Side Story: ???
One day.
I was accompanied by Lefi to the local market to buy some ingredients for dinner.
“Lefi, what do you want for dinner tonight?”
“Meat.”“Something a little more specific.”
“Sashimi.”
“That’s not meat.”
That would be the opposite of what she was looking for.
Did she mean to say that she wanted to eat something like horse sashimi? Where did you find that kind of thing?
(T/N: Above is an in-japanese joke.)
Lefi said, “Sashimi is good, isn’t it? When it’s the season, you can eat a lot of cheap and tasty sashimi.”“…Well, I guess. Sashimi and sushi from the market are surprisingly inexpensive. And it’s delicious, so it’s very satisfying.” (Yuki)
“Well, I was a little reluctant to eat raw fish (the main ingredient of Sashimi) at first, but once you get used to it, it’s great. Mm… I still prefer sashimi to meat. I’m in the mood. Oh, but could you also buy me something like a simple diced steak with it?” (Lefi)
“Okay, okay, the main course is Sashimi, then meat. Vegetables… It’s too much trouble, so I’ll just use the ready-made ones. They’re also delicious.” (Yuki)
“And also miso soup. I don’t feel like I’ve had dinner if I don’t have miso soup. The best thing about this world is that the food is delicious. If only you were as good as Layla. we would have a good time every day.” (Lefi)
“I’m sorry I can’t make our place a paradise.” (Yuki)
After learning how to cook, Layla would usually say, “Oh, I see…so this is how it’s done,” and she would make any dish taste amazingly good after some trial and error.
I think that’s what you call a genius.
Lefi said in a joking tone, “Will she be my wife, Layla, I want her.”
“I know. I’m sure she will be the best and the strongest wife. I want her too. I wish my housemate was as good as Layla. It would be easier and more comfortable and enrich my days……. I wonder if she could swap with ours.” (Yuki)
“…Houh? Is that what you say to your partner whom you spend time with? Hmm?” (Lefi)
“Hah, no, you were the first one to ask me that.” (Yuki)
“…That’s true, but… Yes, I was! Well, compared to Layla, I’m certainly a few steps behind! Too bad your partner is me.” (Lefi)
“What are you sulking about? Of course, I’m joking. You’re my only partner.” (Yuki)
“…” (Lefi)
“…? What is it… that hurts…?” (Yuki)
Lefi silently pinched me on the shoulder and continued onward.
“Come on, don’t just stand there, let’s go buy some food and go home! I’m already hungry!” (Lefi)
“Yes, yes.” (Yuki)
◇◇◇
We went to the market to buy some groceries, and as soon as we got back home, we started preparing dinner.
Lefi used to not want to help me with the housework, and even when she did, she was a pain in the ass because of her clumsiness, but now she could cook just fine and did a lot of the preparation and help without me having to say a word.
I’ve been nagging her a lot as a roommate, and it was worth it…
“? What’s that look on your face?”
“It’s nothing. –Don’t eat only fatty tuna, okay? I’ve only had one piece.”
“Then you should have ordered more! We are sitting around the same table, and you are complaining about such things!”
“Well, if that’s your attitude, I’ve got an idea! I got this one!”
“You took two slices?”
“Hahahaha, how about it, isn’t it luxurious? With white rice…mmmm, delicious! Well, it may be out of season, but the yellowtail is still as delicious as ever. Now, two more slices.”
“Wait! Then I will eat the shrimp! I’ll eat two pieces of shrimp! … it’s hard to eat two shrimp with the tail in the way.”
“I guess so.”
After finishing our meal, we took a bath, brushed our teeth, and got ready for bed.
Well, we never went to bed right away, but often played games or chess while lying on the futon at this time of night, and stayed up until around the time the date changed.
It was not a daily routine, but somehow the two of us often played together after dinner. I tried to keep my voice down, though, because it might be bad for the three sisters next door if we made too much noise.
Also, aside from Shogi, most of the games we played at night were cooperative games, because we often got too heated with each other in competitive games, and it got out of control, and it was certain to get noisy.
Both of us tend to be extremely competitive.
–So when the clock told us that it was the next day.
Getting sleepy as a stone, we put an end to the game and turned off the lights.
It was time for us to crawl under the covers and say good night.
“? Uwaah.”
Suddenly, Lefi rolled off the futon next to me and into my futon.
My heart skipped a beat at the warmth of my partner.
“What…what is it?”
“Sometimes… –Yuki.”
“Oh, what.”
“I’m your only partner, am I?”
Lefi looked at me and smiled, to which I replied, “Of course, at any time, anywhere and in any world.”
“Kakaka, that’s a lame thing to say. Oops, what’s wrong? Your cheeks are so red I can see them even in the dark.”
“Shut up and go to sleep.”
“I will.”
With that, Lefi put her arms around my torso, pulled her head to my neck, and closed her eyes – and then she closed her eyes.
◇◇◇
I woke up.
I was in my throne.
I touched the railing and thought, “What if… Life on Earth…”
Lefi was not my only wife in this world.
Now Nell, Lyuu, and Layla were also my wives. They were too good for me, the best of wives.
So, I felt bad saying this, but… I think it would be fun and nice to spend time with Lefi like that, working together, fighting every day, and yelling and screaming, even though we were poor.
We would walk together with each other with the same stride, live day by day, and grow old in the same way.
Well, from my point of view over there, they would probably be envious of me over here!
The grass was always greener on the other side, I guess.
No, I wasn’t dissatisfied with my current life, and I’m definitely super happy with it.
I just felt a little envious, so I called out to my wife.
“Lefi!”
“Muu? What, you’re awake? What’s wrong?”
“Come sleep with me!”
“Huh? I don’t mind, but you were just taking a nap. You still want to sleep?”
“I’m feeling up for it. Want to take a nap with me?”
Lefi, who had looked so dumbfounded, now looked a little happy.
“…It can’t be helped! You are a spoiled brat, aren’t you? It’s a hassle, but as your wife, I’ll go along with you.”
“Oh, I can’t do it without you. I can’t help it.”
“What’s the matter, all of a sudden? You’re being very honest with me today.”
“I was thinking of changing my approach and attitude in this manner from now on.”
“…Hm, hm, I see. Well, anyway, you want to sleep right now? Come here.”
Lefi quickly pulled out a futon and I climbed under it with her.
“You’re the best wife I’ve ever had. I can’t get enough of you, you’re my partner. I’m super happy. Oh, what’s the matter? Your cheeks are red.”
“Shut up. Go to sleep.”
“I will.”
I smiled, hugged her, and closed my eyes.
