Mio had a hint of disbelief on her face while Yuki had excitement all over her expression as she raised both her arms upwards while holding the slider with her right. Mio looked at him oddly and said. “That’s it?” Reiki shrugged his shoulder, he said. “I mean, it’s not she's asking for something unreasonable.” Shiro had a dazed look on her face which was slowly replaced with a look of joy. Mio pointed at Yuki who was celebrating and said. “We’re planning on going to her house after spending half the day at the festival.”

 

Yuki gave Mio a look of disbelief and said. “Mio?!” Her eyes slightly narrowed as she stared at her friend. Reiki shook his head sideways, he said. “That’s fine, I’m not a fan of crowds myself.” Yuki moved her gaze onto him as she raised her hand that was holding onto a slider upwards in victory. Reiki pointed at the door and said. “I need to go, or you three will be eating burnt burgers for lunch.” He made his way out of the room while Yuki ate the rest of the slider and reached for her glass of water to help the food go down.

 

Yuki let out a satisfied sigh and said. “Reiki, you can keep the rest of the chicken.” Reiki was about to close the door as a helpless smile formed on his face, he said. “Thanks then.” He closed the door as the sound of footsteps slowly got farther away. Shiro was holding onto a slide with both her hands as moved her gaze onto Yuki who was pouring more water into her glass. Shiro said. “Yuki, what happened to your master plan?” Yuki felt the sting of words from what her friend said, she thought. The fact that she meant it makes it hurt even more.

 

Mio stared at her friend with a deadpan expression and said. “Yeah, Yuki. What about your master plan? Weren't you supposed to tell Reiki?” Yuki scratched her cheek as she stared at the slider in her hands, she said. “That was part of the plan…” She glanced at Shiro from the corner of her eye as she pointed at her using the small burger and continued. “But then I thought Shiro asking him would have a higher chance of succeeding.” Shiro’s eyes had a hint of awe in them as they sparkled like stars.

 

Mio glanced at her friend who was staring at Yuki with admiration in her eyes and moved her gaze onto Yuki who felt the painful innocent eyes on her while she tried to eat a slider. Yuki took a bite of her slider while under Shiro’s uncomfortable gaze, Mio let out a chuckle and said. “Let’s talk about what are we going to do during our short stay at the festival.” Shiro had a thinking expression on her face while Yuki gulped and said. “T-That! L-Let’s do that.” Shiro's eyes wandered onto the slider she was holding, she said. “I want to try most of the food stalls.”

 

Mio took a bite of her slider while a smile crept onto Yuki’s face, she said. “We might as well try a few of the stalls from our seniors while we’re at it.” Shiro finished her slider and pointed at the tray beside Yuki and said. “Yuki, can you pass me my glass?” Yuki moved her gaze onto the three glasses next to each other, she said. “Which one of them is yours?” Mio’s eyes wandered to her glass and said. “Mine’s the one that's one-third full.”

 

Yuki pointed at her glass that she recently added water to as she picked up the last one that was half-empty and passed it to Shiro. Yuki said. “Here it is.” Shiro reached out both her hands as she took off the glass from her friend and said. “Thank you.” Yuki’s gaze wandered onto Shiro’s clothes as she was changed from her school uniform into a navy blue t-shirt and grey shorts. Shiro noticed her friend staring at her, she said. “Yuki, what’s wrong?” Yuki shook her head sideways, she gave her a thumbs up and said. “I like your choice of clothes.”

 

Shiro had confusion all over her face as she cutely tilted her head sideways. Mio watched her two friends and thought. One day, we will be able to have a conversation without any misunderstandings. Her mouth slowly formed into a smile as she continued her train of thought. I hope those days are far into the future. Yuki was lifting the plate that had a half mountain of sliders as Shiro picked one up, the two of them notice their friend smiling. Shiro spoke in a soft tone and said. “Is she smiling at you or me?”

 

Yuki placed the plate back onto the tray as she picked up a slider, she said. “We both know she has never smiled at me before, so it’s directed at you.” She took a bite of her slider while Shiro stared at her friend while she ate the small burger in her hands like a hamster. Yuki snapped back to her senses as she noticed both her friends staring at her, she said. “Is there something on my face?” Shiro wiped some cheese on the corner of her mouth using her thumb, she said. “You were smiling at Yuki.’

 

Mio’s eyes slightly widened as she glanced at her and said. “I smiled at the salt lick?” Yuki was in the middle of taking a bite of the slider she was holding when she stopped and glared at her friend and said. “Mud stick, you saying something behind my back?” The air around Mio slowly came to a halt as she gave her friend a fake smile, she said. “I didn’t say anything behind your back. I said it in front of your face.”Shiro took a bite of her slider as she watched her two friends argue, she thought. Yeah… We’re good friends.

 

~One Hour Later~

________________________________________________________________________________

In The Living Room

 

Sachi, Namida, Ketsueki, Shiro, Mio, and Yuki were sitting around the dining table while Reiki was standing beside them while holding an empty tray. On the table were three large plates of a mix of shrimp as well as vegetable tempura that was freshly fried along with a double patty burger with lettuce thinly, sliced raw white onion, a slice of tomato, melted cheese, and plenty of white sesame seeds on top of the bun. Yuki stared at the large burger on her plate with sparkling eyes along with a hint of drool dripping from the corner of her mouth.

 

Reiki had a perfect smile on his face, he said. “If you want rice or a smaller burger, just tell me. I made plenty of more.” Sachi turned her head to look at him and said. “My millionaire shortbread?” Reiki gave her a smile as he pointed in the direction of the kitchen, he said. “It’ll be done in ten minutes along with the eclairs.” Sachi gave him a smile and said. “Thank you.” Mio stared at the burger on her plate and thought. That’s a big burger. As she glanced at the tempura in the middle of the table.

 

Namida stared at the food on the table as she nodded in satisfaction and said. “This is what I’ll call a meal.” Shiro looked up to her older sister with a hopeful expression on her face, she said. “Onee-chan?” Ketsueki let out a soft chuckle as she placed a hand on top of her little sister's head as she lovingly caressed it and said. “Fine, let’s eat.” Shiro’s eyes lit up as she placed her hands together as Mio and Yuki did the same. The three of them simultaneously said. “Itadakimasu.”

 

Ketsueki, Namida, and Sachi did the same as they said. “Itadakimasu.” All the girls started eating while Reiki snuck his way into the kitchen. Namida picked up her burger using her right hand, she said. “You know what’s missing from this meal-?” Before she could finish she saw Reiki from the corner of her eye as he used a tray with two large plates with a mountain of fries each. Reiki placed each of the large plates so everyone could easily reach them, he said. “I’ll get the pitcher and glasses you girls keep eating.” Yuki took her second bite of the burger as her cheeks were full just like a chipmunk as she reached for a handful of fries with her left and placed them on her plate.

 

Shiro was about to take a bite of her burger but stopped, she said. “Onii-chan, aren’t you going to eat?” Mio picked up a pair of wooden chopsticks and used them to place some tempura on her plate. Before Reiki could say anything Ketsueki beat him to it, she said. “It’s fine, Shiro. Reiki already ate during his visit.” Namida placed a few handfuls of fries on her plate while Sachi picked a couple of them as she used her finger and ate them.

 

Ketsueki picked up her chopsticks as she picked up shrimp tempura and ate it while glancing at her little brother from the corner of her eye. Shiro moved her gaze onto her older brother as she had an innocent look, Reiki had a helpless smile on his face and said. “Yeah… I already ate my fill so-.” His stomach let out an audible growl which all of them heard as everyone except Shiro pretended they didn’t hear it. Shiro gave her older brother a look of confusion and said. “Onii-chan?”

 

The smile on Reiki’s face slightly faltered as he somehow managed to contain it, he said. “I’m fine, plus there aren’t enough chairs for everyone to sit.” He glanced at the chair Sachi, Mio, and Yuki were sitting on and saw they were made out of high-quality wood with some purple cushions. Reiki thought. Those are Sachi’s, no questions about it. Ketsueki spoke in a neutral tone as she picked up a couple of tempura and placed them on her little sister’s plate beside her and said. “Reiki, can you get us water?”

 

Reiki gave her a flattering smile and said. “Sure.” He made his way to the kitchen while Mio placed her large burger back onto the plate as she reached for the napkin and wiped her mouth clean. Mio thought. The atmosphere between Reiki and Ketsueki nee-san is a bit tense… She moved her gaze onto Yuki who was completely ignorant of what was happening as she was devouring her burger at a steady pace. Mio continued her train of thought. Well… One of us is in bliss… She reached for a couple of fries and saw Shiro happily eating the tempura Ketsueki placed on her plate.

 

Namida turned her head sideways to look in the direction of the kitchen and said. “Reiki, can you get the ketchup bottle for me?” The sound of Reiki’s voice came from the kitchen, he said. “I got it.” Namida was holding onto a couple of fries and said. “I need something to dip these fries in.” Sachi’s lips curled into a slight smirk as she gave her a meaningful look, she said. “I bet you want something to help it go down with.” Namida glanced at Ketsueki who ate vegetable tempura and said. “Not when she’s here to give me a lecture about it.”

 

Reiki quickly made his way to the dining table while carrying a tray, he quickly placed a glass near all of them along with a bowl that was used for soup that had some kind of white sauce and chopped dill in it. He placed the pitcher near the large plates of tempura while Namida stared at the white sauce with furrowed brow and said. “That’s not ketchup.” Shiro and Yuki stared at the white sauce with curiosity all over their eyes while Reiki placed the pitcher near the two large plates of tempura.

 

Reiki smiled at her and said. “I got something better, tartar sauce. Just tell me if you want more of it.” Yuki picked up her chopsticks as she picked up a piece of shrimp tempura and dipped it in her bowl of tartar sauce. Her eyes sparkled as she ate the piece of tempura with sauce as she quickly picked up another piece and dipped it in sauce again. Shiro saw her friend's reaction and she hastily did the same as her eyes widened from the taste. Reiki smiled at her and said. “Good?” Shiro quickly nodded at him as she reached out and picked up a few fries and dipped them in the sauce.

 

Sachi picked up a piece of vegetable tempura using chopsticks as she dipped them in her bowl of tartar sauce and said. “Shouldn’t you be keeping your eye on the oven?” Reiki pointed at Yuki who finished her burger as she wiped her hands clean using a napkin and picked up the pitcher of water. She poured her glass with water as she placed the pitcher back down and drank half the water in her glass in one go, Yuki said. “Seconds, please.”

 

He made his way to Yuki and took the plate in front of her and said. “Two patties?” Yuki gave him a bright smile and said. “Please do.” Reiki moved his gaze onto Sachi, he said. “Don’t worry I do have my eye on the pastry in the oven.” He made his way to the kitchen leaving the girls to enjoy their meal.

 

~Forty-Five Minutes Later~

 

Shiro, Yuki, and Mio were sitting on the couch as they stared at the large plates that had a mountain of millionaire shortbread and eclairs on them. Namida handed a plate to one of them on the couch, she said. “Make sure to use these plates I got for everyone.” Shiro gave her an odd look and said. “But, Onii-chan was the one who got them…” Namida smiled at her and playfully pinched her nose, she said. “Cottontail, it doesn’t matter if he made the trip.” Sachi was taking a picture of both the eclairs and millionaire shortbread while using her smartphone, she said. “Perfect three layers and shiny chocolate.”

 

The corner of her lips curled into a smile as she continued. “Something to show off in social media.” Sachi tapped a few times on the screen while Shiro was staring at the dessert with stars in her eyes. Yuki scratched her cheek and said. “Are these good?” Mio had a hint of disbelief in her eyes as she placed a hand on her friend’s on her shoulder, she said. “You like doughnuts and the black forest cake Reiki made, right?” Yuki nodded while Mio pointed at the eclairs and continued. “Despite the fancy name, those are just oblong-shaped doughnuts with chocolate on top with whipped cream inside.” 

 

Yuki had a look of understanding on her face while Sachi was swiping on her screen checking to see the quality of the pictures. Namida rolled her eyes and said. “Any year now.” Sachi turned her head sideways and saw the little ones impatiently staring at the baked goods on the table, she said. “Sorry, you three can eat as you want now.” Yuki’s right hand blurred as she placed a couple of eclairs on her small plate while holding onto one, she thought. So, these are just fancy doughnuts… She took a small bite while Shiro was admiring a piece of millionaire shortbread with sparkling eyes. 

 

Mio placed a shortbread onto her small plate as she picked up an eclair, she thought. I can smell the chocolate and vanilla. She took a bite out of the doughnut in her hands as she enjoyed its creamy filling. Namida was holding onto an eclair that had a bite taken out of it as she slightly squeezed it making the whipped cream ooze out, she said. “I like the light and crisp texture, but the hint of eggy flavor slightly puts me off.” On Sachi’s plate was a half-eaten shortbread beside was an eclair that was only two-fourths left, she rolled her eyes at her friend and said. “It’s called choux pastry, from someone who spends all of their time staring at screens. I thought you’d at least know it.”

 

Namida ignored the snarky comment from her friend as she ate another bite of the eclair, she thought. But it has this slightly addicting quality to it. Yuki quickly finished the eclair she was holding as Shiro had some chocolate on the corner of her mouth while holding onto a shortbread. Shiro said. “What do you think, Yuki?” Mio was stealing glances at her friend while eating an eclair. Yuki wiped some whipped cream from the corner of her mouth using her thumb, she said. “Mio was right, despite the fancy name. They’re doughnuts.”

 

She licked the whipped cream on her thumb while Mio placed the eclair she was holding onto her small plate while reaching for something in her pocket. Mio said. “Is it good enough to be added to your notepad?” Shiro let out a giggle while Yuki glanced at the millionaire shortbread and said. “I mean it’s just a doughnut. Everyone likes them.” She turned her head toward her friend as her gaze slightly narrowed, she continued. “It’s a list, not a notepad.” Sachi was glancing at the tv that was showing a baby panda being fed by a caretaker, she spoke in a soft tone and said. “With how little that’s on it. It might as well be a notepad.”

 

Yuki turned her head to stare at Namida and Sachi as she pointed an eclair at them. Yuki said. “Namida aneki, Sachi aneki. Which one of you said that.” She threateningly pointed the doughnut in her hand while Sachi kept her eyes on the while she took a bite of the shortbread. Namida had a confused look and said. “I didn’t hear anything.” Shiro and Mio started laughing while Yuki cutely glared at the two.

 

Reiki was sitting on a chair by the dining table as he placed half his face on the table while watching the girls enjoy themselves, he thought. Well… At least they're having fun… Onee-chan is taking her time in the bathroom… He placed a hand on his stomach and continued his train of thought. … I’m starving… Ketsueki appeared behind the chair he was sitting on as she stared at her little brother's back, she said. “Taking a short break?” Reiki immediately sat up straight on the chair as he stood up, he looked up to his older sister and said. “Onee-chan.”

 

Ketsueki crossed her arms as she seized him with her eyes from top to bottom, she said. “Reiki, the dagger. What did you exchange for it?” Everyone by the coffee table that was either eating an eclair or millionaire shortbread glanced at them from the corner of their eyes while pretending to watch tv. Reiki had a helpless smile on his face and said. “I did not trade anything for the dagger, I just asked for one and they gave it to me.” Ketsueki observed her little brother's face as she tried to look for any indicator.

 

She clicked her tongue and thought. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be angry at… The fact they think he’s only worth a high-tier epic or they’re using this as a means to probe me… Reiki felt the uncomfortable stare from his older sister as he glanced at the girls who were watching by the couch. Shiro ducked as she used the backrest of the couch to hide while Yuki quickly turned her head sideways to move her gaze onto the tv as Mio pretended to awkwardly look around the house.

 

Namida gave him a mocking smile as she slowly took a bite of an eclair she was holding. Sachi was watching her friend and spoke in a whisper so that the little girls couldn't hear her, she said. “You do know if you were doing something else with that shape Ketsueki would murder you.” Namida had some chocolate on the tip of her nose as she gave her friend a confused look, Sachi let out a sigh and continued. “Never mind…” The corner of Sachi’s lips curled into a smile, she said. “What a sheet of paper.”

 

Namida gulped down a mouthful of food and said. “Okay, now I know you said something to me.” Sachi pointed at the tip of her nose, she said. “You have some dark chocolate on your nose.” She picked up the millionaire shortbread on her small plate and took a bite out of it while Namida felt the tip of her nose and saw some chocolate on her fingertips. Reiki moved his gaze back onto his older sister and thought. Her thinking should be done right about… Now. Ketsueki slightly shook her head sideways, she said. “Hungry?” Reiki shook his head sideways and said. “Not really-.” Before he could finish his stomach let out an audible grumbling sound that everyone in the room heard. The corner of Ketsueki’s lips curved into a smile, she said. “How about an exchange?”