Hearing Mikoto's warm greeting, everyone, previously lost in their own thoughts, snapped back to reality as if waking from a dream.
Kaoumi nimbly stood up and very consciously began serving plates of fragrant, appetizing dishes to the table. At the same time, Mikoto walked quickly into the kitchen and bustled about with practiced ease, soon bringing out several bowls of steaming, fragrant ramen.
Soon, everyone was seated around the dining table. However, the atmosphere felt somewhat heavy. Everyone quietly lowered their heads to eat, and no one took the initiative to start a conversation to break the silence.
Chapter 228