They each held a Terminal, chatting quietly with Uesugi Hara. The earlier tension had vanished from the room, replaced by an oddly peaceful atmosphere.
Uesugi Hara didn't take long. He asked each of them about their tastes and how much they wanted at the restaurant, packed up three lunches, and hurried back. The moment he opened the door with his key card, two pairs of eyes turned toward him in unison.
Karuizawa Kei's gaze held a hint of anticipation, while Ichinose Honami waited with a gentle smile.
Uesugi Hara didn't think anything of it. People were naturally drawn to unexpected things. He walked straight to the table and handed out the lunches. "This one's yours, Karuizawa. And this one's yours, Ichinose."
As Karuizawa Kei watched Uesugi Hara hand Ichinose Honami a carefully packaged lunch, her eyes widened. Her lips moved, as if she wanted to ask, "Why did you bring her one too?" but she swallowed the words.
She knew her place right now. She was merely someone dependent on him, with no right to interfere.
"Uesugi, your shirt." Ichinose Honami set down her tray and handed him the neatly folded shirt.
"Got it. Let's eat first." Uesugi Hara took it casually and tossed it onto the chair beside the bed, saying nothing more.
Lunch passed without incident, but Karuizawa Kei had little appetite. Uesugi Hara had gotten her the portion she asked for, but she put down her chopsticks after eating only half. Her gaze kept drifting toward Uesugi Hara and Ichinose Honami, and she seemed distracted.
After they finished eating, Ichinose Honami got up to clear the trays and trash without being asked, working quickly and carefully.
Karuizawa Kei moved over to the bed and started playing with her Terminal, though she kept sneaking glances at Ichinose as