Chapter 522: The Moonlight Is Truly Beautiful
At the dining table, Mafuyu seemed a bit distracted.
Hachiman naturally noticed her unusual behavior and asked with concern, "Kirisu-sensei, is something on your mind?"
"Oh, no, I'm fine," Mafuyu quickly shook her head upon hearing Hachiman's question.
Seeing that she didn't want to elaborate, Hachiman didn't press further and smiled slightly.
"If anything is bothering you, Kirisu-sensei, feel free to tell me. I'll definitely help you."
Sensing the concern in Hachiman's tone, Mafuyu felt warmth in her heart and nodded. "Mm, I will."
As she spoke, Mafuyu picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork and put it into her mouth. The delicious taste made her eyes narrow in satisfaction.
With the comfort of the tasty meal, Mafuyu's mood improved considerably.
Seeing that she seemed fine now, Hachiman also felt relieved and turned to look at Komachi beside him.
The little girl was also biting into a piece of sweet and sour pork, thoroughly enjoying herself.
Watching her eat so happily, Hachiman couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
After all, this dinner had been made especially to reward Komachi, and seeing her eat with such joy made all the effort worth it.
With that thought, Hachiman stopped getting distracted and focused on his own meal.
Good times always pass quickly, and before long, the rewarding dinner was over.
After the meal, Komachi sat in the kotatsu, patted her round little belly, and let out a small burp.
"Burp~~ Onii-chan's cooking is the best, don't you agree, Mafuyu-neesan?"
"Mm-hmm, yes, it was so delicious."
Hearing her words, Mafuyu blushed a little.
She had eaten quite a lot just now, too.
She couldn't help it—the sweet and sour pork was simply too tasty. Paired with rice, she ended up eating more than half a bowl extra.
(Am I going to gain weight?)
She secretly touched her slightly rounded belly, feeling a bit uncertain.
(I need to exercise when I get home. I can't let my weight go up any more.)
Recalling her last weigh-in, where she was a few pounds heavier than six months ago, Mafuyu couldn't help but feel puzzled.
(But I haven't eaten much lately, so why have I gained weight?)
(Still, Hachiman-kun's sweet and sour pork was just too good… I want more.)
While Mafuyu was lost in these thoughts, a gentle voice suddenly interrupted her.
"Kirisu-sensei, have some tea to help with digestion."
She looked up to see Hachiman offering her a cup of tea.
Seeing the gentle smile on his face, a faint blush appeared on Mafuyu's cheeks as she reached out to take the tea.
"Thank you, Hachiman-kun."
"It's nothing," Hachiman replied with a smile, then brewed another cup for Komachi.
Tea helps with digestion. The caffeine, vitamin B1, and vitamin C in the tea leaves can increase the secretion of gastric juices, aiding the digestive system.
Of course, tea should be consumed in moderation, as drinking too much can actually make you feel more bloated.
After serving tea to both of them, Hachiman returned to the kitchen to wash the dishes.
Watching his busy figure in the kitchen, a gentle warmth rose in Mafuyu's heart.
(If only every day could be like this…)
(No, no, Hachiman-kun is my student, what am I even thinking?)
(But Hachiman-kun's cooking is really delicious. When he graduates, will I not be able to enjoy such good food anymore?)
(Ugh... but if Hachiman-kun and I were...)
(No, I can't! I'm his teacher—what would that even look like?)
(But once he graduates from his third year, we won't have that student-teacher relationship anymore. Could it work then...?)
(Still no, the age gap is too big!)
(Mafuyu, what are you thinking? You're being shameless!)
(But will I really never get to eat such delicious food again?)
(Aahhh…)
While Mafuyu's thoughts spiraled into her own little internal drama, Hachiman had finished washing the dishes.
Drying his hands, Hachiman walked over to the kotatsu and started peeling an orange.
In winter, sitting in the warmth of the kotatsu and eating oranges is one of life's greatest pleasures.
As for Mafuyu, seeing Hachiman sit down in the kotatsu, she felt a mix of nervousness and shyness, clearly reminded of her earlier internal drama.
Hachiman, unaware of any of this, peeled an orange and handed it to her.
"Kirisu-sensei, have an orange."
"Ah, thank you, Hachiman-kun," Mafuyu hurriedly took it.
"You're welcome," Hachiman replied with a smile, peeling another orange for Komachi.
The little girl beamed sweetly, "Ah, thank you, Onii-chan."
And so, the three of them sat around the kotatsu, sipping tea, eating oranges, and casually watching the evening TV programs.
Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was already 9 PM.
"Is it that late already?"
Mafuyu glanced at the clock on the wall, surprised as she set down her tea cup.
She hadn't even noticed the passage of time, simply enjoying the comfortable atmosphere, fully immersed in the moment.
"I'm so sorry for staying so long. I should be going now."
As she spoke, Mafuyu stood up from the kotatsu, preparing to say her goodbyes.
"Eh, Mafuyu-neesan, are you leaving?"
Komachi, clearly reluctant to see her go, tried to persuade her to stay.
"Why don't you just stay at our place tonight, Mafuyu-neesan?"
"Eh… but…" Mafuyu hesitated.
Sensing an opportunity, Komachi pressed on, "It's no big deal! You just came out of the warm kotatsu, and it's freezing outside. You might catch a cold. Besides, we have a spare room. Just stay the night, Mafuyu-neesan!"
However, to Komachi's disappointment, Mafuyu gently shook her head.
"No, it's fine. We live so close by, I'll be alright."
"Eh?"
The little girl was still unwilling to give up, but just as she was about to speak again, she felt a light chop on her head. Hachiman's voice followed.
"Don't trouble sensei."
"Okay…"
Rubbing her head, Komachi pouted, looking a bit dejected.
After settling his little sister, Hachiman turned to Mafuyu with a smile.
"I'll walk you home, Sensei."
"Eh, no need, I live just across the street," Mafuyu quickly waved her hands in refusal.
(He wants to walk me home even though I live so close? Could it be…)
Before her thoughts could wander any further, Hachiman shrugged casually. "I'm just walking you to the door, that's all."
Realizing she had read too much into it, Mafuyu's face remained calm, but her earlobes turned slightly red.
(How embarrassing!)
(Mafuyu, what are you even thinking these days?)
Seeing that she hadn't declined again, Hachiman stood up from the kotatsu.
"Let's go, Sensei."
"Ah, right… okay."
Snapping out of her thoughts, Mafuyu nodded hurriedly.
The two of them left the living room and walked to the entrance.
Standing at the door, Mafuyu turned to Hachiman.
"This is far enough. You should head back inside, Hachiman-kun. It's really cold out here."
She wasn't wrong. The nighttime winter chill was biting.
However, the cold didn't seem to bother Hachiman much. He smiled and said, "Alright, Sensei, you should head back inside too."
Just then, as if something occurred to him, his expression softened.
"Goodnight, Mafuyu-sensei."
Those words, "Goodnight," seemed to carry a certain magic. They slipped through Mafuyu's ears and pierced directly into her heart, stirring her deeply.
How long had it been since someone had said "goodnight" to her?
Before her third year of high school, she had dedicated all her youth to figure skating, and the only thing her parents ever encouraged was for her to work harder and harder.
Then, when she decided to shift her career path to education in her final year, her parents were utterly disappointed, channeling all their hopes onto her sister, Miharu.
She had been alone for so long…
Studying by herself, eating by herself, sleeping by herself…
The warmth she felt while dining at Hachiman's home just moments ago seemed to awaken a certain longing deep within her heart.
In the next moment, Mafuyu lifted her head, her face showing an unprecedentedly gentle smile.
"Goodnight, Hachiman-kun."
The cold night sky stretched above, with sparse stars twinkling alongside the moon.
The moonlight, like a silver stream, spilled over the snow-covered rooftops, reflecting a soft, ethereal glow.
The two gazed at each other.
The moonlight was truly beautiful.
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