I have to look after you for the rest of my life

"Don't be mad." Haruka kissed her lips softly. "I know already. I was being an idiot."

"I also don't like it when you belittle yourself."

"It's so hard to please you, my wife."

"You used to take advantage of me too much. I have to stand my ground now."

Haruka laughed and drew back from her. "Right you do. What are you cooking? Can I help?"

"Oh, but it's for Kiryu."

Haruka, however, was already rolling his sleeves up. "That's even more so the reason."

Lila looked at him blankly, and Haruka continued. "You spoil him too much with your cooking. He has to learn the other flavors of the world."

At those words, Lila laughed. He is suddenly so enthusiastic. "Did your cooking skills get better? I wasn't there to cook for you."

"Yeah, I had a lot of time to practice. At first, I almost went back to take away food. But even though New York was in a better state than others, it didn't feel safe to eat take-away meals anymore. So I spent more time cooking."

This is the first time he is talking about what happened during their time apart.

"Weren't you hospitalized for a while?"

"I was. But the hospital had a mini kitchen—ultimate VIP treatment even during harsh times. I told Sano-san I would be fine with a normal room, but he didn't listen. Having such a spacious hospital room to myself made me think of you, though. It would be nice if I had my wife so we could do things."

Lila stepped on his foot as Haruka cracked an egg opened into a bowl and started mixing. "Ouch."

"Moron."

"I saw the kitchen and decided to make use of it. I cooked my own meals during my stay, and uh-" Haruka coughed. "For Rikka too."

Her eyes twitched, annoyed. "Right, I almost forgot about that! You not only cooked for Rikka-san but even Aizawa Mei!"

"Hey, the second part, I didn't realize. Do you truly think I would have cooked much or less lived with her if I realized it was that woman?"

"But you thought she was Rikka-san and accepted?"

"Yes." Haruka trailed off. "I have had a lot of time to think about it now. Rikka was important to me, not as much as Kiryu is to you. But she played an important role in my life. Even though I did not love her, there was a time where I thought we could live together as a family."

In the past, if she had heard something like this from him, she would have felt bitter and jealous. She still feels a bit weird about it, but it's not like before.

She already understood. Haruka only had such thoughts because he never thought the day would come where she would take his hand. He must have already given up when he heard that she and Kiryu were dating.

Lila still clearly remembered it when he first visited her in Star town. It always looked like there was something he wanted to say. Whenever he saw her together with Kiryu, there would be a pained look in his eyes.

Lila slumped her head on his back.

"We hurt them a lot, didn't we? Both Kiryu and Rikka-chan."

"We did. But despite their love for us, they willingly decided to give up. We owe them a lot. But we cannot sacrifice ourselves to be with them. That would be cruel of us."

He truly has matured. He would have avoided this topic and touched her already if it had been before.

Although she is relieved that he can see things this way now, she wonders how much pain he had to suffer to think this way? People grow up when they experience harsh times. What did Haruka experience at the time when she left him?

Her thoughts broke off when Haruka held her hand and gave it a little squeeze. "I will talk to Rikka when things settle down. Although I don't want to break her resolve not to see me anymore, there are a few things I have left to say."

"Mmm, okay."

"About Kiryu-" Haruka trailed off. "It's not just your problem but ours. When all of this calms down, we can have a proper talk. The three of us."

"Won't that be awkward for you?"

"Silly girl, if I was going to feel awkward about this, then I would have stolen you away and kept you from prying eyes a long time ago."

"So you would have kidnapped me?"

Haruka turned around and flicked her forehead. "Perhaps." He trailed off. "Let's finish cooking."

"Okay!"

Whenever she is together with this person, she wonders why she feels so much warmth and love.

…

Kiryu was already awake when they brought the food over to him. He was sat up on the couch looking blankly at the ceiling, deep in thought. He looked over at them once they settled the food on the table.

"What's all of this?" Kiryu seemed confused. "Normally you-" He trailed off and looked at Haruka for a moment.

"It feels like it will snow tomorrow. Haruka actually cooked for me?"

"Well, your not well; you need to eat."

"He isn't even denying it."

"Hubby, what about me?" Lila didn't realize that he was secretly making more dishes when she stopped cooking.

"Of course, I made some for you too." Haruka patted her hair. "You've lost weight; you need to eat."

"Mmm, but that also applies to you."

"You know, even if I am good at cooking now, my wife's cooking is still my favorite."

Lila laughed. "Your flattering me."

"No, no. I'm serious. Without your cooking, I won't survive."

"Then the solution is simple. I have to look after you for the rest of my life."

It took Haruka's silence and his blushing face for her to realize what she had just said. She felt her own cheeks color. "I-I mean, we are married so-"

"Y-yeah, I understand."

This is so embarrassing! Even if they are married, she can't say something so bold.

"Hey, are you two going to flirt in front of me? I'm still a sick patient."

Haruka looked at him apologetically.

But Lila frowned and clung to Haruka's arm. "So what if we are flirting! I haven't flirted with Haruka in two months."

Not being able to flirt with Haruka for so long was torture. She wondered how she managed before.