The girl looked utterly worn out, as if she hadn't rested and was drained from an all-nighter,
However, despite the weary cuteness on her little face, there was a mischievously gloomy smile. Noticing the boy's gaze, Misaki Saki seemed to still be standing on the second floor, tossing an eyebrow at the boy.
"What's the matter, Haruka?"
Seeing the boy's somewhat astonished expression, Reiko Onodera curiously inquired, as the madam had her back to the second floor and hadn't seen the girl standing there.
"No, it's nothing." Haruka Yuzan hugged the beauitful woman in his arms tighter,
He quickly signaled the girl with his eyes, who replied with an OK sign before hiding her entire figure around the corner.
Reiko Onodera found it strange, looked back, and saw both an empty first-floor living room and a tranquil second-floor corridor, noticing nothing amiss.
"You sit and rest on the couch for a while, Sister Reiko, I'll handle breakfast." Haruka Yuzan said with a smile.
"Alright." Watching the boy's retreating figure, Reiko Onodera nodded her head.
However, as soon as the madam sat down on the couch, she felt uncomfortable. In such leisurely moments, it seemed she shouldn't be enjoying them herself.
Becoming restless, Reiko Onodera rose and headed to the second floor, intending to take advantage of the spare time to gather and wash everyone's dirty clothes.
Just as she reached the second floor, she saw the haggard Misaki Saki heading downstairs. Concerned by the girl's appearance, her heart skipped a beat,
"Misaki, did you skip sleep again last night?"
Except for special circumstances, it was certain that Misaki Saki had not slept whenever she could have breakfast on time.
But such occasions were few, happening only two or three times to date.
In response to the madam's worried inquiry, Misaki Saki obediently nodded,
"Mm-hmm, Sister Reiko, I'm going down first."
Staring at that cute yet wilted little face, the girl looked as if she were a worker exploited by a ruthless boss after 48 hours of straight overtime, eliciting heartache from Reiko Onodera,
"Why don't you go back to sleep for a while and eat after you wake up?"
"No need, no need." Misaki Saki yawned and waved her hand, "I'd rather eat now while I still have some energy and then go straight to sleep."
Watching the little one's dispirited departure, Reiko Onodera couldn't help but sigh deeply.
....
Back in the kitchen,
Chiba Shimizu was attempting to cut meat into evenly sized pieces with a chef's knife.
Her cool and composed face showed a touch of seriousness while the chilly beauty, donning a pink apron, truly radiated charm.
It made one's heart tremble in response.
"You're cutting too slowly like that, let me teach you." Haruka Yuzan offered with a warm smile, washed his hands again, and walked over to take the knife from the girl.
"Okay." Chiba Shimizu nodded and stood aside, beginning to watch intently and learn.
.....
"Delicious! I'm full!"
"Really?"
"Do you not want to sleep anymore?" he said, taking a step forward, "Even if you wrap yourself into a spring roll, it's no use. I've broken through your defense!"
Haruka Yuzan let out a mischievous laugh and stretched out his large hand.
"No, no! I'm already in hibernation, you can't hit me, that's not fair!"
Misaki Saki was shivering like a helpless support character facing the final boss, only able to yell and scream.
"Hahaha!"
Haruka Yuzan started mercilessly teasing her at the sight of her frightened look.
"Hmph!"
Misaki Saki let out a resentful hum, then tucked her little head into the spring roll as well, entering a defensive stance.
Their playfulness didn't disturb Roast Meat the cat's sleep in the slightest. Without reaching the wake-up time, the fat cat wouldn't stir.
Unless hunger struck...
....
Coming to the first-floor living room,
Reiko Onodera had already gone to work, and Chiba Shimizu was watering the kaffir lilies on the balcony with a watering can.
The gentle sunshine fell on the girl, is today a flower-watering day?
She was still very beautiful.
[Tenant: 004]
[Name: Chiba Shimizu]
[Tenant's Wish List:]
[1. Want to master the making of curry skillfully.]
[2. Hope to discover the secret between Otome Mizuko and Haruka Yuzan through observation.]
[3. Wish to find something interesting to do besides reading and cooking.]
[Complete Wish List One, Mission Reward: Intermediate Cooking Skills (Fragment)]
[Complete Wish List Three, Mission Reward: The Secret of Chiba Shimizu]
[Intermediate Cooking Skills (Fragment): Collect ten to compose Intermediate Cooking Skills]
.....
Find something meaningful to do besides reading and cooking, huh?
Haruka Yuzan looked at the gardener girl not far away, her pretty eyes cold and unmoving...
That's a tough one indeed, but Haruka Yuzan was quite interested in that mission reward.
The secret of the young lady?