A faint aroma of tea filled the room.
Nakiri Mana skillfully prepared tea for Koyuki and Nakiri Leonora, pouring it in sequence. She sat upright and composed, displaying the grace of a noble lady.
"Sister Koyuki, have you and Brother Hakuji really decided? Little Okabe is only three months old. Leaving at this time won't be good for his development, will it..."
She looked at Okabe, who was initially resistant to playing with Alice Nakiri but was eventually worn down by her persistence, now reduced to throwing a toy ball far away to entertain her as if playing with a puppy.
Nakiri Leonora turned her head and asked Koyuki.
"The organization gave us more than half a year of parental leave. Now that little Okabe has been born, the leave is coming to an end. We feel bad about overstaying our welcome.
As for taking little Okabe with us, we've considered it, but the place we're going is not a good one. It would be very dangerous to bring him along.
And it's not necessarily safe for us to stay here either. Over the years, too many people have wanted us dead.
Lying low for a short time might be fine, but if we don't show up at the organization for an extended period, people with ulterior motives will surely notice and follow the clues to find us.
After much thought, leaving little Okabe here while we leave is the most suitable choice right now. Can I ask you to help take care of him?"
As she said the last sentence, Koyuki suddenly placed her hands on either side of her knees and bowed deeply to the two women, expressing the sincerity of her plea.
"Please, raise your head."
Seeing Koyuki's gesture, Nakiri Mana and Nakiri Leonora were both taken aback. Then, one from the left and one from the right, they reached out to hold her shoulders and helped her up.
"You and your husband are benefactors of the Nakiri family. If you hadn't intervened back then, the Nakiri family might no longer exist.
So please, don't use the word 'ask.' We will treat little Okabe as our own and take good care of him!"
Nakiri Mana said with a solemn expression.
A lot happened three years ago. If Hakuji and Koyuki hadn't rushed over to help, the Nakiri family would have likely become a running dog for the Dark Cuisine Society.
At that point, the Nakiri family would have ceased to be the Nakiri family. So, to say that Hakuji and Koyuki saved the Nakiri family is no exaggeration.
"That matter was official business. This is a personal matter. Regardless, thank you."
"You're being too formal. But at little Okabe's age, he probably won't be able to accept you leaving so suddenly. We need to think of a compromise."
Nakiri Leonora's brow furrowed slightly. She could understand Koyuki and Hakuji's decision to leave, but it would undoubtedly affect the child's development.
"We've thought about that too. Hakuji is preparing a parting gift for little Okabe right now, something to accompany him through his childhood in our place."
Of course, if Nakiri Leonora could think of it, Koyuki couldn't possibly have overlooked it. They had planned everything long ago and have already executed most of it.
"Now that you mention it, I don't think I've seen him for half a month. What kind of gift requires so much time to prepare?"
Thinking about not having seen Hakuji for so long, Nakiri Leonora's voice held a note of curiosity. What gift could possibly replace a parent? Does such a thing even exist in this world...
"I haven't seen Father for a long time either."
Nakiri Mana also spoke up at this moment, her brow slightly wrinkled as she talked. Usually, although Senzaemon Nakiri was busy, he wouldn't disappear for half a month.
For it to happen so suddenly now, she vaguely sensed something unusual.
"They went to the Gate of the Mystic Realm on the back mountain of Totsuki. Judging by the time, they should be back soon."
Seeing the curious looks on their faces, Koyuki revealed the whereabouts of Hakuji and Senzaemon Nakiri, a matter they had told no one else.
"The Gourmet Mystic Realm Gate on the back mountain?!"
Hearing Koyuki's words, Nakiri Leonora gasped, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"With Brother Hakuji's and Father's strength, it's indeed highly likely they can bring back what they seek from the Gate of the Mystic Realm. But isn't this a bit too risky..."
Compared to Nakiri Leonora, Nakiri Mana beside her appeared much calmer, but the slight tremble of her hand beneath her sleeve proved she was not at peace either.
However, if one were to ask whose mind was in the greatest turmoil at that moment, it would be none other than Okabe. On the surface, he was playing with Alice, but in reality, he was fully focused, taking in every word of the adults' conversation.
Although it was just a simple conversation, it revealed a vast amount of information.
Organization, Gourmet Mystic Realm Gate, fulfilling wishes.
All this information was a reminder that this was not an ordinary world—at least, not the world from the original story, which was purely centered around cuisine.
Furthermore, the identity of his convenient parents didn't seem as simple as they let on; otherwise, they wouldn't choose to leave when their child was only three months old.
Because he had memories of his past life and essentially possessed the soul of an adult, Okabe didn't have strong feelings about Koyuki and Hakuji's departure, nor did he feel sad.
What he needed to do now was to grow up as quickly as possible so that he could secure a place for himself in this unknown world.
"Our Nakiri clan's clothes-bursting curse is because an ancestor failed in the Gate of the Mystic Realm, which brought disaster upon the entire clan. Even outsiders who change their surname to Nakiri are affected."
After Nakiri Mana said this, a brief silence fell over the room.
Although they felt that with Hakuji's and Senzaemon Nakiri's strength, it wouldn't be difficult to obtain what they sought from the Gate of the Mystic Realm and return, they still felt nervous before the dust settled.
"Oh, let's not talk about this anymore. The atmosphere has become so heavy. What we need to do now is trust them, that's all."
Seeing the mood in the room grow heavy, Koyuki clapped her hands to end the topic.
As she spoke, she reached for a cream puff on the table, stuffing it all into her mouth. The cream, encased in a crispy shell, melted on her tongue, bringing a wave of sweet richness.
The next moment, warm tea followed, its subtle astringency from the tannins and the sweet aftertaste of the tea gently washing away the thick sweetness.
"Eating a cream puff and then drinking tea... the tea's aroma elevates the layers of the cream, and the cream's sweetness, in turn, highlights the tea's depth. The flavors are infinitely amplified in the mouth..."
Koyuki said this with her eyes closed, an expression of enjoyment on her face.
"It feels a bit incongruous."
Nakiri Mana retorted bluntly.
"What do you know? This is called a fusion of East and West."
Hearing Nakiri Mana's voice, Koyuki couldn't help but roll her eyes at her. The back-and-forth lightened the atmosphere, making it more relaxed.
"When are you planning to leave?"
"Within the week."
After a moment of playful banter, Nakiri Mana suddenly spoke, her voice low. It was clear she couldn't truly be indifferent.
After spending more than half a year together, from sharing a hospital room during their pregnancies to giving birth together, and now to this day, she and Koyuki had become very good friends.
For Nakiri Mana, who had been alone for most of her life, this friendship was incredibly precious. If it weren't absolutely necessary, she truly didn't want her to leave.
"Then let's go out for the next few days. We can leave the children with the maids. It will be a good chance for them to get used to not having their mothers around."
Although those words sounded a bit irresponsible, Nakiri Mana felt that people should live for themselves every once in a while.
"A few days is a bit too much. Going out for one day is acceptable. Besides, I've been in Tokyo for so long and haven't explored the area at all."
Koyuki saw through Nakiri Mana's intentions, understanding that she didn't want her to go, and so she replied in a gentle voice.
"I'll take you. I don't go out shopping much, but I know a few good shops..."
"It's a deal."
_____
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