░『Zephyr』░(KNY OC STORY/ KNY OC X KNY-OLD/DISCONTINUED)

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟻: 𝙱𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚊 𝙷𝚞𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚗𝚎

The slight clatter and shake of the plates on the kitchen counter echo as Fukurō pounds the cooked rice with her hands.

The previous night, when Fukurō confronted Sanemi about his relationship with his family, she sensed Fukurō had angered Sanemi with her curiousity. Her head hung low as she ran the 25 laps, shame and regret bursting in her mind. She thought about it all night, how to receive Sanemi's forgiveness, it cost her some hours of rest.

So, what better request for forgiveness than freshly-made dishes?

Fukurō assumed Sanemi was a fan of Ohagi*. Ever since she had found out Sanemi was an excellent cook, she had observed from afar the frequent amount of times Ohagi* was made, specifically for Shinazugawa himself.

Fukurō hoped that she was making the dish correctly. If not, she was sure she would be in more trouble than she would be now. She rubs her eyes drowsily with her wrist as she continues to hit her other fist against the rice.

"Kazekachi-san, What are you doing-" Fukurō jumps at the sound of Sanemi's voice, freezing in place. Sanemi looks at her with skepticism, raising an eyebrow. "The hell are you doing at this hour?- I know I tell you to wake up early, I don't mean this early." He scolds, leaning against the door frame. "The sun has barely gone up. Mind telling me why it sounds like a bear has snuck in here?"

Fukurō blinks, sheepishly turning to face him as she moves her hands to cover the area of her task. ".. I- uhm-.." She swallows, "... I thought of making breakfast today. As a way to apologize."

"Apologize? For what?"

Fukurō keeps her arms spread to shield the food from view. ".. You know, being nosy. Asking you about your deceased family." She mutters, thinking over each word that blurts from her mouth as soon as it escapes her lips. "I didn't mean to make you irritated, Shinazugawa-sama."

"I'm not irritated. It was just weird for you to ask, and you were just acting nosy." Sanemi says as he rolls up his sleeves, walking over to the kitchen counter. He places the plates farther away so that the preparation of the Ohagi* would not create much noise. "But you were just curious, weren't you? No bad intentions?" He says as he turns his head towards the girl.

'He finally looked my way.' Fukurō realizes as she looks back at him. ".. Yeah. I-I guess I was. And there was no ill intent at all."

Sanemi looks away once more, rolling up Fukurō's sleeves for her since her hands were too busy. For someone with a cold and rude personality, he was definitely acting somewhat like an older brother at the moment. ".. You're doing well. Both in preparing this and training as well." He says, "I'm sure you figured my favourite food somehow. Did you hear me mention liking Ohagi*? Or did you just guess?"

".. Arigatō. And I see you make it often for yourself, so I assumed you liked it the most." Fukurō mumbled, letting out a sigh of relief. ".. I'm glad you aren't angry. It's a relief that you don't act like how my oniisan would." She says, glancing at how he cooks. '.. I miss Oniisan, even if he was a bit temperamental. I miss everyone.'

"Hm." Sanemi sighs. ".. Did you have a bad relationship with your brother?" He asks. Now it was his turn to ask questions.

".. Oh— No, actually, he was pretty great. He was the only person in my family I could rely on, or talk to without gaining any shame." She begins, "Or.. At least he's the only one I developed a relationship with. My younger sister was always bedridden, and couldn't talk much because of fatigue. My father was always out trying to gain some money, and my mother always saw me as some sort of plant; sure, she would take care of me, but we never developed that bond between a mother and daughter." A look of sadness and guilt fills her face. "... But I'm sure they're better now. Better up there."