69novels Page 151
Page 151
Her assignments accurately captured each person's strengths and personality.
Yuto's composure, Eriri's energy, Utaha's meticulousness, and Yuzuriha Inori... well, at least it can guarantee that she won't come into contact with the fire source again.
More importantly, she separated Eriri and Utaha's battlefields, with one in charge of the wok and the other in charge of the frying pan, creating a sense of competition without direct conflict.
Yuto skillfully chopped onions while observing everything discreetly.
He saw that Eriri was initially somewhat reluctant, but she was quickly drawn in by the fun of making fried rice.
She brandished the spatula, her golden twin ponytails flying up and down with her movements, her cheeks flushed slightly from the steam, and she muttered to herself, "Hmph, watch me make the best fried rice in the entire universe!"
Half an hour later, four steaming bowls of omelet rice were placed on the table.
Each serving of omelet rice is decorated with a different pattern drawn with ketchup.
Yuto's drawing had a smiley face, Eriri's had a quirky cat, Utaha's had a small book, and Yuzuriha's had a big heart.
It goes without saying that this is Megumi Kato's masterpiece.
The atmosphere at dinner was more peaceful and warm than ever before.
Everyone enjoyed the food they had helped prepare, their faces beaming with satisfaction.
This simple omelet rice made Yuto feel more at ease than any lavish celebration banquet.
After dinner, Eriri and Shiwa, unusually, did not argue. They tacitly divided the work of cleaning up the mess, although their movements were still a bit clumsy.
Yuto was in charge of washing the dishes, while Kato Megumi helped dry them.
Yuzuriha Inori sat on the sofa with her knees drawn up, watching the anime playing on TV, which was "Farming King".
"Thank you for today, Kato-kun," Yuto said softly as he rinsed the dishes.
"I just did what I was supposed to do," Kato Megumi said calmly as always. "Besides, it was fun cooking together, wasn't it?"
"Yes, I'm very happy." Yuto smiled.
As night deepened, Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha made a verbal agreement about who should arrive first tomorrow, and then left one after the other.
Yuzuriha Inori was already asleep on the sofa, hugging a body pillow, breathing evenly, like an innocent angel.
The living room was finally quiet again.
Yuto Itsuka put the last dried plate back in the cupboard. When he turned around, he found that Megumi Kato was not preparing to leave as usual, but was standing quietly in the same spot, seemingly waiting for him.
"Kato-kun, is there anything else?" Yuto asked, somewhat surprised.
“Hmm,” Kato Megumi nodded, her voice exceptionally clear in the quiet night, “Itsuka-san, could I have a moment of your time?”
"of course."
The two sat down at the dining table, one table apart.
Kato Megumi didn't speak immediately, but first poured Yuto a glass of water, and then poured one for herself.
"Everyone seems to be having a great time today," she began with a seemingly insignificant opening remark.
"Yes, thanks to you." Yuto said sincerely.
“No.” Kato Megumi shook her head gently, looking directly at Yuto. “It’s because Itsuka-san is here. Eriri and Kasumigaoka-senpai are arguing and cooperating here, and even willing to clean up Yuzuriha Inori’s mess. The root of it all lies with you.”
Yuto's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't reply.
"...You actually enjoy the feeling of being needed and fought over?"
boom--
These words struck Yuto like a thunderbolt.
He was stunned.
enjoy?
Yuto asked himself a question.
He always thought of himself as a helpless person, constantly running around and caught in the eye of the storm.
But at this moment, Kato Megumi's calm question ruthlessly illuminated those thoughts deep within his heart that he himself was unwilling to admit.
The pride he felt when Shiyu's talent was recognized.
The vanity that comes from being satisfied by Eriri's dependence.
The morbid sense of security that comes from proving oneself when they are fighting over one another.
He did, to some extent, enjoy it all.
He enjoyed the feeling of being surrounded by the whole world and the sense of being the center of attention.
His inaction, his hesitation, and his ability to please everyone are not just acts of gentleness, but also a form of selfish greed.
“I…” Yuto opened his mouth, but found his throat dry and he couldn’t say a word.
For the first time, he felt completely exposed in front of someone.
Kato Megumi did not press him for an answer.
She just watched him quietly.
"Wuhe, you are a very gentle person, but sometimes, boundless gentleness is the cruelest blade to everyone."
"It will hurt them, and it will also... make you lose your way."
She stood up and gently pushed the chair back into place.
“I’m not asking you to make a choice; I just think you should see your true feelings.”
"Because everyone is working hard to protect you, protect this team, and protect 'Farming King'."
"If you, as the person in charge, are wavering, then all the efforts of everyone may end up becoming a joke."
"It's getting late, I should go back now. Goodnight, Itsuki-kun."
After saying that, Kato Megumi turned and left.
……
Volume 1: Chapter 143: The Date
"You actually enjoy being surrounded and fought over by many girls."
"Your boundless gentleness is a selfish harm to everyone."
In the living room, Kato Megumi had already left, but her voice seemed to still echo in the air, each word striking Yuto's heart heavily.
He slumped onto the sofa, staring at the messy kitchen, and for the first time felt a deep sense of exhaustion and bewilderment.
Is that right?
Am I really... enjoying this chaos?
He recalled Eriri's fiery temper, Utaha-senpai's sharp tongue, Yuzuriha Inori's dependence, and even the distant shadows of Sakurajima Mai and Aoyama Nanami...
These figures intertwine to form a giant web, and he himself is the spider in the center of the web, believing he can control the whole situation, but in reality, he is already bound and unable to move.
He thought his gentleness was consideration, care, and a way to maintain this fragile balance.
But now it seems that this may just be a manifestation of cowardice, a selfishness of not wanting to make a choice and not wanting to hurt anyone.
But the result could hurt everyone.
……
……
The doorbell rang early the next morning.
Ding-dong-
Yuto Itsuka, who had just finished breakfast, frowned, got up, and walked towards the door.
Through the peephole, he saw two familiar figures.
One was a short girl with short, tomboyish hair and sharp eyes, who was warily observing her surroundings.
It's Yuzuru Nishimiya.
Behind her stood a girl with long flaxen hair and a serene face.
It's Nishimiya Glass.
Yuto paused for a moment before remembering the text message Yuzuru had sent a few days ago, saying he wanted to bring his sister to visit and express his gratitude for resolving the harassment issue caused by Ishigaki Shoya.
He just didn't expect them to choose today.
He took a deep breath, composed himself with mixed feelings, and opened the door.
“Yuto-nii.” When Nishimiya Yuzuru saw him, her tense expression relaxed slightly, but when her gaze passed over Yuto and fell on the three girls with different styles in the living room, she immediately became alert and subconsciously pulled her older sister Shoko behind her.
"Yuzuru, Shoko, good morning, please come in." Yuto stepped aside.
Shoko followed behind her younger sister, cautiously stepping into this unfamiliar space.
When she saw Kasumigaoka Utaha, Eriri, and Yuzuriha Inori sitting on the living room sofa, she froze instantly.
so many people……
Moreover, the atmosphere seemed a bit strange.
She could sense that the two beautiful young women were looking at her with a scrutinizing, inquisitive gaze.
That gaze made her very uncomfortable, as if she were an outsider who had intruded into someone else's territory.
She nervously gripped her sister's clothes, lowered her head, and dared not look anyone in the eye.
"Sorry, Yuto-nii, did we come at the wrong time?" Yuzuru keenly sensed the unusual atmosphere in the apartment.
"No, not at all. You're welcome to come." Yuto waved his hand with a smile and closed the door.
“They are my friends: Kasumigaoka-senpai, Eriri, and Yuzuriha Inori.”
He gave a brief introduction, but the atmosphere in the living room did not ease as a result.
Eriri crossed her arms, her golden twin tails swaying gently behind her head. She looked at the two sisters in front of her, especially Shoko, who kept her head down and looked very delicate.
Kasumigaoka Utaha sat upright on the sofa, her long black hair cascading down like a waterfall. She didn't speak, but simply observed quietly.
She noticed that Shoko was wearing a hearing aid in her ear, and also noticed her almost pathological tension and avoidance.
This made her swallow back the sharp words she was about to utter.
This girl seems to be somewhat special.
Yuzuriha Inori tilted her head. She wasn't very perceptive of complex emotions; she simply felt that the new girl had a similar aura to herself.
"Um... Yuto-nii, this is just a small token of our appreciation." Yuzuru broke the silence and handed over a beautifully wrapped paper bag.
"These are cookies that my sister and I made together, to thank you for... for helping us so much before."
"You're too kind." Yuto took the cookies; they were warm to the touch, clearly freshly made. "I'm so glad you could come."
He placed the cookies on the coffee table, then turned to Shoko, who was still hiding behind her sister, trying to appear as gentle and harmless as possible.
[Shoko, how have you been lately? Has Ishida Shoya... stopped bothering you guys?]
However, Shoko simply lowered her head even further, her body trembling slightly.
She saw Yuto's gesture, but didn't know how to respond.
In this environment filled with unfamiliar and scrutinizing gazes, she didn't even have the courage to take out her notebook and write.
She felt as if her throat was blocked, and she couldn't utter a single syllable.
Seeing her sister like this, Yuzuru's heart clenched, and she regretted bringing her sister here.
Shoko finally responded timidly:
【Great, thank you, Yuto-kun.】
Yuto smiled at her, then continued to communicate with Shoko using sign language.
Don't be afraid, they are all my good friends, and they are very nice people.
He pointed to Shiho and Eriri on the sofa.
Shoko looked in the direction he pointed.