Well then, I’ll be going now—”
“Where are you going?”

She grabbed my arm.

“You’re coming over to eat my cooking right now, aren’t you?”
“Eh, w-wasn’t that for next time—”
“I’m going to make a lot! Your favorite meat-and-potatoes!”

“Come on, let’s go!”

I do love meat-and-potatoes… but the way she was pulling my arm so sweetly was even more irresistible.