Chapter 37: The Angel and Passing of the New Year (1/2)

The sun was about to set when Mahiru was done with all the dishes, and left them in the Jūbako. This time, she began preparing dinner.

That was the case, but their dinner would be Toshikoshi soba, so all they needed to do was to boil pre-cooked soba, and add ingredients to them.

The kamaboko was excess leftover that could be added. They just needed to boil the spinach and dice the leek.

The most taxing work would be to deep fry the prawn tempura, but Mahiru kept deep frying them without annoyance.

“Since we have extra pumpkin, let us make tempura out of it too.”

“Ohh…that’s quite the fancy Toshikoshi soba.”

“It is fine once in a while.”

Mahiru said as she finished the Toshikoshi soba, and it certainly was fancier than the one he had back home.

Each had two large prawn tempuras, along with pumpkin tempura, and lots of spinach and leek. The kamaboko was served in a fan shape, giving a refreshing look.

Also, it appeared Mahiru preferred to put the tempura atop, to keep it crispy; Amane’s tempura was served separately on another plate instead, which left him very grateful.

“Woah.”

“Please help yourself.”

She served some excess Osechi dishes on small plates, probably thinking Amane would not have enough to eat.

He saw Mahiru sit down, they clapped hands to give thanks, and began eating the soba.

It was pre-packed, but the fragrance of the soba spread as he bit into it, probably because it was a little expensive. Amane took a bite, and the fragrance of the soba spread.

The soup too was neither too thick nor too diluted, leaving him at ease. The warmth spread from the belly, the flavor suitable for the harsh winter.

“Haaー…now this feels like the end of year…”

He drank the soup…exhaled deeply, and muttered.

Watching TV at home, eating soba, waiting for the New Year; a nice feeling it was.

It was a yearly tradition for Amane to spend time back home eating Toshikoshi soba, waiting for the New Year, and watching the contest, and he was grateful to be able to do the same this year. Though, the one next to him was not his family, but an acquaintance girl.

“You know, eating Toshikoshi soba like this, It does feel like a year’s ending before we know it.”

“Truly…lots of things happened this year.”

So they said, but most of these things were his interactions with Mahiru.

When he started living alone, he never imagined such a pretty girl to cooking for him, not at all.

“Amane-kun, this is your first year living alone. It must have been tough on you.”

“You’re rather used to it yourself.”

“Well, I can handle most of my business. It is a no go for you to live alone without knowing how to do anything, Amane-kun?”

“Grrr…well, you say that.”

“You truly are a hopeless person, goodness.”

Mahiru reproached him with a smile, rather than simply looking bewildered, her face looking tender.

She maintained a genial smile, not thinking that it would be a hassle to take care of Amane, it seems.

“…I’ve really been in your care this year.”

“Of course.”

It stung his heart to affirm this readily, but luckily, Mahiru herself did not seem unwilling.

“…Please continue to do so next year.”

“Understood. You will be completely useless and wasted without me around, Amane-kun.”

“I can’t deny that.”

“…If you understand, you should pay more attention to that, you know?”

“Take it as a next year goal.”

Even if he had the heart to do so, his determination would wilt after Mahiru had taken care of him so thoroughly. He kept his thoughts to himself however, and never mentioned about it.

Of course, he would tidy up his stuff from time to time—but it should be fine for him to ask her to cook.

He found himself enslaved to her cooking, but at this point, it did not matter to him.

Mahiru told him to change for the better, but he would ultimately be laughed at. He maintained a stiff look, and Mahiru showed a little smile on her face.

“The new year is coming soon.”

“Yeah.”