Minami no Hanashi : Yume - Prelude

Azumi's face turned crimson, utterly bewildered: "W-What?"

Narumi stared at her mother in disbelief. It was the first time she'd seen her so vulnerable.

-(Narumi) Mom, you're... you're blushing?!

The sound of her daughter's voice brought her back to reality, but still flustered, she responded, "Honey, are you teasing me??"

Shinsuke, ever impassive, simply replied, "Narumi said I don't love you."

Azumi didn't quite know how to respond, her eyes following her husband in a captivated gaze as he headed towards the stairs.

-(Shinsuke) I'm going to take a shower.

Narumi's shocked expression gradually transformed into a wide grin of satisfaction, and she couldn't help but laugh.

Azumi turned to her and took the opportunity to tease her: "Why did you want to see that? Could it be because..."

However, Narumi was used to her mother's teasing...

-(Narumi) No, mom.

Narumi climbed the stairs, leaving her mother alone in the living room.

Azumi went from sighing to smiling, thoughtfully touching her lips.

The door burst open, interrupting her thoughts. It was Minami, rushing towards the stairs. Narumi, at the top of the stairs, narrowly dodged her sister who was running at full speed.

-(Narumi) Stop running!

-(Minami) Sorry!

-(Azumi) Hello, sweetheart!

-(Minami) Mom!! Did you read my messages?!

-(Azumi) Yes! Sanae is coming over, right? I did reply to you.

-(Minami) No, no! Actually, she's sleeping over tonight! You didn't see... but it's okay! I need to clean my room quickly!

-(Azumi) She can sleep in the guest room if–

Minami stopped and replied firmly, "No." Then she entered her room.

-(Azumi) Do you need help?

Minami shouted from afar: "That would be great!" Azumi looked at Narumi, smiling.

-(Narumi) Why me??

-(Azumi) Thank you, Narumi.

The younger daughter sighed, complaining, "It's not fair..."

-(Azumi) I was thanking you for helping me and for talking with your dad. Even if you did tell him nonsense. She laughed.

Proud of herself, she retorted, "That was my strategy!"

-(Azumi) I'll help your sister. Can you get things ready for cooking? Sanae is coming to practice.

-(Narumi) But she already cooks really well, doesn't she?

-(Azumi) Oh yes! Minami didn't explain everything in detail, but I think I have an idea.

Narumi seemed concerned...

-(Narumi) Mom...

-(Azumi) Yes?

-(Narumi) Do you prefer my cooking or Sanae's?

-(Azumi) I prefer your cooking!

Narumi furrowed her brow, wanting to be sure of the truth.

-(Narumi) Be honest!

-(Azumi) I am! My daughter's cooking is the one I prefer the most!

Narumi was about to be satisfied with this answer but froze for a few seconds and started to think.

-(Narumi) Wait... Hey! Now tell me, who cooks better between the two of us?

Azumi climbed the stairs without answering her question.

-(Narumi) Mom!!

In the hallway, upstairs

-(Minami) Hi, Dad!

-(Shinsuke) Hey, how are you?

-(Minami) Great! Sanae is sleeping over tonight!

-(Shinsuke) You yelled it down the stairs, so I already know.

Minami laughed, looking a bit embarrassed: "Oops. I'm heading to my room!" Shinsuke stopped her: "Minami?"

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-(Minami) Yes??

Shinsuke glanced towards the stairs, looking thoughtful. Minami watched him, waiting for him to speak, but he changed his mind: "Never mind."

Minami didn't question it further and just nodded with a smile.

-(Minami) Okay!!

In Minami's room

Minami and Azumi stood at the entrance of the room, which was flooded with cereal bar boxes and clothes... Minami looked at the floor as if discovering the state of her room for the first time.

-(Minami) Oh my...

-(Azumi) Yes. Oh my.

-(Minami) It should be fine! I just need to fold my clothes and put them away neatly!

-(Azumi) Grab a trash bag and throw out all your empty cereal bar boxes.

-(Minami) Oh, but Mom, you know? There are stories and poems on the boxes! So I collect them. Some are really interesting!

-(Azumi) Then collect them properly, store them in a specific place. Don't leave them lying around. It's strange to have a collection on the floor, isn't it?

-(Minami) Yes... She said, looking at the floor.

-(Azumi) Shall we get started?

-(Minami) Yes!

30 minutes later

Doorbell

-(Narumi) I'll get it!

-(Shinsuke) I'll handle it.

-(Narumi) Oh, okay.

Shinsuke opened the door.

-(Sanae) Hello!

Shinsuke responded while looking at Sanae's belongings: "Hello..."

-(Sanae) Hm? Don't worry! I was dropped off! I didn't walk with these heavy bags!

-(Shinsuke) You're only sleeping here tonight?

-(Sanae) Yes!

-(Shinsuke) Ah, okay... Well, you can come in, I'll carry your st—

-(Minami) Sanae!!

-(Sanae) Hello again! She said, smiling.

-(Minami) Wow, you brought all that!?

-(Sanae) Yes! This way, I'm sure I didn't forget anything!

-(Minami) O-Okay.

Shinsuke took Sanae's things and headed towards the stairs: "I'll put these in your room, Minami."

-(Minami) Yes, please!

-(Sanae) Thank you very much!

In the garden

The two friends were sprawled on lounge chairs.

-(Sanae) I love being in your garden!

-(Minami) That's good!

Azumi joined Minami and Sanae.

-(Azumi) Hi, Sanae!

-(Sanae) Hello, ma'am! How are you? She said, sitting up.

-(Azumi) I hope you're ready?

-(Sanae) Yes!

-(Azumi) We'll start soon because we also need to prepare dinner.

-(Sanae) Okay!

-(Azumi) Narumi will come get you when it's time. She said, heading back inside.

Minami, eating a cereal bar, offered one to Sanae: "Want one?"

-(Sanae) Didn't you hear your mom? We're eating later!

-(Minami) Don't worry! I always have room.

-(Sanae) So! Let's do our homework while we wait.

Minami froze.

-(Minami) What?

-(Sanae) Well, yes.

Sanae pulled several notebooks from her bag. Minami couldn't believe her eyes.

-(Minami) We can do them after we eat!

-(Sanae) Better to finish them now.

-(Minami) That's true...

Minami had a funeral-like expression.

Later

Narumi watched her mother cleaning the kitchen while Shinsuke was on the phone: "Tomorrow. No. No, it's not possible to do it that way. Well, figure out another way, because that isn't legal. Yes, goodbye, have a good evening."

Azumi, curious, asked her husband: "Is everything okay with work?" He simply replied: "Yes, everything's fine, don't worry."

-(Azumi) Alright! We can start. Narumi? Can you go get Sanae?

-(Narumi) Yes!

In the Garden

Sanae had finished her homework before Minami and was simply watching her with a smile. Minami was very focused.

-(Minami) I finally finished... She said with a sigh.

-(Sanae) Well done!

-(Minami) Weren't you working?

-(Sanae) I already finished. Shall we check our answers?

-(Minami) Yeah, sure. Although I think I probably made some silly mistakes here and there. She said, waving her paper.

Narumi entered the garden.

-(Narumi) Hi, hi!

-(Sanae) Oh, hi Narumi!! The pigtails you did look incredibly good on you! They make you look adorable!

Narumi greatly admires Sanae and considers her a high school version of her mother. She tries her best not to show it too much. But in front of Sanae's compliments, she can't help but blush.

-(Narumi) Th-Thank you, I do them when I cook...

-(Sanae) I love them!

-(Narumi) Mom's waiting for you in the kitchen. She said, smiling.

-(Sanae, Minami) Okay!

In the Kitchen

Sanae looked around.

-(Minami) Looks like you're going to take the competition today.

-(Azumi) We're not going to use everything, don't worry. Before we start, Sanae, I want to know your motivations! Why did you come here to cook? She said, smiling.

-(Narumi) She's having fun, Mom. But it's clear she already knows everything.

-(Sanae) I want to be the representative of the cooking club! That's what I told the principal, and he basically said I would take a test in less than a week. If I pass, I will officially be the new head of the cooking club. However, if I fail... Not only will I not be the representative, but also the cooking club room will be demolished to expand the chemistry club... So the entire culinary history of Unmei High School will disappear if I don't pass the test!

Azumi, very cheerful, looked eager to start.

-(Azumi) That's a noble cause!! Shinsuke suddenly entered and started looking at everyone. A brief silence ensued.

Azumi spoke again: "We're not going to use everything!"

-(Narumi) You can taste it! You'll be part of the jury!

-(Shinsuke) Who else is on the jury?

-(Narumi) Mom and I decided that you would be on the jury with Minami.

Minami, hands on her hips, looked at her father with pride.

-(Shinsuke) So we have to taste and judge your dishes?

-(Azumi) No, today I'm not cooking. Sanae will cook with my assistance.

-(Narumi) Ahem! And me? She said with a sparkling look.

-(Azumi) Hm?

Azumi sighed slightly and responded: "Alright! But you understand that I won't be helping you. Sanae, given the test she has coming up, needs my help more than you do."

-(Narumi) That's fine! I'll get to show them what I'm capable of!

-(Shinsuke) What test? I don't really understand why we're doing this...

-(Minami) Don't worry, Dad, all that matters is that we'll get to eat lots of things... Hehehe~ She said, drooling.

A few minutes later

Sanae and Narumi were very attentive.

The rice cooker beeped.

-(Azumi) Rice! She said with zeal.

Minami, who didn't know much about cooking, was impressed by her mother.

-(Minami) Ooh~ perfect timing!

-(Narumi) Huh?

-(Azumi) As a warm-up and introduction, you will put your brains to work and prepare a dish including rice for the two judges! I won't intervene for now.

-(Narumi) Hmpf! Easy! I can't afford any mistakes!

Sanae was so determined that her shoulders began to tense. Azumi patted her on the shoulder: "Ooh come on, don't be so serious~. The important thing is to have fun!"

Silence.

-(Azumi) Well then... I think we can start! You have 40 minutes. She said, clapping her hands.

Later

Shinsuke was patiently reading a book, and Minami was sprawled on the table. Her stomach growled: "Urgh... I can't take waiting any longer with that sweet aroma coming from the kitchen..."

She got up with difficulty.

-(Minami) I need to grab a snack—

Shinsuke caught his daughter by the arm: "Wait a bit longer, it's almost done. Besides, the taste might get mixed up with your 'snacks.'"

-(Minami) I feel my strength leaving me... She said with tears in her eyes.

Azumi looked at Minami, and she stopped her act, sitting back down: "Alright..."

Shinsuke's stomach suddenly growled. Minami jumped, impressed by this event.

-(Minami) Wow! This is the first time I've heard Dad's stomach growl!

Minami's eyes widened, and she seemed to be thinking deeply. After a few seconds, she spoke in a detective tone: "That growl was... Hmm... Very peculiar!"

Azumi chuckled while Shinsuke placed his hand on his stomach, saying: "Looks like my body is getting impatient too."

Minami burst into laughter.

END OF CHAPTER