Under the setting sun's afterglow, it seemed so captivating.
When their eyes met, the air itself carried a trace of quietude.
After a moment, Reiko Onodera shyly lowered her head, continuing to work on the ingredients in her hands.
However, the blush that rose on her cheeks was impossible to suppress, her complexion as tender and dewy as a ripened apple.
With just a little bit of pressure, the juice inside seemed ready to burst forth, making one long to hold madam for all 24 hours of the day.
"Sister Reiko, our tests are probably in two weeks, and after they're over, we could go visit the old family home in the countryside,"
Haruka Yuzan said, nonchalantly as he worked under the afternoon sun, water trickling along the grooves of the vegetables.
Reiko Onodera couldn't help but lift her head to glance at Haruka at the sporadic sound of the water drops, "Actually... actually, there's no need to rush, Haruka."
The café had just started to get on its feet, and taking a vacation with the team would indeed have a negative impact...
Haruka Yuzan, however, simply laughed and shook his head,
"It's fine, just consider it a break. If we leave for just two or three days, it won't be a problem. Take it easy, Sister Reiko."
"Well... okay then." Seeing his resolve, Reiko Onodera could not say much more, especially since madam genuinely wanted to see little Rika.
Well... in the future, she'd have to work even harder to manage the café well and help reduce Haruka's and Shimizu's workload.
The dusky sunset was endlessly beautiful, evening clouds reflecting an endless glow and everyone's faces carrying traces of relaxation and freedom.
The two busied themselves in the kitchen for about an hour because a new guest had arrived home, which warranted a more lavish dinner preparation.
Grilled squid tentacles, red prawns, beef chunks, vegetable salad, and a flavor-enhancing soup.
Once dinner was prepared and she stepped into the living room, the little one was lured over by the aroma of the food.
"Wow, it smells so good, what delicious food did we make tonight?"
Misaki Saki floated over from the couch, her bright eyes twinkling as she peered at the roasting pan in Haruka's hands without looking away.
"Hey, hold back a bit, your drool is about to spill out."
Misaki Saki wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, her nose twitching as if she was identifying the aroma of the food!!
"I knew it! We're having grilled squid tonight!!"
Perhaps drawn by the commotion or maybe because it was mealtime, Roast Meat, who had been lying on the couch, lazily slid down.
Like a blob of fluid, with short limbs and a chubby body, he resembled a wheel-less cart rolling snugly beside Haruka Yuzan's thighs, affectionately rubbing against his leg.
"You too, get up; this isn't for you, go eat your little fish treats."
Haruka Yuzan flatly ignored Roast Meat's antics and proceeded to place the dishes on the table.
Once the "golden pig" of the house, Roast Meat's dominion had slowly faded as the number of tenants in the villa increased.
Such is the fickleness of the world, and the hearts of men!
The forlorn fat cat could only lie solemnly alone in a corner, steeped in its sorrow!
If it wasn't given two extra cans of cat food today, it certainly wouldn't forgive its human servant!!!
"Sister Reiko, let me help you!!"
Misaki Saki dashed straight into the kitchen, for when it came to meal times, she was always the most enthusiastic.
Even Arisugawa Hoshina got up and went into the kitchen to help.
Suddenly, only Yaguchi Risa, Haruka Yuzan, and Roast Meat, sulking in the corner, remained in the living room.
Facing the big boss alone, Risa immediately felt awkward and at a loss.
As she noticed Mr. Haruka serving rice, the young woman hurriedly stood from the couch and moved to his side, intending to help by carrying plates. After all, if she just watched her boss work while snacking on the couch, her first day at the café might just end with her getting fired!
If only she hadn't stayed for dinner; she was in too much agony, having to be careful in her every move!
"I, I'll do it, Mr. Haruka, you can just sit aside for a while."
Before the girl could approach, Haruka Yuzan already caught a faint whiff of milk fragrance; he didn't even need to look up to know who it was.
Well... mostly because there were now only two people and one cat left in the living room. It couldn't possibly be that Roast Meat had transformed into a cat sage.
That "little" fella was still playing victim in the corner!
"No need, you're a guest today. Just get ready to eat," Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on N()velFire.net
Haruka Yuzan waved her off, indicating he could handle it by himself, "By the way, how did you get on with them earlier?"
"They, they were all really nice." Risa looked down, and a sweet smile crept onto her blushing face as she thought of Misaki and Hoshina.
"Misaki is really nice and naive, and Hoshina seemed quite stern at first but is actually very easy-going!"
The thought of having such amicable future colleagues made her genuinely happy.