Chapter 13: Hamburg Steak and Angel Underwear

I came down the stairs and walked into the dining room to find Mom wiping her hands.

"Oh, perfect timing—I was just about to call you."

"Let me help."

"No need! Murakumo-kun, you just sit down."

Murakumo-kun tried to head toward the kitchen, but I grabbed his hand to stop him. Then I gently pushed him down into one of the dining chairs.

He’s a guest. He doesn’t need to be doing any of that.

"Mom, I’ll help."

Saying that, I stepped into the kitchen.

"Oh, thank you, Haru-chan."

I scooped rice into bowls and began setting them out on the table. Today’s lunch was Mom’s homemade hand-shaped hamburg steak.

She held up the biggest one and asked me,

"Think this’ll be okay?"

"Yeah, I think it’ll be fine."

The one that seemed to be for Murakumo-kun was the largest—about one and a half times the diameter of mine, and just as much thicker.

But thinking back to what he ate yesterday at lunch, this felt just about right.

I nodded firmly, took the plate with the largest patty from Mom, and placed it in front of Murakumo-kun, who was waiting quietly at the table.

"This thing’s... huge."

"Be sure to thank my mom."

"Got it."

After that short exchange, everything was ready, and the three of us gathered at the table.

Murakumo-kun sat next to me, and Mom sat across from us. By the way, Dad was out playing golf and wouldn’t be home until tonight.

"Alright then, dig in—don’t hold back."

"Okay, itadakimasu!"

"Itadakimaaasu."

All three of us put our hands together and started eating.

"There’s more rice if you want seconds, just say so."

"Thangk you very mush."

Hey, talking with your mouth full? That’s bad manners.

"Hey, don’t talk while you’re still chewing."

As I scolded him, Murakumo-kun hurriedly swallowed.

"Thank you very much!"

Mom and I smiled at the sight.

Mom’s hamburg steak was always amazing.

I’ve never had a better one—or to be precise, even if another one tastes better, it still feels like something’s missing. Only this one satisfies me.

It must be that Mom’s love is packed into it—and that’s the best seasoning of all.

When I glanced over, I saw Murakumo-kun eating with such a happy look on his face.

Yeah, that’s right. How’s my mom’s hamburg steak?

It’s the best, right? So good your cheeks are about to fall off, right? You can’t help but smile, right?

"How is it? Does it taste okay?"

Mom asked Murakumo-kun.

"It’s amazing."

He gave just that one word before going back to eating.

Oh, his rice bowl was already empty.

"I’ll go get you a refill."

"Oh, thank you."

"Fuman."

There he goes again, talking with food still in his mouth.

Just as I was about to scold him again, he quickly swallowed.

"Sorry."

"You don’t have to force yourself to reply, here."

I placed the heaping bowl of rice in front of him.

"Thanks."

Watching the two of us, Mom spoke up.

"You make such a cute couple."

…!?

Wait, what!?

Where in the world did that come from!?

Since we sat down, all I’ve done is tell him not to talk with his mouth full and gone to get him more rice.

That’s not couple behavior, right!? Friends do that too, right!?

As I was trying to process it, Mom went on.

"Seeing Haru-chan eat so happily, and Murakumo-kun eat so joyfully—having both of you here makes cooking so rewarding."

Well, yeah. If you’re going to cook, you want people to enjoy it, right?

That’s what I was thinking as I sipped my tea—

"But Murakumo-kun, next time, Haru-chan’s going to make delicious hamburg steak, so look forward to it, okay?"

—Gwahh!!

I choked as the tea went down the wrong pipe.

"Gross, Haru-chan."

"No, I’m not gross!"

What the hell are you saying!?
No—wait, I mean, yeah, Murakumo-kun’s a bit out there too, but still—what are you saying, Mom!?

You know I’ve never cooked anything in my life, right? I’m strictly on the eating side of things!

...is what I wanted to say, but I couldn’t get the words out as I kept coughing and wheezing.

Then, someone gently patted my back. Judging by the size of the hand, it was probably Murakumo-kun.

After a bit, I finally calmed down.

"Thanks."

I said that to Murakumo-kun.

"Don’t mention it."

Alright, time to speak up.

"Mom! I can’t cook! I’ve never done it before!"

"What are you talking about? I didn’t cook either until I got married. You’ll be fine."

...Wait, seriously? But your cooking is always amazing.

"You might not remember, Haru-chan, but I made a lot of mistakes when you were little. It’s fine—if it’s you, you’ll definitely learn to cook something delicious. After all, you’re my daughter!"

Um, I only became your daughter two weeks ago, though?

"Haru."

"What?"

I turned to look at Murakumo-kun when he called me.

"I want to taste your cooking. Make something for me."

"...!!"

Wh-What the hell!?

Don’t say that with such a serious, sincere voice and expression!

"I’m asking you."

"......"

It would be easy to just say no here—but with Mom watching, I kind of have to play along like we’re all lovey-dovey.

...And deep down, some part of me doesn’t really mind doing what he’s asking. That makes it harder to say no.

Honestly, being wanted like this... doesn’t feel bad. What the hell is this feeling? My face is heating up, and I can’t even look him in the eye—I had to glance away.

"F-Fine! If you’re going that far, I’ll make something for you! But! Don’t complain if it tastes terrible!"

"It’ll be fine. If you made it, Haru, it’ll taste amazing no matter what."

"That’s right. I’ll teach you properly, so don’t worry. Murakumo-kun, you’ll come again next week, right?"

"Yes. I’ll definitely be here."

"Hey! Don’t just decide that on your own!"

"I’m looking forward to it, Haru."

Murakumo-kun said that with a breathtaking smile.

For me—someone who usually only ever gets his sharp, icy glares—that smile was like a massive charm bomb dropped right on top of me.

For a moment, I was completely wrapped in joy, like I’d been enchanted. I felt like I might do anything he asked. Like I was being drawn in, ready to throw myself into his arms right then and there.

"A-Alright! You can count on me! I’ll make something amazing!"

I blurted that out in a desperate attempt to resist the overwhelming urge to leap into his arms.

Ah... I said it.

And yet, beyond the feelings of being enchanted, something about Murakumo-kun’s smile stirred up a sense of nostalgia too.

But that feeling was quickly drowned out by the crashing waves of emotion flooding through me.

After we finished eating, Murakumo-kun and I did the dishes while Mom watched us.

At the very least, cleaning up is something we should handle. That’s how division of roles works, after all.

Then, Murakumo-kun and I went back to my room.

To be honest, I had planned to kick him out once lunch was over. But for some reason, I didn’t feel like it anymore, and before I knew it, I’d said, “Wanna head back to my room?”

Maybe I was just feeling a bit lonely about parting ways so soon.

“Huh, it’s still like yesterday?”

Murakumo-kun pointed at the shopping bags we’d brought back yesterday.

“Yeah, I haven’t switched the clothes out yet. I figured I’d do it tonight.”

When I said that, Murakumo-kun touched his chin and seemed to be thinking.

...What? Is there something?

“Alright, let’s do it now.”

“Eh?”

Now? I mean, sure… we don’t really have anything else to do, so I guess it’s fine, but...

Is this really okay? I’m putting away men’s clothes here.

I’m pretty sure Murakumo-kun fell for me as a girl. Normally, he’d probably want nothing to do with anything from my time as a guy—just imagining it would be unpleasant. I mean, I sure don’t like it.

Thinking about myself as a guy... it’s hard to even picture it now. Stuff from before I started living as a girl? No thanks.

“I mean... I kinda hate to bring it up, but are you sure you’re okay with this? These are clothes from when I was still a guy.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

When I asked just to be sure, Murakumo-kun answered with total confidence.

Well... if he says that much, I guess we’ll do it.

Still... I really don’t want him to see this stuff. My old clothes, from when I was a guy...

“Alright, then I guess I should start by organizing my current stuff.”

I pulled out the men’s clothes I no longer wore, folded them up, and sorted them into piles.

T-shirts and half-pants were big, but I could still wear them as loungewear, so I kept those.

As for the men’s underwear… yeah, that was too embarrassing. I packed that away myself.

Once I had everything folded and sorted, I tossed the clothes into the empty room next door.

Clothes I’ll never wear or put on again—thank you for everything until now.

And as for Murakumo-kun, he didn’t react in any weird way when he saw the men’s clothes, which honestly gave me a bit of relief. ...Well, he might’ve just been hiding it, but still.

“Next is that.”

Murakumo-kun pointed to the shopping bags.

“Start with the underwear.”

As he said that, I reached into the bag and pulled something out—and then froze.

What the hell is this!?

It was underwear I didn’t recognize.

White silk, and see-through everywhere except for the important bits. The bra cups were sheer on the top half, and the panties were thin string-ties. A matching set.

The material felt luxurious, and the design was way too fancy. There was no way this was one of the ones I picked out yesterday.

Who the hell…?

Now that I think about it—Murakumo-kun was the one who took the items to the register. That means it was possible for him to sneak something like this in without me noticing.

—He totally did it.

When I turned to look, Murakumo-kun was digging through the bags again.

And he seemed to find what he was looking for, because he pulled something out.

“This too.”

What he held out to me was a garter belt, also made of white silk, with a high-end look to it. Along with it were matching sheer white stockings—beautiful and translucent.

…Okay, I get it now.

“You want me to put this on right now?”

When I asked, Murakumo-kun nodded silently, without saying a word.