Volume 1 - CH 69

Tonight we are having a curry. Mom’s curry is exquisite.

The three of us gathered around the table for another enjoyable dinner.

“Mother-in-law’s curry is delicious, isn’t it?

“Is that so? But curry is something that shows the family’s individuality, isn’t it?”

I listen to their conversation in silence.

I’m aware of my feelings and can’t interact with Himekawa the way I have.

“Tsukasa. You’ve been eating like that since a while ago, but curry is not a drink, you know?”

I know that. But this is my third bowl. It’s okay because it tastes good.

More than that, I can’t look directly at Himekawa. I’m upset.

Mom slept in the same room as Himekawa last night, so I had to sleep alone.

If I can sleep alone again tonight, I will be able to sort out my feelings a little.

Tonight is the night. I’ll be the usual me tomorrow morning, I’m sure…

“It’s just that the curry my mother makes is so delicious that I tend to be silent.”

“Why are you using that language? Do you have a fever?”

Himekawa looks at me with anxious eyes while eating her curry.

Stop it, don’t look at me with those eyes.

“Tsukasa, are you okay? Are you feeling sick?”

Not bad at all. I’m fine.

I just can’t look directly at Himekawa, I can’t look her straight in the eye.

“Just the same as usual. Nothing, in particular.”

“Really?”

Himekawa’s hand touches my forehead.

So, that natural behavior is the reason why I’m not in good shape.

Feelings that I never felt before boil up inside of me.

“Another!”

I get up from my seat to serve my fourth bowl of curry. I’ve made it out.

And I can feel their eyes on my back.

“Well, you have a good appetite, so you’ll be fine. Oh, and the three of us are going to sleep together today.”

The rice scoop falls from my hand. I have just heard a shocking word.

What? The three of us?”

Himekawa must have wondered the same thing. It’s natural, isn’t it?

“Yes. We did the smoking today, but the smell still hasn’t escaped a little from the second floor. I think it will come off tomorrow, so just for today.

There was nowhere to run. I was thinking about how to get out of this situation.

More meat. I think I’ll add some fukujinzuke, too.

“I’ll sleep on the couch and you two can sleep in my room.”

In the meantime, I suggest a workaround.

And there’s a fourth bowl of curry on my plate.

Then I’ll sleep on the couch.

“What? Mom wants to sleep with Tsukasa and Anri and everyone else…”

They have different opinions.

“My bed is a double size, right? Why don’t you two sleep together? I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

“No, you can’t sleep on the sofa when you’re sick.”

“Then, let’s decide by lottery. Let’s be fair here.”

Mom made a strange suggestion.

What can I say to my mother at a time like this?

If she thinks it’s fun, she’ll do it to the hilt.

“I’ll leave it to you, Mom…”

—

The First Annual How Do You Sleep Amidst the Straw! Results.

I don’t know how it happened. Did Mom set it up, or was it just a coincidence?

I think it was a mistake to use the lottery that was created by the person who suggested the idea.

However, the result was still a compromise.

Himekawa, my mother, and I are sleeping on my double bed.

It is a large bed, to begin with, and both Mom and Himekawa are petite, so we can manage to sleep in it.

But isn’t it a little cramped?

“It’s kind of fun, isn’t it? Isn’t it just like a school trip?”

“Indeed it is.”

She replies appropriately and is already trying to get into the futon and fall asleep.

Himekawa was also waist-deep in the futon on the other side of the bed.

“Oh, come on, since we’re here! Let’s talk about love!”

Why should I talk about love with my parents?

“Mother-in-law, didn’t we talk quite a bit last night? I mean, you know…”

Did the two of them talk quite a bit last night?

From Himekawa’s words, it seems that the two of them are already getting along reasonably well.

“What’s wrong with that? Talking about love is fun!”

Love huh… I wonder what it means to be in love.

Do you like them, don’t like them, want to be with them, or don’t want anyone to take them away from you?

I thought love was a game, but I guess it’s not really….

“Well then, I’ll tell you today. Me and your father’s love story. But don’t tell your father, okay?”

Oh, so that’s what you want to talk about.

That is certainly an interesting story. I’ve never heard anything about my parents before.

I’ve heard that my father proposed to her and where the ceremony was held, but I haven’t heard about the actual beginning of their relationship.

Okay, I’ll just ask for a reference. The love between my father, who looks like a villain, and my mother, who still looks like a high school girl.

How did they first meet, get together, and get married?

“Well, that’s something I’d be interested in too… I’d love to hear about it.”

“Well, if Mom insists on talking about it, I’ll listen.” 

Mom turns off the light and only the nightlight illuminates the room.

It is not that late yet. The three of us get into the same bed and start listening to Mom in the middle.

“Hmmm… So, where should we start?”

Mom is excited.

Next to her is me, her son, and on the other side is Himekawa.

From my mom’s point of view, are we a son and daughter of the same age?

Or are we…

“All right, then, let’s start with the first meeting, after all.”

Thus began the night’s love talk.

Tomorrow morning, we’ll wake up a little later…