The kitchen was alive with the clatter of bowls when we reached the bottom step.
Eimi and Ria had claid the countertop, piling trays and spreading all those ingredients like it was their personal kingdom, giggling over whatever secret recipe they’d concocted.
asuring cups were scattered everywhere and a double boiler bubbled gently on the stove, filling the air with a rich, velvety aroma of chocolate.
Anzu paused at the doorway and let out a soft laugh at the sight. "Looks like they’ve never even thought of looking for us.”
“Oh. They do. They just knew where we were or what we were doing, so they weren’t that bothered.”
My reply made her blush again. After all, it was her attempt to make it sound like Eimi and Ria didn’t know that she took with her upstairs for sothing intimate.
“Ugh. Just play along, shaless brat.”
“Alright, alright.” I could only raise an arm in surrender before letting her drag again near the kitchen.
“You two need so help, or is this a no-brats-allowed zone?" She asked.
Eimi glanced over her shoulder, spatula in hand and a sar of chocolate on her cheek like war paint. Her eyes lit up when she saw us, then narrowed playfully at our joined hands.
"Nee-san! Perfect timing. We need a taste tester. But Ruki’s banned. This is a surprise for him. It’s late valentines and birthday chocolate."
Ria nodded enthusiastically, stirring sothing in a bowl with focused precision. "Un. Dumb-senpai, we put the ingredients on that side. You can start working on preparing our lunch.”
She pointed to the left side of the kitchen. There’s another countertop there. After all, Eimi’s parents owned a restaurant, and both of them were chefs. There were also tis when they would split the kitchen duties. The left side had its own sink, stove, and prep area, perfect for keeping isolated from their chocolate conspiracy.
I raised an eyebrow at Ria, but the smug little grin on her face said arguing would be pointless. "Got it. I’ll behave and stay over here. No peeking, promise."
Eimi laughed, "Good. We’ll give you a nice surprise, Ruki. Don’t worry."
A nice surprise. I like the ring of that. And I know they will deliver.
After squeezing Anzu’s hand, I watched her join the girls at their station.
"Alright, you two. What can I do? Mold duty? Or am I on stirring?"
Ria handed her a spatula without missing a beat. "Stirring, Big Sis Anzu. We need your strong arms for this batch. It’s extra thick."
Anzu rolled her eyes but took the tool, diving in with that focused energy she always brought to everything. Watching her like this, relaxed and laughing with the girls as they whispered about shapes and flavors, made sothing warm settle in my chest.
I turned to my side of the kitchen, unpacking the bags and laying out the ingredients for lunch. We’d grabbed fresh veggies, so cuts of beef for stir-fry, rice, and a few extras for sides. Nothing too fancy, but enough to make a solid al.
Before continuing, I checked on my phone and sure enough, I had a new ssage from Akane who told us she would be coming but until now, she had yet to show up.
“Husband, tell Ria and the others. I’ll be a little late. Machida-san ca over. She said she’s visiting but I knew she was looking for you. I’ll be bringing her there with .”
That girl... She knew, huh? I doubt that. But then again, I could imagine Machida asking her where I was when she didn’t see at ho and Akane interpreted it that way.
In any case, looks like she was really becoming more of a friend for Akane. Eri and Fuyu also let go of the grudge they had for her from the conflict with her friend group in the past.
As I was about to type my reply, Akane sent another ssage.
“Oh, husband, Machida didn’t get that part-ti job she applied to. Miwa-nee overheard it and asked her if she wanted to work for her.”
Hmm? The cafe location hasn’t been selected but Miwa-nee is already collecting her staff.
Since I haven’t talked to Hassen yet, the paynt I would’ve received from Mitsui Kyoka is still pending. But knowing Miwa-nee, she’s already planning ahead. If Machida accepts, that could be interesting. She might fit right in at the cafe once it opens.
I typed back quickly: “Got it. Take your ti with Machida. Tell her I said hi, and good luck dodging her questions. See you soon.”
Akane’s reply ca almost instantly: “Husband, you’re terrible. Just you wait, I’ll drag her along. I love you.”
I pocketed my phone with a chuckle, shaking my head at the ntal image of Akane tricking Machida into coming here. That girl would be surprised.
Turning back to the counter, I started chopping vegetables, the rhythmic thunk of the knife against the cutting board got focused on the task.
However, the girls’ laughter from the other side of the kitchen continued to float over.
I could even hear Ria saying, ‘No, more sugar! Dumb-senpai doesn’t like sweets too much’. And Eimi also called out, ‘Wait, it’ll be too bitter!’.
Anzu’s voice chid in now and then, directing them like the responsible one in the group.
I couldn’t help but be tempted to glance behind just to see the chaos that they were causing, but I held back.
About twenty minutes later, Akane arrived. Eimi opened the door for her.
I wiped my hands on a towel and stepped out of the kitchen just in ti to see Akane leading Machida inside, the latter looking equal parts confused and intrigued. Akane’s golden hair bounced as she turned to with her radiant yet clearly mischievous smile, like she’d just accomplished so secret mission.
Machida’s eyes locked on mine imdiately, her usual sharp gaze softening just a fraction when she spotted . She was dressed casually, jeans and a loose top that did nothing to hide her figure.
“Onoda-kun. Figures you’d be here. Akane wouldn’t tell why she dragged along.”
But then, her cheeks reddened slightly as she shifted her gaze away. She probably rembered what happened during her last visit to our house. That scene of finding us about to make love in that hallway when she rushed back for her bag was probably burned into her mind.
Akane giggled softly beside her, looping an arm through Machida’s like they were old friends now. "See? I told you it’d be a surprise. Co on, everyone’s inside. We’re making chocolates for husband. Late birthday stuff. You can help if you want."
Machida’s eyebrows shot up, her confusion overriding the embarrassnt for a second. "Chocolates? For Onoda-kun? Isn’t it a bit... random?"
"Oh, it’s not random," Ria chid in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel as she peeked out. Her intelligent eyes quickly sized Machida up but her smile was warm and welcoming.
"It’s my birthday wish. And since Dumb-senpai’s birthday got skipped this year, we’re fixing that too. By the way, I’m Ria. You must be Machida-san. Sister Akane talks about you sotis."
Machida blinked, clearly not expecting the pint-sized analyst to address her so casually. "Uh... yeah. Nice to et you, Ria-chan. And happy birthday."
She then glanced back at , her lips twitching like she was fighting a smile. "Dumb-senpai, huh? Fits him."
Ria giggled, nodding enthusiastically. "Right? He’s impossible sotis. Co in! We’re almost done with the first batch."
Akane tugged Machida forward, and the girl followed without much protest, though her eyes kept flicking back to like she had questions that needed to be cleared.
Most likely, it had to do with why I was here instead of our house, and who these girls were and why they all looked at affectionately.
"More hands? Perfect!" Eimi said, "Nee-san’s been bossing us around, but we could use fresh energy. I’m Eimi, by the way. Ruki’s... well, you know."
Machida’s flush returned in full force as she slowly pieced together the dynamics, her gaze bouncing between all the girls like she was doing ntal math on just how many ’you knows’ I had. "I... yeah. Nice to et you too. And sure, I can help. Chocolates sound fun."
With that, Machida nodded, rolling up her sleeves as she stepped into the fray, clearly deciding to roll with the chaos rather than question it. Akane gave a quick wink before joining them, leaving to return to my station as the chaos behind beca livelier. It made want to join them.
But well, I had my own task to finish. Cooking our lunch.
At so point, the girls alternately checked on , assisting in their own way. Ria washed the potatoes I’ve set aside after peeling. Eimi made so adjustnts to the miso soup’s taste. Anzu handed the Nikaido Family secret homade sauce for the stir-fry. Akane was the one who helped the most, of course. She slipped in behind while I was stirring the beef in the pan, her arms wrapping around my waist as she rested her chin on my shoulder. That was comforting.
As for Machida... of course, she wouldn’t just approach on her own, right?
Anyways, once I finished, I started setting up the table and that’s when Machida ca over to help.
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