Vol. 2 Chapter 23 – A~n

“Ah… So that’s what this is about…” (Reiya)
“Yeah, he comes here pretty often… That means… right?” (Hikaru)
“I think there’s no doubt about that.” (Reiya)

Taiju-san is definitely smitten with Ichiru-san.

That much was self-evident, easily agreed upon between us without needing specific words.

“…So, how’s it looking right now? Any chance?” (Hikaru)

Her eyes sparkling, Hikaru asked again.

Emotionally, it was likely an equal mix of support for her brother, meddling, and curiosity.

“Hmm… If you ask me how it’s going, I’d say he’s putting up a good fight.” (Reiya)
“A good fight? How good, specifically?” (Hikaru)
“How good… Well, it feels weird for me as her cousin to say this, but Ichiru-san… well, as you can see, she’s beautiful, so she’s quite popular.” (Reiya)

At those words, Hikaru nodded twice, mm-hmm.

“She gets approached often by suppliers, customers… Despite that, she usually gives them absolutely no opening, but I think Taiju-san has managed to step about one… no, maybe half a step further than that. So, for better or worse, he’s putting up a good fight.” (Reiya)
“Only that far…? So, he hasn’t really achieved results proportional to his actions.” (Hikaru)
“Mm… Well, that’s harsh, but depending on how you look at it, I guess that’s true.” (Reiya)

I offered tentative agreement to her sisterly, frank opinion.

It was indeed debatable whether there had been enough progress to justify visiting that often.

Besides, Ichiru-san not outright rejecting Taiju-san likely had a lot to do with him being Hikaru’s brother.

She had been overtly concerned about my relationship with Hikaru from the start, and perhaps her letting her guard down even slightly with Taiju-san was just because she planned to probe him for information about his sister.

“But… and this is really just my personal impression, I don’t think it’s a completely lost cause,” (Reiya)

However, putting those factors aside, it was also true that I sensed a good atmosphere when I saw the two of them talking the other day.

“So, I think it really just depends on Taiju-san’s effort from here on out.” (Reiya)
“I see… I just hope he doesn’t get too carried away and do something weird…” (Hikaru)

He’s already done quite a few weird things, but Ichiru-san seemed amused by them, so I decided to keep quiet…

“…Speaking of which, Hikaru, are you actually quite worried about Taiju-san?” (Reiya)
“Worried… It’s more like, I wonder if he’d straighten up a bit if he got a girlfriend.” (Hikaru)
“Hahaha…” (Reiya)

Her words were sharp, but given they were close enough siblings to go shopping together, she undoubtedly supported him.

Of course, I wanted to support Taiju-san too, but ultimately, the decision was Ichiru-san’s, so I wanted to refrain from interfering too much.

“By the way, about our plans for later, when we get home today—” (Reiya)

As I changed the subject and we chatted for a while, our food arrived.

“Okay~! Sorry for the wait~! Beef stew and shrimp doria~!” (Kawase)

Kawase-san placed the trays she held in both hands onto the table, one by one.

“Please enjoy~!” (Kawase)
“Wow~… Looks delicious~…! Let’s eat!” (Hikaru)

Picking up her spoon, Hikaru took a luxurious bite topped with a large piece of meat.

“Mmm~~~… Delicious~…!! The stew has soaked into the meat perfectly, it’s the best! Now with carrots… nom, nom nom… The balance between the sweetness of the vegetables, the richness of the sauce, and the subtle acidity is exquisite, so tasty~…! Eating these alternately, I could go on forever~…!” (Hikaru)

Right in front of me, Hikaru enjoyed her meal, her expression changing constantly.

Just watching her was truly enjoyable, and I understood well why everyone liked her.

I felt a small sense of luxury in having her all to myself like this.

“That doria looks good too… Is it tasty?” (Hikaru)

When we were both about halfway through our meals, Hikaru asked.

“Well, of course, it’s delicious.” (Reiya)
“Then, wanna trade a bite? If you offer up the shrimp part, I wouldn’t mind offering the beef, you know?” (Hikaru)
“What’s with that deal… Well, fine.” (Reiya)

I shifted the dish slightly towards Hikaru to make it easier for her to reach, but—

“Nn.” (Hikaru)

Hikaru put down her own spoon and leaned slightly forward.

“…Aren’t you going to eat?” (Reiya)
“I am?” (Hikaru)

…She said, yet still didn’t pick up her spoon.

“Without using a spoon?” (Reiya)
“Yup, without using my spoon.” (Hikaru)

Smiling unchangingly, her gaze flickered towards my hand.

Of course, I had understood her intention long ago.

“Does that mean… you want me to feed you?” (Reiya)
“Correct! As a prize for getting it right, Reiya-kun, I grant you the right to feed me with an ‘an’~!” (Hikaru)
“What’s that…?” (Reiya)
“Well then, please proceed! An~!” (Hikaru)

Leaning even further out of her chair, Hikaru got into the perfect ‘a~n’ posture.

Apparently, I had no choice.

Resigning myself to the futility of resistance, I scooped up the shrimp part from the dish.

“…Here.” (Reiya)

Making sure not to drop the generous portion, I offered it towards Hikaru’s mouth.

“A~n… nom!” (Hikaru)

With her mouth wide open, she took it all in one bite.

I pulled my hand back, withdrawing the spoon from her mouth.

I had the illusion that the trembling sensation of her moist lips was transmitted to my hand through the metal.

“Nom nom… Yup, three times more delicious!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru chewed and swallowed the doria, speaking with satisfaction.

“Satisfied now?” (Reiya)
“Hmm… Satisfied, yes, but maybe still a little short of super satisfied…” (Hikaru)

Saying that, she now started scooping up beef stew with her own spoon.

“Which means, now it’s my turn… Here, a~n♪” (Hikaru)

Using her left hand as a saucer, she offered the spoon topped with beef, smiling.

Yeah, figures this would happen… I thought, glancing sideways to check the restaurant’s situation.

It was full, but everyone was enjoying their own meals and not looking our way.

Thinking now might be inconspicuous, I accepted what Hikaru offered into my mouth.

The spoon was withdrawn, and the rich flavor of beef stew filled my mouth.

“How is it? More delicious than usual?” (Hikaru)

As I chewed and swallowed, she looked at me with expectant eyes.

“Three times more, maybe.” (Reiya)
“Then I’ll feed you another bite.” (Hikaru)

I dug my own grave.

“If you keep feeding me, won’t you run out of your own portion?” (Reiya)
“It’s fine, it’s fine… Here, a~n♪” (Hikaru)

This time, a spoon topped with potato was offered.

Sensing resistance was futile, I opened my mouth to accept it, but just at that moment—

“How is everything tasting, you two~?” (Ichiru)
“—Hk!” (Reiya)

Hearing a familiar voice from behind, I instinctively pulled back.

“Hm? Stopping already?” (Ichiru)

Turning around, Ichiru-san stood there with a teasing smile.

Apparently, she had seen the whole thing.

My face flushed intensely with the embarrassment of being caught by family.

“Shouldn’t you be working?” (Reiya)
“I’ve finished all the orders for the current customers, so it’s fine. Don’t mind me, please continue.” (Ichiru)
“See, Mizumori-san says so too… A~n♪” (Hikaru)

Hikaru, with zero intention of stopping, offered the spoon from the front.

“Come on, you shouldn’t keep Hikaru-chan waiting, right?” (Ichiru)

From the side, Ichiru-san chimed in, teasingly.

A pincer attack from a high-level Light attribute boss and a Water attribute boss.

This felt more hopeless than a first encounter with multiple bosses in a die-and-retry game.

Amidst a mixture of various emotions, primarily shame, I gave up, opened my mouth, and accepted.

“Delicious?” (Hikaru & Ichiru)

Their words overlapped perfectly.

“…It’s delicious.” (Reiya)

When I answered honestly, they both smiled simultaneously.

“Beef stew is your favorite, isn’t it, Reiya-kun~?” (Ichiru)
“Eh, really?” (Hikaru)
“Yup, whenever I serve it as his staff meal instead of dinner, he always gets overjoyed like a little kid.” (Ichiru)

Saying that, Ichiru-san pulled up the chair next to me and sat down.

Her eyes were still a little red and swollen, but her emotions seemed to have finally calmed down.

Thanks to that, it was now guaranteed that I would be subjected to further humiliation.

“Like a kid… It wasn’t really that extreme…” (Reiya)
“Reiya-kun likes beef stew… Gotta remember that…” (Hikaru)
“If you like, I can teach you how to make it sometime?” (Ichiru)
“Eh! Really!?” (Hikaru)
“Yup, it’s actually a secret family recipe, but… Hikaru-chan is special. Because you’re important to Reiya-kun.” (Ichiru)
“Wow… Thank you very much! Please do teach me!” (Hikaru)

Ignoring my protests, their conversation grew increasingly lively.

“But, in return… could you tell me just one thing?” (Ichiru)
“What is it?” (Hikaru)
“Hikaru-chan, what part of Reiya-kun do you like?” (Ichiru)

Ichiru-san asked with a gentle smile.

Why is it that in a conversation between the two of them, only I keep getting cornered…?