Hashed beef　Long after the sun had risen, Higuruma finally woke up.
　In his arms, his lover is sleeping.

　Summer is almost over, and the temperature has dropped a little in the mornings and evenings.
　Higuruma's face relaxes at the thought that Nanami, who leaves him while he sleeps during midsummer, is still attached to him until morning.

　Gently pulling out him arm pillow, he gets off the bed and heads for the kitchen.
　He sets the café pot on the stove and gets the newspaper while it boils.

　The water boils, I open the packet of drip coffee, and slowly pour in the hot water.

　...As I finish him black coffee while reading the newspaper, Nanami wakes up.
　He sits down and hugs Higuruma, leaning lightly on him from behind.

"Good morning."
"Good morning. Would you like a cup of coffee
"Yes, thank you."

　Higuruma replies to the voice falling from above his head, asking a question, and Nanami replies in return.
　Nanami doesn't move away, and Higuruma says, "You have to move away.

"If you don't leave, I can't make coffee."
"Just a little more."

　Higuruma's face relaxes again, and he looks down at the newspaper.
　He does so for a moment, then lightly pats Nanami's arms, which are crossed in front of his chest, and Nanami kisses Higuruma on the cheek before finally pulling away.

　When the coffee has finished brewing, a lightly dressed Nanami appears in the living room.
　Serving him a cup of black coffee, Higuruma folds the newspaper and calls out.

"Nanami. I'll make lunch today."
"...I'll make it."
"Take your time. You look pretty lazy."
"That...must be because of Hiromi-san."

　Nanami protests with a superior look, and Higuruma gives a small laugh.

"You can't say it's my fault"

　Nanami's ears red, remembering the affection they exchanged the night before. Higuruma leaves for the kitchen.

　He washes and sets the rice, takes the thinly sliced beef out of the freezer and defrosts it in the microwave, then peels the onions and slices them into thin strips.
　He cuts up the thawed beef, fries it with the onions in a two-handled pan, and adds water while watching the box of hashed rice roux.

　Nanami finishes him coffee and washes him mug in the sink.
　While the hash is simmering, the two of them sit on the sofa and watch the news on TV.

　...When the rice cooker announces that the rice is done cooking, the two get up.
　Higuruma melts the roux in the pot, and the aroma of demi-glace sauce fills the kitchen.
　Nanami begins to prepare the dishes and water.

　The two of them join hands in front of a large white plate of hashed rice.
　They say, "Itadakimasu," and begin to eat.

　In between meals, Higuruma asks Nanami.

"What are your plans for the rest of the day"
"Nothing in particular"
"Do you want to go out somewhere"
"Today...let's take it easy"

　Again, remembering what happened last night, Nanami replies with a thin smile.