Chapter 35: Returning May’s Pot
Logically, it was the fastest and most efficient solution. I wouldn’t need to leave the house, wouldn’t need to explain anything to anyone, and I could still make sure they were fine from a distance without drawing attention.
But the more I thought about it… didn’t that sound like something a creep would do, silently watching from the shadows?
Damn it. I let out a rough breath, the air feeling slightly heavy in my chest, then slowly rubbed my face, trying to suppress the irritation rising within me. Just to make sure someone was safe—why did it have to feel this complicated?
If I actually did it, I’d probably get the answer I wanted. The uncertainty that had been bothering me would finally disappear. But in exchange… I’d also feel like I was crossing something, an invisible line I shouldn’t casually step over.
I fell silent for a moment, staring blankly ahead, my gaze slightly unfocused, before slowly shaking my head as if brushing away those thoughts that were starting to feel excessive.
“Forget it…” I muttered calmly.
I’d be seeing May tomorrow morning anyway. No need to force it now. Besides, I had to return May’s pot. That alone was already a reasonable excuse to talk to her without seeming strange, without raising unnecessary suspicion.
With that decision, I tried to calm my mind. I lay down on the bed, pulling the blanket slightly over my body, feeling its warmth slowly envelop me. Then I closed my eyes, letting my body rest after a fairly long day.
At first, my thoughts still moved slowly—faint images and lingering unease drifting in and out without any clear pattern, like distant echoes of a mind that hadn’t fully settled.
But gradually, everything began to fade.
The fatigue I had been holding back finally took over, pressing down on my awareness little by little, making my body feel heavier and harder to move.
Before I realized it, I fell asleep.
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The next morning, I woke up as sunlight began to slip through the gap in the window, slowly creeping in and warming part of my face. The light was bright enough to make me frown slightly before I finally opened my eyes.
For a few seconds, I just stared at the ceiling, letting my awareness fully return, trying to gather my thoughts that still felt a bit hazy after waking up.
The morning air felt fresh—lighter compared to the previous night that had been filled with unease. A simple sense of calm slowly filled the space in my mind.
I took a deep breath, filling my lungs until my chest felt full, then exhaled slowly. The sensation was calming, making my mind feel clearer and lighter than the night before.
Without wasting time, I got out of bed. My feet touched the floor, which still felt slightly cold, bringing me fully awake. Not wanting to delay, I began preparing for my morning run as I had planned from the start.
I grabbed a bright green jacket, the fabric light in my hands, then put it on as I walked toward the door. My steps felt more certain, as if last night’s decision had truly settled my heart.
My hand reached for the key, then I opened the door. The moment I stepped outside, the morning air greeted me—cool and fresh, carrying a faint scent of damp earth, as if the remnants of last night’s rain still lingered on the ground.
A gentle breeze brushed against my face, bringing a coolness that slowly drove away the last traces of sleepiness. The surroundings were still fairly quiet, with only faint sounds of activity from a few houses—doors opening softly, light footsteps, or the distant clinking of kitchen utensils.
I closed the door, pulling it slightly to make sure it was shut tight, then locked it as usual—a motion that felt automatic from having done it so many times without needing to think.
I stood for a moment in front of the house, observing the surroundings more carefully. The street was still quiet, with only a few people beginning their day. The clean air, combined with the calm atmosphere, made me certain—this was the perfect time to start running without any distractions.
However, before I could take a step, the door of the house next to mine opened.
May stepped out, carrying a plastic bag of trash in her hand. Her movements were relaxed, like part of a morning routine she had gone through countless times. There was no rush in the way she moved, as if this morning carried no burden at all.
Seeing that, I unconsciously let out a faint smile. The discomfort that had bothered me last night slowly faded away, as if swept off by the fresh morning air. At least… they were fine. The thoughts that had been troubling me finally began to settle.
“Are you okay? Need a hand?” I asked casually, trying to sound normal despite the slight sense of relief hidden in my voice.
“It’s fine. It’s not heavy anyway,” May replied as she closed the trash bin. Her movements were light, and her expression looked normal, without any signs of fatigue or anything suspicious.
I gave a small nod, feeling a bit relieved. The slight tension that had been lingering in my chest finally eased.
“Ah, right! Wait a second!” I said suddenly, remembering something I had almost forgotten.
Without wasting time, I quickly turned around and went back inside the house. I opened the door and headed straight to the dining area. May’s pot was still there, neatly placed on the table—clean and dry, just as I remembered from last night.
I picked it up, making sure nothing was left behind, then immediately headed back outside with slightly quicker steps.
After closing and locking my door again, I walked toward the fence. I lifted the pot slightly toward May, making it clearly visible.
“This is your pot. Sorry, I forgot to return it last night. I got home too late,” I said with a faint, slightly awkward smile.
“It’s fine. You already cleaned it?” May asked, looking at the pot with a hint of surprise, her eyebrows raising slightly.
“I didn’t feel right returning it just like that after you gave me food. So I cleaned it first,” I replied casually, trying not to make it sound like a big deal.
“Ah, I see. Thank you. That means I don’t have to wash it again,” May said with a small nod, accepting the pot lightly.
I gave a small smile, then continued the conversation, keeping the atmosphere relaxed.
“How was your day yesterday? You and your nephew, Peter, went to the amusement park, right? Was it fun?” I asked, trying to sound casual even though I was actually quite curious.
“Yes, we had fun. I should take Peter there more often,” May replied with a warm smile, her face looking a bit more lively as she talked about it. But then her expression softened slightly, becoming calmer. “But I have work, so I can only take him on weekends.”
“I see…” I nodded slowly, understanding what she meant while imagining the routine she had to go through every day.
“By the way, are you going for a morning run?” May asked, glancing at the jacket I was wearing, as if she had just noticed it.
“Yeah, just for a bit,” I replied shortly.
“In that case, after you’re done, do you want to have breakfast with us?” May offered in a calm tone, as if it was something natural.
“Really?” I looked at her with slight surprise, my eyes widening a little, not expecting the offer.
“Of course. How long will you run?” May asked lightly.
“About thirty minutes,” I answered calmly, giving a small nod as I began to seriously consider the offer in my mind.
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[Note: This is my other novel: As a Blacksmith in the World of Jujutsu Kaisen]
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