"...Haa, it's delicious."
Mahiru's cooking was delicious, as usual.
It was Christmas, so the dishes served were a little more intricate.
The beef stew Mahiru made was converted into a pot pie, and they were slicing and eating it.
They enjoying cutting the pie, the crispiness matched with the rich sauce of the beef stew could only be said to be a blissful moment.
It appeared Mahiru bought flour just for the pie, and he was impressed by her outstanding skills, letting out a sigh after eating the second cake for the day.
Just to note, the cake was baked by Mahiru.
While baking the pot pie, she used said flour to combine with a sweet dough, making mille-feuille. She was already at the level of a patissier.
"Glad to see you like it...you ate quite a lot."
"Nn. they're really delicious."
"Thank you very much."
He was getting used to her smile.
She would smile whenever he praised her cooking, and so it became a daily routine.
It seemed Amane had a special privilege to see a much tender expression from her, and he felt ticklish.
.
"...Omelette rice tomorrow...I'm looking forward to it."
"You like that?"
"Anything with eggs."
"You really like eggs, I suppose...I remembered you wolfing down the egg rolls and such."
"Can't help it, it's delicious."
Even though he liked egg dishes, he would not eat them if they were not delicious. He had such an appetite because Mahiru's cooking was really delicious.
He felt it was excessive of him to be this selfish, but Amane had no intention of sharing Mahiru's cooking with anyone else, and would continue to enjoy it until she would stop.
"...Amane-kun, you look happy when you eat."
"Well. I am happy. Your cooking's really delicious, Mahiru."
One could say that perhaps it was unexpected to her....for she stared back at him, looking immature and dazed.
"...Mahiru?"
"Eh...I am fine."
Once she heard that voice, Mahiru reeled, shook her head, and looked down.
She clung onto the cushion she loved, exhaled slightly. Unlike before, he could sense a strange charm from her.
"What is it?"
"...I am just thinking, if I can make such a happy taste."
"Well, I don't know why you're being humble, but your daily cooking's delicious, and I want more."
"Ah, thank you very much."
She peeked up at him, looking a little bashful, yet satiated as she smiled. This time, it was Amane who looked down and wanted to bury his face.
His heart jolted once she showed that extremely rare expression of hers, even though he did not like her as someone of the opposite gender.
She had removed her usual facade, showing a completely defenseless smile, and all Amane wanted to do was to cool his face down.
He did not want to expose this slowly rising heat in his heart, and it would be really awkward for both of them to be bashful.
"Ahh, erm...yeah, Mahiru."
"Yes?"
"We're starting from noon tomorrow, right?"
He changed the topic, unable to take this mood, but she did not appear to mind as she considered his suggestion.
"Yes, we did agree, no? Lunch for dinner, and then the games we promised...right?"
"Yep."
"Erm...you do not like it?"
"Not at all. Just checking with you...the Eve's over, but can we really spend Christmas like this?"
"I would not have said so if I hated it...looking forward to it."
Once again, she showed a little smile on her face. Amanee could not look at her, and just mumbled away as he leaned on the armrest opposite her, hiding his own shame.
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