A Warm Place

Extra II

The Happiness Written on Her Palm ＊2

Chime

"It's done."

I take out the freshly-baked scones from the oven and arrange them on a plate. The brown color and appetizing aroma indicate that I've managed to bake them well. I try one of the scones, the crunchy texture mixed with the taste of walnut permeate in my mouth.

"I wanna have one, too~!"

Perhaps lured by the smell, Saki came to the kitchen. She's really a shrewd one.

"Sure, here."
"Thanks. Aah- Mm?! Hot!!"

That's because she's biting into a scone that is just out of the oven so hastily. She's holding her hand over her mouth. I make a strained laugh as I hand her a cup of water, which she gulp down in one go in a fluster.

"Fwaah~ it's too hot..."
"Well, of course it is. I just took them out from the oven."
"But it's delicious~ Oh yeah, put some cocoa chips in them next time. You know, like the ones you made the other day."
"Okay, okay. Next time then."
"Yay."

Afterwards, my sister satisfies herself by snacking a few more scones before going to the living room to watch the TV. I've finished eating my share as well, so I proceed to wash the cooking utensils and plates that I used. Although I like baking sweets, I don't really like having to clean up afterwards.

Usually, I would get Mom to help. But it seems that she's coming home late today, so that option is out. I turn off the faucet, and I line up the utensils and plates on the rack, signifying the end of the chore. When I'm wiping my hands with a towel, Saki appears with a cell phone in her hand.

"You got a call earlier. From her..."
"...Who?"

I receive my cell phone and check the incoming call history. It seems it was Rumi.

"Aah, it's from Rumi..."
"Hrm..."

Saki looks as if there's something she wants to say. But in the end, she doesn't say anything to me. I return to my room before operating my cell phone to give Rumi a call. After a few rings, the call finally connects.

"[Yeees?]"
"Ah, hello, Rumi-san?"
"[Hmm~? I can hear Hinata-chan's voice~]"

That awfully cheerful, mushy, and lisping voice... Don't tell me.

"Are you drunk?"
"[Eeh~ I can't hear you~! One more time~!]"
"...I'll take that as a yes."

I can't imagine her speaking like this if she were sober. Rather, it's as if her mind has regressed to that of a child. I remember her speaking like that a long time ago when she was younger.

"I saw your miscall, so I was wondering if you need me for anything..."
"[Hmm~ It's nothing~ I just wanted to call you~ Ehehe.]"
"You sound so drunk. Are you okay? Are you by yourself right now?"
"[Earlier~ I was drinking with my friends, but I'm alone now~ I feel soooo lonely~]"

Bam, bam! I can hear her striking something from the speaker. Seriously, what is she doing? I'm getting worried. So Rumi isn't a strong drinker... Either that, or she kept drinking until she got into a drunken frenzy.

"Where are you right now?"

I'm worried to leave her alone in her condition, so I decide to go and fetch her. She said that she had been drinking with her friends. They're so horrible to go home by themselves and leave her like that. It's already dark outside, who knows what may happen.

"[Hmm~ Where am I~?]"
"I have no idea how to answer that."
"[Ah, I remember~! I aaalways played in this park with my Onee-chan!]"

"Aah...... what are you doing over there...? Anyway, I'm coming for you, so stay put, okay?"