The next day.
Dawn broke through the mist, and warm light swept across the entire Uchiha compound.
After a night of lingering passion, Uchiha Lei returned at a leisurely pace with Miru.
Now, Miru had completely shed the childish air of the food-loving girl she had once been.
Her face was rosy and flushed, her skin glowing with a translucent softness. She was breathtakingly beautiful.
Her legs were slightly weak and unsteady, every step soft and dragging, her whole body exuding the gentle allure of a woman who had been cherished.
In the courtyard, Suiren had been waiting since early morning.
Whoosh!
She glided lightly forward, her bright eyes smiling. Her manner held all the intimacy of a close friend and bedmate, without a trace of the reserve between servant and master.
"Lei, Miru, you're finally back."
Suiren's eyes curved with a gentle, knowing smile as she looked familiarly at her close friend beside him.
Her gaze made Miru shy, and her cheeks instantly heated. She hurriedly lowered her head and pressed her lips together, her slender hand clutching the corner of her clothes, not daring to meet Suiren's eyes.
"G-good morning... Suiren."
"Tired from the trip?"
Suiren teased softly, then turned and hurried toward the kitchen.
"I prepared the ingredients early this morning. I'll make breakfast for you right away."
Before long, wisps of cooking smoke rose from the kitchen, and delicious aromas filled the air.
An exquisite spread of authentic Japanese breakfast dishes was neatly laid out on the table.
Rich miso soup with a lingering sweetness, charcoal-grilled fish crisp outside and tender inside, thick slices of golden, soft rolled omelet, refreshing pickles to cut through the richness, and carefully cooked rice with pearly white grains-all were beautifully presented, a stunning feast of color, aroma, and flavor.
Suiren