Accidentally become a father-Chapter 80: The List
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The morning was calmer.
No alarms.
No school schedule.
The light filtered in slower.
Sunday.
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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.
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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.
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Checked the coffee sachets.
Almost out.
One left.
Needed.
I paused for a moment.
Calculating.
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Rice.
Eggs.
Coffee.
Vegetables.
Protein.
Chicken.
Cheaper.
Tofu.
Tempeh.
Quick to cook.
Always needed.
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I moved to the bathroom.
Body wash.
Shampoo.
Toothpaste squeezed to the very end.
Almost empty.
Won’t last long.
Detergent.
Enough.
Not needed.
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Back to the kitchen.
Small box on top of the shelf.
Medicine.
Fever reducers.
Painkillers.
Toothache medicine.
Medicated oil.
Still have some.
Bandages.
A few.
Enough.
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The list was complete.
No need to write it down.
Memorizing it was enough.
The sound of small footsteps could be heard.
From behind.
Quiet.
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"Papa."
"Hm."
"Today’s a day off."
"Yeah, I know."
The footsteps drew closer.
Stopped beside me.
Yuna looked toward the kitchen.
Her eyes moved.
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"...going to cook?"
"Groceries."
She was silent for a moment.
Processing.
"...can I come?"
I looked at her.
Briefly.
"Yes."
No reason to refuse.
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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.
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Gas.
Still have some.
Electricity bill.
Water bill.
Already paid.
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I grabbed my wallet.
Jacket hanging on a chair.
I took it.
And put it on.
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Yuna returned.
Her clothes were neat.
Hair combed.
Not messy.
Ready.
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"Ready."
"...Okay."
I opened the door.
We stepped out.
The door was closed.
Click.
Empty corridor.
Footsteps sounded clear.
Two people.
Side by side.
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Down the stairs.
Slowly.
Unhurried.
Yuna walked beside me.
Not too close.
Not too far.
The same distance as usual.
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"...Papa..."
"Yeah?"
"...what are we going to buy?"
I answered without looking.
"Rice."
"...eggs."
"...coffee."
"...chicken."
"...tofu."
"...vegetables."
I paused for a moment.
Adding.
"...soap."
"...shampoo."
"...toothpaste."
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Yuna gave a small nod.
Committing it to memory.
"...that’s a lot..."
Silence.
Steps remained steady.
We stepped out onto the street.
Brighter light.
Warm air.
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I looked ahead.
The direction of the store.
A short distance.
Beside me—
Yuna’s footsteps.
Not falling behind.
Not pulling ahead.
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