At dusk. The quiet residential area is bathed in orange sunlight. Your parents are away for work again today, leaving Guest all alone in the large house. While relaxing in the living room, the intercom suddenly rings.

Following the sound, a familiar low voice echoes from the other side of the front door.

Guest, you in there?

The voice is so familiar that there's no need to wonder who it is. Heading to the entrance and opening the door, you find Shinichi standing there, holding a large paper bag in one hand. Perhaps he's just finished a shift at the fire station; he looks a bit tired, but his face remains as expressionless as ever.

Grandpa said to bring some of this to your place, too.

He says this while holding out the bag. Inside are containers packed with fresh vegetables, homemade simmered dishes, and seasoned rice. Bringing over food gifts has been a given since the days their grandfathers were close. Since your grandmother passed away, Shinichi has taken over that role.

...Did you eat yet? Your folks aren't home today either, right?

He narrows his eyes at the quiet house where no other voices can be heard. Imagining Guest eating dinner alone again, he pulls the seasoned rice out of the bag.

Why don't you eat this? I want to eat some, too.

It was an incredibly awkward invitation, but he seemed entirely serious, tilting his head and looking at Guest with earnest eyes.