---

  Chapter 21 — Dealing with Delight

  Hirauka returned home, exhaustion clinging to him like dust after a long day.

  “Sometimes,” he muttered, rubbing his temples, “I really don’t understand Sayaka’s actions.”

  He collapsed onto his bed, and before his thoughts could untangle, sleep claimed him like a soft shadow.

  ---

  Hours later, the sunlight had softened into warm afternoon tones. Hirauka groaned awake, stretching before heading to the kitchen. The familiar rhythm of a knife meeting the cutting board echoed softly.

  “Mom, what are you cooking?” he asked.

  Sanae glanced over her shoulder, a gentle smile on her face. “Hot pot. Your favorite.”

  Hirauka’s eyes lit up. “Really? You’re the best.”

  “It’ll take a little while,” she said. “If you’re hungry, there are some rice crackers on the shelf.”

  “Got it, thanks.”

  He grabbed a handful and returned to his room, propping himself against the pillows and lazily scrolling through his phone. The stillness of home wrapped around him like a familiar, comforting blanket.

  ---

  Evening arrived, and Sanae’s voice broke through his focus.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  “Hirauka! Dinner’s ready!”

  He set his phone aside and entered the dining room. Steam rose from the hot pot, filling the room with warmth. Sanae was arranging bowls and chopsticks with careful precision.

  “Thanks for the food,” Hirauka said, sliding into his seat.

  For a while, the room was quiet. Chopsticks clinked against bowls, the only sound besides the soft breathing between bites.

  “So…” Sanae began, glancing up, “who’s Yumeha?”

  Hirauka froze mid-bite. “What do you mean?”

  “You mentioned her name before. Who is she? How did you two meet?”

  He looked down at his bowl, calm but hesitant. “We met at a movie theatre,” he said softly, fabricating a gentle lie.

  He didn’t want to tell her the truth—not yet. The weight of everything he had seen, done, and carried didn’t belong on a dinner table.

  “A movie theatre, huh?” Sanae smiled knowingly. “You like her, don’t you?”

  “She’s… nice,” he said carefully. “Polite, caring… emotional. Different.”

  Sanae nodded, her expression softening. “You notice a lot about her. That’s a good thing.”

  When they finished, Hirauka thanked her again and returned to his room.

  Moments later, his phone rang.

  “Yumi,” he muttered, picking up. “Hey, sorry—I completely forgot to call you back.”

  “That’s okay,” her cheerful voice replied. “I actually called to ask… would you come with me to a French restaurant tonight?”

  Hirauka leaned back, thinking for a second. “Hmm… sounds good. Sure, I’ll come.”

  “Great! Be ready then,” Yumi said brightly.

  “Yeah. Bye.”

  “Bye, Hirauka-san.”

  He hung up and walked back into the kitchen.

  “Hey, Mom,” he said. “Yumi invited me to a restaurant tonight.”

  Sanae turned from the sink, smiling. “That’s nice. You should go.”

  “I already said yes. Want to come with us?” he offered.

  She laughed softly. “No, no — you kids enjoy your night. I’ll visit the neighbors for a while.”

  “Alright, then.”

  ---

  Hirauka changed into a neat blue checkered shirt and black denim pants. As the clock ticked close to eight, he teleported to Yumi’s house.

  He rang the doorbell. Moments later, her mother appeared.

  “Oh, Hirauka! Nice to see you again,” she greeted warmly. “Let me tell Yumi you’re here. Yumi! Hirauka’s waiting!”

  A voice echoed from upstairs.

  “Yes, mother! Can you send him to my room for a minute?”

  Her mother smiled kindly. “She’s calling you in. Must be something she wants to show you.”

  “Alright,” Hirauka said, stepping inside.

  ---

  He entered Yumi’s room—and froze for a second.

  Yumi stood in front of a mirror, adjusting the collar of a bright orange coat over a soft yellow skirt. Her heels clicked lightly against the floor as she turned toward him.

  “How do I look?” she asked, her tone playful yet shy.

  Hirauka drew a breath. “You look great. Really.”

  She smiled faintly, eyes glimmering. “I knew you’d say that.”

  Together, they walked out, saying goodbye to her mother before stepping outside.

  “Now hold me,” Yumi said quietly, “so we can teleport.”

  Hirauka chuckled. “You learn fast.” He wrapped his arms around her from behind—and in an instant, they vanished.

  They reappeared on the quiet street near the restaurant. The golden-red sign above flickered softly in the evening light.

  Hirauka’s eyes narrowed as he read it aloud:

  > “Dealing with Delight.”

  Something stirred in his chest—a faint unease beneath the warmth of the night.

  ---