บท 20: Nagi Nanaba: The Homemaker Husband

Mahiru looks at the drink in her hand and says softly, "I hope Maehara-san succeeds. Change doesn't happen overnight."

"Yeah, I hope she can pull through." Yukino nods in agreement.

Satania changes the topic of conversation, "Am I the winner this time? Definitely me, right?"

"I think it's Nanaba-san..." Hitori is still immersed in the current sad atmosphere.

Seeing the others agreeing, Nagi says helplessly, "No, we haven't really resolved the issue. The conflict between Maehara-san and Iida-san still exists. This time we didn't win, without resolution, there is no winner."

Satania looks at Nagi, then at the others, as if she doesn't quite understand what they're talking about.

She just wants someone to play and have fun with her. However, she also senses the seriousness of the atmosphere. So she doesn't say anything more, just quietly drinks her beverage.

"How could it be? Nanaba-kun, you did a good job." Yuigahama says.

Nagi smiles bitterly, "Thank you, Yuigahama."

They fall silent.

Hachiman looks out the window and suddenly says, "Look, the sky outside is so beautiful. Let's go out and play together!"

"Hikigaya-kun, do you see what time it is?"

Nagi looks at Hachiman, stung by Yukino's sharp tongue, and takes a deep breath.

"Let's just say I'm the winner this time. My condition is that I hope everyone can go to the zoo together this weekend."

"Okay okay! I've been wanting to see those silly capybaras for ages!" Satania is always in a good mood, and it seems like she has no worries.

"Pandas... No, it's nothing..."

Yukino revealing her secret, turns to the side, and Mahiru and Yuigahama beside her also cover their mouths and tremble slightly.

Nagi sees the scene and can't help but laugh.

Happy gatherings like this are what he will cherish in the future and what he needs.

He checks the time and then stands up, "Alright, I'm looking forward to our trip to the zoo this weekend. But for now, we should go home and get ready for rest."

The others also stand up and prepare to leave. Nagi looks at Mahiru and suddenly says, "Shiina, let's go together."

Yuigahama watches them with a smile.

Mahiru shows a surprised expression upon hearing Nagi's words, but quickly turns it into a smile.

She nods and replies, "Okay, Nanaba-kun, let's go."

So Nagi and Mahiru bid farewell to everyone and leave together. As they walk down the street, the gentle breeze gently brushes their faces, making them feel slightly cool.

After walking for a while, Nagi pretends not to care.

"Shiina, thank you for the lunchbox today. I made some desserts. Can you pick them up at my place later? You don't need to come in, just wait for me at the door."

When Mahiru hears his words, a happy smile appears on her face. She nods and replies, "Of course, Nanaba-kun. I'm looking forward to the desserts you made."

They continue walking, and night slowly falls. The lights on the street begin to flicker, casting shadows of trees and pedestrians on the roadside.

When they arrive at the front door of the apartment, Nagi asks Mahiru to wait at the door while he goes inside to get the desserts.

Gabriel isn't messing around at his place today, and his living room is dark.

He opens the fridge and finds the food gone, eaten by a greedy cat. (Satania: ?)

"Nanaba-kun? Are you okay?" Mahiru's voice comes from the door.

Nagi panics upon hearing her question. He answers hastily, "Sorry, Shiina, I'm fine."

He hurriedly searches the kitchen, hoping to find an alternative dessert.

But he only finds ingredients. Nagi feels anxious; he doesn't know how to explain it to Mahiru.

He doesn't want to disappoint Mahiru, but he has no other choice.

Finally, Nagi decides to tell the truth. He walks back to the hallway and faces her with a sheepish smile on his face.

"Sorry, Shiina, it was eaten by a stray cat..."

When Mahiru hears the news, a hint of disappointment shows on her face, but she quickly adjusts.

"It's okay, Nanaba-kun. You can give it to me another time."

"Can you wait for me for an hour? I'll make it again. You can eat it here. I'll have dessert after dinner."

"Eating dessert after dinner, I'll get fat..."

"You'll still look cute even if you gain twenty pounds, don't worry."

"...In that case, I'll come in."

Mahiru slightly bends her knees, lifts her slender ankles, and takes off her shoes.

A pair of slender feet is revealed. Black socks wrap tightly around her legs, outlining the perfect shape of her feet; she wears sandals given by Nagi.

Not feeling Nagi's gaze makes her feel more comfortable.

Nagi's voice comes from the kitchen, "Please sit down and wait a moment."

The kitchen of the apartment is open, so Mahiru can easily see his movements.

The kitchen light illuminates him, making him look enveloped in warm light.

He opens the fridge, takes out various fresh ingredients, and starts cooking dinner and dessert.

His technique is very skillful, and every movement looks very smooth.

Although time is tight, Nagi doesn't show any anxiety.

"It's okay, Nanaba-kun, your house is so neat. Compared to you, an ordinary high school student living alone would cry."

"As a person who lives alone, of course, you have to cover everything. Also, Shiina, aren't you an ordinary high school student living alone?"

After an hour and a half of work, Nagi finally serves delicious dishes on the table.

His carefully prepared grilled chicken with lemon butter sauce, creamy mushroom soup, and Spanish paella. They are all brightly colored and presented very attractively.

"This time it's not pre-made dishes, please enjoy." Nagi's tone is confident and hopeful.

Mahiru looks at the food on the table in front of her with a surprised expression on her face.

"Nanaba-kun, this is too extravagant."

Then she picks up knife and fork and takes a bite, her eyes immediately light up, "Mhm~, delicious!"

Her face is filled with a smile of satisfaction and happiness.

"When I was still in the band, I would make desserts for my teammates to eat. I think cooking skills and dessert-making skills are related."

When Nagi hears her praise, a satisfied smile appears on his face.

"Nanaba-kun, if you're good at cooking, your future wife will be blessed."

"Of course, my dream is to be a homemaker husband."

Mahiru covers her mouth and giggles, imagining Nagi carrying a child while cooking breakfast for his wife who is eager to go to work.

The scene was so funny that she couldn't hold back her laughter.

"Hey, that's not funny..."

"Sorry, I thought Nanaba-kun's ambition was to be a band musician."

Nagi shook his head and said with a smile, "People always have many facets. I have a dream of music and a family dream."

He paused, with a mischievous smile on his face, "Maybe my current goal is to join the national team and win the gold medal in the men's individual recurve archery at the Olympics."