Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft yellow glow across the ceiling.
Takahashi frowned slightly.
"…Morning already…"
His throat was still a little dry, his head heavy from the lingering fever. Out of habit, he touched his forehead—only to realize the cooling patch was gone.
"…The fever's gone already…"
He tilted his head toward the wall clock.
7:13 a.m.
"Late for work!!!"
He jumped up and grabbed his phone from the bed. But then his gaze froze.
Sunday.
"…Ah."
His whole body relaxed as if he had just escaped a nightmare.
"Haa… that scared me."
Takahashi flopped back onto the bed, pulling the blanket up to his chest.
"Maybe I'll just sleep a little longer…"
The room was quiet. The morning sunlight was so warm that his eyelids slowly grew heavy.
And at that very moment—
"…?"
Something… felt off.
Not the bed. Not the light.
But—
The feeling that someone else was here.
Takahashi opened his eyes.
And then—
"…Huh?"
Right beside him, on the same bed—
Chihiro was sleeping.
Her black hair fanned lightly on the pillow. Her face turned to the side, eyelashes resting gently. Her breathing steady, calm, as if this was perfectly natural.
"…Wait a second."
His mind went blank for half a second.
Then—
—Why is she here?
—Wasn't she just cleaning yesterday?
—Am I… sleeping in the same bed as her?!
Takahashi sat up silently, heart racing.
The distance between them was closer than he expected. Just a slight lean and—
"…Calm down. Stay calm."
He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
At that moment, Chihiro's eyelids twitched.
And opened.
Their eyes met, so close that Takahashi could see each of her lashes clearly.
"…."
No scream. No startle.
Chihiro just looked at him for a brief second.
Then she quietly turned away, pulling the blanket up a little more, her voice dreamy:
"…It's Sunday. Go back to sleep."
And with that, she closed her eyes again.
As if none of this had ever happened.
After a while, she spoke very softly:
"Are you feeling better?"
"…Yeah." Takahashi replied quietly. "Thanks to you, I already feel better."
"Oh?"
Chihiro suddenly sat up. She placed a hand on his forehead, tilting her head slightly as if confirming something.
The proximity allowed Takahashi to see her freshly awakened, makeup-free face clearly.
His heart raced.
"Mm… seems like you're okay now."
She withdrew her hand and stepped off the bed as if nothing had happened. "Go brush your teeth and wash up. I'll make breakfast."
With that, Chihiro walked straight to the kitchen.
Takahashi remained seated on the bed, his mind in chaos.
"…Am I dreaming?"
He lightly slapped his own cheek.
"…Ouch, that hurts."
---
After finishing his morning routine, Takahashi stepped out of the bathroom, towel in hand, drying his face.
And then—
He froze.
In the kitchen, Chihiro was wearing an apron, leaning slightly over the stove. The aroma of toast and fried eggs floated in the air.
A scene… so ordinary.
So warm.
"…."
"Standing there doing nothing?" Chihiro glanced at him. "Come on, eat breakfast."
"Ah… yeah!"
Takahashi sat down at the table, still a little flustered.
While eating, he noticed Chihiro sitting opposite, chin resting on her hand, staring at him without blinking.
"You… aren't eating?"
Chihiro blinked, as if snapping out of a thought. "I'll cook something later. You focus on yourself first."
Her voice had a slight familiar tsundere tone.
"Mm… got it."
He continued eating.
A while later—
"Have you been to the market these past few days?"
"…Huh?"
Images of instant noodles, onigiri, and stacks of fast food appeared in his mind.
But he didn't want Chihiro to worry.
"Yeah, of course." He smiled. "I do go shopping."
"Why are you asking?"
Chihiro didn't answer.
She stood up and walked to the fridge… opening it.
Inside, it was empty.
"…It's empty already." Her voice sounded exasperated. "And you said you go shopping often."
"…Sorry."
Takahashi bowed his head.
Chihiro sighed. "I'll go to the market later too."
She hesitated for a moment, then added, "Do you… want to come with me?"
"…!"
"Really?!"
"Quietly." Chihiro scolded lightly. "Are you hyperactive or what?"
"…Sorry."
Before leaving, she glanced back: "9 a.m. Don't be late."
Takahashi nodded repeatedly.
---
9 a.m. – In front of the apartment gate
Takahashi had been waiting for a while. When Chihiro appeared, he immediately straightened up.
She wore simple clothes, hair tied neatly. Not fancy, but very… Chihiro.
"Sorry, did I make you wait?"
"No! I just got here too!"
Chihiro glanced at his watch, didn't say more, only smiled faintly before turning away.
---
The weekend supermarket was packed.
Takahashi pushed the cart with more enthusiasm than necessary.
Thunk. A box of expensive beef.
Thunk. Imported fruits.
Thunk. A huge bag of snacks.
Chihiro folded her arms, watching.
"Takahashi."
"Yeah?"
"Do you even know what you're buying?"
"…Food?"
She tugged his hand. "Is this for breakfast? Or are you planning to eat hot pot at ten?"
"…Is that a problem?"
"No."
Chihiro began sorting through each item. "Don't look at the price. Don't check the expiration. Don't think about what it's for."
"…You really think deeply."
"You live like this and still survive. Impressive."
Takahashi laughed wryly.
From then on, Chihiro took control of the cart.
Fresh vegetables. Just the right amount of meat. Eggs not near expiration. Reasonable prices.
Takahashi walked behind her, observing her figure.
A strange feeling rose in his chest.
Not annoyance at being scolded.
But… feeling genuinely cared for.
"Why tofu?" he asked.
"So it's easier on your stomach tonight."
"…You remembered that?"
"…Just happened to think of it."
Her ears flushed slightly.
Takahashi moved the cart a little closer.
Suddenly, from the supermarket ceiling, a female voice over the speakers announced briskly:
"Attention customers! A special discount on fresh food will start in three minutes!"
"…Discount?"
Before he could react, Chihiro stopped.
Her expression changed slightly.
"…Takahashi."
"Huh?"
She didn't say another word. She placed the shopping basket directly in his hands, rolling up her sleeves in a professional manner.
"I'll go first."
"…Eh—wait—?"
Takahashi froze, holding the basket, trying to process what just happened—
The announcement sounded.
And the next moment—
The promotion section exploded.
Shoppers from everywhere seemed summoned, rushing toward the beef counter. The clatter of carts, chatter, and trays of meat being snatched echoed through the store.
Takahashi stood on the sidelines, completely overwhelmed.
"…Is this… a battlefield?"
In the midst of the crowd, Chihiro was small but undeterred. She weaved in, reaching out—
But it was too late.
Within seconds, dozens of trays vanished.
As the crowd thinned, Chihiro stood before the empty counter, shoulders slumped.
"…It's all gone…"
She looked at Takahashi, her voice much softer.
"…Couldn't even get one more tray. Huhu…"
Takahashi froze slightly.
It was the first time he saw Chihiro… look so helpless.
Not the composed Chihiro of usual. Not the cold one scolding him while shopping.
But an everyday, ordinary Chihiro.
"…It's okay." He awkwardly tried to reassure her.
Just then—
A staff member rolled out the last tray of beef.
Chihiro's eyes lit up.
She nearly lunged forward, clutching it like a treasure.
"…Finally got one!"
Her voice was full of joy.
Takahashi couldn't help but chuckle softly at the sight.
Chihiro glanced at him immediately. "…What's so funny?"
"Ah—nothing! Nothing at all!"
He waved frantically.
Chihiro huffed lightly, but the corner of her mouth curved just slightly.
After paying, they left the supermarket.
The midday sun shone gently on the street, not harsh, just warm enough.
Takahashi reached out. "Here, let me carry these."
Chihiro raised an eyebrow at the pile in his hands. "Can you handle it?"
"No problem." — He smiled confidently.
She said nothing else, only nodded and walked beside him.
They walked side by side on the sidewalk, the bags swaying gently with each step.
The distance between them… had unknowingly grown a little closer.
END
---