Chapter 5 Drinking at Home

Drinking at Home

“I’m coming in~!”

Her cheerful greeting echoed through the empty room.

After taking off her shoes and neatly placing them together, Kanade ignored my attempt to stop her—“Wait a second”—and ventured further inside.

“I’ve finally let Kanade into my house…”

Kanade had always found excuses to come over ever since the past.

I used to have a wife, which was one reason, but no matter how close I got with students, it was strictly professional—I never mixed work with personal life.

That’s why I’d never invited her in before.

Yet now…

“…Seeing her again, my resolve wavered.”

She was with a younger man.

It’s probably the same guy I saw her with at the convenience store before.

Just recalling it made something bitter rise from my stomach.

But there’s nothing I can do.

By the time she told me, the divorce papers had already been filed.

It was all too late…

Well, even if they hadn’t been filed, fixing our marriage probably wasn’t possible.

…Haah.

Relying on someone to distract from loneliness is pitiful for an adult.

I feel like I’m spiraling into self-loathing…

As I was polishing my shoes and reflecting on this, I felt a sudden weight on my back.

Though heavy, it was soft and carried a faint, pleasant scent that teased my nose.

“You’re heavy…”

“Ah~! You can’t call a woman heavy! Besides, I’m light enough to carry. Wanna try?”

“Not happening. You’re not a kid.”

“Exactly! I’m an adult now~!”

Kanade narrowed her eyes like a cat, flashed a sly smile, and lightly poked my arm, pointing toward the living room.

“Come on, Ariga-cchi! Don’t just space out here. Let’s have some drinks already. I’ll even pour for you!”

“Haha, that sounds good. But the way you say it makes it sound like a hostess club.”

“Oh, so you’ve been to one!”

“Nope, I haven’t. It’s just my imagination. I just imagine it costs a lot every time you order something.”

“Haha, you can fall for it if you want~! You can even request me!”

“Bet the request fees are steep.”

“For Ariga-cchi, it’s free!”

“Oh! Then I’ll request you every day!”

Matching her upbeat energy, I tried to distract myself and followed her into the living room.

When I turned on the lights, of course, no one was there, and the sight of my messy bachelor pad greeted me.

Crap… I forgot to tidy up.

If she sees this mess, it’ll be obvious I don’t have a wife anymore.

A nervous sweat started to bead on my forehead.

“Haha. Your place is a mess~.”

“…I forgot to clean up.”

“I see~. I see~.”

She didn’t seem interested in why my place was messy.

Looking around curiously, she then smiled at me.

“I’ve finally made it to your place, Ariga-cchi.”

Her innocent words, accompanied by that smile, felt like a blow to my heart.

To mask the guilt creeping up on me, I sat on the couch and began arranging the drinks I’d bought from the convenience store.

But that’s when I realized something crucial.

“Crap, I bought drinks but forgot snacks.”

“What~? What were you even doing?”

“My bad…”

“Oh well… Hey, Ariga-cchi. Got anything in the fridge?”

“I mean, I cook, so there should be stuff… But don’t tell me…”

“Yep! I’ll whip something up for you!”

“…”

“Hey! What’s with that look!?”

“Just… wondering if you can actually cook.”

“Ugh! Don’t underestimate me! I’ve been practicing, you know!”

Watching her puff out her cheeks in protest made me chuckle despite myself.

She looked confident, but… was this really okay?

Kanade noticed my skeptical gaze and puffed her cheeks even more as she headed toward the kitchen.

“I’ll make something, so just wait. What kind of snacks do you want?”

“Something meaty sounds good. Maybe fried food…”

“Got it—meaty and fried. I’ll take care of it, so wait okay!”

With light steps, she began cooking efficiently in the kitchen.

I found myself absentmindedly watching her.

It felt nostalgic.

The sight of someone other than me in the kitchen…

When we first got married, my wife would wait for me no matter how late I got home, and she would prepare dinner and my lunchbox.

She was so devoted, and I loved her for it.

Those days were so much fun, I almost forgot how tough work was.

But that was all in the past.

About six months into our marriage, she stopped doing housework.

She did the bare minimum, but she stopped making my lunchboxes.

I knew my late hours were a burden.

Our mismatched schedules left us with little time to talk, and I felt guilty for lowering her motivation.

But still…

Every once in a while…

I just wanted her to say, “Thanks for all your hard work.”

“Thanks for all your hard work.”

Hearing the words I’d been thinking aloud, I jolted in surprise.

Embarrassed, I felt my face heat up.

“Are you okay, Ariga-cchi?”

“Y-Yeah. No problem. Totally fine…”

“Haha, what’s that? Anyway, here’s what you asked for! I call it ‘Convenience Store Karaage-kun Style Fried Chicken’!”

“That’s a long name… but it looks tasty.”

“Alright, dig in, dig in!”

“Though eating fried food at night isn’t great for the waistline.”

“Don’t say that after making me cook it!!”

I took a bite of the fried chicken she made, savoring it slowly.

It was soft, warm… and comforting.

“Damn it…”

I hurriedly wiped my eyes.

Crying over homemade food at my age is way too much…

Sure, it’s been a while since I’ve had a home-cooked meal, but come on, get a grip!

While I turned my face away to hide my reaction, Kanade suddenly leaned against my shoulder with a cute “Hehe.”

“Once in a while, it’s fine to enjoy this kind of thing, right?”

“…Yeah, I guess so.”

“You’ve been holding back so much. It’s important to let loose sometimes. Otherwise, you’ll forget how to fly.”

“…I guess you’re right. Maybe I do need that.”

I’d been suppressing so much for so long.

So tonight… it’s okay, right?

To relax and have fun, just this once…

I let out a deep breath and grabbed a can of beer.

“Alright, let’s drink. …Wait, you’re 20 already, right?”

“Of course! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come over. I wouldn’t want to make you a criminal, Ariga-cchi.”

“…Having my former student look out for me like this makes me feel old.”

“Haha, you’re such a grandpa~.”

We laughed together.

And then—

“Cheers!”

A can of Chuhai and a can of beer.

Clinking them together, our little home drinking party began.