There, the dining table was already filled with simple dishes, yet they looked warm and inviting.
There was nothing excessive about it, but that very simplicity gave off a sense of comfort, like home-cooked meals prepared with care.
Thin wisps of steam still rose from several of the dishes, drifting slowly through the air before fading away, carrying a gentle aroma that spread wider and blended together, creating an atmosphere that felt warm and slightly soothing.
The arrangement of the food on the table looked neat and orderly, not messy at all, showing that everything had been prepared with care and practiced familiarity, as if every movement in the kitchen had been repeated many times until it became second nature.
All of us sat in the dining room and began eating together—me, Yaeko, Shoko, and Ito.
Our seating positions were simple, not too far apart, without any stiff distance between us, creating a more intimate atmosphere, as if there were no boundaries separating one another.
The atmosphere felt much lighter than before, there was no longer any tension lingering in the air, no pressure to be felt, only a calm mood that flowed naturally.
We ate quietly, without rushing, occasionally the soft sound of utensils lightly touching the plates could be heard, creating a small, steady rhythm—simple sounds that somehow felt soothing within the silence.
There wasn't much conversation between us, but the silence was not awkward.
Instead, it felt peaceful, as if each of us was enjoying the moment in our own way, without needing many words to fill it.
After finishing the meal, I neatly placed the utensils down, making sure everything was in its place before finally standing up from my chair, preparing to leave without delaying any longer.
"It's time for me to take my leave," I said briefly, my tone relaxed yet clear. "And Yaeko… starting tomorrow, you can begin working."
"Understood, sir. I will come on time tomorrow," Yaeko replied while nodding her head slightly.
Yaeko's expression looked calm as usual, but there was a seriousness reflected in her eyes, as if she truly understood and accepted the responsibility that had just been given without hesitation.
I did not wait long. My hand slowly rose, and with a light motion, the barrier that had previously enveloped the entire apartment unit began to disappear.
That invisible layer gradually faded, like thin mist swept away by the morning wind, until it vanished completely without leaving the slightest trace in the air.
I then took a step, and in an instant, my body disappeared from that place without a sound, as if dissolving into the surrounding air, leaving the room in complete silence once more.
I reappeared in a nearby forest, the cool air immediately touching my skin, feeling fresh and slightly damp, carrying the scent of wet earth and leaves that had not fully dried.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the tall trees, falling onto the ground in uneven patterns, creating shadows that shifted slowly with the gentle breeze.
Without stopping, I teleported again to the beach. In an instant, the scenery changed drastically—the sound of waves crashing could be heard clearly, rhythmic, striking the shoreline with a steady and calming pattern.
The seawater moved up and down, as if following the breath of nature, while the sea breeze blew gently, brushing against my skin with a faint coolness, carrying the distinct salty scent that felt slightly refreshing to the mind.
Then, in the next teleportation, I was in the mountains. The air felt different, thinner and far cooler, as if each breath became lighter yet sharper at the same time.
The wind blew softly, brushing against my face with a refreshing sensation that couldn't be found elsewhere, carrying the natural blend of earth and leaves.
All of it happened in an instant, without pause, like simply taking a long breath to refresh myself from a monotonous routine.
The shift between locations felt light, almost weightless, as if the world were nothing more than a series of points I could move through at will.
In the end, I returned home. They were already there, waiting—Shizuka, Rika, Mei Mei… and my children.
Their presence immediately brought a warmth that nothing else could replace, as if it were a true place to return to after a brief journey that somehow felt so distant.
Their gazes, the small expressions they showed, even the simple things like the way they stood or called my name—all of it brought a sense of calm that couldn't quite be put into words. This house… remained the one place where I could truly pause, even if only for a moment.
...
...
...
That morning felt slightly different from usual. There was something subtle, almost imperceptible, yet noticeable enough to make the atmosphere feel not entirely the same.
Instead of spending time at home playing with my little daughters like I usually did, I found myself returning to this shop.
But this time, I was no longer disguised as Minato. Today, I had truly returned to my original form—a nine-year-old boy. Even so, my appearance didn't fully reflect my age.
My body was fairly well-built from constant training. My muscles weren't excessive, but they were defined enough to make me appear taller and more mature—at a glance, more like a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old.
It was rather interesting when thought about more deeply. The difference between age and appearance often led to misunderstandings. However, that wasn't what occupied my thoughts right now. What kept surfacing in my mind was Yaeko.
Yesterday, Yaeko had clearly confessed her feelings to me—something that couldn't be taken lightly.
But at that time… I was still using Minato's identity, a figure far more mature, more stable, and obviously very different from who I was now.
Yaeko didn't know who I truly was, and today… she would see that truth with her own eyes.
I couldn't hold back the faint smile that slowly formed on my lips. It was thin, almost imperceptible, yet enough to reveal the curiosity beginning to grow. In my mind, various possibilities began to surface one by one.
Would Yaeko fall silent, frozen in place from shock upon realizing that the person she liked was actually just a child?
Or perhaps her face would flush with embarrassment, realizing how the situation had suddenly taken an unexpected turn?
It was also possible that she would feel confused, even begin to question her own feelings.
Would those feelings remain the same, or would they slowly change after learning the truth?
Those possibilities spun through my mind, colliding with one another, creating a growing curiosity that became harder to ignore.
After all, this situation was quite complicated. Realizing that the person you liked was far younger than you had imagined was not something easy to accept. For some, it could even feel embarrassing or disorienting.
I let out a soft breath, trying to calm my thoughts before they wandered too far.
For now, there was nothing I could do but wait and see how things would unfold.
My eyes then shifted to the clock on the wall, where the hands were nearing nine.
"Hm… did I come too early?" I observed the position of the hands for a moment, making sure.
No, the timing was still reasonable. However, if Yaeko was the type to arrive exactly on time—or even early—then perhaps I was the one who had come a little too soon.
I narrowed my eyes slightly, then shifted my gaze toward the entrance, watching it calmly, waiting without any urgency.
Not long after, a very familiar figure could be seen approaching from the distance—Yaeko.
I glanced at the clock again to confirm the time. There were still about ten minutes before nine.
A faint smile appeared on my face once more, this time slightly clearer than before.
Interesting… it seemed Yaeko was far more serious about this job than I had previously thought, considering she had arrived right on time.
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[Note: This novel is updated on every even-numbered date]
[Note: This is my other novel: As the White Spider-Man in Earth-76 with the Spider-Man System]
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