Rito opened his eyes. The corners of his lips rose involuntarily.
'This is the first time I managed to get out without dying...'
Although the last few hours he had been hiding, it could be seen as a small victory.
Hugging the warm and soft creature beside him, as anxious as he was mainly to test the purple orb, it was a fact that he was mentally exhausted.
The scenes in the hunting dimension kept flashing through his mind until he finally entered the realm of dreams.
==
==
"Rito, good morning." Mikan greeted him as soon as he arrived in the room shared with the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mikan." He smiled: "As always, you woke up early."
"Of course." She replied: "I need to wake up early and make breakfast. Besides, I'm already used to it, don't worry."
"Actually, Mikan. I have a secret seasoning I'd like to put in the miso soup, is that okay?" He asked while holding a transparent jar, and inside the jar, there was powder of something red that glowed faintly.
"Paprika?" She tilted her head.
"No, it's not paprika." He denied: "Just trust me."
"... Okay." She made space for him to add it to the miso soup.
First, he washed his hands and dried them. And after opening the jar's lid, he put some of the glowing red powder in his hand and poured a bit into the miso soup.
With a large wooden spoon, he stirred gently.
Seeing that it was mixing well, even dissolving and becoming part of the miso soup, he smiled.
'It looks like it worked!' He smiled.
"It's done, thanks for letting me do this, Mikan." He smiled at her.
"Yeah, yeah, now, get out." She waved her hand indifferently.
He just laughed a little and left.
...
"Delicious, so delicious, Mikan!" Lala exclaimed as soon as she started tasting it.
"Mhm... Miss Mikan, you're truly a great chef." Zastin, who suddenly appeared again, gave her a thumbs-up.
Mikan didn't respond and tasted a bit of the miso soup, and when she did, her eyes sparkled a little.
"It's really delicious..." She murmured. Soon, she said: "Actually... It turned out this good thanks to Rito's secret seasoning."
"Ohh, so he did something to make it tastier? Not bad, kid!" Zastin said in approval.
"As expected of Rito~!" Lala smiled widely.
"It's no big deal." Rito said: "Mikan, if you want, you can use this seasoning. But it's something that can only be used sparingly; if you overdo it, it won't taste good."
"Then, do it like today." She replied.
"Right, that's an option." He smiled.
He himself tasted it and saw that the flavor was very good. Of course, that wasn't all.
Even if subtle, the effect of the red orb was present in the miso soup.
Under the table, he clenched his fist, celebrating the victory.
With this, he could let them experience the effect of the red orb little by little.
Mainly, Mikan. If she strengthened little by little, it wouldn't take long for her to become strong enough to defend herself against any ordinary person.
And when he was confident in obtaining many orbs, he intended to talk about it with her and Lala.
"Mm, so tasty~" Lala hummed as she clasped her hands with a nostalgic look: "Thanks for the food."
==
==
"What? You're like this just because of a simple breakfast of miso soup with rice and fish?"
Lala replied cheerfully with her eyes closed: "Delicious food is always delicious~!"
Sawada Mio changed the subject: "I heard you were born in another country, but which one?"
Tactfully, Lala answered: "A really faraway country."
"By the way, Lala." Kiryuu asked: "Are things going well with your fiancé?"
"Hehe~" Upon hearing this question, Lala brought both hands to her face with a silly smile, she replied: "Yesterday we went on a date. It was so nice~!"
"That's cool... I'm jealous!" Kiryuu poked Lala's waist with her index fingers: "You, you..."
"Hahahaha, that tickles~!" Lala started laughing.
"I wish you both happiness." Momioka Risa said with her hand on her face in a more mature pose. However, out of the corner of her eye, she glanced in Haruna's direction.
She sighed upon noticing her expression.
"Okay, everyone to your seats."
The teacher arrived in the classroom.
After the roll call, the teacher said: "The first semester exams are coming up. Is everyone studying properly?"
With those words, several groans of complaint echoed.
"It's already that time..."
"I'm not confident..."
"Why do exams even exist?"
"Alright! Quiet!" The teacher said: "Complaining won't change anything. Just do your best, and everything will be fine."
"Yes!"
==
==
"Rito."
As soon as the bell signaling the end of classes rang, Lala went to him: "Shall we go home?"
"Yes." He finished packing his things.
"Hey, Rito." Kenichi said: "Want to form a study group?"
"I'm busy. Maybe next time." He replied.
"Seriously? That's a shame..."
Outside the classroom, in the hallway.
"Study?" Lala tilted her head.
"Yes, we can do that in my room after my training, how about it?" He suggested.
"I want to study with Rito!" She hugged his arm.
"Lala, you really love your fiancé."
The one who said that was Kiryuu, who was right behind them.
"Aika." Lala turned around. Then, she clung even more to Rito: "Of course! I love, love, love Rito so, so, so much!"
"Hahaha, I can see that." Aika smiled: "Seeing you like this makes me want to fall in love."
"Really?" Lala smiled.
"Really, really." Aika laughed a little, helplessly.
It was rare for her not to manage to tease someone. In fact, she seemed to be the one feeling teased now.
"Hehee~" Lala let out a warm giggle.
"Having such a beautiful and cute girlfriend, you must be happy, Rito." Aika tried to tease him.
However, Rito gave her a look that said: "Why are you asking the obvious?" But he still replied with a soft smile: "Yes, every day I wake up with a smile on my face."
"Yes, I can confirm that!" Lala raised her free hand in the air.
"Oh-ho... Tell me more, how do you know that?" Aika seemed like a journalist who got a big scoop.
"Because I sleep with Rito every day~!" Lala didn't hide it.
Rito brought his hand to his forehead. He was getting a bad feeling, but he couldn't stop her in time.
"What!"
Now, even those who weren't part of the conversation exclaimed upon hearing this.
"Heh, I don't believe it..." Motohama grumbled.
"Damn it... I'm jealous and... What did you say, Motohama, are you sure? I mean, she herself admitted it." Issei replied.
"Remember, Issei, smart people always doubt things. Only idiots are always certain of what they say!" Motohama adjusted his glasses.
Motohama asked: "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely!" Motohama nodded proudly: "No, wait..."
==
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