Chapter 131: Alice's Change of Mood
It was 8 in the morning, and gradually, the girls began to awaken one by one. Yui had slipped back to her room during the early hours, and the morning kiss remained a secret shared solely between the two of them.
After Yui's departure, Hachiman roused himself and initiated the preparation of breakfast, as if he were in the familiar comfort of his own home.
"Mmm, it smells so delicious, Oni-chan."
Detecting the tantalizing aroma, Komachi too made her way to the kitchen.
"Oh, you little hungry cat, it'll be ready shortly. How about you go wake up your sisters?" Hachiman skillfully maneuvered a spatula and offered a warm smile.
"Alright!"
The young girl replied enthusiastically and scampered up the staircase.
Before long, the girls began descending the stairs one by one.
"Hachiman-kun, allow me to assist you."
Observing that Hachiman was the sole occupant in the kitchen, Kotonoha expressed her desire to lend a hand.
"It's alright, Kotonoha. Breakfast will be ready shortly. Please, have a seat." Hachiman politely declined her offer.
"Very well, then do let me know if you require any assistance." Kotonoha gracefully returned to her seat, refraining from insisting further.
In the blink of an eye, breakfast was prepared.
"Time to dig in."
Upon hearing Hachiman's announcement, the girls, already enticed by the delectable aromas, eagerly straightened up.
"Kid, what's on the menu for breakfast?" A ravenous Shizuka couldn't contain her curiosity.
Seeing her unreserved enthusiasm, Hachiman couldn't help but smile.
Yet, her carefree and audacious demeanor held its own charm.
Meanwhile, Hachiman approached with two plates of breakfast, each adorned with sliced sandwiches boasting runny egg yolks, their appeal undeniable.
"Here you go, bacon and egg sandwiches, accompanied by a side of fruit salad and milk."
"Hmm, is that all?" Shizuka playfully pouted, feigning dissatisfaction.
"It's best not to overindulge at breakfast. Focus on maintaining a balanced diet." Hachiman placed the plate in front of her, accompanied by a trace of exasperation.
"And besides, you're a teacher. It's not entirely proper to rely on others for sustenance."
"Pfft, what do you mean relying on others? If it weren't for keeping an eye on you, I wouldn't even be here. It's much more comfortable to stay in my apartment with the air conditioning on."
"Furthermore, you're not exactly at a loss either. You've had the privilege of seeing me in a swimsuit, so you should consider yourself fortunate. My figure is impeccable; shouldn't that be compensation enough for you?" Shizuka bantered as she picked up half of the sandwich.
She wasn't wrong; Shizuka indeed possessed a flawless figure – a generous bosom, a slender waist, and silky thighs. With her regular exercise regimen, her skin remained firm and smooth. Particularly her midsection, while lacking defined abs, showcased two alluring lines that were the envy of many.
Sigh... it's a pity she can't find a husband.
"Huh? Why do I get the feeling you're gossiping about me?" Shizuka cast a somewhat suspicious gaze at Hachiman as she held the sandwich.
"How could you think such a thing?" Hachiman replied with a subtle smile, deploying his acting skills adeptly.
"I suppose you wouldn't dare." As she spoke, Shizuka took a bite of the sandwich, a look of contentment spreading across her features.
The harmonious blend of the omelet's sweet core, the lightly crispy bacon, and the toasted, fluffy slices of buttered bread brought her profound delight with each mouthful.
The girls savored their breakfast, with even Erina, who typically had discerning tastes, appreciating the simplicity of the meal.
However, there was one exception among them, and that was Alice.
At this juncture, Alice hadn't touched her food, and her visage bore faint signs of dark circles, a clear indication of a sleepless night.
"Miss Alice, are you feeling alright?" he inquired, his tone laced with genuine concern, as he noticed the troubled expression etched across her face.
"I'm fine," Alice replied, returning to the present moment upon hearing her name. She looked up, locking eyes with Hachiman's caring gaze, which offered her a measure of comfort.
Involuntarily, she recalled the image of Hachiman performing artificial respiration on her the previous day. That scene had replayed relentlessly in her mind throughout the night, robbing her of precious sleep.
Sigh, that was my first kiss. I wonder if Hikigaya-kun has a girlfriend...
Wait, what am I even thinking?
Alice shook her head briskly, attempting to clear her mind and expel the intrusive thoughts.
Observing her sudden headshake, Hachiman voiced his concern once more, "Miss Alice, is there something troubling you? If you're not feeling well, please don't hesitate to inform us. I can take you to the hospital if necessary."
"Yeah, Alice, you didn't experience any lingering effects from yesterday's near-drowning, did you? If you did, please don't tough it out," Erina added.
"I truly am fine; it's just that I didn't get much sleep last night. If I were feeling unwell, I wouldn't hesitate to speak up."
Sigh, Hachiman is so considerate...
Hmph, that Ryo-kun wouldn't care for me like this; he's solely focused on cooking.
"It's a relief that you're okay. If you ever feel uncomfortable physically, don't hesitate to reach out to me anytime," Hachiman reassured, relieved that the girl was genuinely unharmed. A bright smile adorned his face.
It's worth noting that ever since Hachiman had attained the prestigious rank of a fifth-degree Sword Master in kendo, he seemed to exude an aura of transcendence, a quality shared with Chiba Shigetsugu.
This aura bestowed his already somewhat handsome countenance with an added allure, as though it had acquired an extra charm attribute.
Upon witnessing his winsome smile, Alice's cheeks took on a subtle flush.
Wow, Hachiman-kun looks rather handsome up close. Despite his somewhat unusual eyes, he's certainly more attractive than that Ryo-kun.
And he's quite strong too...
As she observed the well-defined yet not overly muscular physique of Hachiman, deeper thoughts began to swirl within her, intensifying the shade of her blush.
"Thank you, Hachiman-kun," Alice murmured softly.
Hachiman didn't dwell on it, simply acknowledging her gratitude with a nod and continuing to savor his breakfast.
However, Erina, seated nearby, couldn't help but mutter discreetly.
"Hachiman-kun?... When did these two become so close?"
Due to her hushed tone, Hisako, sitting beside her, struggled to discern her words clearly and inquired with some bewilderment.
"Erina-sama, did you say something?"
"N-nothing at all."
Hearing Hisako's inquiry, Erina briefly panicked and promptly dismissed it, taking a sip of her milk.
I have to admit, this guy's culinary skills are quite impressive, marginally surpassing my own.
Just a tad.
But mark my words, I will surpass you eventually. Next time, I'll defeat you, no doubt.
With that determination in mind, Erina took another hearty bite of her sandwich.
Ah... it's truly delicious!