"Phew, I'm so full."
Muttering with satisfaction, Hijiri put down the knife.
The plate that was clinking had just had its fifth steak on it. Even though it wasn't a big one, Kiyoshi had a great appetite.
However, I guess he was full after all.
"I, I ate too much and it hurts..."
She was groaning and clutching her stomach. I casually looked over, but as soon as Kiyoshi noticed my gaze, she quickly hid her stomach.
"Don't look now. I'm usually a bit more withdrawn, you know? Seriously."
"I didn't mean to look at it like that..."
Of course, I wasn't trying to check the condition of his stomach. He looked like he was in pain, so I just checked his complexion... Well, if he's relaxed enough to say something like that, then it must be okay.
"I wonder if everyone's eaten. Can I bring out dessert now?"
Come to think of it, Mei said earlier that she was preparing dessert.
Apparently it was something they had ordered, but the delivery was delayed, causing their dinner time to be delayed.
"Dessert...! Youhei-kun, I'm really looking forward to it."
Hime, who loves sweets, was in a good mood. She started tugging at my clothes and talking to me, so I just smiled and nodded.
I also have a sweet tooth, so I'm happy about the dessert. Although I don't have much room in my stomach, I think I'll have a taste since they went to the trouble of preparing it.
While Hime and I were looking forward to it, the person who was full shook his head.
"Well, I guess I'm full."
"Right. Well, Saint Young Lady, you can have it tomorrow."
"Yes. I'll eat it tomorrow."
That's why only Hime and I ended up eating.
Mei left the dining room and we waited for a few minutes.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
The next person to appear was Mei, pushing a huge cart.
What's more, there is a cake stacked about three layers high on top of it.
"big...!"
"Shh, amazing."
"It's nobody's birthday today, so why cake?"
Its size made both Kiyoshi and I cry out in surprise. Despite seeing it, Hime remains as calm as ever.
"If it's three tiers, does that mean it's... a wedding cake?"
Although he spoke calmly, hearing those words only made me more agitated.
"Is it really a wedding cake?"
"Yes. I ordered it from a pastry chef I'm friendly with. It seems it's late because I put a lot of effort into making it, but I can guarantee it tastes good."
"...Why?! Mei-chan, why a wedding cake?"
I was surprised, and it seemed that Hijiri was too.
Hime and Mei are just strangely calm, but I feel like our reactions were correct.
There's just no context.
It's no wonder that a wedding cake suddenly appears.
However, Mei seems puzzled.
It's as if he doesn't understand why we're upset.
"Well, you and Lady Hijiri are engaged, right? I heard about it from Lady Hime, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to have you eat it as a pre-engagement celebration."
--It was a surprise attack.
Mei never mentioned it, so I didn't even think she knew.
(...So it was officially approved by his family!)
It seems that he had perceived me that way from the beginning.
I felt like they were being overly polite and hospitable, but now I finally understand why.
It seems that I'm recognized as a potential marriage partner for Hijiri-san.