Blissful [Shinazugawa Sanemi]

Chapter 13

Sanemi thought he was going crazy.

When he looked at the decorative plant he got from Shiori, her face always popped into his mind. He thought of throwing it away but he couldn't bring himself to do that so he took good care of the plant.

To the point he watered the artificial flower.

Sanemi sighed. For the past few days, he has been trying to deny his feelings. He told himself that it's wrong to like someone else's lover, but his mind kept validating his feelings.

It's fine because he's an asshole, you can treat her better.

Two knocks on his front door snapped him from his thoughts. He stood up and made his way to the door. When he opened the door, his lips parted in shock. He had to rub his whole face to make sure he was not hallucinating.

"You're not dreaming, Shinazugawa-san."

Sanemi froze in his place, jaws dropping.

"How did you find my house?!"

"Oh, I'm sorry for coming without notice. Sayu told me where your house is."

"Why are you here then?!"

"Well..."

The white haired girl in front of Sanemi was hiding something behind her. Sanemi stared at her face, which looked like she was contemplating something. He noticed that her face had completely healed.

Shiori handed what she was holding to Sanemi.

"... What is that?" He asked.

"Mochi and ohagi. Sayu asked me to give this to you. She's playing with her friends today so she told me to greet you on her behalf." Shiori said with a smile.

"Why would I want that..." Sanemi mumbled, staring at the lunchbox in Shiori's hand.

"We made this together." Shiori informed. "It'd make us happy if you accept them."

Sanemi took the lunchbox almost immediately. He scratched his head, mumbling a thank you.

"... How are you?" He asked.

"I'm fine, thank you for asking." Shiori nodded at him. "Then I'll take my leave now."

"Err..."

Shiori waited patiently for Sanemi to speak. His frown was deeper than anything else. He finally made up his mind and cleared his throat before speaking.

"Wanna come inside for tea?"

"Oh..." Shiori mumbled, a bit taken aback by the offer.

"It would be my pleasure."

With that, Sanemi invited Shiori into his house. She looked around the spacious house, seemingly amazed by the building even though she lives in a house three times bigger that Sanemi's.

Sanemi boiled a pot of water while stealing some pieces of ohagi from the lunchbox Shiori gave him. His eyes gleamed when he savor the delightful dessert. Though he had to hold in a laugh when he saw some indescribable shaped ohagi. It was probably made by Sayu.

When he finished, he placed the tea on a small table in front Shiori. Shiori thanked him before taking a sip. He then sat down across from Shiori.

Now what?

Sanemi facepalmed. Just why did he invite her in? He doesn't know what to talk about aside from her relationship with her fiance.

"You have a nice house." Shiori broke the silence. She was staring at the courtyard outside the house.