Ch 41 enjoying the time

As the new dawn bathed the room in soft light, Ichiro felt a surge of energy course through him, spurring him into action. With a sense of purpose, he hurried downstairs, eager to start the day afresh. As he reached the kitchen, the comforting aroma of breakfast greeted him, mingling with the gentle sounds of sizzling from the stove.

"Hey, Kyle, good morning," Ichiro greeted with a warm smile, his eyes bright with enthusiasm.

Kyle, busy at the stove, turned at the sound of Ichiro's voice, a smile spreading across his face. "Good morning, Ichiro," he replied, his tone cheerful and welcoming.

As Ichiro finished his morning routine in the bathroom, feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day, he made his way back to his room. However, before he could fully retreat into his own space, something caught his attention, drawing his gaze back towards the kitchen where Kyle was busy at work.

"Hey, Kyle," Ichiro called out, a curious expression on his face as he leaned against the doorway. "Why are you in such a good mood? Did something good happen today?"

Kyle paused momentarily from his task, turning to face Ichiro with a bright smile. "Hmm? Ah, yeah," he replied, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Well, Will, Margarette, and Elizabeth will be coming here after all, so I want to prepare a warm breakfast for them."

Ichiro couldn't help but grin at Kyle's enthusiasm, his own spirits lifting at the prospect of spending time with the people he now call his family. "That's great news!" he exclaimed, genuine happiness evident in his tone. "I'm sure they'll appreciate the effort you put into making breakfast for them."

"I'll be changing in my room, okay? I'll come down when I'm done and help you out," Ichiro called over his shoulder as he made his way towards the staircase.

"Sure thing, Ichiro," Kyle replied with a grateful nod, already bustling about the kitchen with renewed energy.

As Ichiro ascended the stairs to his room, his mind began to wander, contemplating his next course of action. With each step, he mulled over his plans, weighing the possibilities and considering his options.

"So far, I now have 7 shikigami, and 3 more to go," Ichiro thought to himself, mentally taking stock of his spiritual companions. "Since they will be coming here, I guess I'll postpone my shikigami conquest for now, and I'll just continue it once they go home"

With a decisive nod, Ichiro resolved to set aside his current pursuits in favor of focusing on the impending visit from Will, Margarette and Elizabeth. Though his quest to acquire all ten shikigami remained a priority, he understood the importance of prioritizing relationships and creating cherished memories with those closest to him.

As Ichiro stepped into his room, his gaze was drawn to the mirror, where his reflection greeted him with an air of confidence. Pausing in front of the mirror, he took a moment to carefully examine himself, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

"Beautiful," he murmured, the word slipping effortlessly from his lips as he admired his own reflection. With a sense of satisfaction, he began to assess his appearance, starting from his strikingly beautiful face with defined jawline, piercing eyes, while his body is lean but has a developed muscle

"Hmm," he mused aloud, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement. "Both my looks and body are top-notch. I could probably give any model, or celebrity a run for their money." A self-assured chuckle escaped him as he continued to admire himself in the mirror, reveling in his own attractiveness.

"And not only that," Ichiro continued, his confidence growing with each passing moment. "My height, which could easily be mistaken for that of a high schooler, only adds to my charm." With a twinkle of amusement in his eyes, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his youthful appearance, knowing that it only enhanced his overall allure.

As Ichiro descended the stairs, his steps light and purposeful, he found Kyle still engrossed in his culinary endeavors, the tantalizing aroma of breakfast filling the air. Ichiro offered his assistance, ready to lend a hand in any way he could.

"Need any help, Kyle?" Ichiro inquired, his tone eager and willing.

Kyle glanced up from the stove, a grateful expression lighting up his features. "I wouldn't say no to an extra pair of hands," he replied with a chuckle. "Thanks, Ichiro."

Just as Ichiro moved to join Kyle in the kitchen, a sudden ring of the doorbell echoed through the house, causing both of them to pause in surprise.

"I'll do it," Ichiro volunteered, already moving towards the door.

"Thanks, Ichiro," Kyle called after him, his voice filled with appreciation.

As Ichiro reached the front door and swung it open, he was met with the sight of three familiar figures standing on the doorstep. With a quick scan, he deduced their identities: Margarette, Will, and Elizabeth.

"Hello, Mr. Will, hello, Mrs. Margarette," Ichiro greeted with a warm smile, acknowledging the adults before him. His gaze then drifted downward, where he spotted a cute little girl wearing a blue frilly dress adorned with pink ribbons. As he made eye contact with her, she shyly hid behind Margarette, seeking refuge in her mother's embrace.

Margarette, noticing her daughter's bashfulness, gently encouraged her to come forward. "Now, now, Elizabeth, this young man is Ichiro. He's a nice kid," she reassured, her voice gentle and soothing.

Despite Margarette's reassurances, Elizabeth remained hesitant, peeking out from behind her mother with wide eyes filled with apprehension.

"Um, Mrs. Margarette, how about we go inside since it's pretty hot today" Ichiro suggested, offering a friendly smile to both mother and daughter.

Margarette glanced down at Elizabeth, considering Ichiro's suggestion before nodding in agreement. "Oh, alright," she replied, her tone warm and grateful.

As they settled into their seats, Kyle emerged from the kitchen, a welcoming smile on his face as he greeted their guests.

"Hey, Will, hey, Margarette," Kyle called out warmly, acknowledging their presence with genuine enthusiasm.

Turning his attention to Elizabeth, who still seemed a bit shy, Kyle knelt down to her level, his smile gentle and inviting. "Hello, Elizabeth, would you like some candy?" he offered, extending a small treat towards her.

Elizabeth's eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of the candy, and she eagerly reached out to take it from Kyle's outstretched hand.

"Now, Elizabeth, what do you say when someone gives you something?" Margarette gently reminded her daughter, her voice soft and encouraging.

Ichiro, with his keen senses honed through years of training, caught Elizabeth's response, despite its low volume. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he observed the interaction unfold.

"Thank you," Elizabeth murmured in response, her voice barely audible to the adults but clear to Ichiro, who nodded subtly in acknowledgment of her polite gesture.

As Will expressed his worries with Elizabeth's shyness, a sigh escaped his lips, his concern evident in his voice. "This child is really shy, she can't even say a single gratitude I'm worried about her sorry about that kyle" he remarked, his tone tinged with a hint of worries.

Margarette, ever the reassuring presence, sought to console her husband, her voice gentle and soothing. "Now, now, Will, our daughter just isn't accustomed to meeting other people. I'm sure she'll get used to it in time," she offered, her words carrying a note of optimism.

Meanwhile, Ichiro, keenly observant of Elizabeth's reaction, interjected with a gentle smile. "Actually, sir Will Elizabeth did thank Kyle," he revealed, his voice soft but clear. "She just said it in a very low voice that no one other than me heard it, it's not that she's shy is just she's not used to talking normally like us, I'm sure she'll get used to it"

Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise as she realized that her gratitude had been heard. With a shy smile, she glanced over at Ichiro, a sense of admiration shining in her eyes.

"Hey, Elizabeth, would you like to play with me?" Ichiro offered, extending a friendly invitation to the little girl.

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment before bowing her head and speaking in a barely audible voice, "Hmm."

Ichiro's smile widened at her response, his warmth evident in his gaze. "I see. Then let's go," he said, his tone gentle and reassuring.

With Ichiro's encouragement, Elizabeth mustered up the courage to follow him, her hand grasping his as they made their way towards the living room.

As Ichiro and Elizabeth immersed themselves in play, their laughter and chatter filling the room, Kyle engaged in conversation with Will and Margarette, seamlessly balancing his attention between them and the food cooking on the stove. With each passing moment, the aroma of the warm, hearty breakfast grew stronger, enticing their appetites.

As the time flew by, they gathered around the table, eager to indulge in the delicious spread Kyle had prepared. Plates were filled with steaming portions of eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fresh fruit, creating a feast fit for friends and family.

As they finished their meal and began to prepare for their departure, a sense of reluctance filled the air. Will expressed his disappointment at having to leave so soon, his tone tinged with regret.

"It was a good time. I hope you guys could stay longer," Kyle remarked, his voice reflecting a similar sentiment.

"I hope we could, Kyle, but unfortunately, I have business after this. Maybe next time," Will replied, his expression crestfallen.

"I understand, Will. Have a safe trip," Kyle replied with understanding, his tone filled with warmth and sincerity. With a final round of goodbyes and well-wishes, Will, Margarette, and Elizabeth bid farewell, their departure marking the end of a memorable gathering filled with laughter

As Ichiro finished helping with the chores, a sense of restlessness tugged at him, prompting him to seek solace outside. Turning to Kyle, he sought permission to venture out for a while.

"Hey, Kyle, do you mind if I go out for a bit?" Ichiro asked, his tone filled with eagerness.

"Hmm? Oh, sure, just be back before it gets dark," Kyle replied, his attention momentarily diverted from his task.

With Kyle's permission granted, Ichiro wasted no time in hurrying outside, the cool breeze of the evening beckoning him onward. As he walked through the quiet place, he scanned the area, ensuring that there were no lingering bystanders to disturb his solitude.

Satisfied that he was alone, Ichiro closed his eyes and uttered the name of his loyal companion, calling forth the shikigami that he had forged a bond with through countless battles and shared experiences.

"Griffin," he murmured softly, his voice carrying a hint of reverence and anticipation.

With a shimmering ripple in the air, the majestic form of his shikigami materialized before him, its presence a comforting reminder of their unbreakable bond. With a silent understanding passing between them, Griffin then materialize in his shadow ichiro then quickly rode on his back and gave a comment

"Go to the same place where we usually go" Ichiro spoke with a grin plastered on his face, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he addressed his loyal companion.