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The school's break had begun. It would be typically considered a good thing, yet it only meant that loneliness would be gifted back to the young Shin Tsukimi.
There were people at school who Shin wanted to see again, yet he didn't bother texting them since he didn't want to disturb them in any way.
Though when about the first week of being alone passed, Shin was invited to come to one of his friend's houses and spend some time together with him.
This friend was a classmate of Shin's, Sou Hiyori to be specific.
Shin stood on the porch of Hiyori's house after being dropped off by his mother. He nervously fidgeted as he stood there, staring at the door. Him and Hiyori had met only a few weeks prior, so Shin couldn't help but be nervous before stepping into unknown territory.
Shakily, he reached his hand up to the door to knock, but suddenly the door opened a crack in front of him, half of Hiyori's face staring down at him. Before Shin could even take a breath, Hiyori swung open the rest of the door with a wide smile.
"Ahhh! Good afternoon, Shin! I'm glad you could make it!"
"Yeah..." Shin muttered in response, smiling nervously. Hiyori seemed ecstatic that Shin had gone this far to see him. At least he was doing enough by making him happy.
"Here, here! Come in." Hiyori grabbed Shin's arm before he could say much more and pulled him inside of the house.
The first room Shin found himself in was a living room. The area was neat and tidy, and there were long marks on the carpet as though it was just recently vacuumed. There were several photographs upon the wall that were hung up above the couch. The scenery displayed upon the pictures showcased nearby areas, such as a river Shin had seen on the drive here, or a park that Shin's classmates always discussed smoking at.
Hiyori was smiling so brightly at Shin amongst it all. He went all this way to prepare everything for him... it made him feel a little better despite the sadness the break had gifted him.
"Make yourself at home, Shin!" Hiyori said happily. "We could watch a movie... We could play a game... And... Ah, it's lunch time isn't it? Come with me, I'll get you something to eat."
Shin followed Hiyori into the kitchen, which was as clean as the living room. There weren't any stains on the table or the counter. Shin could enjoy staying here a while.
For a few breif moments he considered asking Hiyori if he could stay the rest of the school break in his house along with him, but the thought immediately made him flustered. It easily reminded Shin of how devoted marriges could become, where both partners would move in to one big house... And the idea of creating a similar idea with Hiyori?
Shin pushed the thought out of his head in an attempt to forget he'd even considered it.
"Oh! Shin, I made something lately... personally I think it's quite delicious, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts." Hiyori stepped over to Shin, carrying a plate of... what looked like cheese...?
Shin stared up at Hiyori in slight confusion. "Hm...? What is that, Hiyori?"
Hiyori smiled at Shin with pure glee. "Ahaha, a type of cheese, what does it look like?"
So Shin was correct... Hiyori made... cheese... Shin went back to looking at it. He'd never really tried Hiyori's cooking... but oh well, there was a first for everything, he supposed.
Hiyori set the cheese in front of Shin, before taking a fork and setting it next to the plate.
The both of them sat there in a few moments of prolonged awkwardness, until Hiyori spoke. "Go on, Shin. Try a bit. It's not bad, I promise."
Shin smiled nervously, feeling as though there was something strange with the entire idea. He dug the fork into the food and brought a piece to his mouth.
"Wait, waaait!" Hiyori suddenly cried.
Shin immediately looked to him, again with confusion.
"I just realized, this is probably the first time you've had anything I've made. Let's take a picture to remember this moment, alright?" Hiyori hummed, immediately taking his phone out of his pocket.
Shin smiled at Hiyori. Everything made sense now, why this particular food. Hiyori wanted to take a picture of him as always, that was normal. That was okay.
"Say cheese!" Hiyori said with a wide smile.
Shin went on to replicate Hiyori's grin, saying "cheese!" happily.
The camera flashed as the casu martzu's irritated maggots leaped to Shin's face.