An air of melancholy slowly settled over Hayashi's handsome face.
Even Britain, with its endless rain, could not have been more melancholy than Hayashi was just then.
Hayate watched Hayashi's expression as they walked, unable to stop the corners of his mouth from curling up.
"Honestly, Yugao isn't going to eat you. What's with that face?"
With that, the two continued home without delay.
The door hinges creaked, and warm air rushed out from inside.
Today, the aroma rising from the dining table was pork bone broth.
"Oh! What did you make today, Yugao?"
The instant Hayashi smelled something delicious, he looked positively beside himself.
Of course, he could hardly be blamed for losing his composure. There had been nothing fit for human consumption in Ryūchi Cave, so every day he had simply taken in some natural energy, as if pumping himself full of air.
That natural energy had no flavor whatsoever.
Honestly, he had not eaten human food in quite a few days.
"Look at you, so eager to eat."
As Hayashi finished speaking, a gentle, pleasant female voice came from his kitchen.
"Come on in. You must have had a rough time out there these past few days."
"Honestly..."
As her words faded, Uzuki Yugao slowly emerged from the kitchen, wearing an apron and holding a ladle.
A little broth had stained the edge of her apron.
But the smile on her face soon vanished.
It was replaced by a faintly horrified expression, and the ladle fell from her hand with a clatter!
"Hayashi!"
"What happened to your arm?!"
"Ah... haha."
Hayashi looked up at Gekko Hayate and blinked furiously.
Gekko Hayate had no choice. Looking helpless, he stepped forward and began telling Uzuki Yugao what had happened that day.
He stumbled through the account, his voice growing