Chapter 6 — Episode 3
A few days earlier—
“Arisa’s cooking really is the best.”
Yuzuru muttered as he ate somen.
Arisa gave a small, wry smile.
“…I don’t think there’s much difference when it comes to somen.”
“It’s not the somen—it’s the broth you make.”
The noodles were store-bought, but the dipping sauce was homemade—
Made from katsuobushi and kombu.
Compared to the diluted bottled kind, the flavour and aroma were just a little richer.
That subtle difference made all the difference.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Arisa’s expression softened.
Normally, most people would just use something ready-made.
But she had gone out of her way to make it herself—
And being praised for that clearly meant a lot to her.
“But… I guess somen season’s almost over.”
“September’s nearly here, after all.”
She nodded in agreement.
Though in reality, September was still far too hot to feel like autumn.
It would be at least another month before the season truly changed.
“And before we know it, it’ll be winter.”
“I’m looking forward to hot pot.”
“…That’s a bit early, isn’t it?”
Talking about hot pot while cicadas were still buzzing was certainly jumping the gun.
“But… I’m looking forward to spending winter with you, Yuzuru-san.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“…It’ll be our first winter as a couple.”
They had only started dating that spring.
So things like Christmas—
Those “couple events”—would all be new to them.
“And we’ve got the school trip too.”
“Ah, the school trip… hope we end up in the same group.”
If possible, he’d prefer the same room—
But that was obviously impossible.
No point hoping.
“There’s so much to look forward to!”
Arisa smiled brightly.
Seeing that made Yuzuru happy too.
She used to say she disliked winter.
Now that was in the past.
And knowing he’d helped change that—
That he’d made her happy—
Filled him with quiet satisfaction.
“But we’ll need to watch out for colds.”
“Then I’ll take care of you next time.”
“…If I asked you to wipe my sweat, would you?”
“Eh? Th-that… of course…”
She nodded, cheeks slightly red.
Maybe remembering something she’d done before—
Or imagining Yuzuru half-naked.
Probably both.
“Still, best not to get sick at all.”
“Y-yes, exactly!”
“I definitely don’t want the flu. I’ll have to get vaccinated.”
He said it casually—
And Arisa’s expression stiffened ever so slightly.
“Vaccinated…?”
“Yeah. You get it every year too, right?”
“No… I don’t, actually.”
Yuzuru blinked in surprise.
Of course, he knew some people skipped it—
But he’d assumed most didn’t.
“Why not? Do you feel unwell after injections?”
He himself got a bit dizzy sometimes—
Nothing serious, but unpleasant.
“N-no… I’m not sure. I haven’t had one in a while…”
“…Why not?”
“B-because… they’re scary.”
She said it, slightly embarrassed.
At her age…?
That thought slipped into Yuzuru’s mind.
Though, to be fair, she was afraid of the dark, hated wasabi—
She had her childish sides.
And those were part of her charm.
Yuzuru chuckled.
“…What are you laughing at?”
“Just thinking you’re cute.”
That didn’t seem to go over well.
She puffed her cheeks slightly.
Still cute—but—
“…I’d rather you got it, though.”
“…Huh? W-why!?”
She looked genuinely shaken.
“Well… if you catch it, I might too.”
“I-if we’re careful, we’ll be fine!”
“Maybe, but sometimes you just catch it anyway. And next year’s entrance exams, right?”
Getting ill during such an important time would be disastrous.
Even recovering from it would take time.
“I-I know, but…”
“Why not just try it once?”
“N-no! I can’t!”
“…They don’t hurt much these days.”
“That’s a lie! Of course it hurts if they stick a needle in you!”
“I could take you somewhere good.”
“Absolutely not!”
“You’re in high school now—you could at least get over a simple injection—”
“Lalalala, I can’t hear you! I don’t care!!”
She covered her ears and ran off.
Yuzuru chased after her, trying to persuade her—
And that—
Was how their fight began.
“And that’s basically it.”
“That’s what happened.”
Having heard both sides at nearly the same time—
Their friends all muttered in unison—
““““““This is ridiculously trivial…””””””
