After a while, Feng Yi and Kamisato Ayaka parted ways, a faint blush now tingeing her eyes.
However, this was clearly not the place for further intimacy.
After a few minutes of cool breeze, Kamisato Ayaka gradually emerged from her daze.
“Feng Yi, I…”
Kamisato Ayaka looked at Feng Yi with a red face, seemingly wanting to say something.
But Feng Yi directly placed a finger over her lips.
“Ayaka, no need to say more, I understand your feelings!”
Feng Yi looked at the cherry blossoms drifting in the air and embraced Kamisato Ayaka.
Kamisato Ayaka’s body was very soft, but her chest armor was particularly hard, making Feng Yi a bit uncomfortable.
Suddenly embraced by Feng Yi, Kamisato Ayaka initially struggled symbolically, then wrapped her arms around Feng Yi.
“I’m hungry, let’s go grab some breakfast.”
Feng Yi whispered into Kamisato Ayaka’s ear.
Kamisato Ayaka felt the warm air by her ear and responded with a barely audible hum. Feng Yi, holding Kamisato Ayaka’s delicate, boneless hand, led her to an open, street-facing shop.
“Welcome, oh my, Miss Kamisato, you’re right on time! We agreed on around this time…”
The proprietress of Kotsumiya Tei, Kotsumiya Anna, greeted Kamisato Ayaka with a smile and enthusiasm.
“Proprietress Kotsumiya, hello. Please prepare the order as I reserved, and also, the matter I discussed with you… please see to it.”
“Yes, yes, no problem, I have everything you need ready. Sir, please wait here for a moment, I’ll start preparing the dishes.”
Kotsumiya Anna nodded to Kamisato Ayaka and began to get busy.
“Feng Yi, please wait for me here for a moment. I need to take care of a small matter and will be back shortly.”
Kamisato Ayaka released Feng Yi’s hand and quickly ran towards the back of the building.
Feng Yi knew that Kamisato Ayaka was likely going to cook, but her culinary skills…
Feng Yi sighed and put the thought aside.
“Haha, sir, our shop serves home-style dishes. I wouldn’t say the presentation is very fancy… but the taste is quite good! I hope you enjoy it. Our shop has been open for many years, and we have some acquaintance with the Kamisato family elders. Both the young master and Miss Kamisato are very fond of our dishes. They used to ask people to place orders here and then enjoy them at their residence… I never expected Miss Kamisato would come to the shop in person this time, and with a friend. It’s my first time hearing about Miss Kamisato treating a friend to a meal!”
Kotsumiya Anna was quite cheerful, much like Master Udo. She enjoyed chatting with customers while cooking.
“Hahaha, then I am truly honored!”
Feng Yi chuckled, chatting with the proprietress out of idleness.
“Yes, although this might sound a bit presumptuous… I’ll only tell you this. From what I know, Miss Kamisato doesn’t seem to have many friends. Normally, with her polite demeanor, she should be very popular, that’s what I thought. But human interaction doesn’t always work that way… The neighbors all say Miss Kamisato is beautiful, comes from a noble family, and carries herself with grace and elegance. She’s like a flower on a high mountain, too perfect, which gives people a strong sense of distance. Children from ordinary families hardly dare to strike up a casual conversation with her. Such an outstanding young lady finds it hard to make friends…”
Kotsumiya Anna got carried away, even setting aside her cooking. She leaned over the counter and whispered to Feng Yi.
Feng Yi understood. Birds of a feather flock together; outstanding people often accompany loneliness. This must be the price of excellence.
Although children from ordinary families rarely dared to talk to Kamisato Ayaka, there was one exception—Yoimiya!
Yoimiya was warm and cheerful, and didn’t care about her friends’ status, be it noble or humble. She treated everyone sincerely.
“I don’t talk to her much, but I’ve known her for quite some time. I’ve always admired her for shouldering so much responsibility at such a young age. I’m very happy she brought someone today. You can eat more today! If possible, please chat with her more. Consider it a request from us neighbors. Please!”
Kotsumiya Anna clasped her hands together, begging Feng Yi to spend more time with the lonely Kamisato Ayaka.
“Of course, as Ayaka’s friend, it’s my duty!”
Feng Yi nodded. He would do so even without the proprietress’s reminder.
“Ah…?!”
Just then, a startled cry came from not far away.
‘Did it fail after all?’
Kamisato Ayaka’s cooking skills were as Feng Yi had expected.
“Proprietress, you don’t need to worry. I’ll go take a look!”
Feng Yi reassured the proprietress and then ran towards the source of the sound.
“Ah? Feng Yi, why are you here? Uh… it’s not a terrorist attack, it’s just… it’s just that I failed at cooking just now…”
Kamisato Ayaka lowered her head shyly when Feng Yi suddenly appeared.
“Let me check if you’re injured!”
Feng Yi’s hand moved with a serious expression.
“Feng Yi, I… I’m fine, and, under my skirt… I don’t think I’ll be…”
Kamisato Ayaka reached out to stop Feng Yi’s antics, pleading in a low voice, worried about being discovered.
“Ahem, you seem to be lively and well, so you should be fine. Ayaka, if you feel unwell anywhere later, be sure to tell me immediately. My medical skills are superb!”
Feng Yi withdrew his hand. He hadn’t thought much of it; he just wanted to check if Kamisato Ayaka had any internal injuries.
However, Kamisato Ayaka was too shy and refused to cooperate…
“Mhm, Feng Yi, this is the proprietress’s private residence, and this courtyard is also their private area. I asked the proprietress to help me prepare some cooking utensils and ingredients. I wanted to make a special dish here, but unfortunately, I failed…”
Speaking of cooking, Ayaka’s mood became a little dejected.
Feng Yi stepped forward, lifted the lid of the pot, and examined the residue inside. His eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
The cooking residue was actually a piece of coal, emitting a pungent burnt smell. It was unrecognizable, and the original ingredients could no longer be identified.
This level of cooking was almost on par with Hu Tao and Raiden Shogun.
The world of dark cuisine had gained a new formidable general.
“I… what I wanted to make was… a meeting gift for ‘Tsubaki’. My mother’s notes mentioned that ‘Tsubaki’ likes exotic cuisine. Since I’m going to meet ‘Tsubaki’ this time, I thought it would be good to make some exotic cuisine for them…”
Hearing Ayaka’s explanation, Feng Yi couldn’t help but sigh. Fortunately, ‘Tsubaki’ wasn’t truly ‘alive’.