Me: "...Egh."

I almost get hit by a motorbike when I turn at the corner while running.

I quickly roll onto the ground.

Me: "....."

I blankly look up at the bike.

The man doesn't get off of it. His eyes are focused on me.

...When I see his eyes, for some reason, chills run through me.

The man says nothing and speeds off on his bike again.

Me: "! ...Hey!"

I stand up in a hurry, but it's already too late.

The motorbike makes a roaring sound and speeds down the street in the twinkling of an eye.

Me: "....."

That bastard...!

He almost caused a traffic accident, and he didn't even apologize for almost running someone over, either!

It wasn't an uncommon thing in this town, but I was still angry.

I shudder when I think that I could have been run over that man.

Ren: "Aoba, are you all right?"

Me: "Yeah, just barely. But that was close."

Ren: "It's a relief you're safe."

Me:" Yeah,"

I'm calmed by Ren's concerned words and my anger fades.

Well, since I was safe, it should be fine...

I change my mood and begin to walk home.

When I enter the residential area and walk a bit further, I see my familiar house.

Me: "I'm ho..."

ｧｧｦ : "Get a grip already!! You stupid grandson!!!"

A thunder shakes my eardrums as soon as I open the door. My ears ring.

Me: "So... loooud..."

Tae: "Of course! I'm yelling so you can hear me clearly!"

The real source of the thunder... Granny stands at the platform of the entrance, snorting and scowling at me.

I've always wondered, where does she get that loud voice from? It's so mysterious, I can't help it.

Me: "What now, why are you angry?"

Tae: "Of course I'm angry! It's the key, the key!"

Me: "Key?"

Tae: "When you go to work, take the entrance key and close the door by kicking! I've told you so many times!"

Me: "Aah... I see. Sorry."

When I woke up today I was almost late to my part-time job, so I panicked and flew out of the house.

Tae: "Don't 'sorry' me! Really, why did I raise a child with such a bad memory?"

Me: "Jeez, I couldn't help it. I forgot."

Tae: "Of course you overslept and dashed out again. Really, even though you turned twenty-three you're still so helpless. It's so sad I could cry."

Me: "But I said I'm sorry! Is there any human being around that hasn't been careless at some point?"

Tae: "What, are you aiming for the world championship of carelessness? How many times has this happened already?"

Me: "...Six times?"

Tae: "Honestly... A child like you..."

Granny began trembling with anger. A blue vein is clearly visible on her forehead, this could be getting dangerous.

Granny could faint if too much blood goes to her head, so this isn't a joke...

Me: "I get it, I get it! I'll be more careful starting tomorrow, so don't shout anymore!"

Tae: "...Hmph. How many times have I heard those words too? When you're like that, I can't just fall and die."

Grandma lets out a rough snort and goes back towards the kitchen while making loud footsteps.

Tae: "Hey, come in already."

...It seemed she's settled down for a while, anyway.

Relieved, I take off my shoes and enter the hallway.

Shouting happens every day like this, but our relationship isn't that bad. It's rather good, actually.

Granny's shouting is a proof that she's fine. If her shouting disappeared one day, I'd feel lonely.

I feel thankful to Granny for raising me by herself, and I also respect her. It would be embarrassing to tell her, so I won't.

In the kitchen, Granny moves something that was just stir-fried in the frying pan to a plate.

I wash my hands by the sink, pick out the chopsticks from a shelf, and arrange them on the table.

My parents where also living together with us, but they were free spirits by nature and were never in those house.

When the year passed I'd think they'll never return, they would suddenly come back, and disappear again...

That was the case ever since I was small, so living together with just Granny became everyday life for me.

That's why I was unexpectedly calm even if my parents didn't come home. It's really thanks to Granny.

Even though I've made her worry about me over many things, I want to cherish the time I'm living with Granny.

Even without any special luxuries, living like this is enough.

Tae: "Well then, let's eat."

Somen noodles, tuna, stir-fried shiitake mushrooms and boiled greens, deep fried fish and miso soup are all lined up on the table.

I took a seat with Granny and out both hands together.

Tae: "Thank you for the food."

Me: "Thank you for the food."

Me: "Granny, this is delicious."

Tae: "Is that so?"

While I scarf down my food, a sharp pain runs through my head.

Aaah, it came... The usual pain...

Me: "Ow, ow, ow..."

Tae: "The usual? Don't forget to take your medicine after the meal."

Me: "Yeah."

A long time ago, when I did stupid stuff and got hospitalized, the headaches became very frequent. This was the second time today.

I had many things inspected in the hospital, but they said the cause was unknown.

Since then, I've taken a medicine Granny prescribed to me.

Granny has a medical license, and she examines old people from the neighborhood and prescribes medicine.