“That massage felt amazing.”
“Yeah, that was really good.”
Back home, Yuzuru and Arisa chatted like that.
They had fully enjoyed the facilities—baths, sauna, and massage chairs.
“You’ve gotten a lot better at swimming too, Arisa.”
Of course, they hadn’t just been relaxing—there had also been proper swimming practice.
She wasn’t quite at the point of “being able to swim” yet, but she could at least do flutter kicks while holding onto Yuzuru.
“How much more training do you think I’ll need?”
“At this pace… maybe two more sessions, and you’ll be able to manage 25 metres.”
After that, all she needed was to kick without holding on and learn how to breathe.
Once she got that far, it would count as swimming.
Even doggy paddle would be fine.
…Though mastering crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly would be another story.
As they chatted, the two began preparing dinner.
At the very least, Yuzuru could peel vegetables with a peeler.
That evening’s menu was—
Saikyo-marinated Spanish mackerel. Fish marinated in sweet white miso
Nikujaga. Simmered meat and potatoes
Spinach with sesame dressing.
Miso soup.
“What you made—this nikujaga—is really good.”
Everything was delicious, of course, but the nikujaga stood out the most to Yuzuru.
The potatoes were fluffy and soaked through with flavour.
“It’s made with new potatoes.”
Arisa puffed her chest slightly, clearly proud of it.
Then she tilted her head.
“Yuzuru-san, do you like nikujaga?”
“Hm? Well… about as much as anyone, I guess.”
He didn’t love it in particular, but he didn’t dislike it either.
“Why do you ask?”
“Well… I heard that men tend to like women who can make nikujaga.”
“Ah… yeah, you hear that a lot.”
It was often said that nikujaga appealed to men.
But if you asked men their favourite food, fewer would name nikujaga than things like curry or hamburg steak.
In other words, it wasn’t that they loved nikujaga—
they liked the idea of a girl who could make it.
“What about you, Yuzuru-san?”
“Hmm… I don’t really have that kind of mindset—‘I like women who can cook nikujaga.’”
Yuzuru’s mother wasn’t particularly good at cooking.
And most of the time, meals at home were prepared by hired staff.
So he had never really thought, I want a wife who’s good at cooking.
“I see…”
It wasn’t quite the answer Arisa had been hoping for.
She didn’t look upset exactly, but her mood dipped slightly.
“…Of course, I like your cooking.”
“Yes, I know that. …It’s not that, exactly…”
Arisa looked a little troubled.
She understood that Yuzuru wasn’t dissatisfied with her cooking.
“It’s just… I wonder if you like my cooking, rather than liking me for being someone who’s good at cooking…”
“That’s…”
Even if Arisa were bad at cooking—or couldn’t cook at all—Yuzuru wouldn’t start disliking her.
To him, she was his girlfriend, his fiancée, his future partner—not someone valued for a specific skill.
But it didn’t seem like that was the answer she wanted.
As Yuzuru struggled to respond, Arisa shook her head apologetically.
“Sorry… I couldn’t put it into words properly. I made things awkward.”
It seemed even she couldn’t fully articulate what she was feeling.
And Yuzuru didn’t know what he should say either.
“No, it’s fine. …Could I have another helping?”
Deciding it was better to move on, Yuzuru changed the subject.
Arisa seemed relieved and nodded.
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
“Then I’ll help myself.”
Using serving chopsticks, Yuzuru transferred more nikujaga onto his plate.
After clearing up, the two relaxed in the living room.
Or rather—
they were both a little restless.
“…Um, Yuzuru-san.”
“What is it, Arisa?”
“N-no, it’s nothing.”
She started to say something, then stopped.
Yuzuru knew exactly why she seemed so fidgety.
(We’re going to bathe together after this…)
They had promised to take a bath together in swimsuits.
It was only natural they’d be conscious of it.
(…Was she about to say we should call it off?)
It wouldn’t be surprising if she lost her nerve at the last moment.
Of course, he wouldn’t force her if she didn’t want to—
“Arisa.”
“Y-yes?”
“…Shall we go in?”
He decided to take the initiative.
Arisa gave a small nod.
“Yes… let’s.”
Fortunately, she didn’t seem unwilling.
She was probably just too embarrassed to bring it up herself.
“Then you go in first, Yuzuru-san. I’ll change into my swimsuit and come in after.”
“Alright.”
As instructed, Yuzuru changed into his swimsuit and entered the bathroom.
He washed up quickly.
Now all that was left was to wait for Arisa.
(…Will I be alright?)
He felt a bit uneasy.
Not because he thought he’d lose control and do something like pounce on her—
his self-restraint would hold.
The real issue was something less under his control—
or rather, something that already was reacting.
(Well… it didn’t show at the pool.)
Honestly, even with swimsuits on, it would almost be rude not to react when bathing with someone you liked.
At worst, he could bluff it off with something like, “It’s because you’re attractive.”
“…I’m coming in now.”
While Yuzuru was busy thinking such nonsense, Arisa’s voice came from outside.
He instinctively straightened up.
A moment later, the door slowly opened.
“…Let’s get in before we catch a chill.”
Blushing deeply, her jade-green eyes darting nervously—
his fiancée stood there in a white bikini.
