“Yuzuru-san, say ahh.”
“Ahh…”
Yuzuru opened his mouth and accepted the nikujaga held between the cooking chopsticks.
Lowering them, Arisa asked—
“How is it?”
“Yeah, it’s good. I think it’s just right.”
At his words, Arisa nodded with satisfaction.
“I see. Then let’s call it done.”
After Yuzuru’s parents and sister left for their overseas trip—
The two of them had immediately started preparing dinner together.
“All that’s left is the fish… how is it?”
“It should be done… maybe?”
“…Let me see. Yes, it’s cooked properly. It’s fine.”
Once the main dishes were ready, they placed everything on trays and carried it to the living room.
After saying “itadakimasu,” they began eating.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had your cooking… it really is the best.”
Yuzuru said with softened eyes.
The housemaids were professionals, so their cooking was delicious—
But Arisa’s cooking, made by his fiancée, was on another level.
“Thank you. …The fish you grilled is very good too, you know?”
“That’s just the grill doing all the work…”
“I know. I’m joking.”
Chatting lightly, they finished their meal.
As they washed the dishes, Yuzuru spoke up.
“What should we do after this?”
“Hmm…”
Arisa thought for a moment, then lightly clapped her hands.
“Oh, there’s something I’d really like to see.”
“Something you want to see?”
“Yes. Do you have any videos of when you were little?”
“…Ah. I see.”
Yuzuru scratched his cheek.
Most households had albums or recordings of memories—
And his house had plenty.
So it was certainly possible.
“…Is that a problem?”
“No, just… a bit embarrassing.”
“If you don’t want to, I won’t force you…”
Arisa said, looking slightly disappointed.
Yuzuru quickly shook his head.
“No, it’s fine. It’s embarrassing, sure—but it’s not that I don’t want to show you. If you want to see it, I’ll show you. …You do, right?”
“Yes! I’m very curious!”
Arisa nodded eagerly, eyes sparkling.
Yuzuru smiled wryly, finished putting away the dishes, and wiped his hands.
“Alright. I’ll go find them. Can I leave the rest of the washing to you? Come to the living room when you’re done.”
“Yes!”
Times like this, having a big house is a hassle, he thought as he went to search for the discs.
Fortunately, he found them where he expected.
By the time Arisa finished the dishes, he had brought them back.
“Where do you want to start?”
“Let’s see… from the beginning.”
“From zero, then.”
This is going to take a while, he thought, smiling as he started the video.
On the screen appeared a young woman—and a baby.
“Wow… so this is you, Yuzuru-san. You’re so cute…”
“You’re cuter.”
“Save that for later.”
On-screen, baby Yuzuru gradually grew.
Watching him, Arisa smiled happily.
“You’re starting to look like yourself.”
But partway through—
Arisa suddenly covered her face.
“W-wait… please fast-forward!”
“…You don’t have to react that strongly.”
It was a scene of baby Yuzuru being bathed.
Naturally, he was completely naked—
Though as a baby, there was nothing indecent about it.
“N-no, this is bad… it feels like a crime!”
“…Alright, alright.”
Though her flustered, blushing reaction was amusing—
Yuzuru decided not to tease her too much and skipped ahead.
The next scene showed a properly clothed Yuzuru.
From there, his growth continued—
From crawling, to standing, to walking, to running.
“Ahaha, Yuzuru-san, you were such a clingy child.”
Watching him cry and cling to his mother, refusing to go to kindergarten, Arisa laughed brightly.
“That was a long time ago. …Don’t tease me too much.”
Yuzuru sighed from beside her.
Even if it was in the past, having his embarrassing moments seen by his fiancée was mortifying.
“…This is nice.”
Arisa murmured.
Her expression was a little wistful.
“…Don’t you have anything like this? From when you were little? Photos, at least?”
Arisa’s parents had passed away when she was in primary school.
Unless they had avoided cameras, it would be natural for such things to exist.
“…I wonder. I’ve never asked, so I don’t know.”
“…Won’t you ask?”
“…Maybe, if I feel like it.”
Her unusually hesitant tone made Yuzuru tilt his head.
She seemed envious—
Yet made no move to look for them.
(…Is she afraid they don’t exist? Or… afraid of seeing her parents?)
There were probably complicated feelings there—
Something only she could understand.
Deciding not to pry, Yuzuru gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“Then let’s make plenty from now on. …For our kids too.”
“Honestly, that’s a bit early…”
Arisa said, her cheeks tinged red.
