Chapter 250: The Three of Them Eat Together

The sound of footsteps echoed down the slightly creaking wooden stairs, filling the morning silence that enveloped the house.

From the second floor, Yukina appeared first—her long black hair tied low, swaying gently against her back.

Yukina's steps were light and calm, yet still showed caution like a trained servant.

Behind Yukina, Karina followed gracefully down the stairs.

Karina's flowing red hair shimmered in the morning light streaming through the tall living room window.

Karina's expression remained flat, showing no smile, as if she were unaffected by anything around her.

In the simple yet tidy dining room, Reiji was already sitting alone on a wooden chair with a thin cushion.

Reiji sat up straight, hands clasped on the table, his eyes fixed directly on the two women descending from the upper floor.

The morning air carried the aroma of grilled fish and savory soup still steaming from the table.

The soft sunlight illuminated the dining table, highlighting the steam rising from the teapot placed in the center.

“Hey Karina, you’re up?” Reiji greeted, raising an eyebrow slightly and offering a thin smile.

A smile that contained more politeness than warmth.

However, Karina merely glanced briefly, then let out a small, cold huff, like morning mist that never touched the skin.

Karina sharply turned her face away, then pulled out a chair on the right side of the table without saying a word.

Karina's movements were graceful yet stiff.

She sat with her back straight and her hands neatly placed in her lap.

Yukina followed and took the last chair, directly across from Reiji, facing him.

Now the three of them sat forming a U-shape, with Karina in the middle, like a thin knife separating two silent sides that dared not clash.

“Alright… let’s pray,” Reiji said after a few seconds of silence.

Reiji closed his eyes and slightly bowed his head.

His prayer was silent, just a pause to honor the food and—perhaps—dispel the stiffness hanging in the air.

“Enjoy your meal,” Reiji then said, opening his eyes and immediately reaching for the bowl of rice.

Hot steam rose immediately as the lid of the rice was lifted.

Reiji picked up a piece of battered fried fish—its flesh golden, the outer skin looking crispy, and its savory aroma immediately filled the air.

He then cut the fish slightly with the tip of his chopsticks; the fish's flesh appeared tender inside, and he slowly savored it.

Karina elegantly took her bowl of rice, then reached for a long wooden spoon and scooped a piece of fish from the soup.

The fish soup was yellowish with floating chili oil on the surface.

The fish inside looked white and tender, with pieces of green onion gently floating in the hot broth.

As Karina scooped it, warm steam enveloped her face for a moment, but she remained calm, showing no reaction.

Yukina, with graceful movements, took rice from a white porcelain bowl, then directed her chopsticks towards the spicy grilled fish arranged lengthwise on a wide plate.

Three fish with partially charred skin, coated in bright red chili sauce, looked tempting.

Yukina picked one of the fish and neatly transferred it to her small plate.

The three of them ate in silence.

The only sounds came from the gentle clinking of chopsticks against bowls, and occasionally the sound of a spoon scooping soup.

The strong aroma of spicy grilled fish filled the room, mingling with the scent of warm rice and the faint smell of the sea from the soup.

The only thing that brought life to the room was the food—not conversation.

Though silent, there was something moving beneath the surface: tension.

Karina occasionally stole glances at Reiji, but quickly averted her eyes every time their gazes met.

Yukina, aware of this, remained focused on her food, but the corner of her eye subtly monitored every movement of Karina.

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