Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Behind the open door, Hikari, with her curved eyebrows, peeked in, her tone carrying a hint of threat: "Mr. Yumi! You forgot to come for lunch again!"
Unable to answer that I missed mealtime because I was engrossed in games, I turned my head to look out the window, avoiding those reproachful, clear eyes.
"Phew, really! If no one takes care of you, you might even forget about dinner later."
Stepping lightly into the room, Hikari pulled over a nearby small table and arranged the still slightly steaming dishes on her tray one by one: "It's good that I brought them all for you... Hurry up and eat them while they're still warm. Don't let them get cold."
"No, actually I'm not that hungry... Okay, I'll eat."
I could clearly feel the low pressure emanating from Hikari's direction the moment I refused. This made me rationally choose to avoid her, take the knife and fork offered to me, cut off a small piece of meat, and put it in my mouth to chew.
The little fool's mood instantly brightened.
To my surprise, even though the dishes were reheated, they were still as tender and juicy as if they had just been cooked. The accompanying side dishes were equally refreshing and delicious, with almost no signs of being tough, salty, or spoiled. Coupled with the warm and comforting creamy mushroom soup, I felt warm and cozy from the inside out, and my previously chaotic and complicated thoughts from the research were sorted out and relaxed.
Sure enough, after repeated practice, Hikari's cooking skills also improved significantly.
However, before I could even take a few bites, the knocking on the door started again.
She glanced at Hikari, who was sitting opposite her, with some confusion, but the little fool returned the same blank look.
I tried to extend my senses outwards again, and after passing through the wooden partition that offered no resistance whatsoever, I found that the person standing in the doorway was Anne Farns, whom I hadn't seen all morning.
What does this girl want with me?
Somewhat reluctant to get up, and without asking Hikari to make a special trip, I flicked my finger, manipulating the extended magic threads to turn the doorknob.
"In my eyes, you are...wait, where are you?!"
Annie, who was in a chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) pose for the first time in a long time, looked at the empty doorway. Her confidence instantly collapsed into shock and horror, which then turned into slight hesitation. Her eyes were fixed on the open door, but she couldn't take a step.
"What are you doing? Didn't we already open the door for you?" I asked, puzzled.
Anne's eyes suddenly lit up as she tugged at the doorframe: "But, but! As an elegant noblewoman, I cannot enter or leave other people's rooms without permission!"
Just as she said, even when she strained against the door frame, she remained outside the open door, and even the swaying strands of her hair stayed perfectly at bay, not crossing the line by an inch.
I waved my hand, too lazy to even look at her: "I'm busy eating, come in if you want."
"Why—let me in—"
Hikari chuckled, covering her mouth and giggling, "Come in, Miss Anne. It's alright."
"Really? Yay!"
The girl, having received permission, happily stepped into the house. Halfway there, she paused for two seconds, as if on purpose, and moved a full meter and a half away from me, put her hands on her hips, and gave a coquettish hum. Then, she quickly darted to a small stool in the distance and sat down obediently.
Moreover, she put on an innocent little expression, making it almost impossible to get angry.
Honestly, this girl seems to be getting a bit too cocky lately. Where did that timid girl from when we first met go? I still think Annie was cuter back then.
"Is there something you need?" I glanced at her sideways.
“Can’t I come to see you if there’s nothing wrong?” Annie retorted loudly.
“You don’t seem like that kind of person, so I’ve ruled that out.” I pointed out the flaw in her logic and glanced at the cat that had suddenly jumped onto my lap—the little guy had appeared out of nowhere and was now sitting on his special seat, intently washing his face with his paws, his ear tips twitching slightly. “Normally in the miniature garden, you avoid me like the plague, so why would you come looking for me?”
Like a deflated balloon, the girl slumped into her seat: "Damn it, I was seen through..."
"So what's wrong? Is something the matter?" I fed the cat a small piece of meat I had cut off, and guessed, "Could it be that it's been cooped up in the room the whole time and can't stand it anymore? But it's only the second day, right?"
"No! That's not the problem at all!"
The girl crossed her arms wide, making a wide "X" shape, but her dark red eyes darted around unnaturally: "I... I just... I have a problem and I need someone's help!"
Hikari also cast a curious glance, which made Annie lower her head even further, her face flushing slightly.
"Um... well, um... oh right, last night when I was soaking in the hot spring, I slipped and fell, and then I suddenly discovered that there's a hole about the size of a fist at the bottom of the hot spring! I don't know where it leads... uh, okay, this isn't funny..."
Why is this girl acting so awkward? Is it because she's having trouble asking for something?
"So what's the reason? If you don't tell me, I'm not listening anymore."
I tapped the empty plate twice in a rude manner, ignoring the rascal who was pawing at the edge of the table and giving me a resentful look, and repeated my question.
After a brief silence, the girl, whose face had become even redder, took a deep breath and finally raised her head: "Okay, okay, I'll tell you! I mean, if it's possible, can I sleep with everyone tonight?"
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