Chapter 16. Miss Pufferfish~
"Chasing girls?
I might not have much experience with that."
Not understanding why Kiana would say that, Xander looked at her deliberately serious expression and replied, puzzled.
"I see.
So the first thing is to possess the fine quality of humility?
Take notes, take notes."
"...You might have misunderstood.
I really have never actively pursued a girl."
"Hiss~
So you have to learn to lure by feigning retreat?
Take notes, take notes."
"?"
Seeing Xander stay silent for a long time, Kiana quickly showed a look of sudden realization.
"I get it!
A proper touch of aloofness can deepen the other party's curiosity.
As expected of a master—amazing!"
"???"
What the heck do you even understand?
How come I don't know this about myself?!
Anyway, with Kiana taking the initiative to stir things up, Sirin's awkwardness quickly eased.
In the end, Mei couldn't bear to watch any longer and unleashed the Blade of Sanction on Kiana's head— a hand chop.
When dish after dish was served, the atmosphere finally became the cheerful vibe of friends gathering.
The anxiety Xander had been carrying in his heart finally relaxed.
"Brother, try this.
Seele ordered it especially for you~"
As soon as she finished speaking, Seele seemed to feel it wasn't enough.
She stood up, picked up her chopsticks, and placed some into Xander's bowl.
Then she scooped a bit of sauce from a small side dish and sprinkled it on top.
Only then did she look at her brother with a little expectation and speak.
"Brother, taste it~"
"Mm."
Without saying more, Xander used his chopsticks to put the mix of mushrooms, meat, vegetables, and sauce from the bowl into his mouth.
For a moment, his eyes brightened.
The instant it entered his mouth, several different flavors burst forth.
But thanks to the chef's careful mixing and cooking, it felt varied but not messy.
Layer upon layer of taste blended together, simmering into a rare delicacy.
Not bad at all.
Aside from what Seele makes herself, he rarely eats something that suits his taste this much anymore.
"How is it, how is it?
Does Brother think it's good?"
"Mm.
Very good.
Thanks, Seele."
"Hehe, as long as Brother likes it.
Also, Seele already knows how to make this dish.
I'll cook it for Brother when we go back."
With both hands propping her chin, Seele smiled with squinting eyes, happily watching Xander like that.
"Then I'll look forward to it.
If it's made by Seele, it'll definitely be even tastier, right?"
"No way~
Seele's cooking is still far from the head chef here."
"..."
Kiana: "..."
Mei: "..."
Sirin: "..."
Bronya: "...?"
The pair's "nobody-else-exists" conversation made the others stop their chopsticks at the same time.
They stopped talking as well and just stared straight at the two of them.
Finally, Seele's voice paused as she realized something was off.
She quickly lifted the eyes that a moment ago held only Brother's figure.
She looked left and right and instantly met four straightforward gazes.
At once, she panicked a little.
"Um, this, that, Seele..."
"Ahem!"
At this moment, Kiana stood up expressionlessly.
She moved past Xander and went straight to Sirin's side, patting her on the shoulder.
"C'mon now, we're just curious about the person you like.
Don't worry, we won't make things hard for him~"
Just hearing Kiana's voice, Sirin—who had been her sister for many years—immediately understood what she meant.
Her expression changed at once, and she imitated Seele's tone from just now to respond, "W-what do you mean 'the person I like'?
H-he's just Seele's brother..."
After speaking, the two of them looked at Seele at the same time, their expressions full of teasing.
"Y-you two, uhh..."
Light pink, deep red, crimson—Seele looked like she would faint in the next second.
She stopped looking at the two pranksters who were teasing her and turned her gaze directly to the Bronya beside her.
Bronya raised an eyebrow.
Understanding Seele's meaning, she instinctively wanted to avoid it.
Unfortunately, Seele was a step faster and rushed straight over, burying her little face in the chest that—although not up to Seele's—had great prospects for the future.
Since she couldn't face it, right now, Seele would be a turtle hiding in her shell!
"..."
Seeing Seele and Xander flirting so flagrantly just now while leaving her out, Bronya had actually felt a little angry.
But well, since Seele had come to hug her, she couldn't push her away now, could she?
The little lass was quite sharp—knowing Bronya might not allow a hug, she rushed in before Bronya could react.
Sigh.
She's our own little sister to dote on, after all.
Fine, fine.
Suppressing the little bit of fire in her heart, Bronya hugged Seele back and gently patted her shoulder.
At the same time, she said to Kiana and Sirin, "That's enough.
Eat properly."
"Okay~" x2
Things were relatively calm afterward.
That earlier episode made Xander a bit embarrassed, and he spoke much less than before.
The group finished eating quite happily.
When it came time to pay, Xander originally planned to settle the bill.
But a light "My family owns this place" from Mei blocked him.
Alright then—so this is what it feels like to cling to a rich lady's thigh?
Truly delightful.
"Brother, be careful on the road~"
Because the official hotels had too many people and would likely be noisy and chaotic, Mei simply took the few of them to a villa near her house.
So, not long after they left the restaurant, the two groups had to part ways.
"Mm, don't worry.
I'm a model citizen who follows traffic rules."
He rubbed the little head of Seele, dispelling her worries.
After tucking her to Bronya's side, Xander said goodbye to the new friends he had just made.
"There are many vacant rooms in the villa.
You can come with us."
With Seele and Bronya's relationship, Mei felt assured enough to invite Xander to stay at her place.
"Thanks, but no need.
I still have a few friends.
It was one thing to flake on dinner with them, but if I keep flaking tonight, that won't do."
Waving his hand to decline the offer, Xander saw Kiana hop out from Mei's side.
"Yo, see you tomorrow~"
Kiana waved and smiled.
She would also be helping at the venue tomorrow, so it would be easy to run into each other.
"Mm.
See you tomorrow."
"Hey, on the first day I'll be helping Bronya promote her game, so your game can only be moved to the second day.
No objections, right?"
When it was her turn to say goodbye, Sirin crossed her arms and spoke with a slightly awkward look.
"How could I object?
It's more than great that you're willing to help.
Thanks."
"Hmph.
It's just a little benefit for the fans.
Don't forget to follow my account!"
"Of course~"
Saying that, Xander took out his phone and opened the live-stream interface.
Even though it was a black screen at the moment, a line or two of comments drifted by from time to time.
It seemed she really was a famous top streamer.
"I'm already a fan of Miss Pufferfish~"
Because Sirin puffs out her cheeks whenever she gets angry, her fans affectionately call her "Miss Pufferfish."
"H-how do you know that nickname?
Y-you're not allowed to say it—forget it, now!"
"Haha, such a cute title—I probably won't forget it.
See you~"
"Waaahhh!
Just wait—two days from now I'll say bad things about your game!!"
"Then please hold back a little with your words."
"Hmph.
Good that you know your fault."
"Miss Pufferfish~"
"...Y-you—what a person you are!"
Face flushing with anger, Sirin raised her finger to scold and threaten, but she discovered that the person had already run far away, even turning to smile and wave at her.
"Y-you—you're making me furious!!!!"
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