c4

Chapter 4: Cooking

That night.

In the end, Oniichan shut himself in his room the entire time.

I ended doing something similar, being in bed with my quilt pulled over myself the entire time.

「&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;I’m hungry&h.e.l.lip;」

As expected, it would be difficult to spend the night without eating anything, having not even had lunch.

Because I got a bit warmer, it was easier to move around, so I decided to make something to eat.

I took a look in the refrigerator and decided to make some stir-fry vegetables. Despite how I look I’m actually pretty good at cooking.

(Maybe I should make some for Oniichan)

I ate my portion and set some vegetable stir-fry onto another plate and wrote a note.

(“If it’s cooled off, then please warm it up”&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;te why am I speaking formally? Well whatever)

To go back into my room, I went up to the second floor.

I began to turn the k.n.o.b to my own door—but then.

My door opened on its own with a gatcha and Oniichan came out of his room.

Oniichan and my room are on opposite sides facing each other, so it’s uncommon to encounter each other.

「Aa, Oniichan&h.e.l.lip;.」

「&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;」

The silence continued. I dislike silence.

「Aa, um, I left some dinner for you in the living room&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;.」

「&h.e.l.lip;Understood」

Saying so, Oniichan went down stairs.

—At that moment, there was an unmistakable tightening feeling in my chest.

(Wh- what was that&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;? Could that be the &h.e.l.lip;change in feelings that he asked me about a little bit ago?)

I unconsciously descend the stairs.