It was almost evening by then.
The kitchen was filled with the soft clinking of utensils, the bubbling of stew, and the quiet hum of Haruta's focus. He was cooking slowly—carefully—moving around the small kitchen with gentle steps and a little smile on his face, like he was holding something precious.
Alya shuffled out of the room, completely bundled up in a blanket like a burrito, only her face peeking out. She looked sleepy and warm, cheeks still a bit flushed.
"What are you cooking, Haru?" she asked, her voice low and soft, like it hadn't fully woken up yet.
Haruta didn't turn around right away—he was still stirring the stew carefully.
"Stew and sandwiches," he said finally, glancing back with that same small smile. "Nothing fancy. Just something comforting."
Alya nodded, a tiny smile forming on her lips.
"Okay."
She drifted over to the sofa and plopped down, curling up like a cat. The blanket made her look extra small, like she could disappear into it.
It was one of those rare moments—Haruta wasn't wearing his glasses. His eyes looked softer, almost vulnerable. There was a kind of quiet around him. Not silence, but peace.
After a pause, he spoke again, like he'd been holding the thought for a while.
"Y'know, Alya… when you, Rei, Sera, Souta, and Sia come over next time—I'll cook for all of you. Myself."
Alya blinked, surprised, then her lips curved upward. Her face flushed again, a little more this time.
"That sounds really nice," she said. It came out quieter than she meant it to.
Then, with a playful smirk, she added,
"If I wasn't sick right now, I would've given you a big, big hug and kissed you!"
Haruta paused. Just for a second.
His hands kept moving—washing the dishes—but slower now. His eyes widened slightly… then softened again. One quiet tear slipped down his cheek. He wiped it away quickly, instinctively, like it was never there.
"Sounds nice to me, Alya," he said, trying to keep it light, but his voice had a quiet edge to it.
The kind that comes from trying not to cry again.
He finished cooking and brought over a plate.
Alya sat up straighter, unwrapping herself from the burrito a little.
"Here," Haruta said. "Eat while it's warm."
Alya took a bite, then paused. She stared at him with a blank face.
"Is it good?" he asked, a little nervous.
"No," Alya said flatly.
Haruta froze, blinking. "...Huh?"
"It's excellent," she said, breaking into a big grin.
Haruta let out a quiet laugh, his shoulders relaxing.
"You scared me," he chuckled. "I thought I messed up."
She giggled into her blanket, hiding the way her eyes sparkled.
Haruta turned to the window as Alya kept eating.
The sky outside was fading into that soft blue-orange glow—the in-between of day and night. The kind of sky that makes you feel nostalgic for no reason.
"How far have you fallen…" he whispered to himself, not even realizing he'd said it aloud.
"Not in despair… in love. But I know the answer well."
Even he couldn't fully hear his own words, but a smile crept onto his lips.
The kind that stays for a while.
"Hey, Alya," Haruta said gently.
She looked up from her plate. "Yeah?"
He turned to her, meeting her gaze.
"I don't believe in soulmates," he said. "But… I believe we're mates bound by soul."
Alya's eyes widened, then softened.
"Good luck spending this life and the next with me," she replied, voice full of her usual teasing warmth.
"I curse you with eternal love for me." She pointed at him dramatically, trying not to giggle.
Haruta laughed quietly.
"Is that a blessing or a curse?"
Before she could answer, the gate creaked open.
Sera and Rei walked in, backpacks slung over their shoulders.
"Yo, Haruta. How did it go?" Rei asked with a grin.
Haruta stood, stretching a little. "Nice. I cooked something, so wash up and I'll serve it, aight?"
"YEAH! I'm starving!" Sera groaned dramatically, heading toward the sink.
---
After dinner, Haruta and Rei stood at the gate.
The stars were starting to peek out now.
"Bye, Sera," Rei said, waving.
Haruta smiled, slipping on the socks Alya had stitched for him.
"Bye, Alya."
Sera and Alya didn't say anything.
They just looked at each other and smiled—soft, knowing glances that said more than words ever could.
---
Maybe Haruta completed the sock Alya couldn't finish.
But Alya...
She completed the part of Haruta's soul he'd forgotten.
—To be continued.
~Rei