Pt. 13 - Bento with Cat Picks

They continued eating in silence, though Amari's mind was far from still. Questions spun in his head, so many that he didn't know where to start. Meanwhile, Yui was simply happy he had approached her. It wasn't that people never spoke to her, but few ever stayed as long as he was.

She took a bite of her Yakisoba Pan, listening to the quiet rhythm of Amari eating beside her. A glance at his bento caught her attention: a neatly arranged meal of tamagoyaki, steamed carrots and broccoli, and rice with a single pickled plum at its center. Skewered strawberries sat beside pieces of karaage, held together by cute plastic food picks shaped like tiny cats.

Her stomach growled.

It was loud enough for Amari to turn to her in surprise. Their eyes met, making her break the silence.

"Does your mom make it for you?"

Amari blinked, momentarily thrown off by the question. "Ah, no, I make it."

Yui's eyes sparkled. "You made this?" The excitement in her voice startled him, and he twitched slightly at her reaction.

"Uh, yeah." Her enthusiasm seemed a little much for something as simple as a homemade bento, but there was something about the way her face lit up that made a small chuckle escape him.

She was still staring at his lunch.

Amari watched her and, without thinking, asked. "Would you like some?"

Yui quickly turned to him, her eyes gleaming. "Can I?"

Her eagerness made it impossible to say no. He nodded.

"Then..." She leaned in slightly, studying his bento as he lifted it so she could get a better look. "Could I have a strawberry?"

He followed her gaze to the bright red fruit. "Yeah."

Plucking one from the box, he handed it to her, the tiny cat food pick still piercing the slice. Yui took it carefully, holding it between her fingers as if it were something precious.

"Thanks."

Amari watched as she examined the strawberry, staring at it as if she saw something he couldn't. Then, finally, she took a bite.

Her face lit up instantly, delight washing over her expression as if she had just tasted the best thing in the world. The sight charmed Amari so much that he offered more of his lunch, and before long, they were sharing the bento, placing it between them on the bench as they ate.

It was fun.

Amari hadn't expected that. He found himself enjoying the way Yui reacted to every bite, how expressive she was with every taste. It made him oddly happy to see her enjoy something he had made. Eating alongside her, watching her light up with every piece she took, made him feel as if this was the best lunch he had ever prepared.

Once the bento was empty, Yui picked up one of the food picks and twirled it between her fingers, eyes fixed on the tiny cat at the end.

"Do you always make your lunch?" she asked, still spinning the pick.

Amari hesitated before answering. "Yeah. I make all my meals."

Yui turned to him, eyes wide. "Even breakfast and dinner?!"

The genuine surprise in her voice made him blink before nodding.

"Wow..." She paused, looking back at the food pick. "I could never. I just burn everything." A nostalgic smile was present on her lips. "Anyway, thanks for sharing. I don't remember the last time I had something that good."

Something warm rose in Amari's chest.

Cooking had always been a necessity, something he did because he had to. Over time, he had simply gotten better at it. But it was never something he particularly enjoyed. It had always felt like just another daily chore.

Yet, seeing the smile on Yui's face—hearing her say that—made him feel different about it.

For the first time, he wondered if he might enjoy cooking... if it was for someone else.

Especially if that someone reacted the way Yui did.

"Do you like cats?"

Her voice pulled him from his thoughts, and he turned to her in confusion. Noticing his expression, Yui held up the food pick, the tiny cat facing him.

"Oh. Yeah, I do," he replied.

"It's cute."

Her smile softened, reaching her eyes, making them seem as though they were smiling too.

The entire time he had been sitting with her, Amari had expected Yui to ask about the day she found him crying under the stairs. He had also wanted to ask why she had left him that note and drink. Before that moment, before she had discovered him, they had never even spoken. They hadn't known each other at all.

That only made Yui Himitsu all the more mysterious to him.

And yet, he found himself wanting.

He wanted to know more. He wanted to know her.

But something about the easy, quiet atmosphere between them made him hold back. It felt natural, effortless, like a moment he didn't want to break.

So he didn't ask.

Before he realized it, class was starting, and he was back in his seat by the window, wondering how the time had slipped away so quickly.