Chapter 475: Overflowing Girlish Heart (1)

"Don't you have the key?" 

Sui calmly pointed out Nino's fib.

Her face flushed even redder as she stammered, "I... I don't have the key, so what? I just said I didn't want to go up there!"

"Right. I should get going too," Sui replied, feeling slightly exasperated. "Here, this is for you. I brought it down on my way." 

He handed her a rice ball.

"Huh? A rice ball?" 

Nino looked startled, unsure of how to react.

"Yes, I made it for you," Sui said with a soft smile.

"Hmph! I don't want anything you cook!" Nino tilted her head defiantly, her tone proud. "I'm not hungry at all!"

But almost as if on cue, her stomach let out a loud rumble.

Nino's face instantly turned crimson, and she awkwardly placed her hand over her belly.

Sui, trying to suppress his amusement, said, "Well, since you don't want it, I'll just take it back."

"Wait!" Nino stood up, her anger flaring. She snatched the rice ball wrapped in parchment from Sui's hand, unwrapped it, and took a big bite, her mood still indignant.

As she bit into the warm rice ball, the crisp seaweed inside crunched pleasantly. The cheese added a rich, creamy flavor, blending with the sweetness of the rice. It was delightful, melting on her tongue.

"It's... delicious," Nino admitted softly, her cheeks flushing as she savored the taste.

"How is it? Tastes pretty good, doesn't it?" Sui asked with a grin, watching her enjoy the meal.

Nino blinked, snapping out of her brief enjoyment. Her face immediately shifted back to an arrogant expression. "It's... it's okay. Your cooking is decent," she muttered, trying to sound unimpressed.

Sui let out a light chuckle.

Nino frowned, putting her hands on her hips in irritation. "What's so funny?" she asked, clearly annoyed.

"I just didn't expect you to be so honest," Sui replied, finding her mix of pride and honesty rather charming. Although both Nino and Itsuki had a bit of a temper, Nino was more straightforward.

"Hmph!" Nino huffed and squatted back down, continuing to eat her rice ball.

While she ate, Sui walked over to the nearby vending machine and bought two cans of hot drinks. 

After a few minutes, Nino had devoured all three rice balls. Her once empty stomach now felt warm and full, and she sighed contentedly, rubbing her belly.

Seeing Sui offer her a can of the hot drink, Nino hesitated for a moment before accepting it quietly. "Thanks," she murmured.

After taking a sip, she felt even more at ease.

"Your rice balls are pretty good. Way better than the ones you can buy elsewhere," Nino said, her tone suddenly more ladylike. She glanced away and added, "Where did you learn how to cook like that?"

"Well, I picked it up in school," Sui replied after thinking it over.

"You went to culinary school?" Nino asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yep," Sui nodded. "If you want, I can teach you how to make rice balls. You're quite good at cooking yourself. You could even open a restaurant one day."

"Hmph! Like I'd ever want to learn from you!" Nino blushed, turning her head in defiance.

Just then, Miku appeared at the entrance.

"Nino, you can come up now. Did you eat the rice balls? After Sui left, Itsuki ate all the rest," Miku said, noticing Sui still standing there. She blinked, surprised. "Sui, you're still here? Would you like to come up and hang out for a while?"

"I'll pass," Sui smiled, watching Nino stand and take Miku's hand.

"Come on, let's go!" Nino tugged at Miku, pulling her inside before she could finish her sentence.

As the two sisters walked away, Nino suddenly turned around and stuck her tongue out at Sui, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Sui chuckled, pulling out his phone to check the time. It was nearly time for his shop to open, so he hurried off.

——

The next afternoon, Sui heard that Yoshino had built a new hutch for the cheese rabbits, and decided to check it out. Erina, upon hearing this, also expressed interest in tagging along.

Over the past few days, the cabbages and pumpkins in Sui's field had begun sprouting. The soil had become unusually fertile, thanks to the mineral earthworms, which sped up the germination process. The crops were growing well, and soon Sui would complete his first task.

Isshiki also kept his promise, showing up each morning with a hoe to help out in the fields.

The only person who seemed less than thrilled with the daily routine was Erina.

Every morning, she'd have to endure the sight of Isshiki, wearing nothing but a loincloth, smiling and waving at her. It was enough to ruin her mood.

"I wonder when the baby rabbits will be born," Erina mused, holding Sui's hand and leaning against him, her tone filled with anticipation.

By now, she was no longer shy about their relationship. At Totsuki, when no one was around, she would often hold his hand and snuggle up to him naturally.

Sui glanced at her. "Why are you so excited? Do you want to raise a baby rabbit?"

"Mhm," Erina nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly as she looked away.

"I swear, your girlish side is showing more and more," Sui said with a hint of disbelief. He couldn't help but notice how much she had changed lately—humming while doing her makeup in the morning, wearing cuter pantyhose, and generally exuding more femininity.

Who would have thought the once proud tsundere would soften like this?

Erina's forehead twitched with irritation. Gritting her teeth, she stomped on Sui's foot in mock anger.

As they walked, they soon arrived at a field with a wooden sign that read "SuiGarden." The area was divided into smaller plots, each with the name of a Polaris Dormitory member on it.

Sui was speechless. He had thought the naming was just a joke, but apparently, they had taken it seriously.

Erina couldn't help but laugh softly. "I actually think it's kind of cute. Who knows, you might become a legend in Polaris Dormitory someday."

Sui rolled his eyes.

The rabbit hutch Yoshino had built was not far away. It had been converted from an old wooden shed.

As they approached, they could hear Sōma's voice from inside. 

"Haha, Megumi, don't kiss me like that. You're such a headache!"

Erina's eyes widened in shock, her expression filled with disbelief. 

"When did those two get together?" she wondered aloud.