Chapter 308.5 [Kaoru Tsukiyose] Part One
A strange person came to my house yesterday. He was a man, but he liked to cook. His name was Juncheng An… he was the type of person who really liked to meddle in other people’s business.
I think I’m supposed to be dead. If it weren’t for Nana-nee, I would want to grow up quickly and repay her kindness.
But up until now, I only seemed to cause trouble for her…
After returning, I could start a new life, but… My condition was getting worse and worse. And lately…
I felt like the book in my hand was getting heavier and heavier.
When I touched my body… I felt a wave of dizziness. My eyes also might not be sufficient. It was an awkward scene. But my body is too thin; it’s impossible to make anyone like me.
He’s probably a decent person.
If he were a bad person, Nana-nee wouldn’t have let him stay. This person is a bit annoying.
“Xun’er, good morning. Do you want chestnut cake?”
“How about yokan?”
“How about a donut?”
“No! I don’t want any!”
That’s the situation. Starting this morning, this person has come to my room repeatedly, asking if I want to eat.
He didn’t even knock; he just stuck his head in.
Why did it turn out this way? I distinctly remember throwing up yesterday. How could he still be so…
He already knows about my situation, doesn’t he? It’s a shame, though. I think you would really… It might be too much to say, but he’s doing it for my own good.
The tone of disappointment in his voice didn’t seem fake even if I refused. I shouldn’t complain, even if I don’t want to eat.
Instead, he stood at the doorway, scratching his head and muttering something.
I put down my book. I looked up at the doorway, but he wasn’t there. Is my body abandoning me?
His voice was close, but I couldn’t hear it clearly. My senses were already dulling.
I focused my attention on the plate of donuts he was holding.
A donut shaped like a cat. A piece of…
A stack of colorful donuts. On top…
There’s a cat’s paw print on the side.
The colors were… It was decorated with chocolate for the eyes, mouth, and whiskers. (°w°)
“It’s kinda cute…”
“Well, if you don’t want to eat it, I’ll just take it away.”
“What? Oh, do you want to eat it now? How greedy…”
Then he raised his hand and extended his index finger, saying in a small voice, “Just one—”
I was a little startled by his excitement and flinched back.
“Wait, just eating donuts is a bit dry. I’ll get you something to drink!”
“No need—”
Before I could finish, he had already put down the donuts. I sighed helplessly and looked at the table.
It’s a repetitive scene, and the designs were all so cute. They were clearly made with care…
Why go to such lengths? These donuts… they should be…
Strange, I don’t know why, but they look familiar. I’ve never eaten donuts before.
Even my memories have become vague. They must go well with…
“Yo! I’m back. Eat up. This is… my thing!”
Why are you doing something so meaningless?
“You should have heard from Nana-nee already.”
“That’s why I want you to eat the food I make.”
“I can’t eat anything.” “Don’t force yourself. But I will continue to search for…”
My taste buds seemed to have disappeared, leaving me with only the sense of touch.
The first bite tasted like nothing.
The second bite… suddenly appeared.
She grabbed my neck and said in my ear.
She was standing right beside me. “Today’s meal is also very rich.”
“Xun, it’s time to eat…”
I was back in that dim room. Everything in front of me… On the plate before me… A transparent…
Her body was incomplete, wriggling with white maggots.
Mom’s face was dazed as she held a knife and fork, mixing bloody bone and flesh with…
My trembling bones gripped the knife and fork.
Into the white vessel.
“Ah, ah, ah, you must eat it all. Don’t swallow. Chew, chew.”
“Chew it up and swallow. Eat it all.”
“Child, you must eat everything.”
My mouth was filled with a strange texture. The taste became muddy, and the foul liquid slid down my esophagus.
I swallowed this…
Eating was…
Even though I couldn’t eat, I still gagged. The nausea welled up in my throat, blocking it. I desperately tried to suppress the urge to vomit. My breath hitched, and my groans became hoarse.
A nauseating feeling surged from my chest, and my heart suddenly tightened. It was a very, very strange and painful feeling. Tears welled up in my eyes.
“Can you still eat it, Xun’er?”
“How is it, my dear?”
“The ratio of sugar to flour should be just right.”
“These were all made by me, using apricots, plus frosting and decorations.”
“Speaking of which,” the donuts…
“If you really can’t eat it, you can just spit it out!”
“…Can I spit it out if I can’t eat it?”
“Nonsense! Mom will scold me and hit me!”
“You must eat it all! Swallow it!”
“But… it’s your father…”
“Right, you… you have to eat it.”
“You only need to eat what you want to eat!”
“Look at me!”
“You only need to eat what you want to eat… I can’t see you at all…”
The scenery of the room returned to normal. The plate…
The man’s body trembled, and the long hair… returned to normal. I saw the person—Juncheng An’s gift.
A sickness bag?
An… He said earlier that if I can’t eat it, I can spit it out. Then…
… Damn it… It stimulated my tongue. The soft texture in my mouth…
A novel and new sensation spread from my mouth. It wasn’t the texture, but the taste…
I couldn’t help but chew.
“It’s so sweet…”
“It’s sweet again. I haven’t felt this in so long…”
“Did you eat it? You didn’t force yourself, did you?” He looked up at me, seeming confused.
I silently shook my head.
I glanced at the dessert in my hand.
“It’s better to drink it while it’s hot.”
“Right! Good! Then how about a café au lait? Drink it while it’s hot.”
“…No…”
“Huh?”
“What’s wrong? Still not to your taste? Tell me your thoughts.”
“It’s not that!”
I couldn’t help but shout again.
I must say it out loud. I hate myself for being like this… But I can’t waste precious time. I’ll handle my own affairs.
“Don’t you have things to do too? I’m a very responsible person.”
“I don’t want to cause trouble for anyone, and you don’t need to either.”
“But you can’t eat, can you?”
“Seeing you get thinner and thinner, not only I… I put a band-aid on it, but I still threw it all up.”
“Nana-nee…”
“For me, you specifically went to… “It’s already troubling others.”
“…Waaaaaaaa…”
“Yeah, I’ve been causing trouble for a long time.”
“If I had just died back then…”
“If I keep living like this, it’s better to…” I don’t blame you. I genuinely want to help you.”
“Eh? Uh, don’t cry… there, there, good girl.”
I wiped my eyes, but the tears kept flowing. He gently placed his hands on my shoulders and said sincerely.
He walked up to me and said, “It’s a good thing for me too.”
“…A good thing? What kind of good thing is this?” I was completely lost, not knowing what to do.
“I… I was also lost before.”
“But when I saw you, I understood.”
“…The smile of my father…”
He smiled, a smile too dazzling.
“Seeing you eat… that person with the… It’s really happy.”
“…You… you’re truly a strange person. Of course, I won’t force you. It’s up to Xun’er to decide whether to eat or not.”
My face felt hot. That smile was too dazzling.
Looking at his face, I… “I… I’ll try… to eat…”
“Hooray!”
“You’re happy over such a small thing. You’re such a strange person.”
But, even though he’s strange…
Juncheng-niichan took a step forward and put the remaining donut in his mouth.
I watched him raise his hands.
“It really is sweet.”
My lips curved into a smile without me realizing it.
Yes, when you eat delicious food…
…N. Juncheng An gained the second card.
