Chapter 9 Tadaima (1/2)

Hinata expelled a thankful sigh when he entered his home and meticulously paired his getas at the genken, so he was ready to jump into them the next day. His eyes caught the edge of a smaller set of shoes nearby. Of course, Aiyama-san and Miki-chan would still be around.

”Okaerinasai, Chikafuji-san.” Aiyama-san greeted Hinata.

It took a while for him to register that someone else was welcoming him home.

”Tadaima.” He awkwardly replied and gingerly stepped into the hallway to met her.

They stood staring at each other. Hinata took note of her soft dimple cheeks, pleasant thin smile, the warmth from her dark round eyes and the gentleness of her face made pretty by her simplistic bob with her fringe trimmed short on her forehead.

She had changed into a linen-green kormon kimono that made him frown with a though if she was married. Of course, she would have to be travelling with a child. It wasn't strange for women to be raising their children single-handedly whilst their men fought the war.

His frown deepened, resurfacing the fact that he wasn't considered man enough to go to war. One that lead to a lot of the old timers in the village crudely labelling him the okama when they thought he wasn't in ear-shot. It made him curious to know if this woman thought of him this way as well.

”Are you hungry? I made dinner with what I could find in the kitchen.” Aiyama-san's was overly courteous.

Hinata relaxed his frown and faced her with a cordial smile. Now wasn't the time for testing societal impressions.

”That would be nice.” He followed her into the main room and was about to fuss about the table, but she insisted he take a seat and wait.

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”Please don't be polite. Sit how you like, I'll bring everything to you.” She reassured him and hurried off into the kitchen.

Hinata sat in seiza on a zabuton, feeling strange about the one being served. His heart skipped a beat when he heard a loud bang and thud from the kitchen; he instinctively rose to see what he needed to fix. She re-entered the room, with Miki-chan trailing behind her, carrying a tray of steaming bowls of vegetables and one small bowl of rice garnished with seasoning. It was a simple meal. Considering the strict 1793 calories per day government rationing, it was also one fit for a king.