Chapter 316 - Breakfast

Mixing the flour and core ingredients, Caelum began to create the pancake that was going to be cooked for breakfast. His perfect dexterity made it easier to combine everything.

Nino who was helping him took glances witnessing his skills in the kitchen. Even acquiring cooking skills he was amazing in the kitchen due to being the person to cook and manage everything in taking care of his sister and mother. 

He was breadwinning and well-versed in housework along with anything related. It was one that he had proudly taken the time to improve. Furthermore, he's been in many odd jobs sharpening his knowledge of a few things.  

'Now that I think about it, Nino and I are quite similar. Our sisters are hopeless without us.'

Caelum smiled with the nostalgic thought that she was still his sister before going to Alabama. He still could remember the times she tried cooking for him but failed. 

"Hmm? What are you smiling about, Caelum-san?"

"It's Nothing. Wait, you're not mixing them properly here, let me help."

He wrapped his hand around Nino's hands, surprising her then guided her to mix them without any chunks overly viscous. 

Meanwhile, Miku who was on the couch felt jealous seeing how the two act sweetly. She had kept remembering his words regarding her hobby and how he did find anything wrong with it.

It had bothered her heart throughout the night which is why she had woken up earlier than before only to find the two flirting. 

She wanted to go ahead to stop the two yet did not have the courage or confidence to speak up. In the end, Miku distracts herself by playing with her phone.

While in the meantime, Nino felt his rough hand hold her own enjoying the moment of bliss where the world was only the two of them yet realized what was happening quickly true to stop.

"Y-You can let go now, Caelum-san."

"Ah sorry I'm just used to doing this with my lovers. It was just out of impulse."

He immediately let go of her hands while showing an awkward smile. It was not his intention to flirt and had been used to being around his wives. 

Caelum realizes how his subconscious and consciousness are contradicting each other. Normally, he can differentiate every action due to having control over his Sea of Consciousness but the link between the two is currently weakened, and unconsciously acted without thinking.

Nino's heartbeat lessened allowing her to breathe easy yet the feeling of his warmth and rough hands remained. 

"...it's kind of nice."

She muttered under her breath as the two continued to create pancakes. Caelum had been perfecting it ever since the stall had shut down.

He had been forced to make himself always find ways to improve it. The aroma made everyone drawn by it despite the simplicity of the Pancake.

The pancake began to stack one another, placing them into six plates. He decided to make the coffee using the traditional way of making the perfect coffee by using a strainer.

"Something smells what are you making, Nin-"

Itsuka headed downstairs smelling the aroma that made her hungry. She thought the one cooking was Nino but upon getting closer she saw the figure and realized it was Caelum. 

Almost every one of them had poor eyesight which is why it took her a while to recognize the person who was beside Nino.

"Good Morning, Itsuka-san. I was just about to make some coffee, come take a seat."

"What are you doing here?"

"I offered Nino-san a helping hand and this is my way of saying thanks for yesterday. Now do you like your coffee dark or have cream?"

Caelum explained while finishing stacking the pancakes perfectly and Itsuka took a seat. She looked at him, recalling the other night where he did some unbelievable things. 

"With cream, please."

"Coming right up!"

He quickly took a cup placing a strainer and poured the ground coffee then soaked it with hot water. Everyone who saw his elegant way of making coffee made Itsuka stunned. 

She pondered how someone who had both a carefree and rough impression could move gracefully.

Itsuka focused on his face, finally noticing how he appeared oddly feminine on how delicate his features were. She even noticed him wearing an apron that made him rather cute. 

"Hmm? Is there something on my face, Itsuka-san?"

Caelum noticed her intently staring at him while making the coffee and couldn't help but take the chance to tease her. He did mature a bit but still had the tendency to tease people. 

"Ah! I-I just hadn't fully woken up. That's it."

"Hahaha I'm almost done with your coffee, I'll just need to pour some cream."

He finished straining the coffee then poured the cream enough to perfectly balance the bitterness and the sweetness together. 

"Here, hope you like it."

Handing the coffee to Itsuka who slightly shivered from the aroma then took a sip instantly felt her body revitalized and reawakened. 

It was the first time that Itsuka felt after drinking a cup of coffee. The taste was unbelievably refreshing that it like out this world. 

"Hmm! It's amazing. What did you do to make this good?"

"I'm flattered, it was simply pouring my heart and soul into everything."

"Bleh...ain't that a bit cheesy and cliche?"

"Hahaha it is but without passion and love would the coffee be the same? Effort is a good thing but without the essence of appreciation would result in a bland taste."

"Is it really that good?"

"Let me make one for you? Dark or creamy?"

"Dark."

He nodded before pouring one for Nino who sat beside Itsuka waiting for her coffee. It didn't take for her coffee to arrive, then took a sip and instantly felt the same reaction as itsuka. 

She was surprised that despite the bitterness, there is a level of sweetness to it that soothes her tongue. 

"How? It should be bitter yet why does it taste sweet?"

"The same answer."

"Good morning *yawn*...oh how pleasant surprise seeing you here, Masa-kun."

"Gaaah! Ichika your pajamas are open!"

Itsuka yelled out seeing Ichika had her pajama open slightly revealing her chest while half asleep unbothered by Caelum present. The former quickly moved to scold her while Caelum had his eyes blocked by Nino. 

"You shouldn't see this!"

"Hehehe well good morning, Ichika-san."

After a few seconds, Ichika pajama was now closed only tightly hugged into her body which in Caelum's opinion was much more alluring than half naked. 

Miku, who was the couch, decided to join and take a seat then notice when she was slightly different from her sister.

"Here, I think you would like this more than coffee."

She saw the content of the cup, finding it was green tea, which was her favorite drink and showed her love in the old japanese way.  

"Green tea? How did you know it was her preferred drink, Masa-kun?"

"Oh, she mentioned it yesterday while you four were busy helping Nino."

Caelum saw Miku's concern in revealing her secret to her sister but he was able to come up with a lie. Ichika turned to her sister who only nodded before drinking the green tea. 

"Heyo! Goooood morning, everyone!"

Yotsuba energetically shouted, letting three of her sisters to glare at her. She warily smiled before noticing the guest.

"It's Masa-san!"

Caelum greeted her as she took a seat along with her sisters and began to have breakfast. They had a vibrant meal enjoying their bickering.

"Hey, Masa-san, you told me that you're going to teach me those moves from yesterday."

"Are you sure? It won't be easy and I doubt you'd be able to learn it."

"But what if I do great?"

"Stop it, Yotsuba. What if you get hurt?"

"I'm a big girl, Itsuka. I can handle myself."

"That's not the point, Yotsuba."

"Eeh you're on her side Nino? Ichika, Miku help me."

"I agree with them."

"Me too, sorry Yotsuba."

"Aaaawww! Masa-san can't you at least the one where I can't hurt?"

"There is a way but it would be different than what I can do." 

"That's alright, just teach me some moves."

"...she is quite stubborn so you can join me in the public park if you are free today."

"Oh no! I promised some of my friends to help them!"

Yotsuba panicked, recalling that she was occupied at the time being. 

"I'll teach you when either of us is free."

"Great! I would try to find a way to have free time."

Caelum nodded, finishing her breakfast along with the others. He proceeded to take their plates and cutleries once they'd finished.

"Masa-san, don't tell me you plan to wash them?"

"Of course I am?"

"You don't have to do that. Me and Itsuka can handle it"

"Nah, it's fine I'll do it."

He resumed washing the dishes before the two young girls proceeded to help him while Ichika who sat on the couch saw the three made mischievous smiles then took a photo of them.  

At the side, Miku frowns, witnessing the three getting oddly closer which unknowingly makes her ache.