This soup is really good!" I commented. I can't help but to feel impressed by Ren's amazing cooking skills.
"Did you hear that, Ren? A cute girl praised your cooking!" Uncle Taka happily said, as he slapped Ren's back.
Ren started to cough uncontrollably,until his face became red.
"Cut it out, Dad! Here, drink some water, Ren." Van said,while giving Ren a glass of water.
I smiled as I watch them laugh. It's really nice to see them having fun while eating dinner together.
"Hello, is anyone home?" they heard someone calling from outside.
The three men looked at each other.
"Hey, isn't it Reiko?" Uncle Taka guessed.
"Yes, I think it's her. I'll invite her in. Ren, prepare another plate for Reiko." Van asked his younger brother.
He stood up and opened the front door.
I timidly chewed on my food. What I only know about Reiko Noritomo is she's the most popular girl in our school. She's also a model student at Naha Highschool.
I heard from Mika that Reiko is the only child of their family.
Their family well-known is for having a successful chain of cooking schools and printing press around Japan.
And everyone knows that Van and Reiko have been friends since their childhood days.
My train of thoughts stopped in a halt when I heard Reiko's voice.
"Good evening! Sorry for intruding you at the middle of your dinner." Reiko smilingly greeted. She was holding a plastic container.
"You're just in time,Reiko. Did you already eat dinner?" asked Uncle Taka.
"I had cake for dinner. My parents are not home,anyway." answered Reiko.
"Hey, that's not good enough! Come, just pull a seat beside Van and join us for dinner." suggested Uncle Taka.
"Thank you, Uncle! And oh, I bought cake for everyone." announced Reiko.She took a seat at Van's left side.
And I was on his right side. Van ended up sitting between me and Reiko.
Reiko glanced at my direction. I saw the look of surprise on her face when she saw me. But her facial expression changed instantly. She gave me a warm smile.
"Hello, Nao. I haven't seen you at school for the passed few days, and Van told me you were sick. Are you feeling okay now?" she asked me, in a sincere manner.
"Yes, I'm doing a lot better now. I'm ready to go back to school." I politely answered her.
Our conversation was interrupted when Van laid down a plate of food for Reiko on the table.
"Ren prepared a delicious meal for us, so you have to eat a lot, okay?" Van said.
I felt a pang of jealousy while I was watching them.
"Nao, stop this foolishness!" I reprimanded myself.
====================
Once we finished eating dinner, we decided to have a relaxing time at the mini- garden. We were already chatting for an hour now when Reiko realized that it's already getting late. Van volunteered to walk Reiko and I back home.
"Be careful on the road, guys." Uncle Taka said to us.
"Yes,Uncle. And thank you for the meal, Ren.It was delicious." Reiko waved at Ren.
Ren waved back at her.
"And Nao? Please tell your mother we enjoyed the sweets that she sent us." added Uncle Taka.
"Of course, Uncle." I smilingly responded.
We were already on the road when Reiko spoke again.
"It's so nice to have dinner with you, Nao... Hey, why don't we hangout sometime?" she suggested.
"That's a good idea, Reiko!" agreed Van.
"Okay." I murmured,as I try to hide my jealousy. It's clearly obvious that Van and Reiko look good together. They could be a perfect couple.
"--How about going on a trip or something?" offered Reiko.
"But Reiko, don't you have to get ready for the Prefectural Swimming Competition?"
Van suddenly spoils the moment.
Reiko pouted as she remembered the much-awaited competition.
"Right. I amost forgot about it." she muttered.
"What's with the long face? Don't you like to swim anymore?" Van frowned at Reiko.
"I still do. It's just that... I wanted to do more fun things aside from swimming. Like going on a trip...Or going to a summer festival!" Reiko commented.
"Well,you can do it one at a time...There's no need to rush things." I suddenly said.
Van and Reiko turned their attention to me, while looking a bit surprised.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that!" I frantically apologized to Reiko.
Much to my own surprise,Reiko lets out a wide smile.
"You've finally opened up to me, Nao!I'm so happy!" she chirped at me.
"Huh?" I mumbled,while looking a bit confused.
"You're right.I shouldn't be pushing myself the order of things. Okay, let's make a deal. If we win in the prefecturals, we'll be having a summer trip somewhere! But if not--- well, you both have to watch me cry for the whole day!" Reiko suddenly suggested.
"Sounds like a good deal to me." I responded.
"So, it's been decided! You'd better win, Reiko!" encouraged Van.
"I'll do my best!" nodded Reiko.
I was about to say something when I realized that we are already infront of my house.
"This is my stop." I informed them.
"I really had fun talking to you, Nao. See you at school!" Reiko said, as she extended her hand to me for me for a handshake.
"Same here. And yes, I'll see you at school." I replied,as I shook her hand.
My eyes caught Van staring at me.
"Goodnight." that's all he said, short and simple.
"Goodnight." I answered back,as I opened the door and went inside the house.I didn't dare to look back at him.
"Shall we go then?" I heard Reiko's voice behind the doors.
I leaned my back on the door while trying to calm myself.
"Why am I starting to feel awkward and nervous towards Van?" I puzzily asked to
myself...
=====================
After they dropped off Nao to their house, Van is now walking with Reiko back to her own residence.
Van was talking non-stop about something, but Reiko's mind is flying elsewhere.
She can't help but to feel jealous on Van's close relationship with Nao.
Reiko had this feeling that the Van she knew changed after seventeen years of being together. They were born on the same year. They went to the same gradeschool. They were also in the same class for three years back in middleschool. And now they go to the same school as senior highschool students. They were inseparable in the eyes of many people.They are known as childhood friends...