The next day, just as dawn was beginning to break, the doorbell rang at the Nohara house.
Misae was in the kitchen boiling water, still in her pajamas, her hair a mess. When she heard the bell, she froze for a second.
Who would come this early?
"Coming." She wiped her hands, walked to the door, and opened it.
A little girl stood outside.
"Good morning." Ai gave a slight bow. "I came to see Young Master Shin-chan."
"Oh, it's you." Misae quickly stepped aside. "Please come in."
Kuroiso stepped forward, scanning the inside of the house. After confirming there was nothing unusual, he gave a slight nod.
Misae stood in the living room, looking a little embarrassed. The house hadn't been tidied yet. Last night's snack bags were still on the tea table, and Hiroshi's clothes had been tossed on the sofa.
"Um—please sit down first. I'll go call Hiroshi." She called toward the bedroom, "Hiroshi, we have guests."
Hiroshi came out in wrinkled pajamas, eyes half-closed. "Who is it this early in the—"
He stopped halfway when he saw Ai standing in the living room.
All his sleepiness vanished at once. "This is—"
"This is Her Highness," Misae whispered. "The one who sent us the VIP tickets last time."
Hiroshi instinctively looked down at his pajamas, then at Ai, and said stiffly, "H-Hello."
"Good morning."
Hiroshi stood there, not knowing what to say, so he turned to look at Misae.
Misae wasn't doing much better. She felt uncomfortable from head to toe.
"Um—I'll go wake Shin-chan." Misae turned and headed toward Shin-chan's room.
Hiroshi hesitated, then quietly cleaned up the snack bags and straightened the clothes a little.
In the bedroom, Misae stood beside the bed, looking at the lump under the blanket.
"Shin-chan, you have a guest."
The lump didn't move.
"Shin-chan!"
"Mmm—"
"She came all this way to see you. Get up."
Shin-chan rolled over. "Let her wait a little—"
Misae took a deep breath, hauled him up, and pushed him along.
Shin-chan staggered into the living room. When he saw Ai sitting on the sofa, he plopped down beside her.
"Morning."
"Good morning." Ai looked at him. "Are you still not awake?"
"A little awake." Shin-chan yawned. "You're really early."
"I wanted to see you earlier," Ai said with a smile.
Hiroshi and Misae stood to the side and looked at each other.
Just then, the doorbell rang again.
Hiroshi went to open it. Outside stood several people in white chef uniforms, carrying large boxes.
"Good morning. We are chefs from the Suotome household. We have been ordered to prepare breakfast for everyone." The chef bowed politely.
Hiroshi froze. "B-Breakfast?"
"Yes." They had already started walking straight toward the kitchen.
Hiroshi hurried after them. "Wait a second, the kitchen is kind of small, and we don't have everything—"
The chefs opened their boxes. Inside, all kinds of cooking tools and ingredients were neatly arranged.
"Please do not worry. We will handle everything."
Hiroshi stood at the kitchen doorway, watching them skillfully wash vegetables, cut ingredients, and start cooking. The whole thing felt unreal.
Misae came over too and whispered, "Isn't this a little too much?"
"Should we change clothes?" Hiroshi looked down at his pajamas.
"It's too late." Misae bit her lip. "They even brought chefs, and we haven't even washed our faces."
"Then what do we do?"
"What can we do? We just leave it like this."
Hiroshi sighed and tried to flatten his hair. It wouldn't stay down, so he gave up.
A delicious smell drifted out of the kitchen.
Hiroshi's eyes suddenly widened.
A mansion?
Given for free?
Then what was this house with thirty-two years of mortgage left supposed to be?
Hiroshi opened his mouth, and two voices started fighting in his head.
One said: Accept it. Hurry up and accept it.
The other said: Calm down. You're an adult.
Shin-chan, however, didn't react much. "No thanks. Toru and Kakashi are here, and the school is here too."
He paused. "Even though I don't like going to school."
Ai looked at him, and a hint of disappointment flashed through her eyes. "I understand. This afternoon, I'll be returning to the capital."
"Oh." Shin-chan nodded. "Be careful on the road."
"I will." Ai stood up. "Breakfast is almost ready. Let's all eat together."
The dining table was filled with plates, each dish so delicate it looked like a work of art—golden omelets, beef cut into small pieces—
"This is…" Misae swallowed. "Isn't this too much?"
Shin-chan had already lowered his head and started eating, his mouth stuffed full.
Hiroshi took a sip of miso soup, relaxed completely, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long breath.
"This is so good."
Ai sat beside Shin-chan, glancing up at him after every bite.
Shin-chan didn't notice at all. He was fully focused on the rice in his bowl.
By the time breakfast was over, the sun had fully risen.
Ai stood up.
"I should go."
Misae and Hiroshi also stood and walked her to the door.
Ai turned to look at Shin-chan.
"Shin-chan, I'll remember you."
"Mm." Shin-chan nodded. "I'll remember you too. And your chefs."
Ai smiled.
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
Ai boarded the carriage. It slowly began to move, the wheels rumbling softly over the road.
Shin-chan stood at the door and waved.
The curtain lifted slightly, and Ai poked her head out, waving back.
The carriage gradually moved farther away, turned the corner, and disappeared from sight.
Misae stood in the doorway and let out a long breath.
"This morning was exhausting."
Hiroshi leaned against the doorframe, looking in the direction the carriage had vanished, his expression complicated.
"A whole mansion," he muttered quietly.
"What did you say?" Misae looked at him.
"Nothing." Hiroshi shook his head and turned back into the house. "I'm going to change clothes."
~~~
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