Saki dried her face with a soft towel, murmuring to herself,
"Alright, Saki… You can do this."
Those three little words lit a tiny spark of courage inside her.
When she stepped into the kitchen, one question filled her mind:
"What kind of masterpiece can I make?"
But that confident start shattered the moment she opened the fridge.
It was empty. Completely, hopelessly empty—like a tiny wind might've blown through it.
Saki's eyes widened in pure disappointment.
"I… totally forgot to go grocery shopping."
Her thoughts bounced between two things: the empty fridge… and Hiroki, lounging on the couch in the living room, happily absorbed in his phone.
"So I'm just making plain pasta? I can't serve Hiroki that…"
Still, she didn't give up. She placed the few ingredients she had onto the counter. Just then, Hiroki called from the living room:
"So, what's the plan, chef?"
Saki let out a deep sigh.
"Um… it's a surprise!"
And in her mind she whispered,
The real surprise is how I'm going to make anything with this stuff…
For several minutes the kitchen went silent—except for Saki's frantic mixing, testing, changing, messing up, and trying again. It looked like a tiny battlefield.
But in the end, she managed to create the best dish possible with what she had.
Maybe it wasn't fancy, maybe it wasn't perfect…
But Saki had poured her whole heart into that meal.
She set everything neatly on the table and called out:
"Hiroki! Dinner's ready!"
Hiroki walked in slowly. Saki's stomach twisted with nerves.
What if he didn't like it?
What if his face fell?
What if… what if she embarrassed herself?
Hiroki stared at the food for a moment, sat down, and gently picked up his fork. He took the first bite. A few seconds passed… and he said nothing.
The only heart pounding was Saki's.
Then Hiroki smiled.
"Wow, Saki… you're actually pretty good at this. It's delicious."
Saki's cheeks turned bright red instantly. The weight in her chest lifted.
"So you thought I couldn't cook, or what?"
Her voice trembled slightly, a mix of pride and embarrassment.
They ate together, a warm, calm atmosphere settling over the table.
When the meal was finished, Hiroki thanked her.
"Thanks, Saki. It was really good."
"You're welcome…"
Saki silently sighed in relief.
Oh thank goodness… he liked it.
But the relief didn't last long.
Hiroki took a sip of water, suddenly paused, and set his glass down.
His face became serious.
"Saki… what time is it?"
Saki grabbed her phone.
"It says… one. One p.m., Hiroki."
Hiroki's eyes widened.
"You need to get ready, Saki! We're going to be late!"
"Late for what!?"
"For school."
"For SCHOOL!?"
"Yes? Are you not coming?"
Saki blinked in confusion.
"Isn't today a holiday? I thought it was…"
Hiroki sighed.
"We have music club practice, remember? It starts in half an hour."
"Right, but… I'm not even in the music club."
"I know. I just thought I'd bring you along as an audience member.
If you want, of course."
Saki paused, resting her chin on her hand.
A morning full of cooking… stress… and now club practice?
Then the real problem hit her.
"Hiroki… how are we supposed to make it in half an hour? Did you think about that?"
Hiroki shrugged.
"Yeah. That's why I didn't wake up at noon."
Saki's face fell.
"I wish you told me… I would've sent you off hungry."
Hiroki chuckled and checked the time.
"We've got twenty-five minutes, Saki. Hurry up."
Saki tried to clear the table, but fumbled awkwardly. Hiroki eventually stepped in to help, and the two cleaned up together in a rush.
Saki dashed into her room.
She opened her wardrobe… and was met with yet another disappointment.
"I didn't do the laundry… what am I supposed to wear!?"
Meanwhile, Hiroki loaded the dishes into the machine. On his way back, he passed Saki's room. The door was open. Even though he tried not to look, his eyes drifted toward the middle of the room.
When Saki turned around, she caught him staring.
"What are you looking at, Hiroki?"
Hiroki pointed at her bed.
"You actually… sleep with Mr. Teddy?"
Saki's expression was a chaotic mix of embarrassment, anger, and shock.
She marched toward the door, gripping the handle.
"Yes! I do! Is that a problem!?"
Hiroki slipped his hands into his pockets and smiled slightly.
"No problem… I was just a little jealous, that's all."
Saki froze, stunned. Then she smiled—reflexively—before shutting the door firmly.
She quickly picked out an outfit and changed. Fixed her hair. Just as she finished, the door cracked open.
"Ready, Saki?"
"I just need to do a bit of makeup."
"You don't need makeup. We'll be late."
"Nope. I am NOT leaving without it."
"Saki…" Hiroki shook his head lightly.
"I think you look beautiful without makeup. Come on."
Saki's heart nearly stopped.
He didn't have to say it like THAT…
"Okay… give me a minute. I'll be quick."
She stood in front of the mirror and did a soft, natural makeup—barely noticeable, but enough to calm her nerves.
Then she rushed to the door.
"Alright, we can go now!"
The two stepped outside. The air was crisp. They walked briskly toward the school. But Saki's mind was elsewhere.
Hiroki's words… his looks… his sudden jealousy…
And why he cared so much about this music club practice…
When would she finally get the answers?
Maybe today's biggest surprise… was only just beginning.