Before long, Hinami arrived at Byakuya's study, escorted by the maid.
The entire time, Hinami couldn't help but notice the maid beside her.
She really hadn't expected to see someone dressed as a maid at school, and the girl appeared to be around her age...
Was this a maid who served Byakuya-niichan?
The maid knocked lightly on the study door.
"Come in."
Hearing Byakuya's response, the maid said to Hinami, "This is Director General Amaha's study. You may enter now."
"Alright..."
Hinami first bowed to the maid, then pushed open the door. She was visibly nervous.
After Hinami entered, the maid quietly closed the door behind her, then took her leave.
Not eavesdropping on her master's conversations with friends—this was proper conduct for a maid.
...
"Hinami, what brings you here?"
Byakuya asked with a smile.
"I came to bring you a bento. It can be your dinner, Byakuya-niichan."
Hinami explained while placing the bento on an empty space on Byakuya's desk.
"Thank you. You even specially prepared dinner for me..."
Byakuya was somewhat surprised.
With nothing else to do, Hinami took a seat on the nearby sofa.
The private study was quite spacious. Besides the area where Byakuya worked and stored his books, there was also a guest reception area.
A coffee table and several armchairs.
This was where Hinami sat.
"So this is where Byakuya-niichan studies..."
Hinami looked around the study, marveling at the space.
"Yes. Nowadays, I even do most of my work here."
Byakuya nodded. "Feel free to read any of the books on the shelves, though they're all political science texts. You probably wouldn't be interested..."
"I'll just sit here and wait for Byakuya-niichan to finish eating."
Hinami sat obediently on the armchair.
It was now approaching 6 PM—about time for dinner.
Byakuya had already begun unwrapping the carefully packaged bento box. The elaborate presentation showed Hinami had clearly put great care into it.
The only question was whether the food inside had been made by Hinami herself...
As soon as he lifted the lid, a delicious aroma wafted out.
Byakuya tried a bite. After just a few chews, he already knew who had made this bento.
"This... was made by Hinami yourself, wasn't it?"
Byakuya asked Hinami.
He had tasted Aunt Ryouko's cooking before, and the flavor was noticeably different from this bento.
For instance, in terms of saltiness, this bento was slightly lighter—a more delicate flavor profile.
"Yes. You could already tell?"
Hinami was surprised.
"Because Hinami's bento has a distinctly different flavor from Aunt Ryouko's cooking."
Byakuya explained.
"That's impressive—you could tell right away with just one bite."
But then Hinami grew somewhat worried. "Um... does Byakuya-niichan find it too bland? I don't know if my cooking suits your taste..."
"It's not too bland at all. Actually, it's just right—I usually prefer lighter flavors like this."
Byakuya answered.
"That's good!"
Hinami broke into a joyful smile.