NOVEL NEXT Chapter 289: Going into the Grove Alone with Chiba-san
"Shimizu... Yumeko..."
Madam, who was already sensitive at heart, was now even more touched. Since moving into the villa, she had met Haruka, then Misaki, Chiba, and now Hoshina and Yumeko as well.
And, no matter who it was, they had all been so kind to her.
Now even Yumeko had offered her a helping hand, but was it really okay to trouble others like that?
"It's so nice to have you all..."
Madam sighed softly to herself, hesitating for a long time before ultimately deciding not to voice her refusal.
It felt somewhat wrong to decline someone's kind offer to help face-to-face. Better to discuss it privately with Haruka later...
Unconsciously, Reiko Onodera had come to rely on Haruka as a pillar of support, instinctively consulting with him about any issues that arose in her life.
Otome Mizuko nodded calmly.
The young lady's personality meant that she didn't show a gentle side to anyone except Haruka.
"Sister Reiko, hurry up, the mountain is really fun, and the scenery is beautiful!! (*^▽^*)"
The clear and youthful voice of Misaki Saki echoed from a distance.
Before they knew it, the two little ones had already run up the small hill, and behind them was their final destination for the day.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, casting mottled light and shadows on the forest floor, and the murmuring of the mountain stream flowed through the woods, carrying with it the forest's fresh air and tranquility to every corner.
"The air is so clean! It's just incomparable to Tokyo!"
As she walked through the forest, Arisugawa Hoshina couldn't help but stretch her arms in a yawn.
"Yes, it's such nice weather, it makes traveling all the more reassuring!"
Haruka Yuzan, too, was moved and made a sentimental remark. Even the eyes of Chiba Shimizu showed a touch of relaxation.
And Otome Mizuko? The young lady hadn't left Haruka's side since the beginning.
"Misaki, Rika, slow down a bit, be careful not to fall..."
Reiko Onodera followed behind the two youngsters, fearing they might accidentally tumble into a ditch.
"Picking mushrooms, planting trees, by the stream, catching fish!"
The two little ones held hands, their hopping and skipping filled with joy.
Especially Misaki Saki, such a scene hugely spurred on the creative cells of the little blonde she-devil! She couldn't wait to paint a picture right then and there!
"How about we have a picnic here for lunch today?" Haruka Yuzan genuinely suggested.
The crystal-clear stream glittered in the sunlight, as if countless pearls were pouring down.
A gentle breeze wafted by, causing ripples to spread across the water's surface, offering a refreshing and invigorating sensation.
This was indeed a great spot for a picnic.
"Yes, yes!!"
The suggestion immediately won the support of everyone!
"Then, let's make grilled bird,"
Reiko Onodera added, noting that being near the stream meant they need not worry about starting a fire in the woods.
"Grilled bird?!" Misaki Saki's eyes sparkled, and a drop of saliva uncontrollably trickled from the corner of her mouth.
"Alright, that's decided! Let's go home now to prepare the ingredients and tools!"
Haruka Yuzan said with a smile, and so, the group that had just arrived in the mountains was heading back out again.
In the meantime, Otome Mizuko had called her secretary to deliver a bunch of expensive ingredients and charcoal.
After instructing the bodyguards to help transport everything to the small forest, they were all set to go.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Reiko Onodera kept bowing to the secretaries to express her gratitude, startling the bodyguards.
How could they let the young lady's friend bow to them?!
Seeing this, the secretary quickly led the team to retreat and disperse around, to prevent any unexpected dangers.
Sunny, with a gentle breeze.
August 6th, a day out for a picnic.
"Haruka, do you want me to ask them to help set up the barbecue grill?" asked Otome Yumeko, coming over and looking at the boys moving the barbecue grill with some concern.
"No need," Haruka Yuzan shook his head and directly refused, "Such things are more meaningful when we do them ourselves! Yumeko, you can just sit and rest for a while, or go help out."
"Alright then," the boy was very determined and Otome Yumeko had no choice but to agree.
Looking around, she surveyed the area and saw Chiba Shimizu and Arisugawa Hoshina skewering meat with bamboo sticks, while Reiko Onodera was washing ingredients by the stream.
As for Misaki Saki and Rika Onodera?
These two kids had already run off somewhere to play.
It seemed like everyone had their own tasks.
The young lady frowned, her gaze inevitably fell on her good friend sitting on a small stool skilfully skewering meat – clearly, it wasn't her first time doing this.
"When did this girl get back?"
After pondering for a moment, Otome Yumeko walked over to Reiko Onodera's side, knelt down, and began to wash the ingredients like a proper madam.
This was the first time the young lady had ever touched such fresh ingredients with her fingers since she was a child.
The water was cool, which made her feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but since Haruka had asked for her help, she was willing to give it a try.
Perhaps, someday Haruka would want to eat the dishes she prepared!
Upon seeing this, Reiko Onodera was also surprised,
"Yumeko, go rest, I can handle this by myself."
"No need," Otome Yumeko shook her head.
"Alright then, but do you know how to clean a crab? Let me show you."
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The atmosphere was cheerful and heartwarming, with only the rustling sound of tree leaves in the air, and in close proximity to nature, everything seemed so beautiful.
"Done!" About five minutes later, Haruka Yuzan stood up, comfortably stretched, and looked at the fully assembled barbecue grill in front of him with satisfaction, nodding his head.
Then, Chiba Shimizu came over and whispered to the boy,
"Will you come with me to gather some dry firewood?"
Her voice was crisp and cool, carrying a magical power that made it hard to refuse.
Haruka Yuzan glanced at Otome Yumeko, who was washing ingredients by the stream, but eventually nodded,
"Alright, I'll come with you, Chiba-san."
Since they had charcoal, they wouldn't need much firewood and shouldn't be away for too long.