Today was the first day of school for everyone, so Liu Ming had to wake up early.
Yawning and rubbing his sleepy eyes.
He looked up at the clock on the wall; it was only 6 AM.
Thinking about the miserable days of having to wake up early every day from now on, he was filled with helplessness.
"I really miss the days when Megumi was still here, when I could be a lazy bum. Should I find a full-time chef for the restaurant?"
Liu Ming thought to himself as he walked towards the kitchen.
He had to prepare breakfast and lunch boxes for everyone.
For him, this was truly a long and arduous task.
Twenty minutes later, Yuta also woke up.
He went downstairs and saw a light in the kitchen, so he went in to check.
His eyes met Liu Ming's.
"Huh, Senior, you're up so early! I thought you were still sleeping."
"I have to make breakfast and lunch for you all. Why are you up so early?"
Liu Ming asked curiously while working.
Yuta scratched his head awkwardly. He had originally thought Liu Ming was still sleeping, so he had gotten up to prepare everyone's meals himself.
Although the taste wasn't as good as Liu Ming's, it was better than nothing.
Who knew Liu Ming would be up even earlier than him?
"Alright, don't just stand there foolishly. You don't need to help with the cooking, just help me wash the ingredients,"
Liu Ming didn't press the matter and gave him some easy tasks.
Most of the people in the house had to go to school, and Anko would be coming over later to go to school with Miyu and the others.
Since Anko was coming to help, he naturally had to show his appreciation and included her portion as well.
If only Anko had it, Tamako would probably make a fuss, so her portion also had to be included.
After a careful calculation, the amount was indeed quite a lot.
As time passed, everyone woke up one after another.
They all yawned and greeted Liu Ming.
Perhaps because they had lived with Liu Ming for so long, everyone had been sleeping in late. Waking up so early suddenly was quite unaccustomed for many.
Xiao Hina was still dozing off.
Soon after, Tamako and Anko also arrived.
Seeing everyone enjoying breakfast, and already familiar with them, they didn't stand on ceremony and joined in directly.
Unbeknownst to them, almost a month had passed, and the number of people in the house was growing. It was very lively and also very warm.
Liu Ming smiled and returned to the kitchen, taking out eight bento boxes and placing them one by one beside each person.
"Thank you, Xiao Ming Ge!"
"Thank you, Uncle!"
...
Breakfast didn't take too much time.
Sora and the others officially began their school life.
Since their schools were not all the same, Liu Ming couldn't see them off individually.
However, since today was the first day, he still had someone accompany them.
Elma accompanied Sora.
Tohru accompanied Miyu, Xiao Lingyin, Kanna, and Anko, making a total of four people.
Liu Ming himself took the youngest, Xiao Hina.
Tamako, seeing that she was the only one alone, suddenly had a misconception, feeling like she was being excluded.
"Everyone, be careful on the way! If anything happens, call me."
After Liu Ming closed the restaurant door, he held Xiao Hina's hand and waved goodbye to everyone.
.....
"Deng di deng deng didi~~" Xiao Hina hummed the theme song of 'Magical Girl Luna' happily as she walked.
Along the way, acquaintances occasionally greeted the two of them.
However, compared to Liu Ming, Xiao Hina seemed to be more popular.
Hearing that it was her first day of school today, everyone gave her a small gift.
Xiao Hina didn't stand on ceremony and happily accepted them.
"Xiao Hina is very happy today, isn't she?" Liu Ming asked gently.
Xiao Hina showed a big smile, "Of course! Xiao Hina is going to school today, just like my sisters."
Liu Ming rubbed her little head and praised her, "Yes, Xiao Hina has grown up."
Xiao Hina counted her little fingers and said in a childish voice, "Xiao Hina is three years old this year."
"Three years old, huh? You're already a big girl."
"Hehe, Xiao Hina is a big girl!"
"Deng di deng deng didi~~"
After walking for a short while, Liu Ming saw a little girl at the corner ahead.
She was wearing the same school uniform as Xiao Hina.
That wasn't the issue.
What worried him a bit was that she was standing alone by the roadside.
Liu Ming looked around, and there wasn't a single person.
Wouldn't this be too dangerous?
Judging by the little girl's appearance, she was probably about the same age as Xiao Hina.
He took Xiao Hina's hand and walked over.
"Little friend, why are you here alone?"
The little girl's bright eyes looked at Liu Ming, and as if she thought of something, her eyes immediately sparkled.
She pointed at Liu Ming and asked happily, "Is this what they call a pick-up line?"
"Oh my, it's actually a pick-up line! I saw it on TV. This is how pick-up lines work."
"Boys like you will pick up cute girls, and then the two of them will start a sweet romance."
"Oh, Xiao Anzu has been picked up! Xiao Anzu is very happy!"
Liu Ming felt a line of black on his face as he watched the little girl talking to herself.
Whose child is this? So precocious.
"Huh, but the love interests of those girls on TV are usually not the ones who hit on them."
The little girl's expression suddenly became serious. She bowed to Liu Ming and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, my destined Prince Charming probably isn't you."
At this moment, Liu Ming was not only breaking out in cold sweat, but even had the urge to hit someone.
First thing in the morning, he was actually dumped by someone, and the other party was just an elementary school student.
Liu Ming gently chopped Xiao Anzu on the head with a hand, and then asked,
"Your name is Xiao Anzu, right? Why are you here alone? Where are your mom and dad?"
Xiao Anzu rubbed her head and replied cheerfully,
"Dad went to work, and Mom forgot something at home, and is going back to get it now, so Xiao Anzu is here alone waiting for Mom to come back."
"Is that so? Xiao Anzu is so good."
"Hehe, ah, look, that's Xiao Anzu's mom, she's back!" Xiao Anzu said, pointing into the distance.
Liu Ming looked in the direction of her finger. It was a blonde woman wearing work clothes.
Now that the other party's mother had returned, Liu Ming didn't plan to stay any longer. This child's personality was too erratic, and he always felt that getting involved with her would lead to bad things happening.
He rubbed Xiao Anzu's head and reminded her, "Then I'll be going now. Xiao Anzu, remember not to talk to strangers in the future, okay?"
"Okay, goodbye!" Xiao Anzu smiled and nodded in agreement, waving to the two people leaving.
"Were you waiting anxiously? Mom is back. Xiao Anzu, who were you waving to just now?"
"Hehe, Xiao Anzu was just hit on by a handsome uncle!" Xiao Anzu said happily.
"How wonderful! Xiao Anzu is just like Mom, so popular."
"Ehehehehe..." Xiao Anzu couldn't help but feel proud after being praised.