Tonight's dinner is Mei's homemade steak, side dishes, and rice.
The menu may be simple, but in the end, this is the best thing.
We had a very fulfilling mealtime.
"There are refills available. If you need more, please don't hesitate to ask."
The steak served for dinner wasn't that big.
As a growing high school boy, I felt the portion was a little on the small side, so I was grateful that they offered refills.
"Then, may I have some?"
"Yes, of course. Eat lots."
"Me too. Mei-chan, can I have another?"
"Saint Young Lady, if you eat too much you will get fat. Be careful."
"Hey, Mei-chan is really strict only with me. I'm sure you think so too, Yohei."
...Well, it certainly does seem that way.
That being said, Hime is also quite strict with Hijiri. He's probably the type of person who would get into trouble if he were to be spoiled. As a family member, she may have many thoughts about it, which is why she is acting this way.
"You and your sister are so proud of you for eating so much."
Hime munched on the first steak while watching me and Kiyoshi-san ask for seconds. It was a small piece, but she was still a slow eater. She must have had a small appetite to begin with. It was rare for her to finish her lunch.
"Isn't that right? Big sister, it's amazing how much you can eat."
"Yes. I want to eat a lot and grow up to be as big as my sister."
"Don't tell me your belly is big!"
"No, Hime didn't say stomach."
Also, Hijiri isn't fat. She's just plump and curvy, so I think that's fine.
...Of course, if I said that, it would sound like sexual harassment, so I kept quiet. I had to be careful not to say anything unnecessary.
"If not your stomach, then where? You're below average height, aren't you? Hmm... ah, maybe--"
Ah, I shouldn't have said anything.
As if she had noticed something, Kiyoshi quickly covered her chest with both hands.
"Yohei's naughty"
"I didn't say anything..."
All I could do was smile wryly at the unreasonable words.
Well, I guess Kiyoshi was only half joking. When the second steak arrived, his expression changed completely and he resumed eating with a big smile. Or maybe he just had a big appetite.
And so we spent some time eating dinner.
By the time I finished my second steak, Hime had finally finished the first one.
"Yohei-kun, look. It's all been eaten."
She must have worked hard to eat it all. She looked so happy to have finished it all. She showed me the beautiful plate she had finished, so I gave her a gentle pat on the head.
"Amazing. You're doing a great job, Hime, by eating more than usual."
"Hehe. I ate a lot."
Normally, I can't pet girls, but when it's Hime, it comes naturally, which is strange. I trust that she won't mind and will be happy...or maybe?
He is loved and missed.
Maybe that's why I want to spoil her like this. When I'm with Hime, I feel so at peace.
"With Yohei with me, the food tasted many times better than usual."
"Really? I'm glad to hear that, thank you."
"Lady Hime... you ate a lot today. I was worried because you don't usually eat much, but it's reassuring to have Youhei here."
Mei was also happy to see Hime finish her meal.