And then, a few minutes later.
「Thanks for the food.」
Sasaki-san, who had been eating silently, finished her bento and said so while putting her hands together properly.
So I took the opportunity to express my gratitude to Sasaki-san once again.
「Thank you so much for today. Then, I’ll wash the bento box and return it to you.」
「No, that’s not necessary. I’m happy you said it was delicious. So you can just return the bento box as it is.」
「Ah, okay, got it. Then I’ll take you up on that offer. But Sasaki-san, you’re really amazing. The bento was super delicious, and the presentation was perfect too. With food this good, you could probably open a restaurant.」
「W-Wait… that’s too much praise. And there’s no way I could open a restaurant. I’m just cooking as a hobby. Well… umm, thank you. I’m happy you say that.」
When I said that, Sasaki-san turned away and started twirling her side hair with her fingertips.
Maybe she’s doing it to hide her embarrassment? It’s such a cute gesture that I can’t help but watch.
But I thought it wasn’t good to just stare at Sasaki-san’s face in silence, so I decided to ask her more about cooking.
「Ah, by the way, Sasaki-san, do you have any dishes you’re particularly good at?」
「Dishes I’m good at? Hmm, well, I often make Japanese food… but if I had to say my best dish, it would be hamburger steak. I make it often at home too.」
「Hee, is that so! Being good at meat dishes is great! Sasaki-san’s hamburger steak, huh… yeah, that sounds super delicious too…」
As I heard that from Sasaki-san, I imagined her hamburger steak in my mind. Mmm, it must be absolutely delicious… gokuri…
「? What’s wrong? You suddenly seem spaced out.」
「Eh… ehh!? Ah, no, it’s nothing! A-Anyway, it’s amazing that you have such a variety of dishes! How did you learn to cook all these dishes?」
「Just the usual way. Nothing special. I look things up online or in books, and I learn recipes from my mom, that’s about it.」
「Hee, I see. But to have learned so many dishes, you must have worked really hard. And to be able to make such delicious food… yeah, I’m sure Sasaki-san will make a great wife in the future!」
「Eh… h-haa!? W-Wha!? A-A wife!?」
「Eh? Ah!」
I unconsciously said such a thing, and Sasaki-san’s face turned bright red again.
Because of the marriage talk Sasaki-san brought up earlier, I ended up slipping my tongue…
「Ah, u-umm, sorry! I mean, there’s nothing to apologize for… umm, what I mean is! I wanted to say that Sasaki-san’s bento was delicious and the best! That’s why I said you’d make a great wife in that sense──」
「I-I get it, I get it! So stop repeating it!!」
「Ah, s-sorry…!」
Sasaki-san said so in a loud voice with her face bright red. And then she started taking deep breaths.
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So I also took deep breaths to match Sasaki-san and together we calmed down.
「Umm, so thank you for today! Sasaki-san’s bento was super delicious! I’m really happy to have eaten such a delicious bento!」
「Y-Yeah, well, if you’re that happy, then I’m glad too. But if you’re that happy… t-then, umm… would you like me to make it for you again tomorrow?」
「Eh!? I-Is that okay!?」
「Uwa!? W-Wait!!」
I leaned forward and approached Sasaki-san quickly. Then she was surprised and leaned back sharply.
「D-Don’t surprise me like that suddenly! G-Geez! Don’t get so close all of a sudden!」
「Ah, s-sorry… but, you know, I got excited thinking I could eat Sasaki-san’s bento again…」
「E-Excited, you say… fufu, do you want my bento that much?」
Sasaki-san grinned while twirling her hair with her fingertips again.
「Yeah, of course! It’s the best that I can eat Sasaki-san’s bento again!」
「Eh… ehh? N-No, you… y-you should be a little embarrassed, you know. Haa, well, whatever. Fufu.」
Seeing me like that, Sasaki-san sighed and smiled wryly.
「Ahaha, that’s how happy I am! But why did you suddenly say you’d make it again tomorrow? Yesterday you said it was just for today.」
「Hmm, why, you ask… if you’re going to eat it with such a happy face, I thought I wouldn’t mind making it for you. And…」
「And?」
「I like cooking, so if someone eats it and I can hear their thoughts, I think that’s valuable enough. So I’ll be listening carefully to your thoughts on the bento tomorrow too!」
Sasaki-san pointed her index finger at me sharply.
「Eh!? That’s totally fine, but… like you said earlier, I have no vocabulary, is that okay?」
「Yeah, that’s not a problem. I’m not asking for detailed feedback. Just simple comments like if it’s salty or bitter or too sweet. Of course, if you think it’s delicious, just say so.」
「Ahh, I see! Okay, got it, then I’ll share my thoughts on Sasaki-san’s bento every time from now on!」
「Yeah, please do. Ah, and! I’ll be making a bento for Yamada from now on, but of course, I’ll be charging for the ingredients, okay?」
「Of course, I’ll pay for that! I mean, if I can eat Sasaki-san’s bento, I’ll pay any amount!」
「Y-You’re overreacting to everything. W-Well, it’s fine. Then I’ll make your bento again tomorrow.」
「Yeah, thank you! Then, once again… looking forward to it, Sasaki-san!」
「Yeah, same here.」
And so, we made that promise while smiling together.
And thus the long days of my exchanges with Sasaki-san began.