---
The morning was calr.
No alarms.
No school schedule.
The light filtered in slower.
Sunday.
---
I stood in the kitchen.
Opened the upper cabinet.
Rice.
Only a little left.
Not enough for three days.
---
I closed it.
Opened the fridge.
Eggs.
Two left.
Bottom shelf.
Vegetables.
None left.
---
I closed the fridge.
Moved to the side shelf.
Instant noodles.
Three packets.
No need to buy a lot.
Maybe five.
Sugar.
Less than half left in the jar.
Salt.
Still enough.
But running low.
---
Checked the coffee sachets.
Almost out.
One left.
Needed.
I paused for a mont.
Calculating.
---
Rice.
Eggs.
Coffee.
Vegetables.
Protein.
Chicken.
Cheaper.
Tofu.
Tempeh.
Quick to cook.
Always needed.
---
I moved to the bathroom.
Body wash.
Shampoo.
Toothpaste squeezed to the very end.
Almost empty.
Won’t last long.
Detergent.
Enough.
Not needed.
---
Back to the kitchen.
Small box on top of the shelf.
dicine.
Fever reducers.
Painkillers.
Toothache dicine.
dicated oil.
Still have so.
Bandages.
A few.
Enough.
---
The list was complete.
No need to write it down.
morizing it was enough.
The sound of small footsteps could be heard.
From behind.
Quiet.
---
"Papa."
"Hm."
"Today’s a day off."
"Yeah, I know."
The footsteps drew closer.
Stopped beside .
Yuna looked toward the kitchen.
Her eyes moved.
---
"...going to cook?"
"Groceries."
She was silent for a mont.
Processing.
"...can I co?"
I looked at her.
Briefly.
"Yes."
No reason to refuse.
---
Yuna gave a small nod.
She turned around.
Her steps were faster than before.
Getting ready.
I looked back at the kitchen.
Double-checking.
Making sure nothing was missed.
---
Gas.
Still have so.
Electricity bill.
Water bill.
Already paid.
---
I grabbed my wallet.
Jacket hanging on a chair.
I took it.
And put it on.
---
Yuna returned.
Her clothes were neat.
Hair combed.
Not ssy.
Ready.
---
"Ready."
"...Okay."
I opened the door.
We stepped out.
The door was closed.
Click.
Empty corridor.
Footsteps sounded clear.
Two people.
Side by side.
---
Down the stairs.
Slowly.
Unhurried.
Yuna walked beside .
Not too close.
Not too far.
The sa distance as usual.
---
"...Papa..."
"Yeah?"
"...what are we going to buy?"
I answered without looking.
"Rice."
"...eggs."
"...coffee."
"...chicken."
"...tofu."
"...vegetables."
I paused for a mont.
Adding.
"...soap."
"...shampoo."
"...toothpaste."
---
Yuna gave a small nod.
Committing it to mory.
"...that’s a lot..."
Silence.
Steps remained steady.
We stepped out onto the street.
Brighter light.
Warm air.
---
I looked ahead.
The direction of the store.
A short distance.
Beside —
Yuna’s footsteps.
Not falling behind.
Not pulling ahead.
---
User Comments
0 comments from readers