The Next Day – Afternoon
Keith was discharged from the hospital without complications.
His steps were calm as he walked through the familiar streets, stopping in front of the modest apartment building he lived in. To anyone watching, he looked like an ordinary middle-school boy.
But Keith knew better.
As he climbed the stairs, his thoughts drifted.
Every year since arriving in Japan, his grandfather had quietly transferred one million yen to him as pocket money. Keith rarely spent it himself.
Most of it had gone to Harumi.
Shopping.
Luxury cafés.
Clothes.
Gifts.
Keith let out a slow breath.
"…Why did I love her so much?" he muttered.
With his past-life memories restored, he could now see it clearly. Compared to the many remarkable women he had known—strong, intelligent, loyal—Harumi didn't even come close.
Not even one percent.
He shook his head and reached for his door.
"Enough."
Just then—
"Good afternoon, Keith."
He turned to see his neighbor, Shizuka, standing by her door.
"Good afternoon," Keith replied politely. Then he smiled—soft, genuine.
"…Thank you."
Shizuka blinked.
"For… what?"
"For everything," Keith said simply.
For a brief moment, Vermouth, hidden beneath the gentle disguise of Shizuka, felt her heart skip.
She looked away slightly, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.
"It's just a neighbor's duty," she replied lightly.
Keith nodded, still smiling, and entered his apartment.
The door closed.
Shizuka stood there for a few seconds longer than necessary.
"…That smile," she whispered.
Keith's Apartment
Keith placed his bag down and sat at the small kitchen counter.
"Great Sage," he said calmly, "assist me."
Confirmed.
With the system's support, Keith began recreating dishes from his previous life—recipes that hadn't yet been developed in this world.
Precise adjustments.
Ingredient substitutions.
Temperature control down to the second.
When he tasted the result—
"…Good," Keith nodded.
Very good.
He packed several dishes neatly into a food box, then stepped back into the hallway and knocked on Shizuka's door.
A moment later, she opened it.
"Yes?"
"I made some food," Keith said. "Please accept it."
Before she could properly respond, he handed her the box, bowed slightly, and returned to his apartment.
The door closed.
Shizuka's Apartment
The moment she was alone, Vermouth dropped the act.
She held the food box tightly against her chest, as if it were something priceless.
"…Keith," she murmured softly.
She carefully opened it and took a bite.
Her eyes widened.
The taste was refined.
Balanced.
Comforting.
"This…" she whispered, smiling faintly, "…is incredible."
She sat down slowly, savoring each bite.
For the first time in a long while—
The world felt quiet.
Safe.
And warm.