Friendships Start Naturally

It was the next day, I woke up feeling energized and did my daily routine of cleaning my apartment before starting to cook for breakfast. While doing so, I thought about the things I need to do for the day.

My weekly food supply is running out and then I also wanted to exercise to maintain my body. I took a bath and got ready for the day placing some clothes inside my bag to bring them along with me later. Just then, I heard a knock on my door to which I opened it revealing Himari.

"" Good morning Satoshi-kun have you rested well?""

"" I'm fine thanks to you sharing your dinner with me yesterday I managed to sleep early so I'm feeling energized right now. Ah, wait a moment I'll put your share in a containe—""

"" Um, Satoshi-kun do you have some rice to share as well I just woke up since I had to study late yesterday evening to catch up with my studies.""

"" I cooked my rice earlier so I have a lot right now I was going to shop for my next week's food supply so I have more rice than usual. Wait here I'll also get you some.""

"" Oh please don't, I'll eat inside, it would be harder for me to return your containers later I would be coming home late later.""

"" I was surprised to hear that from her normally a girl wouldn't go inside a man's room she can just give the containers back to me the next day though.""

"" You can return the containers to me tomorrow you don't need to come inside and eat he-""

"" My table is also a mess I wasn't able to clean it yesterday since I slept all day to rest. Also Satoshi-kun I already went to your room so it won't matter if I go inside again.""

Before I could finish my sentence I was cut off by Himari who kept adding more reasons the last one wasn't good but if she was insistent on doing so then.

"" Fine if that's what you want to do then come in, I'll prepare the table right now.""

I invited her inside leading her towards the dining table while I went to the kitchen preparing the plates and food. Himari was patiently waiting on the seat looking at me which made me uncomfortable.

Why do I think she is expecting something from me?

"" Is there something wrong Himari-san you have been staring at me for a while now?""

I couldn't stand her staring at me it was really strange to do I have something in my face?

"" Don't mind me Satoshi-kun.""

She smiled at me while continuing to stare at me preparing the table for both of us.

I couldn't say anything back to her after that I can't probe her intentions since I can't force a person if they don't particularly want to harm me, also she is a girl, I would not want to hurt a girl unless some certain circumstances come in to play. I sat at my table across from Himari and we both give our prayers before starting to eat.

We ate our food silently in the room it didn't have an awkward atmosphere it felt more peaceful and calmer place. I noticed Himari glancing at me from time to time while eating her food her face seemed to want to say something to me. Since she said not to mind it I ignored her actions and continued to eat but the silence was broken by Himari's voice.

"" Hey, Satoshi-kun did you learn to cook by yourself, or have you had someone taught you to cook?""

That was a surprising question, I don't think she would ever ask me a question like this since I thought she wasn't interested in knowing me.

"" Well, I had someone taught me but I learned the skills through constant practice over time when I have time.""

I remembered some of my childhood experiences with food, but it reminded me of a memory of a certain person. I felt a tear on my face and Himari seemed to notice it.

"" Ah I'm sorry, did I made you remember a bad memory?""

Himari has a worried look on her face.

"" Sorry, I just remembered someone I once knew you don't need to worry about it. Anyway, why would you ask me that Himari-san do you like cooking?""

I changed the subject to distract myself from the memory I remembered.

"" Well, ever since you cooked me the porridge, I always wanted to eat more of it since it was very delicious. I also accepted your invitation to cook since I wanted to try more of your cooking, I hope I wasn't a bother to you Satoshi-kun.""

"" Not at all, I was happy to cook for someone other than myself it is satisfying to make people happy when they eat the food you make.""

"" Well, I was hoping to learn from you by watching you cook but you were already done with cooking so I was a little disappointed that I couldn't see you cook.""

When I heard that I have thought of something that made me realized her behavior earlier.

"" So, you wanted to eat inside my apartment to watch me cook Himari-san?""

When I said that her face went red and she started to lose her composure.

"" Wait that's not what I meant it was true that I was going to come home late as well but mostly it was that!""

She waved her hands in front of herself trying to deny it she looked cute when she is flustered.

"" If you want, I can give you a heads up so you can see me cook?""

I'm not hoping for her to accept but if she wants to see me cook then it wasn't a big deal at all I've done this a couple of times before, but this was the first time I asked someone to watch me cook.

"" Really?! If it's not a bother, then please tell me I want to learn your cooking techniques.""

She became excited when I proposed that, her smile was different from her usual smile it was very beautiful and natural.

"" Are you planning to take a cooking degree Himari-san? You seem to like cooking a lot also you should smile like this more you look more cheerful like this.""

Himari looked at me but this time she had a sad look on her face. Well, it's not like I can't smile, it's just I don't like anyone to see me like this since I'm afraid.

"" So, you have trust issues, well I won't pry too much about that since it is a personal problem of yours but you should have at least some friends right you're popular after all.""

Himari stayed silent while looking down looks like she doesn't have friends to rely on when it comes to her problems.

"" So, you don't have anyone to talk to about this what about your parents or relatives?""

I was now getting concerned for her social life.

"" Himari-san even if you think it is not important to you still need at least one person to rely on your problems even by just letting them listen.""

"" I just can't bring myself to trust anyone Satoshi-kun, I am afraid that I might get thrown away also I know some people have other intentions behind the mask they have. It is hard for me to make friends since I am always in the center of attention the girls envy my position while the boys look at me like I'm some kind of thing.""

"" So, you are aware huh? Well, it's the nature of accomplishment, perhaps humans want to show off what they have or can do to others to make themselves look superior. Others would tend to get close to these people to either increase their superiority or use them for their own personal satisfaction but not everyone is like that you know. Some people would care for the other person and would get close to them to understand them or learn from them. People use each other to live I mean if I were alone all my life I wouldn't be able to cook you know I learned how to cook because of someone who discovered the information earlier than me.""

"" Well, you are right about that Satoshi-kun but in my position, I just can't talk to anyone I don't really know.""

"" Then why are you talking to me then?""

I threw her statement back at her.

"" Well, I think you are a potential person I can trust since you helped me twice already but I'm still not really sure about it.""

She looked down as if trying to think clearly about it.

"" It's your call Himari-san I don't really mind you talking to me but if ever you decide to not trust me then I suggest you should at least talk to your parents or relatives.""

"" I can't do that as well.""

She was upset when I said that.

"" So you also have family problems?""

In my position right now I can't just speak to her about it so I decided to stay quiet.

"" Yeah, I guess it was also a reason why I don't trust anyone.""

"" Well, I won't pry into your personal matters but let me tell you this Himari-san try to understand what you need to do.""

I looked at her with a serious face which surprised her somehow.

"" What do you mean by that Satoshi-kun?""

"" What I mean is you should find what you want to do or what makes you happy Himari-san to distract you from your problems sometimes. I don't mean that you need to leave your problems alone alright?""

"" Ah so that's what you meant, well cooking sometimes helps me forget about my problems so I guess I was also curious about you when I ate your cooking last time.""

"" Well, I don't mind helping you out with that but if you are watching me cook then how are you going to cook your food?""

"" Ah, I didn't think of that I guess it may be impossible for me to watch you cooking since you cook when you want to eat.""

"" Well, how about I cook your part as well? This way you can watch me cook without worrying for your food after.""

"" I guess that's possible, but I still don't know yet. I'll keep that in mind for now then.""

Himari stood up and carried her plates to the kitchen.

"" Satoshi-kun I'll wash the dishes so place yours here.""

"" You don't need to do that Himari-sa—""

"" Don't mind it Satoshi-kun I at least need to do this since you cooked my part earlier so please rest I'll handle this."""

"" Fine, just place them in the sides to dry I'll fix them later when I arrive. I went to the living room and used the time to double check my bag before I go.""

"" After a while Himari was done washing the dishes and we both went out of my apartment.""

"" Satoshi-kun, if you don't mind please remind me the time you are going to cook next thank you again for granting my selfish wish.""

"" It's fine, anyway see you next time Himari-san I will be looking forward to helping you with your cooking.""

"" Goodbye Satoshi-kun""

"" By the way Himari-san, don't forget to give me your answer if you want me to cook your part or not since you might lose time to cook your own food.""

"" Yeah, I'll give you my answer tomorrow morning please let me think about it for a while.""

I left the building walking towards the train station since a taxi would cost more. As I rode the train towards my destination I thought about Himari's situation.

She doesn't have any friends or parents to talk to about her problems I wonder what she goes through everyday to live like that. I started to get worried about her mental state since I myself experienced someone breaking in front of me.

I should probably keep a close eye on her I don't want that event to happen again. No, I cannot absolutely let it happen when I it is right in front of me.

I thought to myself as I leaned my head on the window enjoying the scenery.