4 – The Omelet filled with Memories

    In the depths of my slumber, a deep forgotten memory has resurfaced again in a form of a warm and pleasant dream.

“Ahhh! I can’t take this heat anymore! Come on Mizuki, let’s just skip the afternoon class.” Said the boy sitting next to me.

“No, we can’t. Our teacher has already warned you about your test scores going down lately, you should study more.”

“But classes are too boring. Hey, why don’t you just tutor me?” he stands up and starts whining like a child as usual.

“No way, the last time you asked me to help you study and do our assignments, you just stared at me the whole time and end up sleeping afterwards.”

“Well it is because you are too handsome when you are focused in studying.”

“’No, I’m not. You are just always flirty whenever you look at me.”

“Hahahaha, don’t say that, you also like it when I kiss you right?” he leaned towards me while I am still sitting down.

“Hey! I already told you that we are not allowed to do this kind of stuffs at school. What if somebody sees us?” I covered his mouth using my palm.

“Don’t worry, we are in the rooftop and there are no other people around here.” He kissed my hands before slowly moving it away from my face.

“Fine.” I kissed his lips for a second.

“See? You really like kissing me.”

“Yeah, you are right but I will still not help you in studying. Do it on your own.”

“Eh, but what if I end up repeating being a second year?”

“If you don’t want to get left behind, then start studying seriously. Lunch is almost over so let’s go back to the classroom now.”

*ding**ding**ding*

I opened my eyes as the sound of the school bell in my dreams and the sound of my alarm clock mashed up in my head and made me confused for a second upon waking up.

Is that an old memory coming back? Or just a weird dream?

Lately, I keep having dreams about the time when I was in high school and each and every time, I have that kind of dream, there is always that same boy with me. Although I cannot really remember his face clearly, I am very sure that he is the same person and the only clue for me to remember my forgotten past.

“Mizuki-chan good morning! ~” Nino greeted me as soon as I arrive at the café.

“Good morning. It is nice to see you arriving earlier than your usual time.”

“Well, I am excited for the developing stories about your love life, hehehehe. Now tell me, is Nozomi-san good enough?”

“What do you mean by ‘good enough’?”

“You went with him on a date yesterday right? Though it was a short time, I am sure that something did happened right? Right? He certainly passes your standards, right? Right? ” Nino keeps on bugging me as I put on my café uniform and apron.

“We only came to the night market to eat. That’s all.”

“Really? But you are smiling like an in love teenage girl yesterday when you are walking down the road while staring at your phone yesterday.”

“Well, he got my phone number and he called me afterwards.”

“And?”

“Nothing. That’s all.”

“Ehhhh?! He didn’t call you again last night? You didn’t spend the whole night talking in the phone?”

“Of course not. Why would I even spend my whole night talking to him instead of getting my precious sleep?”

“Tsssskkk. Nozomi-san is so slow to make his move. Maybe it is time for me to help him make his moves.”

“Hey Nino, don’t you dare give that guy any funny ideas from your yaoi fantasy. Come on, let’s start working.” I push her out of the staff room.

As we open the café, our day become busy again and when the day finally ended, I realized that Nozomi-san didn’t even show up again. I checked on my phone to see if there is any calls or text from him but there is also nothing from him.

The following day, I unconsciously wait to hear anything from him but he is still nowhere to be found which only makes me more uneasy. I wanted to check on him but my pride says no because a part of me is annoyed on how he always randomly appeared and disappeared however he wants.

“Mizuki-chan~ What’s up? It looks like you are waiting for someone to go in our café~ Is it Nozomi-san?” Nino pop out from behind as I space out while wiping the counter.

“No. Why would I even wait for him?  I am just sleepy.”

“Ohoho~ Looks like you really need to see him to get recharge and stop being sleepy~”

“Hey stop teasing me. Want me to make you do an overtime shift again?”

“No, I have to go now! I have to find Nozomi-san quickly before you get mad at everyone.” She dashed off from me.

“Hey! I told you to stop teasing me!” *sigh*

After the day has finally ended again, I finally lose all my expectations for Nozomi-san. Why would he even declare his affection towards me if he will just pop out and not say a word to me.

I left the café first as soon as our shift ended and starts walking home while daydreaming and trying to dig out any old memories of mine that may resurface anytime.

As I look at the horizon with the sun going down, I feel the cold breeze of air sweeping pass by my cheeks with the familiar scent…

“Mamoru-san! Mamoru Mizuki!” I thought that I am still daydreaming when I heard his voice.

“Wait up!” I turn around and saw Nozomi-san running towards me like a madman which makes me standstill.

“Why are you running after me?” I ask him as soon as he caught up on me.

“I came looking for you at the café but when your workmates told me that you already left. The female staff said that I may still caught up if I run towards this direction.”

“Huh? You actually believed Nino and start running like crazy?”

“Well, it really works so I have no complaints towards her.”

*sigh* “You are really an idiot.”

“A handsome idiot exclusively for you.”

“Hey stop with that cringey line. Where do you even learn that.” *sigh* “So\, what’s the reason for you to appear again without notice?”

“I came to apologize and give you this souvenir from my business-related trip to a country side yesterday.”

“Why do you even have to apologize?”

“Oh, well I am just thinking that it is rude for me to suddenly disappear for two days without even contacting you. I was really busy with my work and the signal reception on that area is quite bad so I cannot even send a single message to you.” He explained everything and taking off the burden for me to actually asked it.

“I see, I understand.” Yeah, I have to admit that I really thought you just decided to stop bothering me.

“I’m glad you understand. You are really a kind person Mamoru-san. Here, take this souvenir I specially bought for you.” He handed me a paper bag.

I opened it without giving out my expression of being a little excited in seeing what’s inside the bag. Without hesitation, I pulled out the folded shirt and look at the printed design on it.

“Exclusively for Him?” I read it the words boldly printed in front. “What does this even mean?” I ask him who is just watching me with amused smile on his face.

“…” He just keeps grinning like an idiot instead of actually answering my question.

“Hey, wait a second! Don’t tell me that this is actually a couple shirt?”

“…” He didn’t respond but his face definitely spells out his answer clearly.

Indeed, it is really a couple shirt and I am pretty sure that he got the other one left for him.

“Nozomi-san so you really thought that I will not notice the fact that you bought us a couple shirt?”

“Ahahahahaha, I just thought that it will be cute to have a matching shirt with you so bought it without hesitation.”

“Yeah, just make sure to tell me when to wear it so we can match up properly.”

“Really? You are willing to wear it with me?”

“Yeah, just make sure that nobody will see us together wearing it.”

“Eh? That’s cruel.”

“I’m just kidding. Maybe we can wear it someday but not this time around.”

“I am looking forward to that. By the way, do you want to eat dinner together? I am planning to cook some nice meal tonight so do you want to come to my place?”

“Your place? You sure are bold to invite me over this early in the game. But I think I am interested; sure, l am willing to taste your home-cooked meal.”

“I am so happy! I promise to do my best dish for you! Let’s go!” he holds my hand and started running again back to the direction of the café.

“Wait, why are we even going back to the café’?”

“I left my car parked out there.”

“What?! Why do you even have to run and chase me earlier if you have your car with you? You really are an idiot.”

After he drive us off to his place which is a big apartment, he run off to the kitchen to start cooking.

“Want me to help you out?” I ask him as he get some of the ingredients out from his refrigerator.

“No need. I want to show you how good I am in cooking. Just relax and do whatever you want while I cook.”

“Okay, I think I will just laze around the living room for a while.”

I walk around his apartment which is spacious and looks more expensive than mine. The things are all organized with a minimalist style and only a few things where out on display in his living room. The only photo that I saw was a photo of him alone during his graduation in University and aside from that, there is nothing else. I even made an effort looking for a photo album hanging around but there is really nothing else aside from his solo picture and a flower pot placed in the room.

This place is so boring.  It almost feels empty as if no one is actually living here.

I lay down to the sofa and stare up at the ceiling as I listen to the sound coming from the kitchen until my eyes slowly closed and I end up falling asleep.

“Oh, come on. You really are hopeless when it comes to cooking. Do you even know how to do anything aside from brewing coffee?”

“Ahahaha, well isn’t it fine? You are very talented in cooking and baking and I am the best when it comes to making coffees so we are indeed a perfect match right?”

“Stop changing the subject. You have to take this seriously or you may end up failing even the Home Economics subject.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Why don’t you just teach me how to make an omurice? Maybe I can pass if I present a perfect omurice to our teacher.”

“Maybe you are right. Yeah, omurice sounds a good- Hey wait, can you even make a decent looking omelet?”

“Ahahahaha, is that really important?”

“Hey stop messing with me and don’t you dare make a sloppy looking omurice.”

“Mamoru-san, wake up. The meal is ready.”

“Huh? Did you mess up the omelet again?” I am still half asleep when I respond to Nozomi-san who is waking me up. I blinked a few more times until I am fully awakened and see him standing beside me and looking down on my face.

“Mamoru-san are you still dreaming? Hahahaha you are so cute when you sleep talk.”

“What? Me? Sleep-talking? You are kidding right?”

“No, I am serious. You keep rumbling about omurice and omelet in your sleep.”

“Nozomi-san, are you good at cooking omelet?” I asked him while still thinking about the vivid dream from my old memories.

“Oh, well to be honest I still suck in making that dish. No, actually I really suck in cooking a lot of dishes.”

“You invited me here to eat the food you have prepared even though you know that you suck at cooking?”

“I can at least cook some decent dish so don’t worry. Come on let’s eat now and taste how good I am in cooking my specialty dish.”

“Hey, don’t tell me that your specialized dish is fry eggs.”

“What? Of course not. I can at least do more than that. Let me show you my masterpiece.” He pulled me until we reach the dining table where the food is already set up on the table.

“Yeah, they look pretty decent.” I look at the bowl of katsudon and a serving of vegetable salad and fried chicken.

I sit down and started eating but Nozomi-san stays standing still and staring down at me. It feels like he is waiting for my food review to his proud masterpiece.

“It tastes good considering that you really made all of this.”

“Really?!”

“Yes, but what we offer in our café is more delicious.”

“Well that’s understandable or else I may replace your chef there hahaha.”

“Please don’t even try applying in our café.” I don’t really need another one to look after during working hours. “By the way, do you live here alone?”

“Yes, and I am always out for my work so this place feels a little empty.”

“Don’t you have your family? Or maybe a sibling?”

“Oh, I’ve been living on my own since I was 19 years old.”

“I see.” I stop myself from asking any further about the topic because I notice how his eyes look sad after I mentioned the word family.

“Mamoru-san do you want to drink? I have some fine wine kept in my storage.”

“No. I already swore to myself that I will not drink again after the last time.” What if I slipped again and smash my face to the floor?

“The last time?”

“Nothing, forget about what I said.”

“I am actually looking forward to share a drink with you.” He keeps on pouting at me.

“That will not work on me no matter how much you pout and make a puppy eyes.”

“But why? Are you a bad drinker? You don’t have to worry if you ever get drunk, I swear that I will take care of you.”

“No, it is not like that. And wait, who even gets drunk with wine?”

“ME.” He sheepishly answered.

“…” I look at him with judging eyes.

“…” he stares back with his ears turning all red.

“Nozomi-san, how can you even so brave inviting me to drink if you are just a lightweight. Hahahaha, you really are interesting.”

After we finish eating our dinner, I help him in washing the dishes before I leave his place. He insisted on driving me back to my place but I strongly refused and told him that I have to stop by somewhere.

As I walk down the night streets, I decided to call Yanagi-san.

“Hello, Yanagi-san are you in your house right now?”

“Yes, I just got back from the grocery store. Do you need something?”

“Ah, well I am actually planning to stop by there to ask you something personally.”

“Okay, I will be waiting and will also prepare a meal for you.”

“No need. I already have my dinner just now.”

“I see. Then just call me once you get here.”

After taking a walk for a few minutes, I finally reach Yanagi-san’s place. When he opens his door for me, he is still wearing his pink apron and holding a saddle. It looks like he is in the middle of cooking.

“I’m sorry for coming here in a short notice.”

“No problem, you know that you are always welcome here. Do you want some coffee or tea while we talk?”

“I’ll have a black tea then.”

“Okay, just wait for a minute as a prepare your tea.” He left me in the living room as he walks back to the kitchen.

“Here is your tea. So, what is the question that you wanted to ask me?” he sit down next to me and waited for my inquiries.

“It is actually about something that happened a long time ago. Actually, I think my memories from the past is slowly coming back these past few days and there is something that keeps bothering me. Yanagi-san, is there anyone who came to visit me while I was in coma?”

“Do you mean our relatives? No, there is no one except me who took care of you.”

“No, I mean anyone who is almost the same age as me. Maybe a friend or a classmate?”

“I think there was really no one who came to visit you. The accident happened just a day after your high school graduation so it is understandable that your schoolmates didn’t heard about it.”

“What about my phone? Do I have one during that time?”

“I actually didn’t find any other of your belongings after the incident.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that? How can I even lose all my personal belongings after getting into that accident? Yanagi-san are you hiding something from me?”

*sigh* he took a deep breath before speaking.

“Mizuki… to be honest, it was really not a traffic accident that caused your injury back then. I was afraid to tell you the truth because it may affect your mental health during your recovery phase and so I have hidden everything from you.”

“Can you tell me everything now? I am ready to hear it all.”

“I don’t actually witness the whole thing but from what I can remember, it was an early evening when I came to visit your house to congratulate you in your graduation when I saw your house burning down from a distance.”

“So that is what you mean when you said that I have nothing left after the incident?”

“Yes. The fire has already spread all over the place and I immediately came running in when I realized that you are nowhere to be found among the people gather around outside. Luckily, I managed to sneak in using the backdoor from which the fire hasn’t spread up to look for you inside the house.” He paused for a second to take a sip of his tea.

“…” I patiently waited for him to continue without interrupting the flow of his story.

“When I came inside, the whole place is already full of black smoke and so I had a hard time searching and I almost gave up when I stumbled down the floor but coincidentally, my hands touched something wet and warm from the floor and when I look closer, I realized that it was fresh blood spilled all over the floor where I was standing. It was really a terrifying scene that stills makes my spine shiver but I hold out all my courage and decided to follow the direction where the blood is coming from until I found you lying unconscious on the floor covered with your own blood. I really thought that you were dead the whole time I was pulling you out from the burning house not until a rescue team check on you and confirmed that you are still alive.”

“Yanagi-san, it wasn’t an accident, right? Me being severely injured and our house burning down… there was someone behind that, right?” my head started aching as the scene of the burning house pop out to my memory.

“…” he didn’t answer my question and instead, he just looked at me with concern eyes.

“I think it is better to keep the rest of the story to be revealed later on. I am afraid that you are still not ready to hear everything.”

“No! I want to hear it now.” My headache worsens as I try to stand up which only gives Yanagi-san another reason to stop telling the whole story.

“You should better get some rest now Mizuki. Please don’t push yourself too hard in remembering the past. You don’t have to worry anymore. I can assure you that I already took care of everything so all you have to do now is focus in your present life and have fun.”

“You really know how to pick only the positive words Yanagi-san.” I slowly stand up again after finishing the cup of tea.

“Are you okay going home all by yourself? You can just spend the night here if you like.”

“No, I’m fine. I am already used to this kind of headache that randomly pops in my head sometimes. Thank you for everything Yanagi-san, I hope that you can tell me the remaining half of the story the next time we see each other. Bye.” I walk out of his house and called a taxi to go straight home.

I just hope that I will not have a nightmare about that fire incident when my whole memory gets restored…

Author's Note:

Hello guys~

I'm very sorry for not updating this novel for a long time....

But as I have promised before, I will continue updating this novel again now that I already completed my first novel "Man of Probabilities".

I hope that you will also support this story until the end and I will also do my best to give new chapters weekly so stay tuned~

Ciao~

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