"..."
Hime's behavior has changed a little.
Up until now he had been awkward, his face red and blank-faced, but now he had no expression on his face.
He seemed to be thinking about something, and remained silent as he stared at me.
I'm curious as to what she's thinking. However, it seems she hasn't reached a decision yet, so I'll leave her be for now.
Thinking that, I didn't speak to her first. I felt that now wasn't the right time to speak to her.
Well, part of the reason is that I still haven't gotten around to swallowing the pork cutlet. Each piece was bigger than I expected.
The tonkatsu lined up in the bento box is packed with more meat than it looks, making it very satisfying to eat.
Hijiri, is this amount okay for lunch? You really are a big eater.
"Yo-hee, do you want more? It's never enough, right?"
No. I don't think so.
It was delicious, but I think one slice was enough to satisfy me - that's probably not the answer you're looking for.
"Isn't it enough? He's a boy, so he's growing and eating a lot."
Even without me saying anything, Hijiri-san was trying to make it seem like that. Thanks to him, I realized he was trying to make it seem like I wasn't full.
"Uh, yeah. I might want to eat more."
I quickly swallowed the tonkatsu that was left in my mouth and followed what Kiyoshi had said.
"That's right! But I'm sorry. I'm still starving, so I don't want to give you any more. I wonder what I should do... That's right!"
Then, as if to say this was the perfect opportunity, she looked at Hime and said the following to her.
"Hime-chan, if you don't have an appetite, why don't you let Yohei eat?"
--Is that so?
I thought it was a bit insincere, but apparently this was the intention.
Hime and I had become awkward and were unable to communicate well, so I realized that their aim was to forcefully create an opportunity for communication.
It was a power play. It may seem like an excuse relying on force, but in reality, I was quite grateful for the expedient.
Thanks to this, I had a starting point to talk to Hime.
"It was certainly delicious, but if Hime is going to eat it, there's no need to worry."
Of course, I have no intention of taking it by force.
Also, I was quite satisfied with just one slice. I didn't feel like I hadn't eaten enough, but I was happy to be able to have a natural conversation like this.
"...I still don't have an appetite."
Perhaps it was thanks to Hijiri's consideration.
Hime's awkwardness also seemed to have eased considerably. Although her expression was still expressionless and it was impossible to read her subtle emotions, she seemed better than before.
"If I leave any food on my plate, the maid who prepares it will look sad, so... Yohei, could you help me eat?"
"Is that okay? Then I guess I'll have it."
"here you are"
Saying this, Hime also offers a piece of pork cutlet, just like Kiyoshi.
It seems like he's really feeding me.
...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't embarrassed.
However, Hime seems much more relaxed and less nervous than Kiyoshi.
So I didn't have much resistance to being allowed to eat it.
"I'll enjoy having this"
I take a bite.
It's smaller than Hijiri's tonkatsu, and I find it much easier to eat.
"...Ehehe."
And there was a change in Hime too.
The fact that I ate it made her laugh softly.
I don't know what made him laugh. Maybe it was because I was eating strangely.
But at least Hime smiled.
I was so happy about that, I didn't care about the reason.