[Pirika Library] Hot Cocoa [Short Short]

Since I started coming over to Yu's house, I learned that he has quite a sweet tooth.

Snack packages are lined up on top of the bookshelf in his room, and a spot for chocolate is properly reserved in the refrigerator.
There is a proper place reserved for chocolate in the refrigerator.

I was surprised when he offered me cocoa after a meal, but I've gotten completely used to it now.

"Do you want some cocoa?"

Asked by Yu, who was standing in the kitchen, I hesitated for a moment before answering, "Yeah."
A vague feeling welled up in my heart at the question I should have been used to.

Actually, I was in the mood for coffee.

I sank deeper into the sofa, as if to suppress the feeling I had realized too late.

The low hum of the microwave echoed from the kitchen.
Inside the microwave, two cups of milk were likely spinning around like a merry-go-round.
I couldn't say I wanted coffee now.

"Just a moment."

A laid-back voice drifted from the kitchen.
As if chasing after his voice, music played from the microwave.

The cocoa he makes is exceptionally sweet.
For him, who believes that the sweeter it is, the better, the sweetness of cocoa is happiness itself.

"Here you go, thanks for waiting."

He returned to the sofa, bringing a sweet scent with him.
A mug was placed gently in front of me.
Undissolved grains of cocoa were swirling on the surface. It was another wonderfully sweet-looking cocoa today.

"You know, Yu-kun."

I brought my palms together on my lap and squeezed them tight.
He, who had been thoroughly enjoying his cocoa, set his mug back on the table.

"What's wrong?"

His gentle voice makes me even more tongue-tied. I find myself staring only at the back of my hands.

Is it really okay to say something like this? That I would prefer coffee instead.
Cocoa is happiness to him, and if I just said nothing, there wouldn't be a problem at all.

Gently, the back of my hand was wrapped in warmth.
I looked up instinctively and realized. He is waiting for me. He is waiting for the words that I need more space than anyone else to form.
Inhaling the scent of sweet cocoa, the words finally came out.

"You know, I do like sweet things, but I think I'd prefer coffee after a meal. I'm sorry, I'm being selfish, aren't I?"

At the words that finally emerged, he looked genuinely surprised.

"Is that so? I'm sorry, I didn't notice at all... What should we do? Should I go buy some coffee?"

His words, tumbling out in a rush, are funny, and I laugh a little.

I'm glad. I said it. And it got through.

Just this little thing makes my heart feel so much lighter.

"No, it's okay. Since you went to the trouble of making it for me."

I wrap both hands around the mug.
The cocoa granules that were floating a moment ago have unraveled, dissolved, and disappeared somewhere.

"Are you sure? If there's any left, I'll have it, so don't push yourself."
"Thank you."

I gently touch my lips to the mug.
The cocoa he made for me. Sweet, warm, and gentle cocoa.

・ ・ ・

I participated in Pirika-san's "Pirika Library"!

https://note.com/saori0717/m/mdd63130311b0

I often see the name Pirika Library, but I always wondered, "Where do they take submissions?"
After being invited, the mystery was finally solved!

The theme this time was "Hot Cocoa."

When winter comes, I often drink sweet hot cocoa.
I warm up some milk, pour in a generous amount of Morinaga's powdered milk cocoa, and stir it around.
Sweet cocoa is a source of happiness for me, too.

https://www.morinaga.co.jp/cocoa/milk/

I have participated in Pirika-san's short short projects before.

I was quite nervous about posting a story for the first time,
but I was happy to have my back pushed by the comments I received.

Pirika-san, thank you for inviting me!

・ ・ ・

Updated 2021/11/17

Pirika-san read my "Hot Cocoa" piece on her Smile Spice program!

Hearing it spoken aloud might give you a different impression!

After the reading, I was so happy to hear Pirika-san's "deep-dive commentary"...!

Just like a commentary page for a literary novel,
she captured exactly what I wanted to convey.
(In fact, she even expanded upon what I wanted to convey!)

Even though I prefer "reading" over "listening,"
she made me think, "Radio might actually be interesting...!"
Please give it a listen when you have time!