"Oh, right, I almost forgot about that possibility. So, Sora, if things don't go well for you at Far Moon, be sure to tell your sisters! Your sisters will always be your strongest support!"
Listening to Hoshino Sora's words, Ya Xiang thought for a few seconds, then nodded in agreement. She hadn't considered that possibility. If her younger brother failed at school, they would be his only reliance.
"By the way, I heard you're opening a restaurant near home. Do you still need waiters? I'd like to help."
Holding Hoshino Sora's hand under the covers, Rika recalled the news she had heard earlier outside the study. Her cheap father seemed to be giving her younger brother a restaurant, and besides the chef, the most needed staff for a restaurant were naturally waiters.
"Me too!"
Hearing Rika's words, Ya Xiang also eagerly said from the side, afraid of being left behind by the two. Because before coming, their mother had instructed the two sisters to build a good relationship with Hoshino Sora, and coupled with the fact that their younger brother was very handsome and gentle to them, it made their hearts flutter, and they became exceptionally enthusiastic.
After all, their parents' subtle hints seemed to suggest that marrying their younger brother was also allowed in this family.
Of course, what truly made the two sisters fall for Hoshino Sora was one incident: the classic hero saving the damsel in distress. When the three first met, Yaxiang Lixiang were delayed returning home due to preparations for the school festival and were harassed by a group of thugs.
At that time, Rika protected Ya Xiang, holding a stick, mentally prepared to fight to the death, and then Hoshino Sora, who happened to pass by, rescued them and even called the police afterwards.
After this incident, the two sisters' favorability towards Hoshino Sora reached its peak, and it played a significant role in their mother's relationship with Hoshino Tani Ren, all for the sake of becoming a family with Hoshino Sora.
Now, their wish had finally come true.
One on the left, one on the right, originally enjoying the bliss of being embraced by two beauties, but since they were both older sisters, Hoshino Sora didn't dare to move randomly.
He only dared to lie straight, wide awake, his small feet moving restlessly under the covers, and his arms cruelly restrained by the two sisters, until he finally managed to fall asleep much later.
The next day, Hoshino Sora woke up feeling stuffy. Or rather, if he hadn't woken up, he might never have woken up again. What he saw before him was blue lace, carrying a faint warmth and fragrance.
"Ugh... Rika-nee!"
"Ah! Sora, you saw it, right? Look at mine too!"
After a flurry of activity, Hoshino Sora got up to make breakfast. Since their parents weren't home in the morning, he simply made a century egg and lean pork congee, which was heartwarming, stomach-warming, and had distinct layers of flavor.
"Hiss... So delicious! The taste of century egg and lean pork cooked together in congee is amazing, isn't it?"
With a blissful and intoxicated expression, Ya Xiang praised the century egg and lean pork congee as she tasted it. In Japan, people's breakfasts are usually simple, typically bread with milk.
This is also why heroines in typical shojo manga are often seen biting a piece of bread and bumping into the male protagonist. Better ones might have miso soup, rice, grilled fish, and a plate of natto, which is more traditional.
As for congee, it's completely unorthodox in Japan, but as long as it tastes good, even unorthodox things are embraced!
The rich aroma of century egg bloomed in their mouths, combined with the finely diced lean pork to add layers of texture. The slightly salty congee made them unable to stop spooning it in, and even though the congee was steaming hot, the girls couldn't stop putting it into their mouths.
"Another bowl!"
Rika, sticking out her small, pink tongue and blowing, ate the century egg and lean pork congee in her bowl. One bowl wasn't enough, so she had another, her happy expression not seeming fake.
"Alright, alright, be careful, it's hot. No one's snatching it from you."
He instinctively blew on the hot congee as he scooped it, then Hoshino Sora's expression froze as he realized what he was doing. He was about to take a bowl to give Rika another serving, but before he could act, she snatched the bowl away.
"Another bowl, I want you to blow on it too!"
Seeing Rika's inadvertently triumphant expression, Ya Xiang clenched her chopsticks, quickly finished the congee in her hand, then held out her bowl to Hoshino Sora, her large eyes staring straight at him.
"Alright, alright, I'll blow..."
Looking at Ya Xiang's eyes, as if she would cry if he didn't blow on it, Hoshino Sora reluctantly blew on it, then handed the bowl to her. The feeling in his heart was subtle as he watched Asaka-nee's satisfied expression.
After breakfast, Hoshino Sora saw the note his father had left for him when he departed. To be precise, Ya Xiang found it when she was cleaning the house, placed on the coffee table in the living room.
The general content of the note said that the couple had gone on their honeymoon, and that Hoshino Sora should take good care of the two older sisters. It also left him a shop, located at the corner of Sanhe Street, which was originally a family restaurant. The facilities inside were complete, and it could open after a little preparation.
"Mm-hmm, make sure to take good care of us."
Appearing by Hoshino Sora's side at some point, Ya Xiang and Rika looked at the words on the note and nodded meaningfully.
"Asaka-nee, Rika-nee."
Looking at the suddenly appearing Yaxiang Lixiang, Hoshino Sora was startled, then let out a long sigh, as if complaining.
"The location is on Sanhe Street?"
"And it's at the corner, a good spot."
"There's nothing much to prepare, let's go now, Sora~"
"Go, go, go!"
One after another, Yaxiang Lixiang didn't wait for Hoshino Sora's agreement. They grabbed his arm and prepared to leave, their enthusiasm truly irresistible.
"Stop, stop, stop, my shoes, let me put on my shoes--"
----------
Passing through the alley and crossing the road, the three arrived at an old, dilapidated street. This was an old market area, and while the foot traffic certainly couldn't compare to newly developed bustling areas, it wasn't bad either.
Standing at the corner of Sanhe Street, Hoshino Sora's face was filled with excitement as he looked at the somewhat old but clean shop in front of him. Then he saw Ya Xiang taking out a key and going forward to open the door.
No wonder he hadn't seen the key earlier; it turned out Asaka-nee had taken it. If he hadn't brought them, he probably would have made a wasted trip.
Pushing open the shop door, the interior decoration was warm, with some minor flaws due to age, but it didn't affect much. The shop had all the tables and chairs, and could roughly accommodate 50 people simultaneously.
The shop's hygiene was good; no visible trash was seen, suggesting the previous owner had cleaned before leaving. Kitchen tools were complete, seasonings were fully stocked, and knives were neatly hung in mid-air, arranged in a row, their blades reflecting a dazzling silver light.
There were three stoves in the back kitchen, which was reasonable considering the shop's size. But with this setup, and this attention to detail, was the previous owner really transferring the lease due to business losses?!
Could it be that his dad held a knife to the owner's neck, and the owner was forced to give him the shop?
He couldn't help but complain inwardly. Rather than saying the shop was losing money, it was more likely that his cheap dad had arranged it for him through connections. But it was good, he wouldn't have to waste time preparing.
But what dishes should he introduce? His dad said he needed to perfect his dishes now, so the number of dishes shouldn't be too many. He had three months, so he should keep it under fifteen dishes...