I walk over to the large mirror next to the closet and look at myself. I had put my contact lenses in last night before going to sleep precisely to avoid situations like this. In case I forgot to put them in in the morning and greeted everyone with my dull, zombie-like eyes.
Fortunately, I have them in because Saya came to wake me up without warning.
My eyes look normal now.
So this is me now?
I look a little different than yesterday. My body is slightly less emaciated, I've gained some muscle mass, and my skin looks a little less gray. I still look sickly compared to a normal child, and if you looked at me with human eyes, you wouldn't notice the difference, but with my eyes, I can see an improvement.
'Fufufu. The best way to recover my body is to go out and eat ghouls'.
After bathing in the private bathroom attached to my room, I put on the clothes that are there. It seems that Mrs. Yuriko has prepared many clothes for me.
Thanks to that, I had also changed last night since my clothes were covered in blood from the toad ghoul. Of course, I had thrown them away in a trash can before coming here.
I have to thank Mrs. Yuriko for that later.
I go down the stairs to the kitchen, following the smell of cooked food and find Saya carrying dishes from the kitchen to the dining room.
"Where is Mrs. Yuriko?"
I ask as I enter the dining room.
Hmm... I thought I would feel uncomfortable during my first week of living with other people, but am I too calm right now? Well, it doesn't matter.
Saya is startled to hear my voice before avoiding my gaze while she places the dishes on the large table.
"S-She left a few minutes ago because she has to take care of some things..."
She still seems embarrassed about what she said earlier about being my wife or something.
"She said she hopes to organize everything related to the Takagi family situation. Then she'll be able to have more free time to be at home again."
I watch her put the last dishes on the table before heading back to the kitchen. There are several dishes with different types of food. White rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and sauteed vegetables.
It looks delicious.
Although I can't eat it.
"Hey, Saya... did you really make all this?"
I ask, pointing at the food.
It's not something a ten-year-old girl should be doing, right? Or is it normal? I feel a little useless.
"Yes."
She replies without looking at me.
'Hm...'
I apologize mentally because in the past I thought Saya was a spoiled rich girl who had everything done for her by her parents or servants. Or maybe she's just doing these household chores now that she has no other choice.
In any case, I walk to the kitchen to help her.
"Let me help you carry the rest of the food."
"You don't have to..."
"I insist."
I grab some trays with more dishes and carry them to the dining room.
As we set everything on the table, I ask something that has been bothering me.
"What happened to the maids and the butler? I remember when I first came here, there were many people working here. Even yesterday there was a butler."
Saya stops moving for a second, then shakes her head and says in a cold voice.
"Okaa-san fired them all. The maids were fired four days ago, and the butler was fired yesterday when his contract ended. The only ones left are the guards who patrol outside the mansion's perimeter."
I open my eyes a little in surprise.
"I see..."
I focus my hearing senses by closing my eyes for a moment. With my senses sharpened, I have the ability to detect the movements of the wind colliding with things and people, so I can sense that there are several people around. But they are all located outside the mansion while patrolling, and none are inside.
'It seems that Mrs. Yuriko is very distrustful of others now.
She doesn't allow anyone into the mansion who could endanger her daughter's life.
It's understandable after what happened to her husband.
We sit down at the table and start eating. I mean, Saya starts eating while I pretend to eat by taking small bites and swallowing instantly before pretending to chew and then swallowing my saliva. I know I'll throw it up later, but I have to keep up appearances.
As I pretend to eat breakfast, or rather lunch since it's almost ten in the morning, I think about my plans.
At first, I planned to visit Touka this morning, after all, I have many questions to ask her about ghouls.
But it would be reckless to leave Saya alone without Mrs. Yuriko nearby.
Although when I used my Ghoul Vision last night upon returning and my sense to perceive parasites, I confirmed that there are no monsters infiltrating the area for now.
Even so, it's better to stay here to make sure nothing bad happens.
I'll probably only be able to go out at night when Saya is asleep.
For some reason I don't understand, Saya has an annoyed look on her face as she eats. She chews her food hard and her furrowed eyebrows are even more furrowed.
"What's wrong?"
Hearing my question, she clicks her tongue in irritation, but I realize she's not irritated with me.
"Rei called me on the phone a little while ago."
She pauses to take a sip of her juice.
"She said she'll come over in the afternoon since it's Christmas and she wants to spend the day with us."
"Oh... Does it bother you that Rei is coming even though she's your friend? You can spend Christmas playing together, right? It sounds fun."
A pleasant pink color blooms on Saya's cheeks as she pouts.
"Hmph! T-That's not why...!"
She shouts as she points her fork at me.
"But you wouldn't understand anyway!"
"..."
You're right, Saya. I don't understand what's going on.
Why is she so upset that her friend is coming to visit us for Christmas?
Girls are complicated.
Deciding it's best not to ask any more questions and avoid another tsundere outburst, I nod and continue pretending to eat my food while Saya aggressively chews hers, muttering things like "that annoying girl" and "she's always interfering."
Hey! Please eat quietly.
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