n

n

nZoemi was in such a good mood!

nWhy wouldn't he?

nHis master didn't have any reason to start bullying the heroine and she would even go on a date with the prince the next day!

n

"Hmm hm hmmm~!

"

nThe black-haired attendant with an ugly burn-scar deforming his right cheek was humming and bobbing his head to the rhythm.

nHe decided to add some special dessert to the breakfast, to sweeten the wait for the much-anticipated date.

nAfter Miriette had a talk with Horeo the day before, she was all nervous and pouty from embarrassment – in his opinion - his master was so adorable!

nWith that in mind, Zoemi woke up extra early and gave his all to preparing a custard pudding and spend at least half an hour shaping it into an adorable shape of a cat's head and drawing all the other details with fresh caramel on it.

n

"I definitely need to create some molds, carving a pudding is surprisingly not easy...

"

nZoemi wiped the sweat off his forehead and nodded with satisfaction.

n

"Though, if worse comes to worst, I can always pursue a career as a sculptor!

"

nHe smirked admiring his work.

n

"Ah! Big brother Zoemi! You're here already?

"

nA brown-haired puppy...Err... that is... Patishi, ran towards Zoemi with a huge smile on their face and clapped their hands in delight, all excited for the black-haired boy's presence.

n

"Are you here so early because you came up with some new recipe!? Can I help you!?

"

nIf this youth had a tail, said tail would be wagging so fast that it would cause a windstorm - there was so much anticipation in Patishi's eyes that it almost melted Zoemi's heart.

n

"Well, more or less. Take a look - I was working on this~!

"

nZoemi puffed out his chest and proudly presented the dessert to the youth.

n

"A kitty! Big brother Zoemi, how did you make this?! It's so adorable!

"

nPatishi's eyes widened and they gasped, blushing from the excitement.

n

"Right!?

"

nZoemi nodded with a satisfied expression.

n|If even she likes it, then Miriete should be happy too!|

nThe scarred boy smiled seeing Patishi's reaction, he already knows that the youth has the eyes for adorable things back when they made the apple bunny-buns!

n

"Aww! So cute..! Hello, little one~

"

nPatishi crouched by the kitchen counter and moved their hand like a cat paw waving it at the dessert.

n

"...ah...!

"

nBut suddenly Patishi flinched and looked up at Zoemi with a pitiful look in their eyes.

n

"Big brother... since you already finished it, does that mean that you are already done with cooking...?

"

nThey asked sadly and their shoulders slumped dejectedly, as it was clear they were excited to cook together with the black-haired boy.

n

"What...? No, no, I still have to prepare the proper meal!

"

nZoemi laughed and affectionately tousled Patishi's head.

n

"Let's cook something good together, alright?

"

nHe asked, showing only the left side of his head and winking.

n

"Ah! Yes, big brother!

"

nThe brown-haired youth cheered out and stood up with back to full energy mode - and the two started to move around the kitchen busily.

n

"Greetings, you two.

"

nNot too long after, Teo came to the kitchen and politely greeted her friends.

n

"You are early today - not that I'm the one to talk.

"

nLaughed Zoemi waving at the short brown-haired girl.

n

"Veo was tossing all over the mattress in her sleep a lot and she kicked me out of the bed - by accident, of course – hopefully... I deemed it too dangerous to return to bed so I changed and came here.

"

nThe girl shrugged her shoulders and explained in a dismissive voice.

n

"Oh? You two are sleeping in the same bed?

"

nZoemi tilted his head in surprise.

n

"Horeo wasn't joking that you two are treated as one single attendant, didn't he... But seriously, one bed?

"

nHe frowned in confusion, shaking his head in disbelief.

n

"Oh, no, no. Nothing like that. Our toom has two beds but sleeping together is a habit from where we were young. You see, being alone in the darkness is dangerous and we learned the hard way to prioritize our safety no matter where we are.

"

nThe girl shrugged her shoulders dismissively while grabbing some ingredients.

n

"O-oh. I see. Makes sense.

"

n

"Indeed.

"

nZoemi exchanged confused looks with Patishi, while nodding almost out of habit – but Teo seemed satisfied with his words as she nodded back and went on her own preparations.

nStill, Teo's statement most likely had something to do with the fear of the darkness that she had mentioned to the black-haired boy while they spent the night together...

nThe short brown-haired girl in a butler's uniform didn't look particularly interested in continuing the subject and simply took the spot next to Zoemi and started preparing food for her master with the ingredients she chose before.

n

"!!!!

"

nBut then she flinched and her hands stopped halfway as if something she suddenly remembered something.

n

"...?

"

nIntrigued Zoemi glanced at her and then turned in the direction she was facing - the short brown-haired girl was staring at the dessert that the black-haired boy has put so much hard work into.

n

"...whoa...

"

nTeo muttered in awe, licking her lips, and gulped down her saliva.

nThe brown-haired girl's eyes show a great desire.

n

"Looks amazing, right? It tastes great too!

"

nZoemi boasted puffing up his chest with pride.

n

"I-indeed... I imagine it does...

"

nTeo flinched again and responded in a shaken voice, before lowering her head in disappointment.

n

"Th-that means, you don't need a taste-tester for today...?

"

nJust as Patishi did before, Teo's shoulders slumped down in dejection.

nNo, it was even more severe in her case. She looked up straight heartbroken!

nThose two were so easy to read, that they put the scarred boy at ease.

n|Oh my, I did not expect her to be so sad...|

nZoemi could bear it anymore, he checked the time on his pocket watch.

n|There's enough time...|

nHe thought to himself and put away what he was preparing.

n

"Patishi, Teo, come here for a moment.

"

nHe thought to himself and put away what he was preparing.

n

"Patishi, Teo, come here for a moment.

"

n

"...?

"

n

"Yes, big brother!

"

nHe called out and the two obediently approached him.

n

"I was going to leave it for later but...

"

nZoemi said mysteriously, and opened the wooden chest that had a magic crystal that was lowering the temperature on the inside, and took out three small plates.

n