That night I allowed Kurosawa-san to sleep on my couch. By the time we finished all the beers and snacks it was well past midnight. It was the first time I had someone sleep over at my place. Not even Kota-san, whom I have known for years, has been this favored.

When I finally went to bed, I found that for the first time in a long while, my mind felt at ease and calm. I was able to sleep through the night and only woke up when the sun was already high in the sky.

I squinted my eyes and considered going back to sleep, when I suddenly heard clanging noises coming from the kitchen. Curious as to what was happening, I slipped out of bed and headed towards the source of the noise.

There, in my kitchen, wearing an apron, was Kurosawa-san. He was holding a frying pan in one hand and a spatula in the other.

“Kurosawa-san, what are you doing?” I asked in a gruff voice right behind him.

“Eeeek!” he yelped. “Gosh, say something before you come this close. You gave me a fright.”

“I did say something. I asked you what you are doing.”

“Ah, I am making scrambled eggs. Hope you like eating eggs. I didn’t know what else to make in a jiffy so I went out and bought a few things. I also made coffee.”

“I don’t care about that.” I frowned, brushing a hand across my forehead. “I want to know why you are cooking breakfast in my kitchen?”

“And where else would I cook it if not here?!” He turned and looked at me like I was an idiot.

In all honesty, for a moment, I myself thought I was being one, asking such stupid questions.

“Now stop being silly and go wash yourself. Food will be ready in a minute.” I heard him saying before he turned his back to me in order to continue cooking.

Therefore, I could only admit defeat in front of this overbearing person. And in this manner, I got won over another bit with delicious food.

~~~

The previous night I had been up until after 2 a.m., so the next day I woke up near noon again. The moment I opened my eyes I was surprised to realize that something was missing.

Ah, yes that’s right. Kurosawa-san called last night and said he wouldn’t be able to come over during lunch. Apparently, there was going to be a meeting at the company and it would be running late into the afternoon. Our phone conversation had been rather short.

“You don’t have to call and tell me this.” I had told him dismissively.

“Oh, but I thought you might miss me and think I had abandoned you if I didn’t tell you.”

“Don’t talk nonsense! I’m hanging up now!”

Kurosawa-san had been coming over to my place so often lately, that I somehow had gotten used to his presence. I would lie if I said that during the afternoon, I didn’t feel a tad bit lonely.

But I guess it couldn’t be helped. We both had our jobs and, also, it mustn’t have been easy for him to come over so often just to have lunch with me.

All I could do was sigh and prepare my instant noodles. I saw Fukuharu shooting me disapproving glances all throughout lunch.

“Stop looking at me like that! There is nothing I can do about it. I don’t have any ingredients to cook a proper meal and I don’t feel like going out.”

Honestly, I feel as if my cat is beginning to resemble Kurosawa-san more and more lately. Does he, by any chance, have a special ability to talk to animals and he asked Fukuharu to keep an eye on me?

No, I’m just being stupid now, letting my imagination run wild again. How can something like talking to animals really be possible?! 

But then again, isn’t my own strange ability to hear thoughts just as improbable?

That day I decided to take a break from writing and enjoy a cup of green tea on the balcony. The weather has been warmer these days, making it perfect for relaxing outdoors. Since I didn’t like going outside, though, I decided to transform my rather large balcony into a perfect place for relaxing. 

Outside, trees and flowers had already bloomed and the cherry blossoms were being scattered through the air, creating a beautiful painting capable of soothing the mind and soul.

A fragrant breeze wafted inside the apartment the moment I slid open the glass door. I took a few deep breaths, feeling the scented air entering my lungs and calming my spirits. 

Lately, I have been able to write more. My mind has been able to spring into action whenever I thought of the plot and everything just naturally came to life on paper. 

I was pretty satisfied with my work and believed that if things kept going like this, I might finish the second half of the book in less than a month.

Just as I was calmly sipping my tea and enjoying these musings, the doorbell rang. It’s useless to tell you whom I instantly thought of. 

Hadn’t Kurosawa-san said he couldn’t come today because of the meeting? Why is he here now?

While wondering and questioning his so-called professionalism, I went ahead and opened the door. I began scolding before I even took a closer look at the person in front of me.

“Wasn’t there supposed to be a meeting? How come…” 

I stopped abruptly and gaped at the newcomer as if he was an alien sprouting from the ground. 

“Kota-san! Y-You… Why are y-you here?” I stuttered, all to Kota-san’s utter amusement.

He chuckled and raised a hand holding a bag, dangling it in the air.

“I brought goodies. Won’t you let me inside?”

Without a word, I stepped aside and made room for him to enter.

“Were you perhaps expecting someone else?” Kota-san questioned, a mischievous glint appearing behind his rimless glasses.

“No. What makes you say that?” I looked away, avoiding his meaningful gaze.

“Oh, is that so? Then who were you about to rebuke so terribly when you opened the door? Could it be…” a devious grin spread across his face. “You’re waiting for Kurosawa-kun?”