Shiina Hiyori shifted her gaze away from the bookmark depicting the novel character and looked at the others.
Each one was drawn with exquisite beauty; the color coordination and linework were just right. The characters from the book, in particular, seemed to come alive from the text, vivid and spirited. The landscape bookmarks were also very attractive, capturing details with remarkable precision.
However, the girl's gaze ultimately drifted back unconsciously to the bookmark featuring a chibi image of herself.
The "Little Hiyori" on the bookmark was holding a book, sitting quietly in the shade of a tree. She wore a tranquil smile on her face, embellished with a few falling cherry blossom petals around her. Although it was drawn in a chibi style, looking somewhat round and cute, that unique aura of serenity and intellect belonging solely to her had been perfectly captured.
"So cute..."
Shiina Hiyori gently rubbed the edge of the bookmark, her cheeks involuntarily turning slightly rosy.
So... is this how I look in Shikime Natsu's eyes?
Not only does he remember that I like reading, but he even observed my demeanor while reading so carefully...
Looking at herself depicted with such gentle brushstrokes on the bookmark, a soft light flashed through Shiina Hiyori's pale purple eyes, and the corners of her mouth uncontrollably curled into a sweet smile. This gift was not just a bookmark; it was a heavy, sincere sentiment.
"Thank you so very much, Natsu."
She raised her head, looking at Shikime Natsu with sparkling eyes, and expressed her gratitude once more.
"Your drawing skills are really wonderful! I like this bookmark very much—no, I should say I like every single one of them very, very much!"
"You flatter me. It's actually my first time making bookmarks by hand, so I'm glad you like them."
Shikime Natsu smiled gently and waved his hand modestly.
"Mhm, I like them a lot~"
Shiina Hiyori smiled earnestly, then carefully took out the bookmark featuring herself. She blew gently on the surface to ensure the ink was completely dry, then opened the book she was currently reading and clipped the bookmark onto the page.
Closing the book and seeing the small section of exquisite tassel protruding from it, a small sense of satisfaction surged in the girl's heart. This way, every time she opened the book in the future, the first thing she would see would be the bookmark Shikime Natsu gave her.
It feels like... my mood for reading will become even better.
After settling the bookmarks properly, Shiina Hiyori turned her attention back to the matter at hand.
"So... what kind of cuisine would Natsu like to eat?"
She tilted her head, looking at Shikime Natsu as she asked. "Although my skills can't compare to yours, Natsu, I will do my best to make it well."
"Hmm..."
Shikime Natsu pondered for a moment, then answered with a smile. "Just make a dish you like to eat, Hiyori."
"?"
Hearing this answer, Shiina Hiyori couldn't help but freeze for a moment. Not make what I'm best at, but make what I like to eat?
"But..."
She blinked somewhat hesitantly. "Everyone's tastes are different. If I make it according to my own preferences, Natsu might not necessarily like it."
"It doesn't matter."
Shikime Natsu looked at her, his gaze quite gentle. Staying with such a cute, quiet, and beautiful girl, one's gaze would unconsciously soften as well.
"I also want to understand what kind of cuisine Hiyori usually likes to eat. After all, understanding a friend's preferences is also a very important matter, isn't it?"
Hearing these words, Shiina Hiyori's heartbeat skipped a beat.
Understand... my preferences?
An indescribable throbbing surged in the girl's heart, as if a feather were gently brushing across the tip of her heart. She pursed her lips, then revealed a gentle smile, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
"Then... next time I go to Natsu's dorm to learn cooking, I'll tell Natsu my preferences. But this time, since Natsu is the guest, no matter what, I should make a dish Natsu likes."
The girl's tone was gentle, yet it revealed an unquestionable persistence. Those clear eyes gazed earnestly at Shikime Natsu, warming his heart.
This girl is really quite considerate.
"Since Hiyori puts it that way..."
Shikime Natsu smiled and didn't insist further. "Then I won't stand on ceremony. If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to taste Hiyori's Cream Stew."
This dish was precisely one of the few Shikime Natsu had taught Shiina Hiyori before. After all, if it were purely up to his own preferences, it might be too difficult for the girl. Making the girl cook a meal she absolutely couldn't make would cause her embarrassment, and that would be too ungentlemanly.
Sure enough.
Hearing the name of this dish, Shiina Hiyori nodded gently, a look of confidence appearing on her face.
"Mhm! If it's Cream Stew, I've practiced it quite a few times recently! Please sit in the chair for a moment, Natsu, and wait a little while."
Saying this, she turned and carefully placed the box containing the bookmarks in the most conspicuous spot on the bookshelf, as if treating a treasure. Although inside were just a few bookmarks, in the girl's heart, the weight of this gift even exceeded those expensive rare books on the shelf.
After doing all this, Shiina Hiyori walked into the small kitchen area. She took the necessary ingredients from the refrigerator, skillfully tied on a pale blue apron, and then gathered her smooth long hair behind her head, tying it into a neat single ponytail with a hair tie, revealing her fair and slender neck.
Watching the girl's busy back in the kitchen, that virtuous and cute appearance gave rise to an inexplicable sense of tranquility and satisfaction in Shikime Natsu's heart. This kind of life... is quite nice.
"Do you need my help?" Shikime Natsu stood up, walked to the kitchen door, and asked.
"No need." Shiina Hiyori turned her head and smiled at him. "Since I said I would treat Natsu, then please just wait with peace of mind, Natsu. Besides... the kitchen is too small; two people would be a bit crowded."
"Alright."
Shikime Natsu nodded, said no more, and sat back down on the chair.
Just then, Shiina Hiyori, who was washing vegetables, seemed to suddenly think of something and poked her head out to speak. "Right, Natsu. You can freely read the books on the shelf. Since making the stew still needs some time, letting a guest just sit and wait is really too rude. I feel Natsu and I should have similar reading tastes; I believe even if there are books on the shelf Natsu hasn't read, you should still like them."
"Okay." Shikime Natsu nodded. "Then I'll help myself."
He stood up, walked to the bookshelf, and swept his gaze over the rows of books. Just as Shiina Hiyori said, the books here indeed suited his taste. Soon, his gaze stopped on a novel titled The Long Season. He had heard of this book before but never had the chance to read it in detail.
Shikime Natsu pulled the book out, sat back on the chair, and opened the title page. As the pages turned, the faint scent of paper and ink lingered at the tip of his nose.
I don't know why.
Reading in Shiina Hiyori's room seemed to put him in a much better mood than reading in the quiet library or in his own dorm. Was it because of the unique tranquil atmosphere in this room? Or was it because... of that faint, almost imperceptible girlish fragrance permeating the air?
Is it because this is a literary beauty's room, so it comes with some kind of reading buff?
Shikime Natsu joked silently in his heart, but the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised into a contented arc. Time passed quietly amidst the sound of turning pages.
Gradually, a rich milky aroma mixed with the fresh scent of vegetables drifted out from the kitchen, rousing one's appetite. Shikime Natsu closed the book and looked up towards the kitchen. He saw the girl standing in front of the stove, holding a ladle and gently stirring the soup in the pot, her expression focused and serious.
Perhaps feeling Shikime Natsu's gaze, Shiina Hiyori turned her head, meeting his eyes perfectly.
"It'll be ready in just a little while." She flashed a brilliant smile at Shikime Natsu, her eyes curving.
"Mhm, I'm not in a hurry." Shikime Natsu nodded, his gaze gentle.
Not long after, Shiina Hiyori walked out carrying two plates of steaming hot Cream Stew and placed them on the small table. Then, she deftly washed the bowls and chopsticks, served a bowl of white rice for Shikime Natsu, and placed it squarely in front of him.
"Please enjoy."
She sat down opposite Shikime Natsu, those pale purple eyes looking at him somewhat nervously, her hands unconsciously pinching the edge of her apron. "I hope it suits Natsu's taste... hurry and try it."
"I gratefully accept."
Shikime Natsu put his palms together to say grace, then picked up his spoon, scooped up a spoonful of stew, and sent it into his mouth. The rich milky flavor exploded instantly in his mouth; the vegetables were stewed soft and flavorful, the chicken was tender and juicy. That warm, mellow texture made one feel incredibly happy.
"Mmm." Shikime Natsu swallowed the food, a heartfelt smile appearing on his face. "It's delicious. Both the heat control and the seasoning are just right; it's really very tasty."
"That's great..."
Hearing this evaluation, the heart Shiina Hiyori had been holding in suspense finally settled, and a relieved smile appeared on her face. She also scooped a spoonful to taste, then gently shook her head.
"Although Natsu praises it so... I myself feel it's still far worse than what Natsu makes. The texture isn't as refined as Natsu's."
"How could that be?"
Shikime Natsu chuckled lightly, looking into her eyes as he spoke. "If I absolutely had to choose between the cuisine I make and the cuisine Hiyori makes... I would choose Hiyori's cuisine without hesitation."
"?"
Hearing these slightly too direct words, Shiina Hiyori couldn't help but freeze. Immediately, a scorching heat climbed up her cheeks, spreading all the way to the roots of her ears. A layer of alluring crimson dyed the girl's fair skin, looking exceedingly beautiful.
Th-th-this kind of talk...
For Shikime Natsu to say this... is really too much of a foul, isn't it? How could this not make my heart race?
Even knowing in her heart that this was likely just polite talk or words of comfort. But... Shiina Hiyori discovered she really liked hearing him say such things.
"I... I also like the cuisine Natsu makes very much!"
To mask her shyness, she spoke somewhat flusteredly. "And... I will continue to work hard! I'll strive to cook as well as Natsu one day!"
"As long as Hiyori wants to learn," Shikime Natsu responded with a smile, "I'm very willing to teach you forever."
"Mhm!"
Shiina Hiyori nodded vigorously, her eyes full of happiness. The two chatted like this while enjoying this warm dinner. A faint, very cozy atmosphere flowed through the room.
After finishing dinner, Shiina Hiyori was just about to get up to clear the dishes when Shikime Natsu stood up a step ahead and reached out to press down the hand she wanted to use to carry the plates.
"Let me do it."
"? But..."
"No 'buts'."
Shikime Natsu smiled very gently. "When Hiyori ate at my dorm before, Hiyori also took the initiative to wash the dishes. So since I'm eating here today, meaning I've received Hiyori's hospitality, the aftermath should naturally be handled by me. This is what's called 'reciprocity'."
Looking at Shikime Natsu's matter-of-fact appearance, Shiina Hiyori opened her mouth slightly but ultimately didn't insist further.
"Then... I'll trouble you, Natsu."
She nodded slightly and sat back obediently on the chair. Watching Shikime Natsu walk to the sink with the dishes and turn on the tap to start washing, listening to the splashing sound of water, and looking at that upright back...
An indescribable feeling involuntarily surged in Shiina Hiyori's heart. It was a bit like...
This feeling... even though Shiina Hiyori had read many books, she couldn't describe it. No, perhaps it could be described, only the girl found it somewhat difficult to speak the words aloud.
She liked this feeling very much. And she also liked... this mode of getting along with Shikime Natsu very much.
"Natsu..."
Looking at that back, the girl subconsciously murmured softly. Her voice was very small, as if she were muttering to herself.
However, Shikime Natsu seemed to hear something. He turned off the tap and looked back at her.
"Hmm? What's wrong, Hiyori?"
"?!"
Shiina Hiyori was startled, her small face flushing red instantly. Even though her voice was so small... did Shikime Natsu really hear it?
"N-N-Nothing!"
She shook her head in a panic, covering her burning cheeks with both hands, her eyes wandering.
"Nothing at all..."
Wuu...
Even secretly calling his name was heard? If that's the case, I can only secretly chant it in my heart from now on...
I hope... Shikime Natsu didn't hear what I said. Otherwise, a reserved girl like me won't be able to stay here anymore. How could I subconsciously call out Shikime Natsu's name?
____
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