A burst of flavor erupted as Tatsumi skillfully cooked, doing many things at once while everyone simply watched. Akame eventually decided to help with the smaller tasks after realizing that handling everything alone was too much for him.
Soon after, the food was ready, and everyone began eating to their satisfaction. Tatsumi, however, was the only one who didn't seem to be enjoying his food.
"So, Leone and Okun are a couple now?" Lubbock suddenly asked while we were eating. I wanted to speak, but after glancing at Leone, I decided it was best to let her handle it.
"Yes, me and Okun are a couple. Do you have a problem with that?" Leone asked, using her chopsticks to stuff a large piece of meat into her mouth.
Sigh. I already knew where this conversation was headed.
"Why settle for someone who already has multiple wives, Leone, when you could go for single guys?" Lubbock asked, exactly as I had expected. I wasn't angry in the slightest, since I fully knew humans loved poking their noses into things that didn't concern them.
Leone dropped her chopsticks and stared at Lubbock. "I'm fully aware of that, and it's entirely my decision. I think you shouldn't ask questions like that and should respect people's boundaries," Leone said irritably. For the first time, I saw her genuinely angry, she wasn't even this upset when Mine spilled the beans.
"It's okay, Leone, haha. Don't get mad over it. I understand Lubbock's confused, considering how fast things moved between us," I said, trying to calm her down. I didn't want the others thinking that rifts were forming now that Tatsumi and I had arrived. I wanted to keep things as normal as possible.
"Lubbock, you could say me and Leone fell for each other through love at first sight. If you remember, we kissed the night we met, so I guess that explains everything," I added calmly with a smile.
"I see… I'm sorry if I offended you, Leone. I didn't mean it that way. And Okun, you're really mature and know how to handle a situation, even though you're younger than me," Lubbock said with a light laugh.
No one else interfered in our banter, as everyone was too hungry and focused on finishing their food. Mine's mouth was stuffed to the brim as she ate like she hadn't eaten in days.
After about thirty minutes, everyone finished eating, and the plates were completely empty. Bulat stood up, stretching and rubbing his stomach, clearly full.
"Leone, you and the others should get ready. We're heading out on a mission. Akame should stay behind with the newbies, we'll be back," Bulat announced.
"Okun, I'll be back very soon, okay?" Leone said, kissing me on the cheek as she stood up, her stomach slightly bulging from eating so much.
Soon after, Leone, Sheele, Lubbock, Bulat, and Mine left. The only ones remaining were me, Tatsumi, and Akame.
"Pervert, what's that on your cheeks?" Akame suddenly asked.
Ah shit. Don't tell me my tattoo was already showing. If so, my secret about having a Teigu would be exposed. I need to return to Sayo as soon as possible.
"Oh, it's nothing. Leone probably drew something on my face," I said, winking at Tatsumi to keep quiet. He was already aware I was hiding something, his mother had even given me the special makeup but he didn't know what the tattoos were or why I hid them.
"I see… You two should follow me," Akame said, suddenly standing up.
We walked about a mile away from the castle and soon arrived at a large lake with a waterfall nearby. Ducks swam peacefully across the water while frogs croaked loudly. We stood atop a tall cliff overlooking the lake, a considerable distance above the surface.
"Whoooooah~" Tatsumi exclaimed as he set down the empty basket he had been carrying.
The next moment, Akame began removing her clothes. Tatsumi instantly turned around and covered his face.
"W-What are you doing?!" Tatsumi shouted, his face red. I, on the other hand, stood there calmly, watching as Akame revealed a white swimsuit, a white bra and matching panties.
She looked surprised that I didn't flinch, but she didn't seem embarrassed in the slightest.
"Y-You're wearing a swimsuit…" Tatsumi muttered after realizing he'd panicked for nothing, scratching his head awkwardly.
"I'll go first," Akame said before jumping headfirst into the lake.
*BAM!*
The water's surface exploded with a loud splash as Akame plunged in and disappeared beneath it. Moments later, three large fish were thrown into the air and landed neatly inside the basket Tatsumi had placed on the ground.
Akame resurfaced and pointed at Tatsumi.
"Your turn!"
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