An unsettling silence accompanied them as they finally reached Saki's home after a short but heavy walk.
Even their footsteps felt unwilling to speak.
The silence still lingered.
When they stopped in front of the door, Saki took out her key—but her hand hesitated for a moment.
Hiroki…
Thank you… for not giving up and leaving until now.
She opened the door.
They went inside.
When the door closed, Saki stopped where she was, took a deep breath, and turned to Hiroki.
— I'm sorry, Hiroki…
A brief pause.
— But please… don't stay silent.
Hiroki didn't respond.
His gaze dropped to the floor.
He still wasn't sure what to do.
But after a few seconds, something inside him became clear.
— Alright, Saki.
He lifted his head.
— I think… I can forgive you.
At that moment…
Saki's eyes lit up.
Her heart felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.
She listened carefully, as if opening her ears completely to Hiroki's words.
— But on one condition, Hiroki continued.
— If I like your cooking.
Saki frowned, then a confident smile appeared on her lips.
— Don't worry, Hiroki.
— I'll make the best meal you've ever had.
— Very well, Hiroki said with a smile.
— I'll be waiting, Chef.
He sat down on the couch.
Saki put on her apron.
When she stood at the counter, the expression on her face changed.
Everything had to be perfect.
She put water on the stove for the noodles.
For the main dish, she decided to make rabokki.
Time passed.
Hiroki was looking at his phone, but every now and then he glanced toward the kitchen.
Almost nothing was ready yet.
Saki was chasing perfection.
Hiroki, on the other hand… was getting very hungry.
He turned off his phone.
Took a deep breath.
Alright.
He stood up and headed to the kitchen.
Saki noticed Hiroki approaching, but ignored him.
— How's it going, Chef? Hiroki asked with a smile.
— Don't worry, Saki replied.
— It'll be ready soon.
— I don't want to starve any longer, Saki.
Saki put what she was holding on the counter and suddenly turned around.
— Then what are you waiting for?
Hiroki was surprised by her sudden reaction.
— Alright…
He smiled.
— I'll help you.
Saki's cheeks turned red.
— Do you even know how to cook?
— If you teach me, I will.
— After all, I'll be trained by a master chef.
Saki looked away.
But the excitement inside her couldn't be suppressed.
They worked together.
Even though Saki was shy, with her determination to make the dish perfect and Hiroki's support, everything was finally ready.
The table was set.
They sat across from each other.
But there was a small problem.
Saki had misjudged the seasoning.
The rabokki was far too spicy.
She realized it with the very first bite.
Too spicy…
But she didn't show it.
Maybe Hiroki wouldn't notice.
— How is it, Hiroki?
— I think… it's really good.
Saki giggled.
— Really?
— Then you'll finish your plate, right?
Hiroki broke into a cold sweat, but smiled anyway.
— Yes… though I have to admit it's a bit spicy.
Saki tried to shift the blame with a joke.
— That's your fault.
— You interfered with the master chef.
— What did I do?
— You added too much spice!
Hiroki laughed.
— It's fine.
— I'm used to it anyway.
They finished the meal while chatting pleasantly.
Saki cleared the table, then sat beside Hiroki.
— So…
She turned slightly toward him.
— Have you forgiven me now?
— We'll see about that, Saki.
— Ugh…
— Then will you tell me what you wrote in your notebook this morning?
— I'll have to look first before I can tell you.
— Did you really forget?
Hiroki opened his bag.
Took out his notebook and flipped through the pages.
Then he put it back.
— Alright, Saki.
— Are you ready to learn what you've been so curious about?
He took out his guitar.
— We've started working on songs for our Tokyo performance.
— I wrote a few lyrics…
— And I want to share them with you.
Saki's heart began to race.
— Your opinion means a lot to me.
— That's why I kept it hidden from you.
Saki's cheeks flushed again.
— Listening to you…
— It really excites me, Hiroki.
— Then get ready.
Hiroki began to strum his guitar.
The room filled with the sound of the strings.
This…
was the most beautiful song Saki had ever heard.
Even more beautiful than the very first one she'd heard from Hiroki.
Her heart beat in time with the rhythm of the song.
When the song ended, Saki realized she had been holding her breath.
Hiroki asked only one thing:
— How was it, Saki?
Saki couldn't answer.
Words felt insufficient.
It was as if… she had fallen in love with Hiroki all over again.
— This song…
Her voice trembled.
— It was truly beautiful.
Hiroki smiled.
— I dedicate this song to you as well.
Saki's eyes filled with tears.
— In Tokyo…
— I want to see you sing this song.
— I promise, Hiroki said.
— I'll do everything I can.
— I know.
— With someone like you behind me, I feel at ease.
This time, the silence wasn't uncomfortable.
Saki and Hiroki's conversation grew deeper…
And without them realizing it, more romantic.
Let's see…
What else did the night have in store for them?