Chapter 20 I Want to Protect You

I Want to Protect You

“But… was it really okay?”

When I got back to my apartment and was hanging up my coat, Kakizaki-san, who was preparing dinner, timidly asked me.

“Haha, of course. More importantly, what’s for dinner tonight?”

“Nfufu—tonight, it’s tofu and wakame miso soup, ginger pork stir-fry, and simmered radish!”

“Ohhh!”

Since I hadn’t eaten anything at the mixer, my stomach was growling, and the lineup of dishes I’d been craving almost made me want to dance with joy.

“Ahaha, let’s eat quickly!”

“Yeah! Then…”

““Itadakimasu!””

We clasped our hands together and naturally reached for the ginger pork first. Of course.

I let it bounce once on top of my rice, and then—

“Mmm! …Chew… yeah, it’s absolutely delicious!”

“Ahaha! Yay!”

When I said that, Kakizaki-san beamed with a full smile and gave a small fist pump.

“Yeah, yeah, and if I shovel down the rice with it… Ah, this is it! This is the taste!”

As I thought, I love meat… And when you eat it with rice, it’s unbeatable.

“The miso soup also washes away the oil from the ginger pork… Ah, such a gentle flavor…”

“Nfufu—look, this simmered radish is delicious too!”

Kakizaki-san slid the plate of simmered radish toward me.

“Let’s see… Wow! The meat miso on top is so rich, yet the radish is soft and refreshing…!”

I can’t… it’s so delicious, my vocabulary… is failing me…

“Ahaha… Naoe-kun, you always eat so delightfully, don’t you?”

“Of course! It’s because it’s really delicious!”

“Oh, geez! …Um, thank you.”

When I praised her with all my might, Kakizaki-san shyly mumbled a small “thank you.” No, if anything, I’m the one who can’t thank her enough.

And then—

““Thank you for the meal.””

Ah… It was so good, I ended up finishing it all in no time…

“Oh, that’s right! There’s dessert today too! Wait just a second!”

Saying that, Kakizaki-san clasped her hands together and headed for the refrigerator.

“Nfufu—how’s this?”

“Whoa…!”

The dessert she spoke of was handmade pudding.

“D-Did you make this yourself?”

“Yeah! …Though, I can’t really brag since pudding is pretty easy to make.”

Saying that, Kakizaki-san stuck out her tongue playfully.

“What are you talking about! For someone like me who can’t cook at all, making pudding is practically divine skill!”

“Oh, stop it! You’re exaggerating!”

Watching her blush while her lips relaxed into a shy smile, I took a spoonful of the pudding.

“Mm! Wow… this really makes me want some coffee.”

With that, I poured hot water over instant coffee powder in two mugs.

“Here you go. You like yours with lots of milk, right, Kakizaki-san?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Then the two of us savored the pudding while sipping on coffee.

“By the way, do you have any plans for tomorrow?”

“Eh? Me? …N-no, I don’t have any plans… W-why do you ask?”

When I asked, Kakizaki-san glanced at me hesitantly.

“Well, you already got the dishes for me, but there are still a lot of things we need. I thought we could go shopping together.”

“Oh…”

For some reason, Kakizaki-san lowered her gaze.

Ah… Could it be—

“Kakizaki-san, if we go shopping together, those idiot jerks won’t even realize it’s you. It’ll be fine, trust me.”

I tried to reassure her with the gentlest voice I could muster, but…

“B-but… I don’t want to cause you any trouble by being with me, and besides…”

“Besides?”

“…I shouldn’t let myself enjoy things…”

The moment I heard those words, something ignited within me.

“In that case, I’m absolutely making you come with me. It’s non-negotiable—this is an order.”

“Wha—but!”

“No buts. Causing me trouble? Not allowed to enjoy yourself? That’s ridiculous.”

As she tried to say something, I cut her off sharply.

Why would she be a bother? Why doesn’t she have the right to enjoy herself…?

In that case!

“Listen. Tomorrow, after we’re done shopping, we’re going to spend the whole day having fun together. Be ready for it.”

That’s right. If it’s come to this, I’ll make sure Kakizaki-san says “I had fun” no matter what.

And… I’ll make her realize that it’s okay for her to enjoy herself, to feel happy. I’ll ensure she understands that.

Just as I was determined like that—

“Ah…! You’re… you’re always like this, Naoe-kun… Always making me cry… Always making me so happy…!”

“Ah…”

In the end, it seemed like I made Kakizaki-san cry again today.

But… one day, I hope Kakizaki-san will come to see this as something natural and, instead of crying, show me her brightest smile.

Until that day comes, I’ll… I’ll protect her—this gentle, adorable, and fragile girl… No, I want to protect her… I really do.