Chapter 474: The Abandoned Nino Nakano (3)

"Why are you two siding with him?!" Nino growled, her frustration boiling over.

"Haha, you can't say that. Sui didn't look at you on purpose. You were just being a little careless." 

Ichika laughed, clasping her hands between her pale legs.

"Actually, I'm partly to blame too. I should've told you beforehand. I'm sorry." 

Sui apologized to her as well.

Nino bit her lip, glaring at him with resentment, then abruptly ran out, barefoot.

"Is she going to be okay?" 

Sui asked, turning to Miku.

"It's fine. She'll come back when she gets hungry. Just leave her be," Miku responded calmly, as if Nino were a stray kitten.

Sui was momentarily speechless at her indifferent attitude.

Suddenly, Miku tugged on Sui's sleeve, gazing at him with her usual composed expression. "I'm eighty-ninety percent hungry," she said.

Is she... asking me for food?

Sui wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry, but after everything that happened today, he couldn't help but feel that he and Miku had grown closer. She seemed to have developed a quiet reliance on him.

In the past, he never would have believed that this somewhat peculiar girl would openly tell him she was hungry.

"Now that you mention it, it's about time for dinner. I'm hungry too!" 

Ichika chimed in as she ran over to Sui, clasping her hands behind her back and leaning forward. Her full, snow-white chest pressed against her blue shirt. "Sui, would you mind making dinner for us?" she asked sweetly.

"Of course, that's no problem," Sui nodded, especially since Miku had helped him so much today.

"Oh, I almost forgot! Sui's cooking is delicious!" 

Yotsuba exclaimed as she jogged over and grabbed Sui's arm. "I want rice balls!"

"I want some too," Miku added with a pout, puffing out her cheeks.

"Got it."

Sui chuckled to himself as he headed to the kitchen, retrieving ingredients from the fridge to prepare dinner.

Thanks to Nino, who was skilled in cooking, there were plenty of ingredients stocked.

Without a word, Miku rolled up her sleeves and joined Sui in the kitchen, ready to assist.

"Thanks, Miku."

Sui smiled at her.

"It's fine," Miku replied coolly, but she quickly turned her head, her face flushing bright red as steam seemed to rise from her.

Soon, Ichika and Yotsuba also joined in to help, while Itsuki sat silently on the sofa. When she noticed Sui looking at her, she crossed her legs defiantly and snorted.

"Itsuki, aren't you going to help?" Ichika called out.

"Hmph! I'm not interested in 'his' cooking," Itsuki scoffed.

Sui's lips twitched slightly. It seemed like she still held a grudge against him.

Was it really just because he'd teased her about her weight?

Well, she 'did' look a little chubby…

After a short while, the fragrant rice balls were ready. Sui had prepared a variety of flavors, including garlic pork, plum, and curry beef.

"Wow, these are amazing! I never thought rice balls could taste this good," Ichika said in surprise as she bit into the garlic pork rice ball. The pork belly, marinated in miso, garlic, salt, and honey, had been cooked just right, then chopped up and wrapped in rice, creating a sweet and savory combination that was irresistible.

"Yeah!" 

Yotsuba mumbled with her mouth full, holding a rice ball in each hand. Her cheeks bulged comically as bits of rice clung to the corners of her lips, giving her a silly look.

Miku silently picked up a rice ball and took a bite. Her eyes sparkled, and she gently stroked her cheek. "It's delicious."

On the other side, Itsuki had already reached for her third rice ball, smiling as she ate.

Sui watched her in disbelief. This girl had scoffed at his cooking earlier, but now here she was, sitting at the table, happily eating.

Noticing Sui's gaze, Itsuki blushed and lowered her head guiltily, taking a small, embarrassed bite of her rice ball.

"I'm pretty sure this is your third one. You sure you want to eat that much? You'll get fat," Sui teased.

"F-fat?!" Itsuki's face turned beet red as her cheeks puffed up in a mix of shame and anger. "I'll stop eating then!"

"Do whatever you want," Sui shrugged, feeling a little hungry himself as he finally started to eat.

Itsuki glanced at the others as they ate, occasionally casting sidelong glances at Sui. When their eyes met, she snorted, trying to appear indifferent, but her expression betrayed her.

After about twenty minutes, Nino still hadn't returned. Sui, concerned, asked, "Nino still isn't back?"

"Maybe she's downstairs, but don't worry. She'll definitely come back when she gets hungry," Ichika said thoughtfully, before smiling.

"I'd better go check on her."

Sui stood up, feeling a sense of responsibility for the situation. After all, he had been at fault for accidentally seeing Nino in a compromising situation earlier.

He grabbed a few rice balls and took the elevator down to the entrance of the apartment building.

As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Nino crouched by the door, her arms wrapped around her knees, head down, looking like a dejected kitten. She was wearing Miku's kitten-patterned slippers, her pale feet peeking out.

Startled by Sui's arrival, Nino shot up like a frightened cat and bolted for the door.

But the apartment's glass doors were shut. She stood there for a moment, awkwardly, before turning back.

"Such a hassle!" she huffed, putting on her usual haughty attitude to cover up her embarrassment.

Then, she quietly resumed her spot on the ground.

Sui sighed inwardly. She didn't even bring her key? No wonder she hadn't returned.

"Why are you staring? Aren't you leaving?" Nino snapped, noticing his gaze.

"Let me ask you—if no one comes down, are you just going to stay here all night?"

"W-what are you talking about? I just don't 'want' to go back up," Nino retorted, her face flushing with guilt.