Friend.
"....."
Nifuji wondered what it was, as many made descriptions and asked about its meaning.
After all, not many friendships are genuine, and with the number of living beings in this world that we encounter every day, most of the people that we see, except for our family, which is related by blood, the majority of them are strangers, those who don't matter in our lives.
However, when something becomes a matter in our lives despite being a stranger, then probably... that is a stranger.
Then, what is the difference between a friend and a lover?
A friend didn't have sex.
Yup, as Nifuji had this meaningless thought, he started to eat the breakfast that was prepared by Wakana.
The onigiri?
It was filling and delicious.
The soup?
It was gentle, warm, and just exquisite.
The tea?
He felt like his energy was refreshed.
Still, the problem was the egg, especially when Wakana didn't pour a single ingredient and just simply fried it, but—
"What is your topping?" Nifuji looked at Wakana as he looked at her curiously.
"Er... did you not use salt?"
Just a simple salt, this is how Wakana enjoyed her egg.
However, Nifuji sighed inwardly, thinking that she didn't know how to enjoy her life.
"Listen, Wakana."
"Yes?"
"In the West, salt and pepper are the defaults, but in this country, there is a fun, lighthearted 'national debate' over what the best topping for a fried egg is."
"Oh?" Wakana became curious. "What are these?"
"First, it's yours. Simple salt, and sometimes pepper."
"The original tastes the best."
"I can't deny that, but try to add MSG, and it will be more delicious."
"..." Wakana blinked her eyes, then nodded. "Okay." She had never tried MSG, but let's try it later.
"Second is Soy Sauce (Shoyu)."
"I have heard that some people use soy sauce."
"It isn't just sometimes, it's the most traditional breakfast choice. The saltiness of the soy sauce bleeds into the runny yolk and seasons the rice underneath. That taste is just..."
Nifuji looked at his plain sunny fried egg, and despite how vibrant it was, the taste was plain, as he hadn't put anything in it.
"...it sounds delicious. Do you want some soy sauce?"
"Hmm... I will just choose salt since it is cleaner."
If Nifuji ate with a bowl of rice, he might choose soy sauce, but as the rice was onirigi, it was better to use salt, he thought.
"Okay, wait for a moment~!" As Wakana picked up the bottle of salt, she asked, "Is that all?"
"No, there is more," Nifuji answered as he accepted the bottle and lightly sprinkled the salt. "Also, thank you for the salt."
"It's fine, but I am more curious about other toppings for it."
"From what I know, there is Bull-Dog Sauce (Tonkatsu Sauce), Kewpie May, and Aonori."
Gulp!
Wakana felt a bit regretful of having to listen, as it made her curious about the combination of those toppings with the fried egg.
"The Bull-Dog Sauce (Tonkatsu Sauce) is a thick, sweet, and tangy vegetable-based brown sauce. This is very popular with kids and those who like a bolder flavor. Kewpie mayo is often drizzled over the top for extra richness. Aonori is a dusting of dried green seaweed flakes for a hit of umami. Each has its own perks."
"...you made me hungry now, Nifuji-san."
"It's fine. You can eat a lot of eggs later."
"....." Wakana.
Yes, eating a lot of eggs was fine, as it was a source of protein.
Moreover, as Wakana was a business owner, and much of her work often relied on manual labor, of course, it was better if she had enough protein for her recovery.
Carbohydrates might be good for energy, but protein?
This was the source of life.
"I also have heard that there is an aurora sauce."
"Aurora sauce?!" Wakana was dumbfounded. "What is that?"
"I have never tried it, but I heard that the name came from a fancy French sauce (made with Béchamel and tomato), but unlike the fancy version, the Japanese version is much simpler and focuses on a "snack-like" deliciousness."
"How do I make it?" Wakana's eyes narrowed as her tongue lightly licked the tip of her chopsticks.
Nifuji stopped for a moment, staring at those lips of hers, her round shoulders, her white arms, and those short sleeves of hers that allowed him to catch a glimpse of her smooth armpit. He wasn't someone who wanted to do anything weird, but somehow, his eyes drew upon them, but he quickly looked away, as he took a deep breath, calming himself, and said, "It is essentially a 'hack' sauce that combines two household staples, Japanese mayonnaise (like Kewpie) and tomato ketchup."
"I have them. Let's try it."
Wakana quickly stood up and went to the kitchen.
"Now?"
"Yup~!" Wakana's eyes shone brightly as she looked at Nifuji. "Aren't you a little curious, too, Nifuji-san?"
"Well..." Nifuji hesitated, but then he nodded. "Okay. Let me help."
"Sure!"
Before, Wakana might have hesitated to accept his help, but now?
As Nifuji had confirmed what their relationship was, and this relationship also gave her an excuse for them to stay for a little longer, she didn't hesitate and slowly craved for more exchange.
She might not have realized it before, but the loneliness, which she got used to, was something normal for her, so she might not mind even if she was alone, yet now, after she got to know him, she just couldn't help but wonder the feelings of having him so close to her at night, when she stared at the apartement building where he lived from her room.
Despite their distance, he was unapproachable, but even so, now, he was so close, staying by her side.
"The standard ratio is 1:1, but many people prefer 2 parts mayo to 1 part ketchup for a creamier, milder flavor."
"I like to have more mayo."
"Go ahead."
Nifuji just stood by Wakana's side, who mixed the aurora sauce in the bowl.
"Should I add more ingredients?" Wakana turned toward him, looking at his face, so close that it made her body a little hot.
"Hmm... you can either add a lemon juice to brighten the flavor, a few drops of Worcestershire sauce to add an "umami" kick, or a tiny pinch if you want it to taste more like the sauce used for "Ebi-Mayo" (shrimp with mayo)."
"All of them sound delicious, which makes me confused now."
Wakana sighed helplessly as she looked at her stomach, afraid that she might get fat. "If I get fat, will you take responsibility?"
"Responsibility?" Nifuji turned toward her and asked, "What kind?"
"What kind..."
Wakana stopped what she was about to say, as their eyes met.
They were so close, but not so close that they would touch each other.
Her lips trembled, her eyes moist, staring at him with the vibrant and lovely gaze that made his days.
Instead, she was a little rabbit who approached the sleeping lion curiously, poked it, before she realized the consequences.
"I..."
This was why the words that she had always kept blurted out, "I like you, Nifuji-san."
"..." Nifuji.