By evening, Takeru and Akame quickly prepared dinner for everyone. However, while Takeru worked diligently, Akame was mostly snacking.
"You took the kitchen job mainly to enjoy and sample the food, didn't you?" Seeing Akame constantly swallowing food, Takeru said with amusement.
"Not at all. I'm mainly testing your cooking skills. It would be troublesome if everyone ate spoiled food." Hearing Takeru's words, Akame calmly refuted, but if it weren't for her mouth never stopping, Takeru might have believed her.
Seeing Akame's demeanor, Takeru smiled knowingly. Despite a tragic past and still being tormented by immense pain, she could remain steadfast. That was part of Akame's charm.
"What are you thinking?" Suddenly, Akame seemed to sense something, looking at Takeru curiously.
"Nothing much." Hearing her question, Takeru simply showed a gentle smile.
"Really?" Seeing Takeru's affectionate smile, Akame felt an inexplicable, tingling sensation in her heart. Unconsciously, she turned her head away, too shy to keep looking at Takeru.
"Mhm." Faced with Akame's doubt, Takeru continued with a gentle smile...
"Wow, delicious! Really great!"
"I want another bowl of rice!"
"Me too!"
"Please!"
Soon, as night fell, everyone gathered and enjoyed the food Takeru prepared, showing expressions of delight.
"I understand." Faced with their requests, Takeru didn't say much, calmly serving more rice.
As night deepened, Takeru went to the grassland not far from the base. Lying there, watching the beautiful night sky and feeling the breeze, his heart felt incredibly peaceful.
Although he hadn't been matched with his team this time, Takeru silently wished them well. With two full months this time, Takeru decided to, besides exploring potential missions, use these two months for training.
"Something wrong? Not used to this place?" Just as Takeru was thinking, a figure suddenly appeared beside him.
"No, just feeling things happened a bit suddenly today." Takeru had naturally sensed Leone's approach long ago.
"Is that so? But don't worry. No matter what happens, I'll definitely protect you!" Hearing Takeru's words, Leone also lay down, then hugged Takeru intimately.
"You're too close!" The physical contact made Takeru's breathing slightly rapid. Leone was just too enthusiastic, and Takeru was a vigorous young man.
Sensing Takeru's change, Leone showed a sly smile but didn't let go. For some reason, from the first glance, Leone felt a strong affinity for Takeru.
Of course, Takeru's earlier rescue act and hatred for the empire might have contributed, but more so, Takeru's unique aura attracted Leone.
"How did you join Night Raid, Leone?" Sensing Leone had no intention of letting go, Takeru gently spoke to divert his attention. Otherwise, Takeru might really do something inappropriate.
"Me? I grew up in the capital's slums, Slum. I killed some nobles because I couldn't stand their cruel game of trampling children with horses. That's why I later received an invitation from the boss and joined Night Raid."
Hearing Takeru's question, Leone seemed to recall some unpleasant memories as she spoke.
Sensing the change in Leone's emotions, Takeru sighed softly, 'Although Leone made it sound simple, it must have been an unforgettable memory for her.'
'The capital was truly too rotten. Apart from the chief culprit, the Prime Minister, the puppet emperor also played a part.'
'From what I remembered in the Anime, Night Raid's members fought for revolution. Yet, in the end, apart from Akame and the boss, Najenda, none of the members present survived. Even Leone, when everything was almost over, had her Teigu destroyed by the Prime Minister using his own Teigu, then was shot...' (T/N: The Author is only using the Anime story, not the manga.)
'With her tenacious will, Leone managed to kill the Prime Minister. Then, injured, she bid farewell to Akame with a smile, only to die alone in a rarely visited alley, with everyone unaware of her death...'
Then, Takeru and Leone fell silent. Leone still didn't seem to want to let go of Takeru. So, holding him, she soon fell asleep. Feeling Leone's breathing become steady, Takeru was both amused and helpless.
'She really was unguarded.' Of course, Takeru had no intention of doing anything. He also closed his eyes to meditate.
Time flew by. As sunlight rose, Takeru opened his eyes, feeling both a heavy weight on his body and a soft, fragrant sensation. The cause was Leone, who had completely used Takeru as a body pillow. Takeru and Leone had slept in this position all night.
Seeing Leone's sleeping face with a slight smile, Takeru shook his head helplessly. Then, Takeru tried to carefully roll Leone over. But Leone's grip seemed tight, making it impossible for Takeru to move her. Instead, his movement caused Leone's eyes to flutter, and she soon woke up.
Upon waking, Leone saw Takeru close by and was stunned. But true to her bold personality, although inwardly shy, she didn't show it outwardly. Quickly recalling yesterday's events, she immediately understood the situation.
"Morning, Takeru!" After remembering, she greeted Takeru with a cheerful smile.
"Morning. But could you let go now?" Sensing Leone's action, Takeru spoke helplessly.
"Hehe, holding you was too comfortable, so I fell asleep without realizing!" Hearing this, Leone just smiled and also released her arms and legs...
Takeru didn't know what expression to make. He sat up, patted his head, stretched a bit, then headed towards the river to wash up.
As for Leone, watching Takeru's departing back, she felt somewhat dazed, covering her heart. She felt her heartbeat quicken.
It might sound absurd, but she seemed to have genuinely fallen in love at first sight with Takeru...
Takeru, naturally unaware of Leone's inner thoughts, washed up and headed back to the base. Upon returning, he encountered Akame.
"Takeru, time to prepare breakfast." Seeing Takeru, Akame pulled him towards the kitchen.
Seeing this, Takeru nodded and quickly got busy. About forty minutes later, a lavish breakfast was ready. Akame, while sneaking bites, brought all the dishes to the table.
"Morning, Takeru! You worked hard!" Bulat greeted Takeru with a sunny smile.
"No problem." Hearing his words, Takeru just smiled and shook his head.
"Morning, Takeru!" Soon, Sheele arrived at the table, greeting Takeru with a gentle smile.
"Morning!"
"You worked hard!" Leone also soon tidied up and came to the table. She acted completely normal, as if forgetting last night's and this morning's events.
Besides these three and Akame, Lubbock and Mine weren't as punctual, obviously still sleeping in. Everyone seemed used to it, enjoying breakfast on their own...
"Hey, Takeru, let's train together. As assassins, a strong body is essential!" After breakfast, Bulat invited Takeru.
"That's fine." Hearing his words, Takeru nodded calmly.
Takeru held no ill will towards Bulat. Apart from being gay, Bulat was truly a great person.
Then, Takeru and Bulat went to the spacious courtyard. At Bulat's invitation, they started doing push-ups.