Chapter 639: Feeling Out of Place (2/2)

[……Fumufumu, guessing from the ingredients, today's dinner at Kaito-san's home seems to be croquettes huh.]

[Which she would need to deep-fry…… I wonder if Mom is skillful enough to do that.]

I know I'm repeating myself, but Mom is a terrible cook. They could already be said to be in pretty disastrous levels…… and since she has been a housewife for at least 20 years, for her to still be on such a level, I don't expect for her cooking skills to grow in the future.

Deep-frying stuff is pretty challenging, so I'm somewhat nervous but…… Well, to be honest, I guess I don't have to worry about such a thing today?

[Well, regarding that…… You can leeeeeave it to Alyssa-chan. And thus, is it okay if I come visit today?]

[Yeah, of course. Mom and Dad will also be happy.]

Alyssa has been coming to my home frequently since high school, and both Mom and Dad like her a lot. Whenever Alyssa comes to visit, we usually have dinner together.

In the text Mom sent me, she even wrote ”If Alyssa-chan is coming, buy extra ingredients for one more person”, so they would definitely be happy with her visit.

[Well then, let's go!]

[……Yeah.]

Seeing Alyssa brightly smiling, I felt a kind of warmth in my heart as I walked side by side with her through the streets dyed in the color of dusk.

But at the same time…… I wonder what this is? This inexplicable anxiety and loneliness I'm feeling……

Feeling these strange, inexplicable emotions, I moved my gaze…… I saw something beyond the intersection.

Is that…… me? And beside me is…… Erina? No, her clothes are different…… It isn't her familiar white labcoat, but a black coat? The two of them were also walking around with happy smiles on their faces?

[……to-san? Kaito-san!]

[ ! ? Eh? ……Alyssa?]

[What's the matter? Why did you suddenly stop?]

[Ah, no, I think I just saw…… a me at the other side of the interaction there?]

[……Yes? No, there's no one there though? I mean, Kaito-san, you're standing here, right?]

[……Sorry, it's nothing.]

I don't even know what I was saying myself. Was I hallucinating or something? I'm also not sure what's the answer to that.

[Errr, are you really alright? You've been acting a bit strange…… ever since this morning, you know?]

[I'm alright…… I think.]

[Hmmm…… Just in case, let's check your temperature when you get home. My skills are just about the same as those quack doctors, so it should be fine.]

[……It's amazing how you can say that as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.]

Seriously, I wonder what's the matter with me…… No, rather, what in the world is happening with me?

Somehow, I felt like it won't be long…… before I received the answer to that question.

<Afterword>

? ? ? : [Arehh, that flow isn't that great, isn't it? Let's just continue with the story where the Transcendental Cutie Alyssa-chan is the main heroine.]

Serious-senpai : [No, hurry up and return to serious, seriously!]

T/N: 56/187