Despite the playfulness that had been brewing between us, the kitchen was filled with the warm and pleasant scent of pancakes and coffee. It was more cozy than the chaotic energy of the night before.
An-rin stood at the sink, splashing water on her face as if it could wash away her lingering embarrassment. Her oversized t-shirt clung slightly to her damp skin and she focused way too hard on scrubbing her hands.
I put another batter on the pan, keeping my expression in check as Chii and Kushii's footsteps grew louder. The last thing we needed was An-rin exploding into another flustered tirade, especially with those two about to join us.
Chii walked in first with her hair still a little messy from sleep. Kushii turned to the corner, possibly going to the bathroom.
As the girl went over, her eyes sparkled with lips curving up to a knowing smile. She stretched dramatically as her loose sleep shirt rode up just enough to show a sliver of her navel before hopping onto my back and slipping her head from under my arm to peek at what I was doing. Discover more novels at n0velfire.net
"Mmm, Kii, it smells good. Pancakes. And is that An-rin making coffee? How surprising."
I warned her. "Careful, it's a hot pan. And yes, she volunteered to help after seeing me here."
"Heh… And here I thought I would wake up with you still next to me. How was the side effect of the tea? Have you taken care of it yet?"
Upon saying that, Chii's hand moved down to my crotch, feeling up the bulge that was still visible.
This girl… when did she become this naughty?
"As you can see. I'm still holding out. Gotta make breakfast for you first, right?"
"Pfft. Pervert Kii. An-rin didn't help you?"
"Well… She did." I couldn't lie about that. But Chii asking that question was pretty much her telling that she knew something happened.
I mean it was easy to figure out just by looking at An-rin, who's still trying her best to wash away the redness from her face.
"Then you better finish up here, Kii. It'll be my turn next before Kushii joins in again."
"No rush, alright? I'm still concerned if… you still feel sore down there. It should've flared up last night, right?"
"Sore? No, I don't think so. I feel perfectly fine, Kii. It's because you're too gentle, I guess? It hurts only at that first instance. When we… dipped in the tub, it gradually faded away. So, don't worry about me. I'm ready for round two whenever you are." Chii shook her head as she leaned in playfully. Her arms tightened around my waist, conveying her thoughts.
It faded away, huh? I guess I can take her word for it. It's not like she's going to lie to me about it. She knows how much of a worrywart I am.
Of course, she might simply be enduring it to prevent me from worrying, but I could tell from her voice that she's genuinely not feeling any discomfort. I guess keeping myself inside her when we finished inside the tub of warm water truly let the pain fade away.
I flipped the pancake, trying to keep my focus on the sizzling pan while Chii's hand lingered just a bit too long on my bulge, her fingers tracing its outline through my shorts.
"You're gonna burn that if you don't pay attention, Kii."
"I'm paying attention. Both to this and your naughty hand," I shot back which made the girl a little bit bolder.
The girl at the sink was still splashing water on her face, muttering something under her breath, probably trying to erase the memory of her earlier boldness.
Chii slid off my back, hopping onto a stool at the counter, her legs swinging as she watched me work. But shortly after that, she playfully muttered in a voice loud enough for both An-rin and me to hear.
"So, An-rin helped Kii earlier, hmm? All of those perv lord accusations and yet you still do it for him. You really cannot resist his charm. Did you get all flustered while yelling the whole time?"
I glanced at An-rin, who somehow froze from drying her hands with a towel. She was caught off guard by Chii there.
"Something like that. She's got that chaotic gremlin energy, even when she's trying to be… helpful."
An-rin's head snapped up, looking more flustered than ever, "Oi, Onoda-han! Don't go spreading lies about me! I was just… making sure you didn't, like, ruin my house with your dumb tea problem! Also, you told me you won't tell anyone!"
She crossed her arms, puffing out her cheeks, but the way her eyes darted to Chii told me she was worried about how much the other girl knew.
Chii smirked, leaning her chin on her hand. "Kii cannot lie to me, An-rin. He's that honest to a fault. I'll let you scold him later. But for now… can I praise you for being such a selfless host, saving poor Kii from his… predicament. Very noble of you."
Her tone dripped with playful sarcasm, and I could practically feel An-rin's embarrassment radiating from across the kitchen.
"Shut it, Chizuru!" An-rin snapped, grabbing the coffee pot with a little more force than necessary, but then, as if remembering she's making that coffee for all of us, her hands steadied.
"You're just jealous 'cause I got to– I mean, 'cause I was up first!" She froze upon realizing her slip-up and then quickly turned to pour coffee into mugs with jerky movements.
Chii giggled from the table. Yep. An-rin's days would now be filled with relentless teasing from Chii. And maybe Kushii too.
But knowing that chaotic gremlin, she'd probably be fine and return to her normal self soon. She's that resilient.
After all, she's the kind of girl who could find ways to have fun at anything.
Ah. I just don't know how different she will be with me. I guess there's only one way to find out, right?
Thirty minutes later, with Kushii returning from the bathroom and me finishing our breakfast, the four of us sat around the table.
Compared to last night, An-rin dedicatedly acted as a proper host, serving us with the coffee she brewed. Well, I'd give it to her. I thought she'd make something too bitter and too sweet at the same time but she managed to create something delicious.
With added cream or milk, Chii and Kushii also enjoyed their coffee. As for the pancakes I made, I got Chii feeding me while the other two girls watched us flirt so early in the morning.
At one point, Kushii's boldness surfaced again as she moved her chair next to me. As for An-rin… she started ranting about me trying to turn the situation into another perv lord act or something equally ridiculous. However, the blush creeping up her cheeks betrayed her attempt to stay grumpy. I caught her sneaking glances at me between sips of coffee. It was like she was trying to figure out whether to copy Kushii or not.
In the end, Chii eventually took me away after we were done eating. We still have more than an hour to prepare for school and she's not going to let go of the opportunity to capitalize on creating more memories together.