‹Rin›

It's November, and snow has long fallen in the country. Yay.

I'm kinda sad, though. It's nothing really important, but I have seen it come for two straight years that I am definitely missing it. So, anyone who is missing Potato's silver hair? Oh, did you imagine a silver plated potato? Because I did. I know that it's weird to think of that of all things.

But if I were to be asked of what appearance of Gin that I like, you'll need to give me a bit of time to think. It's a given that I like him for how he is while his appearance is a secondary matter. But I think that I would prefer him with his silver hair because he obviously looks cool and honestly, that's one quirk of him that can make him out of the ordinary at first glance. I guess I sort of dig his look from chapter 27, but if he has black hair he would just look stupid. So in conclusion, I like his silver hair more but with his normal hair; and I can judge his looks bluntly because I am his girlfriend. Well, that's one trashy thing to say so I'll take it back. You're free to criticize the author's character designs.

But then I began to speculate if perhaps Potato also does this kind of fleeting thoughts in his head where a small thing suddenly gets big.

Anyway… this kind of introduction with no context to the chapter title whatsoever has sort of become a thing lately. Thankfully, I am only taking two-thirds of a page now; and can someone do something with the obliteration of the fourth wall?

But even if it is continuously getting broken more than the Wall M*ria getting kicked by the C*olossal Titan, I do not know nor do I have any control on what's going to happen next.

Oh, hey, three square dots pertaining a transition coming up!

▪ ▪ ▪

Chiba-chan visited, this time in our house, notwithstanding that we are on our way next door anyway. And on that 15-second stroll, she managed to pull out a question.

"Say, Ringo, do you actually spend more time in Gin's house more than yours…?"

"D-Don't be like that…! Of course not! I can't deny that I go to his place too much, especially when I had to…"

While I was talking, I was bringing out my spare key and opening Gin's door.

"…stay here for like a month because of his past illness. But I really got to love my room even though we just moved here like three years ago.

Chiba-chan, a mosquito will go 'here comes the airplane' on you if you don't close your mouth."

"What spectacle am I seeing right now… How contradictory can your actions be…?!"

She was still standing and shouting on the living room, while I found myself cutting ingredients on the kitchen counter…

"Ow…!" I got a flick on the forehead of course.

"Good morning, Chiba. Sorry if you felt a case of deja vu."

"N-No… You do suit each other well…"

Is that the first time we were both pointed out for our weirdness? That's rather amazing, I'd say.

Anyway, she is having lunch with us today.

I say that, but Chiba-chan herself is also one weird girl. Everyone who enters Gin's kotatsu gets trapped and swallowed, and has a hard time coming out of it, especially now that it is winter. But I can see on the corner of my eyes that she is feeling very restless while watching us cook.

"Don't you dare call her out like a dog. That's just cruel," Potato whispered.

"Wha- Who do you take me for?"

"Someone who is about to tell her friend 'down'. Stop that. Your obnoxiousness oozes out uncontrollably with your friends."

"And whose fault is that?"

"Yes, mine."

Seriously, I thanked him for reminding me.

"Chiba-chaaaaan. I know you're itching to help out, but you're a guest right now! Anyway, don't you want to taste a chef's home cooking?"

She nodded vigorously.

"You give me too much credit…"

Yum.

There is no need to describe every single meal we have so I'll leave it to your imagination's discretion. If you think that we're eating a steak in some sort of a computer simulation, I hope that you can still taste how juicy and delicious it is. I'm talking about that movie even though I haven't watched it.

…

We have an inquisitive one here.

"Can someone explain why Ringo was rushing to the second floor the last time I was here?"

"Why do we keep bullying our visitors…" thought, Potato and I.

"About that… The window in my room is directly opposite to Rin's room so that's her other way in here aside from nonchalantly using her spare key. Our houses are literally so close and all."

"And I guess the families too."

"Can it for a sec, Rin."

"This might be the first time I'm in front of a couple up close…"

"Aren't Rena's more surprising, though?"

"So you also know about them, Gin…?"

"Yeah. I never expected anything like that. I was so touched when I saw her carrying Yoru, though. It pulled my heartstrings and I was so happy for them. Really, she and Kobana are some amazing people.

Ahh, sorry. I get emotional rather quickly."

"…"

"Anyway, I haven't had the chance to ask some stuff, but you're in the same classes as Rin, right?"

"Yes."

"How's she actually in the college?"

"What are you, my dad?"

"Your boyfriend."

"Can you at least be embarrassed about it in front of a guest? Nevermind, you're an idiot."

"I think that… Ringo has a lot patience. I always challenged her even until lately, and she accepts when the circumstances favor it, but she declines just the same.

So… are you actually getting fed up with it, Ringo?"

"You really want me to be honest now…?

I guess I was at first, but because of that, I was able to utilize my pace that I only get to experience amid adrenaline. Now I can see the potentials of my tempo!"

"You sound like a shounen protagonist, miss."

"In the middle of everything, I should be thankful even if I was a little frustrated back then."

"Then I have a question that may hurt, Chiba. Sorry for this."

"Yes…?"

"What's your match tally with Rin?"

I feel like I just heard a thunder clap.

"…

0 and 63…"

"I am absolutely sorry for asking."

Okay, now I'm out of this. I didn't think that her complexion will pale after that… Just how much pain do I inflict her whenever we have a match?! Actually, I have no way out of this…!

"A-Anyway… does she still act shy in campus?"

"Umm… yeah, she does!"

Oh, she recovered quickly.

"What do they call it… a gap! When it's a leisurely time, she acts all shy and fidgety, but when it comes to the kitchen, it feels like she is a completely different person! Seriously, Ringo is one amazing cook!"

"H-Hey…! I don't deserve that much praise! You yourself is great too! Even I wish that I have even a quarter teaspoon of your intellect transferred to me!"

"Rin… is this what happens when measurements are all over your head?"

"Y-You say that, Ringo, but I have never once won against you…"

"Can you please stop digging your own grave, lady?"

~ ~ ~

"Ringo, Gin… This lunch is really great, so in return… can I also invite you to my place at some point?"

"I think I have no reason to decline that."

Then asked Gin, "Where do you live anyway?"

▪ ▪ ▪

Friday of the next week; after classes.

Hello there. I actually derped.

It goes without saying that Potato and I indeed accepted Chiba-chan's invitation… because both of us pretty much don't have anything to do on weekends apart from accomplishing commissions. It just happened by coincidence that we have late classes and so I was dismissed by 5pm.

I was planning on staying the night or two with Chiba-chan… but again, I derped. I packed some change of clothes and all, but I left it in our house…

And on top of everything… am I being hit on by another first year just by the entrance?

"Hey there, miss, you looked troubled. I can treat you to a drink if that's going to cheer you up~"

If I recall… his name is… Shibu… Shibi… Shi… Shiba Inu?

"…

Don't worry about it, I don't need a drink."

I would naturally be acting a bit shy at this point, but I really couldn't care less about this as I'm a little frustrated over my own mistake. If there is hope that my patience will last a little more, he may go home without a blow on his gut.

"Oh, come on. Please don't ignore me."

(!)

"If his hand lands on my shoulder…"

"If that hand of yours lands on her shoulder, I could let you get away with only making you cry, but you'll be doing that nonstop for two weeks."

The saying says that the hero comes late.

"W-Who?"

"Wow, that hurt, man. You forgot about this face and then you're shamelessly hitting on a woman in front of your school's entrance? I'm just sad, Onions…

Alright, hands off, mister."

I immediately stepped away before my foot instinctively flies off, and hid on Gin's back not for my safety but for this guy.

"I almost kicked him," I whispered, "Anyway, thanks, but you're rather early?"

"Your mom said that you forgot your bag so I took a shower and came immediately. Who would have thought that I'd see this guy again, though."

"So you know him?"

"Shibuyasu Gisa, a classmate 'til Class 3A."

"Oh, so that was his name. I thought it was Shiba Inu."

"Pfft…! Ahahahaha. He thought that you're a dog, Onions…!"

"H-How do you know that nickname anyway?! I really don't know you!"

"I guess I was a lot shorter at that time and I really didn't, nay, never talked to you back then. Anyway, the name's Gin Sakato. Now you should remember me."

Then I counted to 3 and…

"Whaaaaaaaat?!"

~ ~ ~

Thus we came back inside the campus.

"Ahhhh, you really saved me going in and out of the school. I almost vented out my frustration on… what's his name again?"

"Onions."

"Right, but I thought you were going to finely chop him."

"He's spared. But I might caramelize him later.

You're coming home on Sunday, right?"

"Yup."

If you're thinking why we came back inside the campus grounds, this school actually has dorms and Chiba-chan indeed lives here. Of course, the male and female dorms are separated and rooms are used by two students, but apparently, Chiba-chan's roommate left to her home province right after the classes ended. Therefore I am free to stay at their place with her permission.

Outsiders however are not allowed to stay until 9pm, and since Potato is not a student here, it applies to him.

"Welcome, Ringo, Gin."

"Please excuse us~!

Waaahhh, this is my first time in the dorms… I didn't know the rooms are quite spacious!"

"Really…? Nami didn't clean up her mess, though."

It certainly doesn't look like an apartment or an actual dorm, but more like a room that is comparable to the area of a certain apartment in Sector T1 if you are going to take away 70% of the dividing walls. I was honestly and stupidly expecting some things I should really not, like you actually eat on a dining table while sitting on a chair. Of course that's how it is everyday in our house, but eating like a Northern person has almost become my second nature. I don't even know when was the last time I used complete silverware while eating. Truly, some norms have changed in me.

Ahem. Anyway, it is a dorm, but it really doesn't look like a normal one. There are no separating walls apart from the bathroom, which is why the room looks very spacious. The beds are double-deck, there is a fridge, there are two large desks and surprisingly, whiteboards, and the place is definitely furnished. I do wonder how much they are paying for the rooms.

"Where… is the kitchen?" he asked.

"There is one at the back. For every two rooms, a kitchen is shared."

"So this is why you never use your tickets…!"

"Ahahaha… I'm guilty."

"Wow, you people at the dorms have it easy…"

"Then please make yourself at home while I prepare."

"Ah, thanks. Can I look at your closet then, Chiba-chan?"

"Why would you even…?!"

"**Rin-san, that's creepy…"

"I was just kidding. Sorry."

"Rin, I'm sorry I hid it from you, but I can actually read your thoughts."

"What? Seriously?"

"What you're thinking right now is 'teehee.'"

"…

Pero."

…

Minutes later, it felt like Potato was acting strange.

"Something wrong?"

"I was wondering if the rooms are soundproofed."

"Huh…? Pretty sure they are. It's like that in our classrooms."

Sometimes I do forget that his senses aren't equal to mine.

"Did you hear something by chance?"

"You said that Chiba is a lively one, right? She doesn't look like that today, though."

"W-What? Is she crying or something?"

"No. Ah, I just realize that I should keep it down. It sounds like I am wiretapping.

But anyway, we really can't meddle if she has any problems."

"If that's the case… I never noticed. She doesn't really talk about herself when we're together."

A snap of a finger sounded.

"Maybe that's it? Well, that's the last thing I'll say about that. I really don't want a heavy atmosphere between us."

"…"

I trust Gin's judgment; and this is just an instance where a situation can drastically change, unpredictable as it is. But even if anything happens, I hope that I will be able to support her just like how I was able to with Shiro and Rena.

And on that note, I realized something. I do not know if everyone, but people really do have some kind of past.

"I wonder if Chiba-chan has some pickles lying around… Oh, they just defrosted, I see."

"Like you can actually call me a shameless potato, you woman…!!"

But sometimes I ask myself, if it was confirmed that I'm not really right on my head, is it fine for Gin to take all the blame?

~ ~ ~

"Ringo, Gin! I've finished.

Eh, uhhhh… why are you two kneeling…?"

"I'm sorry, Chiba-chan… I think we found something that Nami is hiding from you…"

"What? Come again?"

"I think we found out that your roommate is a closet otaku… And please don't bring it up to her. For her, it is like she is being executed if she's found out."

"Wait, did you actually open her closet, Ringo?"

"I said I was just joking earlier, and of course I didn't! I kinda slipped and fell on my butt near her desk earlier and something fell."

"At least your landing was cushioned."

"Are you saying something, Potato-kun~?"

"If I said yes, my lifespan may shorten."

…

I rarely taste the home cooking of a fellow student, but it does feel refreshing. Outside my or a sous chef's perspective, imagine being able to eat something like this everyday. Things really make a difference with the proficiency and level of knowledge put into a dish, and I am absolutely enjoying it because you are not in a class where your criticism is needed.

And for some reason, it really feels like she put her all into this. Something was different, but I wasn't really able to put my finger on it. I just knew that what she made now is something special.

But while I was entranced on that thought, a few idle conversations began. For an instance, Chiba-chan suddenly asked how it was to work inside a restaurant kitchen, which we probably made her worry somewhat. And then there was the inevitable query about how our relationship came about. Thus, we once again shared our words of lesson-learned. Meeting a new friend, telling the things we have said so many times; it was like every time is a new start. Given that so much has changed, it felt like we can always have the chance to relive those moments.

Then suddenly, someone's phone rang.

"Sorry… I need to answer this," Chiba-chan then prompted to stand and sheepishly walked to their door.

However, I was not blind to not see that very short moment where her expression suddenly darkened even before she stared at her phone's screen. Even though we now have confirmed that something is indeed going on, Gin had a point. What could perhaps be a sensitive matter is not something we could pry on. The only thing we can…

We can't even do anything but see her walk slowly out of the room.

"Are you sure you'll be alright once you step out of this room… and come back in as if nothing happened?"

Just now… a rare utterance of words of contradiction from Gin left me in complete astonishment.

At that point, Chiba-chan was halted by a shudder on her tracks.

"I'm not saying this out of being insensitive, but quite the opposite. Just now, looking at your expression, it almost sounds like 'I don't want to answer this call.' Are you really fine with this?"

"…"

It suddenly felt like the ringing of her phone was amplified in my ears as if almost deafening, but it is just that silence holds a great amount of power.

Lips bitten, hands tightly clenched… the ringing came to an immediate stop in one silent tap. As it appears that she entirely switched off her phone, she threw it to the couch and walked back to the table on a struggle with her trembling knees. In silence, she sat back down and held her fork, shaking.

"…

U-Umm…!"

Even before she managed to utter a word, I placed a spoonful of our food in her mouth.

She has made her decision. I do not know what she might be about to say, but perhaps we could wait for a little longer.

"I know that some things changed after the outbreak. Don't worry, that's your spoon and not mine. We'll listen to you, but we can't afford such incredible food in front of us to go cold. And don't take that with a grain of salt.

If you need courage, I'll hold your hand."

…

The dishes are out, and the table has been cleaned. Yet, it felt like we did not even move from the same place.

Out of the blue, she raised her sleeve up to her upper right arm and a horizontal scar stole our sight.

"A family… I don't even know if I can call us like that anymore… A few years back, our family's status was struggling, and my mother was already suffering from depression because of it. What we did not know is that… it has turned more than that. It had become a disorder."

Gin thought, "A complete distortion…"

"The last time I saw her was when I got this scar… and when my dad got stabbed… Thankfully, it was nothing fatal for him… but it was when our family broke. My mom's case had gotten worse so she was sent to be rehabilitated.

After high school, I decided that I will stay here in the dorms… because everyday I live with the trauma… where I see my parents fight every time I see them…"

"R-Right… She got full scholarship…"

"I don't think I can meet my mom again, but she keeps calling me… because she still thinks that we are all in one household in her mind. I was scared… whenever I hear her voice… It always feels like she is screaming to my ear… And my dad… I don't want to see him every time…

I'm sorry that I just told you this now after all this months…"

"It's fine… As long as all of you are still alright.

Do other people know about this…?"

"The school knows about my situation… but the only one I've told apart from you is Nami…"

"I see… But I think I know how you feel even if not entirely."

"R-Ringo…?"

"I've always been honest to Gin, and I have expressed how I feared him in the past. I told you that she had an illness, right? I think that what's going on with your mom was the same as his."

"…?!"

"It's true. There were times where I shunned her away because I was very unstable on my head."

"I don't know if it's true that you really can't meet her anymore, but it's not wrong to still have hope. Maybe in some ways, your mother can come back, just like how Gin did."

"And by the sound of it, I'm glad that her condition hasn't gone so far."

"What do you mean by that, Gin…?"

"You wouldn't want to see a huge scar that's nearly a length of my arm."

"…!"

"I have proven how powerful a mind can be. It is diverse, scientific in ways, and unrealistic, just the same. But just like Rin said, there's nothing wrong with seeking hope amidst all odds."

"…

T-Thank you… Thank you for hearing me out…"

Indeed, it felt like a new start—another moment to relive.

~ ~ ~

"Well, I know that I still have an hour before I get chased out, but I have to help clean up the restaurant as we're closing. You two girls can have your time for yourselves.

Thanks for the dinner, Chiba."

"Chiba-chan, is it fine if I walk him out of the campus?"

"Sure, I'll wait."

…

But of course, that is not my only reason.

"You were a bit different today, don't you think, Potato?"

"Ahahaha… indeed I was. I know I said that we shouldn't pry but for some reason my gut was telling me to do otherwise. I suddenly felt frustrated and couldn't help but let out what I was feeling earlier.

…

Is that like… one characteristic of being human?"

"Oh, please stop. You sound scary when you say it like that."

"Do I now? But what can I do, I didn't grow to be a proper human in the first place."

"Ahhhh, stop…! Somehow I'm cringing…!"

"Any~way. I'll be on our way. Make sure to console her when she cries just like you did to me, okay?

I'll fetch you on Sunday."

"Alright, I'll text you."

…

"I'm back, Chiba-chan~"

"Welcome back."

"Say, Chiba-chan… do you still have some leftover of today's dinner? I suddenly felt hungry again."

"Ehhh…? Is there a dimension inside your stomach?"

"Well, not bigger that Gin's. Pretty please?"

"Was it really that good…?"

This girl is cute when she's shy.

"I remembered when we were eating, y'know? That was the dish I made when you challenged me for the third time."

"Eh, is that so?"

"I know how my food tastes like, Chiba-chan. This time, you actually made it so much better than mine.

So, that's one loss for me."

"…!!!!"

Today's battle result:

Chiba wins (and the author kinda lost because he used this reference).