"Yes, Alice is coming back tomorrow." "Let's go pick her up at the airport together then." Looking at the young woman's expression, Dylan's
"Yes, Alice is coming back tomorrow."
"Let's go pick her up at the airport together then."
Looking at the young woman's expression, Dylan's heart inexplicably clenched. He then reached out and pinched her frozen face, speaking with a smile.
"Can I go too? Won't I be disturbing you two..."
Shifting her feet, Kikuchi Sonoka looked away, speaking in a slightly jealous tone.
Although she knew Alice came before her, women are just unreasonable creatures, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
"Of course. You are also my girlfriend. It's only natural for you to be with me. How could you possibly be a bother to us?"
Dylan stroked the young woman's soft face and said these words. He wasn't good at expressing his feelings, but he knew he had to do something at this moment.
A declaration—that's what she wanted right now.
"Really?"
Hearing Dylan's sincere words, Kikuchi Sonoka blinked her eyes, pretending not to believe him.
"What good would lying to you do for me? Hurry up and eat. After we're full, we'll go to the beach for the fireworks festival and watch the fireworks! Today is our last day alone together; tomorrow it will be the three of us. But the holiday still has about a month left. Subtracting the few days for New Year's, we can still have fun for a while longer."
Dylan said as he lowered his hand, planning their future while looking out the window at the sea, where the fireworks were still blooming.
"Mm! Just being able to be by your side is enough to make me content."
Although it changed from two people to three, Dylan's attitude towards her remained unchanged. For Kikuchi Sonoka, that was more than enough!
Picking up her rice bowl, she ate in large mouthfuls, and soon the dish in the bowl was gone.
Dylan, seeing this, also quickened his pace, finishing his food in a few swift movements. Savoring the lingering taste in his mouth, he smacked his lips and then stood up.
Looking at Dylan extending his hand to her, Kikuchi Sonoka smiled and took it. With his pull, she stood up.
Then, the two of them left the hotel together.
The fireworks at the seaside were brilliant, and there were countless stalls set up along the road, many of which were food stalls, allowing them to feast to their hearts' content.
The next day, Dylan drove towards the airport.
Kikuchi Sonoka sat in the passenger seat, making small talk with him.
Although during their time together, she had already told Dylan her life story from childhood to adulthood, to the point where he even knew the color of her underwear.
But, Kikuchi Sonoka still wanted to talk to him more. Even though she knew she was mostly spouting nonsense, she was happy to do it.
And Dylan responded tirelessly, ensuring Kikuchi Sonoka's words didn't fall on deaf ears. It was thanks to his responses that the young woman could be so vibrant.
After all, a one-person show is hard to perform, and not everyone can accept the silent treatment.
Only a relationship with reciprocation can last.
"We're here. Let's get out."
"The plane should arrive in about half an hour. Let's go welcome the first genius from Tōtsuki Academy to obtain Special Grade Chef status while still in the middle school division!"
Parking the car in the airport parking lot, Dylan's lips couldn't help but curve upwards. The thought of seeing Alice Nakiri was irrepressible, and his steps even quickened a bit.
Kikuchi Sonoka saw all of this, a hint of envy appearing in her heart.
Although their relationship had deepened considerably during this time, compared to Alice Nakiri, who had been with Dylan since childhood, there was still a considerable distance.
"Don't worry, even when I pick up Alice, I won't neglect you. I'm not the kind of person who disregards genuine feelings."
Despite his excitement and eagerness to see Alice Nakiri, Dylan still noticed Kikuchi Sonoka's unease.
So, he slowed his pace to wait for her to come to his side and spoke in the gentlest tone possible.
Because he himself had once been the one who was neglected, he understood Kikuchi Sonoka's worries very well. That feeling was truly awful.
"Dylan Sensei..."
Hearing Dylan's concerned words, Kikuchi Sonoka was very moved. She softly called his name and opened her arms.
Dylan took Kikuchi Sonoka's hand, leading her towards the airport. Feeling the warmth in her palm, the young woman's heart beat a little faster.
She had thought she would no longer be moved by a simple hand-holding, yet the reality was, at this moment, her heart was accelerating uncontrollably, and her whole body felt tingly, as if she had stepped on a live wire.
Soon, under Dylan's guidance, the two arrived at the waiting hall, found a place to sit, and watched the area where people would come out after disembarking from the plane.
He took out his phone, took a picture of their surroundings, and sent it to Alice Nakiri, telling her their current location.
The message quickly turned to 'read,' and immediately after, a sweet cry came from not far away. Dylan had just looked up when a figure like a small deer crashed into his arms.
"Welcome back."
"But didn't your flight information say it would be another half hour? Did it arrive early?"
"Yeah! A little bit earlier."
Tightly hugging Alice Nakiri, Dylan took two deep breaths of her fragrance. His voice was gentle, tinged with some emotion.
If he had known the plane was early, he would have come half an hour earlier.
"Let's go eat first, a welcome dinner for you."
After embracing for a while and feeling each other's hearts, Dylan released his hold on her, at the same time stepping aside to reveal Kikuchi Sonoka behind him.
"Kikuchi-senpai is here too? You two haven't been on a date this whole time, have you!!"
Seeing Kikuchi Sonoka behind Dylan, Alice Nakiri's expression changed slightly. Then, as if she thought of something, she spoke in a slightly jealous tone.
She was in Guangzhou taking the grueling Special Grade Examination, while Kikuchi Sonoka was being lovey-dovey with Dylan!? How could this be!
"Sonoka and I? We've been traveling together since the final exams ended. It should be about a month now."
Having no intention of hiding it, Dylan recounted his experiences during this period.
"You can join us from now on. The holiday still has a little less than a month left, enough for you to relax properly."
Sensing Alice Nakiri's extremely jealous gaze, Dylan took her hand with his other hand and then stated his plan.
Anyway, there was still a month before school started. They could just have fun in the surrounding area during this time.
"But New Year's is coming up soon. Mom should be flying over in a few days. I'll have to go with her to the Nakiri family headquarters for the New Year."
Walking beside Dylan, Alice Nakiri's expression was a bit gloomy when she mentioned going back to the Nakiri household for New Year's.
She also wanted to stay by Dylan's side, to travel with him and see the sights.
But, she really didn't have the chance!
The Nakiri family had a rule: during the New Year, no matter how busy, one had to take the time to go home, partly to pay respects to the ancestors.
"Then we'll play after the New Year. Your becoming a Special Grade Chef this time is a major event for the Nakiri family. Your status should rise quite a bit."
Hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Dylan immediately changed his decision. There should be plenty of time after the New Year to take her around.
"That's the only way. But there are still a few days until New Year's. I don't want to go anywhere these few days; I just want to stay by your side!"
As she spoke, Alice Nakiri tugged at Dylan's sleeve and said in a slightly coquettish manner.
Without much hesitation, Dylan nodded indulgently.
"Yay!"
Although she knew Dylan wouldn't refuse, the moment he agreed, Alice Nakiri still jumped with excitement, attracting quite a few stares.
But she didn't care.
Suddenly, Alice Nakiri seemed to think of something. Her face turned red as she lowered her head, but she still couldn't help but look up at Dylan.
"There's one more thing. What you promised me that day, about making a child into an adult..."
When she said this, Alice Nakiri's face was thoroughly red, but Dylan hadn't mentioned it since just now, and she was very worried he had forgotten.
"That matter, huh. Don't worry, since I promised you, I definitely won't go back on my word."
"Making a child into an adult?"
Hearing Dylan and Alice Nakiri's words, Kikuchi Sonoka, who had been listening quietly to their conversation, asked with confusion, her eyes full of innocence.
"It's the kind of thing you've been wanting to do with me. Our one-month agreement on the train, you haven't forgotten, have you?"
Thinking of what he had said on the train that day, Dylan tightened his grip on Kikuchi Sonoka's hand and affectionately pressed his face against her ear.
And as his words fell, Kikuchi Sonoka's ears turned visibly red. Where their lips and ears touched, she could clearly feel her trembling.
"What are you two whispering about!? I want to listen too."
Seeing the two being so intimate, Alice Nakiri couldn't help but feel a little jealous.
"Little children aren't allowed to listen to so much."
"What 'little children aren't allowed to listen to so much'? Then why can she? Could it be that you two have already..."
Hearing Dylan's words, Alice Nakiri seemed to have just reacted. Her breathing became a bit rapid, and her voice took on a hurt tone.
"Don't worry, we haven't. Didn't we make a promise? The first time is all yours."
Caught between the two girls, Dylan couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. Especially hearing her hurt voice, his heart also clenched a little.
So he leaned over and whispered in Alice's ear.
"Yeah! I've been looking forward to it for many years. I can't let anyone else snatch it away!"
Alice Nakiri said as she turned around, looked at the young man's lips, and without hesitation, kissed him, at the same time speaking these words from the bottom of her heart.
"Me too. I've been looking forward to it for many years."
Hearing her words, Dylan was also somewhat touched.
"What are you two talking about? Whispering behind my back, let me join in too!"
Seeing Dylan and Alice Nakiri being so lovey-dovey, whispering to each other, Kikuchi Sonoka walked over to them, pouting.
When it came to matters of love, she wouldn't yield to anyone!
"This is a secret between me and Alice. Just like my secrets with you can't be discovered, my secrets with him... Let's go eat first, I'm starving."
Dylan said as he released both their hands and strode towards the airport exit. The two, seeing this, also quickened their pace to keep up.
After this, Dylan took Kikuchi Sonoka and Alice Nakiri to the arcade inside the shopping mall and played for an afternoon, full of laughter and joy.
However, during this process, Kikuchi Sonoka and Alice Nakiri were secretly competing.
Not just in fighting games and racing games, but even in claw machines, they had to determine a winner, competing to see who could grab more dolls.
And the relationship between the two also slowly and steadily improved during the constant competition. In the end, they even started talking about some things from Dylan's childhood.
Some of which even Dylan himself couldn't remember clearly, but Alice Nakiri could recount them like precious treasures, making one marvel at her memory.
Or perhaps, this was the power of love?
At least, regarding things from Alice Nakiri's childhood, Dylan remembered them crystal clear.
Night fell. Under Alice Nakiri's guidance.
The three checked into a Nakiri family hotel. Looking at the magnificent golden building before them, Dylan and Kikuchi Sonoka fell into a brief silence.
The Nakiri family was truly wealthy and extravagant.
According to Alice Nakiri's introduction just now, at least half of the five-star hotels in Japan belonged to the Nakiri family.
Soon, the three completed their registration and came to the suite on the top floor.
A so-called suite was a single room that met multiple living needs, with multiple facilities in one suite, forming a room-within-a-room structure.
In simpler terms, it was like renting one room, but inside there were many separate rooms, looking like a standalone house.
"This room is quite nice. Because it's on the top floor, the balcony even comes with a swimming pool. Looking down from the pool, you can see the entire city."
Quickly surveying the room, Dylan came to the pool on the balcony. It was currently filled with water. He reached in his hand; it was cool and very comfortable.
"This is where the Nakiri family entertains distinguished guests. Dylan-nii, whether to me or to the Nakiri family, you are undoubtedly a distinguished guest!"
Leaping onto the soft, fluffy bed, Alice Nakiri's face was full of enjoyment. The top-floor room even had a separate kitchen.
"I see."
Leaving the balcony and drawing the curtains, Dylan lazily stretched, releasing the fatigue of the whole day. He then began to unbutton his clothes, revealing his delicate collarbones and strong muscles.
Gulp.
Looking at Dylan's Adam's apple, and his broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted, streamlined figure, Alice Nakiri swallowed, her hand subconsciously moving upwards.
"Sonoka, you go to the room next door. Tomorrow night is your time. Tonight, leave it for me and Alice."
Reaching out to stop Alice Nakiri, Dylan looked at Kikuchi Sonoka, who was standing to the side with a slight blush, somewhat at a loss, and told her to go to the next room.
He wanted to be gentle for the girls' first experience.
Hearing Dylan's words, Kikuchi Sonoka was as if granted a pardon. After uttering a single word, her heart pounding, she went to the next room and closed the door.
"Have a little drink with me. You open the wine, I'll go grill some steak. The night is long, so there's no need to be in such a hurry."
Noticing Alice Nakiri's nervousness, Dylan chose not to proceed. Instead, he took out a few bottles of cocktails from his backpack, as well as a small bag of beef.
"Okay."
Alice Nakiri responded with a flushed face, then took the cocktail Dylan handed her, while Dylan carried the beef into the kitchen.
He had bought this on his way back.
He wanted to create some romance for Alice Nakiri, and a candlelit dinner was the best romance this straight-laced man could think of.
Carrying the beef to the kitchen and washing the steel pan, he had bought beef ribs, the kind with bones, so he planned to make an Italian steak.
The full name was Italian Black Vinegar Beef Ribs.
Wanting to give Alice Nakiri the most perfect experience, Dylan drew the Eternity Blade hanging from his waist and began to process it with extreme speed.
He added salad oil to a flat-bottomed pan and heated it before pouring it into a bowl on the side.
Then he placed the processed large steak in, slowly pan-frying it to produce a Maillard reaction, which was the most important part of searing a steak.
Savoring the aroma in the air, Dylan flipped it at just the right moment. The side that had been seared was now golden brown, looking incredibly enticing!
The purpose of searing was simple: to set the shape and then lock in the moisture. All six sides had to be seared, which in Western cuisine was also called sealing the edges.
No need to wash the pan, continue to use the aroma from searing the meat. Add onions, celery, and carrots, and rosemary, to bring out all their flavors.
Basil, thyme, Italian herbs, and bay leaves—under the heat, their flavors could be more fully released.
Add butter and stir-fry until melted, then add Italian vinegar, red wine, freshly made chicken-paste-version chicken stock, cinnamon powder, and a little sugar to enhance the freshness, as well as the demi-glace.
After adjusting, add the seared beef, add salt and toss to season appropriately, then put it in a pressure cooker and cook on high heat for about an hour.
At the same time, the sound of the TV came from outside.
Looking over, he saw Alice Nakiri sitting on the bed, her shoes already taken off, her black-stockinged feet swinging back and forth, holding the remote control in her hand.
"Are you done already?"
Seeing Dylan come out of the kitchen, Alice Nakiri said, feigning nonchalance.
"No, good things are worth waiting for. It will probably take another hour or so, so I came out to watch TV with you first."
Walking over to sit beside Alice Nakiri and looking at the young woman's swinging feet, Dylan couldn't help but reach out and grab them, placing them on his lap.
He gently played with them in his hands; this was a habit he had developed over many years.
No particular reason, he just liked it. He especially liked observing Alice Nakiri's reactions. The young woman's shyness gave him a strong driving force!
"As expected, even after so many years, Dylan-nii's hobby still hasn't changed."
Seeing that her "Dylan trap" had worked, a triumphant smile appeared on Alice Nakiri's face.
"You know me best. I'll let you know how formidable I am later!"
Looking at the young woman's expression, Dylan put on a look of dissatisfaction, pulled off the black stockings on her feet, and then reached out to pinch the sole of her foot.
"Mmph..."
Feeling the pain from the sole of her foot, her toes slightly curled. Alice Nakiri couldn't help but let out an indistinct sound.
"You've been so tired for so long, your body has become stiff. Let's just start from the feet and give you a good massage to relax."
As he spoke, Dylan increased the force.
Alice Nakiri cried out in surprise, her hands tightly gripping the bedsheets, but she still managed to turn up the volume of the TV a few notches.
Such an embarrassing sound couldn't be heard by anyone else!
__
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