Right now, a sight I never thought I would see in my life is unfolding before my eyes. That Misono Mika, who has lived like a princess thanks to everyone doting on her, is personally cooking something. If the situation weren't so serious, I would be tempted to record a video.
Ah, but I did take one picture. I felt Seia-san wouldn't believe me if I didn't leave some proof. Her reaction after I sent her a MomoTalk with a photo of Mika's back as she cooked was quite amusing.
[Yurizono Seia]
[?]
[...?]
[Nagisa, have my eyes gone strange?]
[Hmm... I did not know you possessed such a talent for seamlessly photoshopping images.]
I typed and sent a reply stating that there was nothing wrong with Seia-san's eyes, and that I do not know how to use any photo editing programs or applications. To be honest, if our positions were reversed, my reaction would likely have been similar to hers.
[...But you know. While it is a relief that Mika seems to be fine, have you found out why she was absent today?]
Mmm... I am not sure how to explain this to Seia-san. It would probably be better to meet and talk in person tomorrow rather than explain it over MomoTalk, would it not...?
On the surface, Mika seems perfectly fine, but the reality is a bit different and would be a complicated story. I send a message telling Seia-san that I will explain everything when we meet tomorrow. This will likely leave her wondering all night what could have possibly happened to Mika, but I have my own problems to deal with right now.
"Here, it's done! It's just a normal vegetable fried rice, though."
The Mika who has lost her memory exudes a much calmer aura than the one I remember. It is a change I would have welcomed if the situation were not so dire. It is as if the spoiled princess who was always so flighty has matured with age.
"...It looks surprisingly decent. I truly didn't think you'd be able to finish it without any problems. It feels like I'm seeing a new side of you, Mika-san. It's a little strange."
When Mika offered to cook, I honestly almost fainted from worry. The question of how she intended to cook when she had lost her memory did cross my mind, but I suppose it might not be impossible with partial amnesia. It is just that, because it is Mika, worry takes precedence. I can instantly think of at least three or four accidents she might cause.
"Hehe, I just threw in some ingredients that my hands seemed to reach for☆"
"...Why does hearing that fill me with the anxiety that, while it may look fine, it will taste anything but normal?"
"No way! Of course, I took a bite first just in case. I wasn't sure either, you know."
To be frank, the more we talk, the more Mika's speech patterns revert to her old self, and it bothers me. Could it be that everything she has shown me so far has been an act to deceive me? If not for my belief that Mika would not play such a cruel prank on me, I think I would have suspected her more seriously.
"I don't think you needed to offer to cook when you weren't even sure yourself..."
Separately from that, my complete lack of faith in Mika's cooking skills makes me hesitate. Just because food looks decent on the outside is no guarantee that its contents are as well. I would need to have seen her cook at least once to have any faith.
"Yeah... but I was so grateful that you came, Nagi-chan, I wanted to do something for you. To be honest, I was a little scared, not knowing what was what."
...Ah.
Wait a moment. Mika, isn't saying something like that cheating...?!
I feel a sense of guilt. I am ashamed that I did not immediately accept my friend's goodwill, that I kept showing her nothing but suspicion. Even though I know better than anyone that she is the one who must be far more confused than I am...
"I was very worried. I knew even you wouldn't skip school and ignore my calls as a joke, Mika-san. Now that I know the circumstances, I'm glad I came to check on you before something serious happened."
It feels as though I am trying to salvage the situation too late. I am sorry, Mika. But what I just said was all true. I was so worried about what might have happened, whether you had been caught up in something unpleasant.
"By the way, Nagi-chan. You said you're the friend I've known the longest, right?"
"Excluding our parents, yes. I've known you for over ten years, Mika-san."
Saying it out loud makes my heart ache. The ten-odd years Mika and I have spent together, and the memories we have built—that I am the only one who remembers them now. If Mika never regains her memories, what am I to do?
I want to avoid losing Mika as a friend over this. We can build new memories, but a friend, once gone, will not return. To be honest, I truly never dreamed that Mika's existence occupied such a large part of my heart.
"Wow, and you said we're sixteen, so that's a super long time. But if we've been friends for that long, why do you use formal speech? It feels a little... distant. It kind of bothers me."
"...Ah, I find it more comfortable to use formal language with everyone. I was taught from a young age to maintain my dignity at all times, no matter the place."
"I see... So does that mean you're going to keep using formal speech...?"
...Aha. I remember having a similar conversation before. This is a reenactment of that day.
In the end, it seems that even without her memories, Mika is still Mika. Her mischievous streak is still the same.
"If that's what's comfortable for you, Nagi-chan, then I guess it can't be helped. Yeah, it's a little disappointing, but..."
"Sigh. Mika-san, you already tried this once before and failed. I'm not falling for it."
...Seeing Mika add that with a pouty face, it seems she's gotten even better at this than before she lost her memories. Not that it will work, since it's a prank she's already failed at once.
"I don't remember that... Well then, I won't ask for much. Can't you just call me 'Mika-chan' just once? Please?"
...She has certainly improved. To be able to present a compromise instead of throwing a tantrum. And to lead with her most powerful weapon—it is unfair. Mika, you cannot do this to me...
"...Thank you for the meal."
I decide to evade the question for now. Given the atmosphere, it feels right to give in at least once, and it is not as if I do not want to. At this rate, I will only end up spoiling Mika's habits again.
The real problem, honestly, is that I'm embarrassed. Mika-chan, is that not a little too familiar? In the first place, it is Mika who is strange for calling people '~chan' so casually.
By the way, has Mika always had experience cooking? This fried rice, while not so delicious as to make a huge fuss, is at least normally tasty.
Ah, I have thought of a good method. I will say it once, as naturally as possible, at a moment Mika does not expect. It is a perfect world where I am less embarrassed, and Mika gets what she wants.
"Nagi-chan, how is it? Is it edible?"
...For example, like now.
"Yes, it's so normally delicious, it's hard to believe Mika-chan made it. To be honest, the 'you' before you lost your memory never cooked for me, so it's a bit strange... Anyway, it's a relief that you seem to be able to handle your daily life without any major issues for now."
Phew, following it up by calling her Mika-san as usual makes the embarrassment almost disappear. The familiarity is indeed a bit much for me to handle. I cannot do that a second time.
By the way, I wonder why it is so hot. I was about to fan myself with my hand when I realized why my face was getting warm and quickly lowered it. I hope Mika did not notice. It is not too obvious, is it?
"Hey, a second ago, you did call me Mika-chan, right? I didn't hear that wrong, did I?"
"What are you talking about, Mika-san? You must have misheard."
"Whoa—"
Be honest with me, Mika. You have not lost your memory, have you? You are on the verge of completely reverting to your original way of speaking.
My head knows it is not a lie, but she is so suspiciously like the Mika I know. Still, the thought that there is a possibility Mika's memories might return brings me some peace of mind.
"Mika-san, you should eat too. There's still a mountain of things I have to tell you."
"If you try to cram that much in all at once, I think I'll forget everything..."
"I'll tell you as many times as it takes for you to remember it all, so don't you worry about that."
Really, there is no need to look so touched. I am only helping Mika out of a selfish desire not to lose my precious friend.
...By the way, Mika-chan. It truly has a ring to it that seems difficult to get used to.
◇─◇───◆─◈─◆───◇─◇
This is strange. I have quite a bit of experience sharing a bed with Mika, but why am I so conscious of it today? I cannot seem to fall asleep.
Every time our wings touch, my body flinches without my knowledge. Mika does not seem to mind the situation at all, sleeping peacefully...
Sleeping...?
Oh dear. Did I not tell you? Mika, we cannot pretend to be asleep because of our halos...