Usagi's POV:
It's already been a month since Okami-kun started writing seriously. He's been working so hard, making sure each new chapter is consistent and engaging. Seeing his dedication makes me want to push myself too!
Maybe I should take some time to create my own original dish… something sweet! Hehe, Okami-kun loves sweets, after all. If I can come up with something special, I bet he'll love it—
"Usagi-chan! You're zoning out again!"
I snapped out of my thoughts as Okami-kun's mom called out to me.
"Ah! Sorry!" I quickly apologized and turned my attention back to the stove.
Phew… weekends are always so busy! The restaurant is packed, and the rush never seems to end. As exhausting as it is, I can't help but love the energy of it all. But still… I can't wait for the day to end so I can finally test my new recipe!
Thunk!
A sudden sound jolted me, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked up from the restaurant kitchen and glanced outside.
"Oh! Are you okay, boy?" Okami-kun's mom asked gently, rushing over to the young boy who had dropped his glass.
"Emma-chan, please clean this up," she instructed one of the staff before kneeling slightly to wipe the boy's clothes with a tissue. Her warm smile never wavered, and the way she gently patted his head... it was so full of care and kindness.
I couldn't help but wonder—why is a mother this warm and compassionate unable to forgive her own son?
Because of me, she started speaking to Okami-kun again, but it still feels so surface-level, almost like she's just being polite rather than truly reconnecting. Okami-kun always talks so much about his mother, cherishing the memories of her kindness. But something happened—something that changed everything between them.
And I can't help but wonder… what was that incident that drove them apart?
"Usagi-chan, your shift is over. You can leave now, dear. It's already quite late," Okami-kun's mom called out.
"Oh, okay!" I replied, quickly heading to the back to change.
As I stepped out, she gave me a warm smile. "Good work today! Be safe on your way home, dear."
I nodded and waved before heading out, and the moment I stepped outside—there he was!
"Okami-kun!" I called out, grinning as I rushed straight into his arms.
Mphh!
"Hehe, you should be at home writing, you baka!" I teased, looking up at him.
He sighed, resting his chin on my head. "And I told you a thousand times—if you're getting late, call me. I'll come pick you up."
I giggled, tightening my hold around him. "You worry too much."
"And you don't worry enough," he muttered, flicking my forehead lightly.
"Ahh! That hurts, you baka!!" I pouted, rubbing my forehead where he flicked me.
He just chuckled, completely unfazed. "Then next time, just call me first if you're going to be late."
"Yosh! Fine, fine!" I huffed, grabbing his hand as we started walking toward the station.
For a while, we walked in comfortable silence, the cool night air brushing against us. Then, after some hesitation, I spoke up.
"Umm... Okami-kun, can I ask you something?"
"Hmm? What is it, bunny?" he asked, glancing at me with a small smile.
I hesitated for a second before finally saying it. "I was thinking... maybe you could come inside the restaurant someday instead of always waiting outside."
His steps slowed slightly, and his grip on my hand tightened just a bit. He let out a quiet sigh.
"I told you, bunny... seeing me in her restaurant might ruin the mood for her."
I bit my lip. I knew this was a sensitive topic, but still, I wanted to try.
"Okami-kun, you've told me so many times how kind your mom is. I've seen it myself… I know she'll forgive you," I said, squeezing his hand gently. "Didn't you also say how much she loves you? Then why do you think she doesn't anymore?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he just kept walking in silence, his grip on my hand loosening slightly. The streetlights cast a soft glow on his face, making the shadows under his eyes more visible.
After a long pause, he let out a deep sigh.
"Because I hurt her… maybe," he finally said, his voice quiet, almost like he was admitting it to himself for the first time. Then, with an awkward, almost self-deprecating smile, he added, "Maybe that's what I deserve."
His words made my heart ache. I didn't know what had happened between them, but I hated seeing him like this.
"Okami-kun… aren't you going to try making up with your family again?" I asked hesitantly.
He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Even if I wanted to, it won't happen. They hate me," he said bitterly. "The only reason Mom even talks to me a little now is because of you… but Dad and Nee-chan? They still want nothing to do with me."
His voice grew heavier as he continued. "Not to mention… they're still talking to her—Shizuka. They still have good terms with her." His jaw tightened at the name. "The only way to 'make up' with them would be to accept the marriage proposal with her. And there's no way in hell I'm doing that."
He turned to me then, his eyes burning with a rare intensity. "If I did… leaving her back then would have been for nothing."
He exhaled sharply, his expression softening as he cupped my face. "And right now… I have you." His thumb brushed my cheek, his touch warm despite the cold night air.
"I don't need anyone else in my life," he whispered. "I'll happily break every blood tie, every so-called 'relation,' and just cherish the bond I have with you."
As we stood waiting for the train, he rested his head against my chest, his arms loosely wrapped around me. My heart ached at his words—I couldn't accept the thought of him completely cutting ties with his family. No matter what had happened, I didn't want him to give up on them.
The distant rumble of the approaching train pulled me from my thoughts. As it arrived, he lifted his head, looking up at me with a soft smile before letting go of our embrace. Without a word, we stepped into the train together.
He settled beside me, leaning his head against my shoulder. His warmth, his presence—it all felt so familiar, yet deep inside, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was carrying a pain I couldn't reach.
"Okami-kun… will they never accept us?" The words slipped from my lips in a quiet whisper before I even realized I had spoken them.
He lifted his head from my shoulder, his expression unreadable as he gently took my hand in his. With a slow shake of his head, he sighed.
"They hate me for loving someone else… for choosing you," he said, his voice steady but tinged with an unmistakable sadness. "To them, my decision is a betrayal."
"Okami-kun… I don't want you to give up on them," I said softly.
He let out a bitter chuckle, his grip on my hand tightening. "I didn't give up on them… they gave up on me," he said, his voice laced with pain.
"They abandoned me. When I needed them the most, when they should have believed in me, they didn't. They trusted her over me. Her. The one who crushed my life, who tore everything apart—and yet, they still chose her." His voice trembled with anger, but beneath it, I could hear the raw hurt he tried to hide.
"If anyone should have known me, if anyone should have stood by me, it was them. But they didn't. They turned their backs on me… so why should I need them now?" He took a deep breath, his eyes meeting mine with unwavering intensity. "I don't. I don't need them. I don't need anyone else. I have you. And that's more than enough for me."
I didn't know what to say, so I just stayed silent, letting his words settle between us. The station announcement echoed in the background as our stop arrived. We stepped out, walking side by side toward the apartment, the quiet night wrapping around us.
After a while, he finally spoke, his voice softer this time. "Usagi… you trusted me when no one else did. Even when I was a stranger to you, even when everyone tried to stop you from getting close to me—you still stood by me."
He stopped walking for a moment, turning to look at me. His eyes held a mix of gratitude and something deeper, something unspoken. "You're the only one I want to be with. I don't need anyone else. I just need you to lean on… No one else matters anymore."
I simply nodded, not wanting to push the topic any further. I knew how much it hurt him, and the last thing I wanted was to make him break down. So instead, I put on a smile and said, "Hehe, let's drop this, Okami! Let's pick up some ingredients for my new dish on our way home!"
He raised an eyebrow. "At this time?"
"Yeah! There's a 24/7 convenience store near our apartment. Let's go!"
With a small sigh, he gave in, and we made our way to the store. As soon as we stepped inside, Okami grabbed a basket and followed behind me, watching as I picked out ingredients and placed them inside.
A distant laugh and whistles echoed from outside the store—probably some drunk hooligans lingering around at night. Ugh, what a creepy bunch... I thought as I instinctively moved a little closer to Okami.
He barely spared them a glance before turning back to me, continuing to push the basket forward. "See? That's why I always tell you to call me if you're going to be late," he said with a sigh.
I grinned. "Hehe, but you're with me now!"
"And that's exactly why I walked in with you. Otherwise, I would've gone straight home."
"Stupid," he muttered, shaking his head as I just giggled beside him.
As we finished picking up the ingredients, we headed to the counter, made the payment, and stepped out of the store. The hooligans were still there, leaning against the wall, drinking and smoking, their laughter echoing through the quiet street.
Okami didn't say anything, but I felt his grip tighten as he pulled me closer by my shoulder, keeping me firmly by his side. Without a word, we continued walking toward our apartment, his presence shielding me from the unsettling atmosphere.