Chapter 467: Quintuplets? No, I Want Decuplets
"Father, what's going on here? Has Mana really started eating again?"
"And Erina, what exactly is her relationship with this boy?"
Azami was full of questions.
He had originally returned with a plan in mind.
But upon his return...
Plan? What plan? The things he intended to do had already been accomplished by someone else.
Hearing Azami's questions, Senzaemon hadn't yet responded when Hachiman spoke up first.
"Sir, this isn't the place to discuss such matters. Why don't we find a more private setting?"
"He's right."
Senzaemon nodded in agreement; this crowded environment wasn't suitable for their conversation.
"Hachiman-kun, would you like to join us?"
Hachiman shook his head and replied, "There's no need. I should go and comfort Erina first."
"Ha ha, indeed, Erina is more important right now," Senzaemon laughed heartily.
"One more thing, Senzaemon-sama. I need you to help clear up the misunderstanding caused by my joke earlier," Hachiman requested. Given his own limited influence, he felt it would be more effective if Senzaemon addressed the issue.
"No problem, leave it to me," Senzaemon agreed.
With that settled, Hachiman wasted no time and headed into the kitchen.
As he disappeared from view, Senzaemon turned to his daughter and son-in-law, saying, "Let's go, Mana, Azami. You two come with me."
"But Father, shouldn't we clarify what just happened?" Azami was puzzled.
Surprisingly, Senzaemon shook his head.
"Why clarify? Sometimes, public opinion can be a powerful ally. Besides, I wouldn't mind if Erina truly ended up having Hachiman's child."
This statement only deepened Azami's confusion. Why did it seem like the Nakiri family was bending over backwards for Hachiman?
Sensing his confusion, Senzaemon chuckled, "Come along. There's much to explain, and I'll tell you everything when we get back."
With that, Azami nodded and followed Senzaemon along with Mana, leaving the restaurant.
...
Meanwhile, inside the kitchen, Hachiman found Hisako and Komachi comforting Erina.
At this moment, the girl was crouched on the ground, her head buried in her knees, too embarrassed to face anyone.
No matter how much the two people beside her tried to console her, Erina refused to lift her head.
Hachiman shook his head and walked over. "Komachi, Hisako, leave this to me."
Seeing Hachiman enter, the two breathed a sigh of relief. After all, since this whole situation started because of him, it was best for him to resolve it.
"Alright, we'll leave it to you, Hachiman," Hisako nodded.
She knew very well that her lady had deep feelings for Hachiman. The incident had just been too mortifying for her, making her unwilling to communicate with anyone right now.
But with Hachiman, the person directly involved, here, things should improve significantly.
"Sure, leave it to me," Hachiman nodded, then remembered something and spoke again.
"By the way, Hisako, could you go out and attend to the guests? Given what just happened, I don't think the restaurant can continue its service today."
Hisako nodded and left the kitchen.
Komachi, wanting to give the two some privacy, followed Hisako out as well.
Since Erina's restaurant operated on a reservation basis, it didn't cater to a large number of guests at once. Moreover, Erina had absolute confidence in her cooking, so aside from Hisako, she didn't hire any additional assistants.
Seeing that it was just the two of them left in the kitchen, Hachiman smiled and crouched down beside Erina.
"Come on, Erina, get up."
At the sound of Hachiman's voice, Erina's body trembled slightly, but she still didn't get up.
Hmph, you jerk. You embarrassed me so much just now.
And why should I get up just because you told me to? That would make me look weak.
Seeing that Erina was ignoring him, Hachiman raised an eyebrow.
"Erina, are you really not going to get up?"
Hmph, I said I wouldn't get up. Let's see what you'll do about it.
While Erina was feeling a bit smug, the next moment, she felt herself being lifted up.
Naturally, it was Hachiman who picked her up. Seeing her stubbornly crouched like she was planted in the ground, Hachiman didn't hesitate and lifted her up.
How did he lift her? Well, think of how you'd carry a watermelon.
Wrapping his arms around her waist and knees, he gently lifted her into his arms, making her curl up even more.
Feeling her feet leave the ground, Erina started to panic slightly and began to struggle.
"Ah, what are you doing? Put me down, you jerk!"
She struggled slightly, trying to straighten her body. Noticing this, Hachiman adjusted his grip, moving his hand from under her knees to the crook of her legs, smoothly transitioning into a princess carry.
This position made Erina feel much more stable compared to before. Unconsciously, she wrapped her arms around Hachiman's neck. However, seeing the calm smile on his face made her a bit annoyed.
"You jerk! What were you talking about earlier? Who's having your child?"
Hachiman couldn't help but chuckle and shook his head.
"Alright, alright, it was my fault earlier. I shouldn't have talked about future things so prematurely. I should wait until it actually happens."
"That's right, you should wait until it actually..."
At first, Erina nodded in agreement with his words, but then she realized something was off.
"Who... who said anything about actually happening with you? Don't even think about it."
"Oh, I didn't realize little Erina knows quite a lot," Hachiman's lips curled into a mischievous smile.
This made Erina truly furious. She felt that Hachiman was somewhat looking down on her. "Stop underestimating me! I know what I need to know."
"And I'm not little! You're only a year older than me."
Hachiman instinctively glanced at the fullness of her chest, where her snug chef's uniform created an enticing curve.
Hmm, definitely not small.
Noticing his gaze, Erina's face turned bright red. "Ah, what are you looking at, you pervert!"
"Just checking if there'll be enough milk for our future children," Hachiman replied shamelessly.
"Chi... children?"
Hearing him mention children again, Erina felt a flutter in her heart. Like many girls, she also had dreams of becoming a mother someday. But now, she and Hachiman weren't even officially in a relationship. Where did this talk of children come from?
This jerk, always dragging things out.
Frustrated, she retorted, "Who said I'd have children with you? Shameless!"
Hachiman understood what she was feeling and smiled, "Of course it will be you, Erina. Don't forget, you promised to give me quintuplets."
Quin... quintuplets?!
Hearing this, Erina froze for a moment before recalling a time when she and Hachiman played a game of Monopoly at the beach. In that game, they got married and had quintuplets.
Then what happened next...
Remembering the rest of the game made her even more irritated.
"Yeah, and after I had quintuplets, you ran off with Alice."
This made Hachiman feel awkward, as that was indeed how the game played out. But in reality, he, Hachiman, would never abandon his family.
With a serious look, he said, "You don't need to worry about that, Erina. I would never run away."
After all, Alice would be family too, so there was no need to run anywhere.
Hmm, that makes sense.
Perhaps sensing Hachiman's sincerity, Erina felt touched, but before she could say anything, he continued, "Even if you have quintuplets, or even decuplets, I would never run away."
At this, Erina's heart was instantly filled with embarrassment and anger.
"Jerk, quintuplets aren't enough? You want ten? You think I'm..."
But before she could finish her sentence, Hachiman silenced her in the most direct way possible.
By kissing her.
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