When morning arrived, I once again made it a task to wake up earlier than even Miwa-nee. Although I got caught by Edel slipping out and then Yae followed us outside which in turn ended up with them taking care of the miraculous tea's side effect on me.
After that, the two girls helped me prepare our breakfast. Edel even volunteered to make something from her home country. Something her mother used to cook for her. She's a little clumsy with the ingredients but she tried her best. It was a European dish that looked like pancakes but with quite a sweeter twist and a name that I had trouble pronouncing. She called it 'Kaiserschmarrn'.
Edel giggled as she slowly pronounced it for me to repeat, her fingers still dusted with flour. When I successfully pronounced it correctly, the girl clapped her flour-dusted hands and leaned in for a kiss before saying, "I have a lot more to teach you, Ruki... My mother is hoping to hear from you soon."
Right. I'd better wise up and quickly remember some of the basic phrases she taught me.
While she continued preparing the batter for that special pancake, she had me peel some fruits that would go along with it, like berries and apples. I had both caramelized them in a pan and cooled them down before she mixed them into her batter. Yae, on the other hand, prepared the coffee and the tea for everyone else. She also toasted some bread and prepared a few spreads.
And whenever I could find an opportunity, I'd hug them from behind, wrapping my arms around their waists and nuzzling their necks while they worked. Edel's silver hair tickled my nose as she giggled, stirring the batter with renewed energy. Yae would lean into my embrace that she almost got the toasts too burnt. She would then point at me, blaming me for it.
I owned the burnt toast blame with a kiss on Yae's temple.
As Edel started cooking the special pancakes, she sternly told me not to distract her or she might burn them because of how irresistible I was. So I decided to just sit down at the table, watching the two of them work.
Yae eventually joined me. Her mouth was watering from the sweet aroma of butter and caramelized fruit that filled the kitchen.
When Edel started tearing apart and flipping the pancakes right on the pan, both Yae and I tilted our heads in confusion. And with that, we got a more detailed lesson from Edel about that special pancake. She explained that the name roughly translates to 'Emperor's Mess' and it was traditionally served torn into pieces and dusted with powdered sugar. That was enlightening.
Yae giggled at the name and the messy process. But when Edel placed the first serving in front of us, the caramelized fruit peeking through fluffy, golden shreds, the sweet aroma made our mouths water.
"Go on, try it," Edel urged, her eyes sparkling with anticipation beneath her shyly lowered silver lashes.
I took a bite, and the buttery warmth melted on my tongue, perfectly balanced by the tart berries and sweet apples. Yae hummed in delight, already reaching for more.
"This is incredible, Edel! You have to teach me how to make this," She exclaimed, licking powdered sugar off her thumb. Edel beamed, clearly proud of her creation.
"I'm certain the other girls will also ask you the same. Especially Akane." I said before taking another huge bite, enough that the corners of my mouth became dusted with powdered sugar.
From the stairs, Akane's voice came over, "I heard my name, husband. What is it this time?" She descended, still in her sexy lingerie that got my lower body reacting even after Yae and Edel helped calm it down earlier. Her golden hair was a mess but it cascaded beautifully on her shoulder, making her figure become more alluring.
Haruko followed behind looking just as alluring as Akane, rubbing her eyes until the sweet scent hit her. She perked up instantly as she stared at the table before grinning proudly at the girl. "Hmm? You finally made it for him, Edel. So... what is hubby's verdict?"
I swallowed the mouthful, licking powdered sugar from my lips. "Emperor's Mess lives up to the name. I feel like an emperor eating a delicious mess."
Edel blushed, fussing with the next batch in the pan. "Come on, Ruki. You shouldn't like that."
Akane slid into the seat beside me, stealing a bite from my plate. Her eyes widened as the flavors hit. "Oh, this is dangerous. Edel, you can't just make this for husband without supervision. He'll demand it every morning."
She licked powdered sugar off her fingertip before putting on a sly grin, "Now you have to teach how to make them."
Edel nodded happily as she plated more shredded pancakes, "Of course. But only if you help with the fruit prep."
"Uhm... M-me too, Sister Edelweiss." Walking into the kitchen last, Hiyori, who's holding a hairbrush, shyly raised her hand. "I want to learn too. It smells so heavenly. And Ruki... loves it."
, they eventually crowded around her watching the process. But every time a new batch was done, the girls would crowd around the plate and tear the pieces apart with their fingers to taste.
By the time Miwa-nee appeared with Minoru, the girls were already sipping their tea or coffee. They already had their fill even before Edel finished cooking all the batter.
Due to that, the breakfast table ended up with just the four of us. Akane dragged the other three to start preparing for school. Of course, they told me to join them in the mini-gym to also complete my routine. Morning exercise. A thousand swings of the tennis racket and eventually, doing the business-related quiz sent by Mizuki and playing a bit of the keyboard using the music sheet sent by Miho.
An hour later, we're all geared up. At the train station, we met up with Eimi who somehow came with a lunchbox which she shyly thrust into my hands.
She acted like it was just an excess of what her parents prepared for her but Anzu-nee, who also came with her, outed her, saying she woke up early to prepare it for me. But then, she also pulled out another lunchbox and placed it on top of the one Eimi gave me.
Really, I'm so lucky to have all of these sweet girls to myself. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel⟡fire.net
Before Anzu-nee could run away, I grabbed her wrist, holding her in place. She's too flustered to stay and wait for us to board the train, after all.
Akane and the others simply smiled before turning their heads away, considerately giving us a moment.
Anzu-nee fidgeted, her cheeks flushed crimson as I held her wrist firmly.
"R-Ruki-kun, I need to go... Eimi-chan's parents are expecting me at their restaurant." She stammered, but I pulled her closer, ignoring the gradually growing crowd.
"I'll be escorting Eimi to school along with Akane and the others. But you... how much do you think I'm praying for another opportunity to see you?"
"D-didn't you just see me yesterday? Or... the other day?"
"I don't count that," I murmured, thumb tracing her wrist where her pulse raced like a trapped bird. "Not when you slipped away before I could savor the taste of your lips again."
"C-cheeky brat. You did kiss me back then."
"Did I? I already forgot. Can you remind me, Nee-san?" I cheekily smirked, causing her face to turn even redder.
Anzu-nee huffed before groaning as she squeezed my face between her palms, "... This is gonna be quick, little brat. I... don't want to gather too much attention."
"Mhm... just a quick one," I murmured, leaning in before she could overthink it. My lips met hers. The kiss was soft, hesitant at first, then yielding with a warmth that tasted like chocolate. Her fingers slid from my cheeks to tangle in my hair, pulling me closer for a heartbeat longer than 'quick' allowed.
When we parted, Anzu-nee looked a little dazed before sucking in her breath to recompose herself.
"S-see? Done. Now behave." She pushed onto my chest and fled, running like a middle-schooler in a morning jog. She's so adorable.
I watched until she reached the stairs down the platform.
Akane cleared her throat beside me, a knowing smirk playing on her face. "Troublesome little brother, indeed. What a cheeky husband you are, leaving all of us waiting for you."
"Can you blame me when you have someone as cute as her?" I smilingly shook my head as I rejoined them. Mhm. Our morning was just starting.