Chapter 30 Breakfast with Asanagi

Earth to Maehara ~ You still sleeping?

Morning.

The couch was unexpectedly uncomfortable. It took me an hour before I managed to finally fall asleep. The next thing I knew, a sweet voice managed to rouse my consciousness back.

I woke up feeling extremely groggy, probably because I only got a light sleep last night. I would love to go back to sleep, but I felt like Id get cramps if I were to sleep any longer, so I chose to get up.

Mmm Morning, Asanagi What time is it now?

Morning, Maehara, its not seven yet, I think.

It seemed like Asanagi woke up earlier than me. She had already changed back into her uniform.

She dressed like an honor student. Her uniform was fully buttoned up, and her skirt was of the appropriate length. Its too bad her personality didnt match her appearance.

Did you sleep well?

Mhm, thanks to you You didnt seem to be enjoying your sleep though.

Well, I learned the hard way that even though the couch is great for napping, it doesnt come close to a real bed when it comes to sleeping.

Haha. Well, if youre still sleepy, just go back to your bed. I just woke up, so my scent, warmth, and everything should still be there for you to enjoy.

Has anyone ever told you that youre a creep?

If anything, it would be harder for me to sleep in that kind of situation.

By the way, wheres my mom?

She was still sleeping when I walked past her room.

Ah, let her be then Anyway, have you eaten? If you havent, Ill make something for you.

Eh? Its fine, I dont want to bother you any more than this.

Im making breakfast for my mom anyway, so making an extra portion isnt really a bother.

Well, if you insist

Mhm.

As soon as Asanagi sat down, I went to the kitchen.

Do you want bread or rice?

Rice, please.

Alright

I opened the fridge and took out the ingredients that I needed.

Can I help? I cant help you cook, but I can help with the side dishes and cleaning.

Then, leave the cooking to me.

We proceeded to make our breakfasts, I did the cooking and Asanagi did the rest. Since we were using leftover rice, the only things I had to cook were fried eggs and grilled salmon.

Maehara, Im done here Wait, are you going to make miso too?

Ahh, yeah, I prepared the stock yesterday, so I only need to add the tofu and the dried seaweed.

The stock was sloppily made, I just threw some iriko into the pot and let it boil for a few hours. Its simple, but I got a good amount of it, so who cares. (T/N: I dont know, iriko means a lot of different ingredients, including and not limited to rice flour and dried sardine, the author wrote this one in katakana so I dont know which one he referred to.)

While the miso soup was simmering, I cooked an egg on the other stove and grilled the salmon. Everything should be done in around ten minutes if I multitask like so.

And done. How much rice do you want, Asanagi?

Normally I eat a lot in the morning, but Ill hold back, so just give me a bowl, chef. If Im still hungry, I can just ask for more.

Are you implying that Im gonna give you a refill? This isnt a family restaurant, you know? Well, I made a lot of rice, so just eat as much as youd like.

Asanagi and I set the table and dug right in.

Mm Woah, the omelet tastes better than your egg rolls from the other day.

Well the egg rolls were cold. Nothing beats a freshly cooked egg. Glad you enjoyed it though.

I see. Seconds, please.

You finished it that quickly?!

Well, not that I mind. She must have liked the food to have inhaled it that quickly.

I decided to have another serving too.

I was used to eating alone, but now that I was eating with someone else, I found it quite enjoyable.

Haah Thanks for the food! Sorry, Maehara, I ended up eating a lot.

Its alright. I should be the one apologizing, I only made you simple dishes like these.

No, no, dont apologize. They were delicious, so thank you.

In the end, we ate half of the rice that I previously cooked. Sure, we are high school students and still in our growth period, but I think we might have eaten a little too much for breakfast.

Alright, I think its about time for me to go home Ill help you clean up first though. Also, Ill call you later, but can you deliver my gratitude to your mom?

Sure, but Didnt my mom give her phone number to you?

Mhm. She said, if Maki bullies you, Ill beat him up for you.

Why though?

If anything, she would be the one who bullies me But, I wonder what kind of talk they had last night?

Im curious, but I cant just ask her about it.

Maehara, do you want some coffee? It wouldnt be enough to thank you for your cooking, but Ill do my best for you. You like your coffee with sugar, right?

Yeah.

Mhm, leave it to me Ah wait, thats my phone, maybe its my mom.

I watched Asanagis back as she left the room.

She wore an apron over her uniform. Id never imagined that I would see her dressed like this outside of Home Economics class.

And I never wouldve expected that this girl would slowly become an indispensable part of my life.

I really cherish what we have, not because shes my first friend, but just because she is who she is. I guess the best way to put it would be that I cherish this friend named Asanagi Umi. I havent understood the nature of that weird feeling from last night, however.

Im back

Welcome back You took your time, did something happen?

Ah Uh I tried my best to stop this, but it didnt work

Asanagi returned with a complicated expression on her face.

I got a bad feeling about this

Uhh what happened?

Umm Thats Uhh

Asanagi glanced at my face, looking apologetic.

My mom told me to bring you to my home right now.

Oh, God.