“Zzzla–”
The faint sizzle of oil heating in a frying pan drifted from the kitchen, mixed with the rich aroma of meat and sauce, wafting into Xiao Chun Miura’s nose.
She had just entered, still standing at the boundary between the entrance and the living room, shoes not yet taken off—her hands nervously gripping the straps of her school bag.
Xiao Chun Miura had never, in her life, said ‘I’m home’ while there was someone else at home.
The scene before her, after several weeks in this world, was the most unfamiliar thing to her.
The living room, once empty and devoid of life, was now filled with the warm glow of yellow lights.
On the coffee table that Xiao Chun Miura rarely used, there were two steaming cups of tea and a half-peeled tangerine.
And in the kitchen, a middle-aged man whose figure resembled her mother’s stood with his back to the entrance, busy at the stove.
The sound of running water and his humming echoed in the kitchen.
All of this was too—
Too ordinary.
So ordinary that Xiao Chun Miura felt a strong sense of unreality.
She couldn’t help but stand in the doorway, unable to move.
As if she really were just a normal high school girl who came home a little late after school.
“Go wash your hands, dinner will be ready soon.”
“Go on~”
As her father spoke, her mother also quietly urged her, then left Xiao Chun Miura’s side to help in the kitchen.
“Ah… Yes.”
Xiao Chun Miura stiffened, responding reflexively.
She walked towards the bathroom with a nervousness she had never felt before, each step feeling unsteady.
Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar girl in the mirror, Xiao Chun Miura splashed cold water on her face.
The chill helped clear her mind a little.
“Calm down.”
She whispered to her reflection.
“I am… Xiao Chun Miura now.”
“Those are my parents, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“—I can’t act too strange.”
After a while, Xiao Chun Miura took a deep breath.
She dried her hands and returned to the dining room.
By then, the food was already laid out on the table.
Steaming Hamburg Steak, drizzled with rich, brown-red sauce, with green broccoli and golden corn on the side.
A bowl of Miso Soup, a dish of pickled vegetables, and a perfectly portioned bowl of white rice.
That was the Hamburg Steak her mom had mentioned at the door earlier—her dad’s specialty.
“Come, have a seat.”
Her mother set down the chopsticks, smiling.
“You didn’t come back for so long, the meat got cold, so we had to heat it up again. The texture might not be perfect~?”
“But don’t blame your dad’s cooking for that.”
Both parents wore gentle smiles, their warm gazes on Xiao Chun Miura.
“No… I won’t. Itadakimasu.”
Xiao Chun Miura pressed her hands together, her voice a bit tense.
Summoning her courage, she picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of Hamburg Steak in her mouth.
The meat was firm, the sauce sweet, with the fragrance of onions.
Even if it had been reheated, Xiao Chun Miura thought it tasted great.
But…
“Delicious.”
When those two words slipped out, even Xiao Chun Miura was stunned.
It wasn’t just satisfaction on her taste buds.
It was a deeper, more primal hunger being filled.
Ever since coming to this world, most of her meals had been Convenience Store Rice Balls, School Cafeteria Set Meals, or heating up cold Instant Curry from the fridge at home.
She thought she’d gotten used to eating whatever just to get by.
Until this moment, when hot meat juice burst in her mouth and warmed its way down her throat.
She realized how much she craved the taste called ‘Home-cooked Meal.’
“I told you my skills haven’t declined.”
The man across from her grinned proudly.
“This is a secret recipe I learned up north, though it’s not exactly proper Western food…”
“Alright, enough boasting.”
The woman rolled her eyes and placed a piece of broccoli on Xiao Chun Miura’s plate.
“Eat more vegetables. The Sports Day must’ve been tiring, right?”
“Mm… It was okay.”
Xiao Chun Miura lowered her head, focusing on her rice.
“Just running and cheering, that sort of thing.”
“Did you participate in any events?”
The man asked casually.
“I remember you didn’t like sports as a kid. During Sports Day, you’d always hide in the shade and read a Book.”
“…Yeah, I did.”
Xiao Chun Miura paused.
Images from the Borrowed Item Relay flashed through her mind—the face of Kanzaki Sou, the cries of Kondo Haruka, the words and time spent with friends.
“I signed up for the Borrowed Item Relay.”
“Oh?—Borrowed Item Relay, huh.”
“That’s pretty interesting.”
The man seemed intrigued, grinning.
“Did you have fun?”
“…I did.”
“Participation is what matters. As long as you’re happy.”
The woman chimed in.
“We never thought you’d join Sports Day. Just joining is great.”
“Yeah, happiness is most important.”
The man agreed, standing up to get a ladle from the kitchen.
There was nothing particularly deep or pointed in the conversation.
Just the most ordinary, trivial family chatter.
“By the way, the hot spring we visited this time was really nice…”
“We got you an Omamori that’s supposed to be very effective. See if you want to put it somewhere…”
“On your school bag?”
“That’d be risky. Don’t hang it there.”
“—Next time, let’s all go together as a family if we get the chance.”
Xiao Chun Miura listened quietly, occasionally responding with a word or two.
She lowered her head, trying to use the rim of her bowl to hide her slightly reddened eyes.
In this home, she was originally an outsider.
She hadn’t expected to form any real connection or emotional bond with this couple.
But now, at this dinner table filled with the aroma of food, with these somewhat nagging yet natural parents.
The high wall in Xiao Chun Miura’s heart was slowly crumbling.
The sense of unreality was fading away.
In its place was a vague sense of peace.
Sitting across from her, her parents ate, chatted, and cared about whether she was happy and full every day.
That was all there was to it.
But that was enough.
For a soul always on edge, this dinner was more irreplaceable than anything else.
“……I’m full.”
A dozen minutes later, Xiao Chun Miura set down her empty bowl and chopsticks.
Her stomach was warm, and much of the pressure in her heart had eased.
“Alright, leave it there, I’ll clean up.”
The woman stood up to clear the table.
“Go sit in the living room and have some fruit. Dad bought those expensive Choyowa Grapes, specially for you.”
“I’ll help—”
“No need, you’ve had a long day. Go rest.”
Without taking no for an answer, the woman pushed her toward the living room.
Xiao Chun Miura could only walk to the sofa and sit down.
The TV had been playing a variety show with several comedians making exaggerated faces since dinner began.
“Xiao Chun.”
The man came over and sat in the single-seater next to her, speaking suddenly.
Xiao Chun Miura looked over, and saw his eyes fixed on the TV screen.
“What is it… Dad?”
“After this trip, your mom and I talked it over.”
The man scratched his head, his tone turning a little more serious.
“We got a bit too caught up in having fun before and left you home alone too often.”
“Even though you said you could take care of yourself, you’re still a high schooler.”
Xiao Chun Miura looked at him, a bit surprised.
“So, from now on, we’ll be staying at home.”
“No more travel plans for a while.”
The man turned his head, giving her a wide, apologetic smile.
“There’ll always be someone to cook dinner, so you don’t have to keep eating Convenience Store Rice Balls. You must be sick of curry by now—sorry about that.”
From the kitchen came the sound of water and clinking dishes.
Laughter from the comedians on TV echoed in the room.
On the coffee table before her sat a plate of washed, sparkling Choyowa Grapes.
Xiao Chun Miura felt her nose sting.
“Mm.”
She lowered her head, replying softly.
“I understand.”
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