-Haruka POV-
"Seeing you like this, you must really like him, hmm?" Aiden said that out of nowhere. Hearing Aiden's remarks, I was really surprised, but I tried to hide it.
"And why would you say that, Aiden?" I asked him. Is the way I treated Levi making Aiden think I like him?
"Well, knowing you, you wouldn't want to cook for just anyone unless they're your own family members. Not to mention, a seafood dish when you don't even like seafood. Even I, myself, only got to taste your cooking when I taught you." Aiden's words made me realise. He's right. Before, I had never cooked for anyone other than my family members.
"He's my boss. What's so weird about that? And I think you're misunderstand. I don't like him." I spoke calmly, but my eyes were avoiding him.
"Of course it's weird. You guys didn't seem that close when I met you both last month. And when you asked me how to cook salmon last week, it actually didn't convince me when you said you didn't do the research. But today, I can say that you cooked that salmon last week for Mr. Ackerman, right?" Aiden asked me. I know he's not stupid, and of course he isn't.
"You're right. We weren't close at that time. But now, we're getting along a bit better, and it turns out he's not a bad guy, you see. He's been through a lot, and I'm just trying to make him feel better." I don't know where I got the courage to say that, but the words just escaped my lips. Of course Aiden was a bit surprised.
"Charles, are you sure you're just trying to make him feel better? You don't have any romantic feelings towards him, right?" Aiden's words shocked me. Me? Is there a romantic attraction to Levi Ackerman? Of course not. But why did Aiden's question hit me hard?
I'm speechless. I know I should say I didn't have any romantic feelings towards Levi, but the words just didn't want to escape my lips.
"I'm sorry it took a while." Levi suddenly appeared after he finished the call. I'm saved this time.
"Ah, it's okay. Why did the chairman call? Is there something urgent?" I asked Levi, still trying to avoid Aiden's gaze.
"It's nothing. He just wanted me to visit like always. He wants me to join the family for dinner today." Levi replied.
"Ah, I see. Then you should go back early today." I said that.
"Haruka, are you trying to kick me off again, this time? I was looking forward to spending the whole day here today, you know." He said that bluntly. Did he forget Aiden is here? This will make Aiden more suspicious about what our relationship really is.
"I didn't mean that, Mr. Ackerman. You see, the chairman is more important than me. Maybe there's something he wants to discuss with you, sir." I unconsciously spoke to him formally.
"Don't worry, Haruka. I told him I'm at your place, and he suddenly said he'd move the family dinner to tomorrow and told me to enjoy myself here. And what's with the formal way of speaking now? We're not at work." Levi spoke, raising his eyebrows. Why did I feel like the chairman is encouraging him to stay here even longer?
"Well, it just slips because it's involving the chairman. Well, let's eat then, shall we?" I said that awkwardly.
"Well, have you tried my most delicious Japanese Yakitori-Style Pan-Roasted Duck Breast already? You'll take back what you said, right? Haha." He said that proudly. This guy is really like a kid.
"Okay, I'll take back my words. Yours is the most delicious Japanese Yakitori-Style Pan-Roasted Duck Breast I've ever had, so why don't you take a seat right now?" I said that with an uninterested face. But I'm not lying. The dish he made is really good, to be honest. Then he took the seat beside me.
"Well, this is the Great Levi Ackerman. Of course it will turn out delicious. I followed the recipe Aiden gave perfectly." He said. Right. He's a meticulous person after all.
"Then, it was thanks to my secret recipe, right?" Aiden suddenly spoke.
"Hahaha, you're right. Please also give me other dish recipes." Levi said it with excitement.
"Are you seriously going to cook again?" I asked him for confirmation.
"Of course! I told you I'm going to cook for you one day." He said that with a smile. So, he's not joking about that.
"Ahem. Let's eat now, shall we? Before the food gets cold." I tried to change the topic.
"Right. I also made some mushroom soup for the side dish." Aiden said. He must do that when we're busy cooking.
DINGDONG!
The bell suddenly rang. At this hour, who could it be? I didn't recall inviting anyone or receiving any call or message that said someone was coming over.
"I'll get the door." I said, standing from the chair and walking towards the main door. I look at the intercom. It's Hanabi. Not just her, but also Harry and Lauren too. What are they doing here? I opened the door.
"Onii-chan. Hisashiburi (long time no see)." Hanabi replied and hugged me.
"We just met a few days ago, you idiot. Why didn't you tell me you're coming?" I said that and flicked her forehead.
"Surprised! Haha. I brought Harry and Lauren to your new place also. We're going to spend the day here today!" Hanabi said it enthusiastically. Wait, what?
"Let's go, guys! Let's ask Haru onii-chan to cook for us first!" She said so, letting herself in.
"I'm sorry Brother Charles, Hanabi dragged us both here." Harry apologised to me.
"It's okay, you don't have to apologise. Come in, both of you." I invited Harry and Lauren in, and they just did so.
"Ara. Aiden is here. Omg, Levi is here too!" Hanabi said it loudly. She must have entered the dining room already. I made myself towards the dining room with Harry, and Lauren followed me from behind.
"Onii-chan, you invited them here but not me! Zurui! (not fair)." Hanabi replied with a pout. Ugh. She's giving me a headache right now.
"Hanabi, you see, we're here just to cook, nothing much." Aiden said.
"Hmm? What did you guys cook? Well, then, it's perfect. We haven't had lunch yet. Let's eat together then. People said, the more, the merrier, right?" Hanabi said that cheerfully and took her to the dining table.
"Hana-chan, why are you guys here, actually?" As soon as I took my seat, I asked her.
"We came to visit. Ah, right. To eat your cooking and play too!." She said that with a grin.
"Play? What do you mean by that?" In confusion, I asked her.
"Geez. Grandfather told me you got everything here already. The theatre, the game room attached with the bowling alley, basketball court, and also karaoke room. So, we're going to use all that today!" She said that excitedly. Is she being serious right now?
"Haha. You really are unexpected, you know." I flicked her forehead again.
"It's the weekend. Let's just relax our minds." Oh, btw, the new Conan movie is already out. Did you watch it, onii-chan?" Hanabi asked me out of the blue.
"Ah, that movie. We…" Levi tried to speak, but I cut him off.
"Right. I'd heard about it. I'm a bit busy these days. Maybe I'll watch it later." Of course I wouldn't tell her that I watched the movie with Levi.
"Cool. Tell me when you're free then." Hanabi said that with a grin.
"Sure. Let's eat, shall we? I'll get the rice for you guys." I said that and went to put the rice on the plate for the three of them.
"So, what's on the table right now? Hmm, Japanese Yakitori-Style Pan-Roasted Duck Breast. It's onii-chan's favourite." Hanabi spoke.
"And Lobster thermidor is Levi's favourite." Lauren suddenly spoke, which is a bit rare. So, Lauren also knows what Levi's favourite is.
"And mushroom soup with garlic bread. So, did you guys cook these together? Ah, wait. Levi couldn't be cooking, right?" Hanabi asked. This kid really can't stop asking, and she's going to make Levi mad haha.
"I'm the one who cooked the Japanese Yakitori-Style Pan-Roasted Duck Breast." Levi said that with a cold voice, but he's not angry, actually. He glares at Hanabi.
"What? Seriously? I thought you're just like me. A spoilt kid that couldn't even cook. Haha." Hanabi said it while laughing. She even admitted that she couldn't cook haha.
"Levi's not bad, Hanabi. The reason why I'm here is to help him. He took a lot of time to cook, but the taste might turn out better than mine." Aiden spoke, backing up Levi. I could tell Levi was smiling.
"Just like your brother, you're going to regret saying that to me." Suddenly I was mentioned.
"I said I'd take it back, right, and I already did." I said while putting the plates on the table.
"Really? Even Haru onii-chan said it's good? Then I wanted to try it too!" Hanabi said that excitedly, trying to grab the spoon, but then something went wrong and
CRASH!
Her elbow hit the glass on the table, and in a blink of an eye, the glass was shredded into pieces on the floor.
"Oh my, what have I done?" Hanabi said that in panic and then tried to clean up the mess, but Levi was faster than her. Levi is now bending down to pick up the broken glass pieces.
"Levi, you could hurt yourself if you pick it up like that." Hanabi spoke in a slow voice.
"Don't worry, it's noth…ouch!" Levi moans in pain. I rushed towards him, then pulled him up by grabbing his arm. I dragged him towards the sink.
"You idiot. What do you think about grabbing those broken glasses using your bare hand!" While running his hand into the water to rinse the wound, I half-yelled.
"Haruka, I'm fine. It's just a small cut. But why are you getting frustrated at me?"
TO BE CONTINUED!!!