Mei paused with the kettle in her hand. The spout tipped slightly, and the water nearly spilled out.
Bronya sat on the sofa and gave him an enigmatic smile.
Seele hugged a cushion and looked up, blinking twice.
Silver Wolf, who had moved from the floor to lie sprawled across the sofa, lifted her face from her arms and narrowed her eyes at him before burying it again. "Morning," she muttered.
"Stinky old..."
"Hm? Why are you yelling so early in the morning?"
"Y-you-you-you... you—!"
"What about me?"
Kiana stood there with her mouth open, her expression frozen as if someone had hit pause.
Her gaze darted over Jiang Lianqiu's face, then sprang away as though she had been burned.
"Nothing!!"
Cecilia happened to walk out of the kitchen just then, carrying a fragrant serving of toast.
"Alright, sit down and eat. There are still people—"
Just as she was about to say that two people had yet to arrive, Firefly shuffled into the living room, rubbing her eyes sleepily.
She wore pale green loungewear, and her hair had clearly been tied up in a hurry. A few loose silver strands still stuck up behind her ears.
"Morning, everyone..."
She gave a slurred greeting, but received no response.
Firefly lowered her hand. Her pale golden eyes gradually widened until they were round, and she looked like a little animal that had suddenly realized it was standing beneath a spotlight.
The living room fell silent for another full three seconds.
Everyone looked at her at once.
"Um... morning, everyone...?"
Cecilia set the plate on the table, sighed, and walked around the dining table to Firefly.
She raised a hand to straighten Firefly's clothes, especially around the collar.
"Be more careful next time. If your clothes really can't cover it up, try