"Sorry, Takeru-nii. We've finished. Would you like to use it?" Seeing Takeru, Ui said apologetically. Leaving Takeru alone made her feel bad, even though it was because he was the only male.
"I understand, Ui. No need to apologize. I had a great time out with everyone today." Seeing Ui's expression, Takeru casually put away his drink and reassured her.
"Mhm." Hearing this, she nodded.
Then, Takeru went to wash up. After his bath, he found everyone in a luxurious room… a home theater room. Clearly, after bathing, they had gathered for a lively sing-along.
"Onii-chan, over here, over here!" Seeing Takeru arrive, Miu quickly called to him.
Mio was singing at the time, but Takeru's appearance made her shy, causing her to go off-key. After finishing, she retreated to a corner, face red with embarrassment.
"Takeru, you sing one!" Suddenly, Rikka looked at Takeru expectantly.
"Agreed!" Hearing Rikka, everyone said eagerly.
Seeing their anticipation, Takeru smiled and shook his head, then took the microphone, choosing a song to sing.
Though not a trained singer, Takeru had a pleasant voice. As he sang, everyone couldn't help but sway slightly and hum along.
After one song, Takeru stopped, leaving the rest of the time to everyone. They played until late at night before drifting off to sleep drowsily.
Seeing this, Takeru, along with the still-awake Nibutani, Tsumugi, and others, helped carry Mio, Ritsu, and the rest to their rooms before retiring himself.
Soon, it was the next day.
Rested, everyone regained their energy and began playing wildly again. By afternoon, they reluctantly packed up, bid farewell to the villa, and began the journey home.
Back at the starting point, after saying goodbye, Takeru took Miu home.
At the door, Takeru found a note. Reading it, he saw it was from Ebina. She had come looking for him these past two days but, finding him absent, left a message.
"Hmm, Onii-chan, was Ebina-nee looking for us?" Seeing the note, Miu also noticed Ebina's name at the end.
"Mhm, not sure why. In that case, I'll go see her in a bit." Hearing her, Takeru said directly.
"Okay." Hearing Takeru, Miu nodded.
After opening the door and tidying up, Takeru checked the time and headed to the neighboring apartment.
Knock knock...
"Coming!" Hearing the knock, a flustered, hurried voice came from inside.
Soon, Ebina cautiously opened the door. Seeing it wasn't anyone strange, she sighed in relief.
"Takeru-kun, it's you!" However, realizing Takeru had come to see her, Ebina blushed deeply, thinking of something.
"Mhm. Miu and I were out these two days. Did you need something?" Saying this, Takeru showed the note she left.
"Mm, this... is Akita Komachi rice from my hometown... please try it." Saying this, Ebina quickly brought out a bag of Akita rice.
"Is that so? Thank you very much." Seeing Ebina's shy expression, Takeru said with a light smile.
"N... not at all." Hearing Takeru, Ebina said nervously.
Then, Takeru reached out and took the rice. At that moment, Ebina's stomach growled from hunger.
Takeru's extended hand paused. Ebina's face turned crimson, and Takeru could almost see steam rising from her head...
"S-s-sorry, my stomach..." Ebina quickly turned away, agitated.
"Ebina, you should come to our place for dinner, I was just about to make dinner." Seeing her state, Takeru invited her directly.
"Eh?" Hearing this, Ebina was stunned. This was the first time someone had invited her for a meal at their home, and it was Takeru...
"You kindly brought Akita rice. I think Miu will be very happy too." Takeru said with a smile.
Thus, persuaded by Takeru, Ebina somewhat dazedly followed him home.
"I'm back." Opening the door, Takeru called out casually.
"Onii-chan, what did Ebina-nee need?" Hearing Takeru, Miu, who was training in the living room, asked curiously.
"Excuse the intrusion." As Miu spoke, Ebina's shy voice followed.
Hearing Ebina, Miu realized she had come with Takeru.
"Please come in. Make yourself at home." Taking a pair of slippers from the shoe rack for Ebina, Takeru said directly.
"Miu, Ebina is having dinner with us. Please entertain her. I'll make dinner." Entering the living room, Takeru directly told Miu.
"Yes!" Hearing Takeru, Miu obediently stood up and quickly poured water for Ebina.
"I... I didn't know Takeru-kun could cook too." Watching Takeru's busy back figure, Ebina said in surprise.
"Mhm, Onii-chan's cooking is absolutely delicious!" Hearing Ebina, Miu said proudly.
"Really?" Hearing Miu, Ebina looked forward to it.
"But if Ebina-nee is joining, wouldn't eating out be more convenient?" Miu suddenly said.
"But... because I'm always alone... being able to eat at home with everyone like this... makes me so happy." Hearing Miu, Ebina said softly.
"Ebina-nee... if you don't mind, you can come over for meals more often. I don't think Onii-chan would mind either." Seeing Ebina's expression, Miu paused. She hadn't known Ebina seemed so lonely.
Perhaps that was why she waited outside the apartment early every morning for them.
"Eh, that..." Hearing Miu's invitation, Ebina showed embarrassment. She wasn't thick-skinned, and imposing on others wasn't her nature. Though she wanted to accept, she wouldn't say so.
Noticing Ebina's hesitation, Miu wisely changed the subject.
"Sorry for the wait." About thirty minutes later, Takeru brought out dish after dish. Since Takeru and Miu had large appetites, and from what Takeru knew, Ebina could eat a lot too, with nutrition going to all the right places, he prepared ample portions.
"Wow, so lavish! But isn't this too much?" Seeing six dishes and a soup, each in generous portions, Ebina exclaimed.
"Don't worry, we usually cook about this much for the two of us. So Ebina, if you don't mind, feel free to visit more often." Seeing Ebina's surprise, Takeru said with a light smile.
With his Observation Haki active, Takeru had overheard Ebina and Miu's earlier conversation, so he mentioned it casually.
"But wouldn't that be too much trouble?" Hearing Takeru say so, Ebina hesitated.
"Not at all. Usually, it's just Miu and me. If you visit more often, the house would be livelier." Seeing her internal struggle, Takeru said gently.
Seeing Takeru's sincere gaze, Ebina was stunned, her heart touched, eyes slightly reddening.
"I... I can really... come often?" Lowering her head, Ebina asked again, lacking confidence.
"Mhm, anytime." Seeing this, Takeru patiently and earnestly reassured her.
"Thank you... both." Hearing Takeru, Ebina said, pursing her lips.
"Alright, let's eat. Food gets less tasty when cold." Seeing her state, Takeru quickly said.
"Mhm mhm, hurry and try it. Onii-chan's cooking is definitely amazing," Miu also urged.
"Mhm." Hearing this, Ebina turned away, quickly wiping her moist eyes.
Seeing Ebina's emotions stabilize, Takeru finally felt relieved.