CH-66 : One Peaceful Morning

 Chapter 66.1

In the darkness, I felt a little hand touch me.

"Arnos."

I hear the voice of a familiar girl as I'm gently shaken.

"Breakfast."

I open my eyes and see a girls face looking at me.

Beautiful blue eyes and long platinum blonde hair with ringlets that tickle the tip of my nose.

It's Misha.

"Woke up?"

"Aah."

Misha laughs happily and says

"Good morning."

Getting out of my bed I ask Misha

"Why are you here Misha?"

I draw a magic circle under my feet and change my pyjamas into my uniform instantly.

"Practising making bento today."

I see. Was my mother teaching you how to make bento's while she was making mine?

"I also made breakfast."

"I'm looking forward to it."

Misha blinks several times and looks surprised at my words.

"What's wrong?"

"Going to eat?"

"We are talking about breakfast right?"

Misha nods a couple of times and points to herself.

"Mine?"

"Can't I?"

"Mother made Arnos' share."

I see.

"Let's go then."

"Nn."

Misha answers plainly like normal and opens the door.

Her expression is as deadpan as ever but she seems depressed.

"I'll happily trade my breakfast for the one Misha made."

Misha stares into my eyes searching for my true intent.

"…That okay?"

"If it's okay with you."

Misha thought a little before answering.

"Arnos likes mothers cooking."

"I do indeed, but I seldom get a chance to eat your cooking."

Misha looked down a little and smiled a shy but happy smile.

"Gentle."

"I'm just whimsical."

Misha shakes her head.

"Did Arnos understand?"

"Understand what?"

"My feelings?"

"That you were a bit disappointed?"

Misha lowers her eyes slightly when I pointed it out.

"…Embarrassed…"

"You often look at me as well."

When it comes to seeing right to the bottom of my heart no one else comes close to matching Misha.

"However, my demon eyes won't lose to you."

When I say that Misha's eyes open a little and she laughs.

"Did I say something funny?"

"Have a guess"

Why did she laugh?

"Are you happy?" (A)

"Look more." (M)

Misha answered me but didn't give me an actual answer.

Misha heads down to the living room and I follow.

Breakfast is set out ready on the table but only for two people.

"My parents?"

"Work."

My dad is still helping out the workshop that helped him with the Kongo Iron sword. Thanks to the demon sword tournament my dad seems to have been acknowledged as a superior craftsman now. He's even been told he can go and help out anytime he wants in the future.

"My mom?"

"A customer asked for an appraisal at their home but it's quite far away."

So she left early then.

"Arnos was tired from the tournament so they said they didn't want to wake you."

I wasn't actually tired but I guess it's a parent thing.

"Shall we eat?"

"Nn."

It's usually quite noisy thanks to my noisy parents but me and Misha had a quiet breakfast together.

After finishing breakfast we tidy up and leave the house together.

Walking side by side we take a leisurely walk to school.

I could have used ｢Gatom｣ but we have plenty of time. There's no need to hurry.

It's not a bad feeling at all attending school while slowly taking in the morning streets.

"That's…?"

We encounter a face we know well.

It's Sasha and she's looking at us suspiciously.

"…Why are you coming to school with Misha?"

"Because we met this morning."

"I can see that you've met up. I was asking why. Don't you want to tell me? Is the explanation awkward?"

"Bento." Misha says. "I had Arnos' mother teach me."

"I see. Hmph. You did say you were learning cooking. If you were going this morning you should have told me."

Sasha seems slightly dissatisfied. Do you feel left out?

"I said."

"Eh? When?"

"When I went out this morning."