There was no training this morning, and the sunlight spilled lazily across the floor through the gaps in the curtains.
Nana curled up in her blankets, the sweet scent of yesterday’s caramel pudding still lingering at the tip of her nose.
She rolled over, only to find the spot beside her already empty.
She rubbed her eyes and climbed out of bed, walking barefoot across the slightly cool floor to the living room.
There, she saw Mei sitting in a rattan chair by the window.
A yellowed old book was spread across her knees, and two steaming cups of milk sat by her side.
The sunlight fell on the tips of her hair, plating them with a soft golden edge.
Nana: “Wow…
my goddess (not).” “You’re awake?” Mei looked up, closed the book, and pointed to the chair opposite her.
“Today is a day off, so no training.
Breakfast is milk with toast pizza, and for dessert, there’s pudding made from yesterday’s leftover ingredients.
It’s a bit cold, but don’t worry—except for the pudding, the rest of the breakfast is still warm.” “Yay!” Nana cheered and lunged toward the table.
She grabbed a spoon and took a large scoop of pudding.
The cold, smooth texture melted on her tongue, and the sweetness of the caramel mixed with the richness of the egg and milk, making her squint her eyes in delight.
“Chilled pudding is so cool and refreshing~ It’s delicious too~” Mei smiled and took a spoonful, watching Nana eat the bowl of pudding with a look of pure satisfaction.
The tenderness in Mei’s eyes was almost overflowing.
After breakfast, Nana curled up on the sofa with a throw pillow, scrolling through Bilibili.
Meanwhile, Mei tidied up the kitchen.
The occasional soft clinking of dishes made the atmosphere quiet and cozy.
Near noon, Nana suddenly patted the armrest of the sofa.
“Mei!
Let’s go out for a stroll today!
I heard there are fresh strawberries, and we can buy some chocolate cake too!” Mei came out of the kitchen, drying her hands.
Looking at Nana’s sparkling eyes, she nodded with a helpless yet doting smile.
“Sigh~ You little glutton.
Go change your clothes first; don’t catch a cold.” The market was bustling with people, and the dazzling array of stalls displayed colorful fruits and pastries.
Nana was like a curious kitten, leaning over the strawberry stall to pick out bright red berries one moment, and being drawn to the freshly baked butterfly crisps the next.
Mei followed behind her, carrying a paper bag full of strawberries.
Occasionally, she would reach out to wipe away the crumbs of pastry stuck to the corner of Nana’s mouth.
As they passed a stall selling wind chimes, Nana stopped.
Her fingertips brushed over a string of light blue bells.
When the wind blew, they made a crisp tinkling sound.
“These are pretty nice.
Mei, do you want to buy some to decorate the house?” She turned to look at Mei, her eyes full of inquiry.
Mei paid and handed the wind chime to her.
“If you like it, buy it.
Did our little rich lady forget how much money she has~?
We’ll hang it by the window so we can hear it when the wind blows.” “Ehehe~” She acted cute and dodged the topic.
Returning home in the evening, Nana stood on her tiptoes to hang the wind chime by the living room window.
Just as she finished, an evening breeze drifted in, and the bells jingled.
Mei was busy in the kitchen making strawberry jam.
The fresh strawberries were cut into small pieces and simmered with rock sugar, filling the air with a sweet and sour aroma.
Nana sidled up to the stove, watching the bubbling jam in the pot.
She couldn’t resist taking a small spoonful to taste.
“This is awesome!
So sweet!
I love this!
I remember we still have toast, hehehe…” “Careful, it’s hot.” Mei reached out and tapped her forehead, yet she still held the small spoon to Nana’s lips.
“Wait for it to cool down before bottling it.
Then you can eat it however you want.” When night fell, the two of them curled up on the sofa.
On the coffee table in front of them were toast with strawberry jam, chilled milk, and the remaining small cakes.
The wind chime outside the window tinkled occasionally, and a lighthearted cartoon played on the TV.
Nana leaned against Mei’s shoulder, chewing on sweet strawberries, feeling that they could definitely have more rest days like this.
“Mei, can we spend all our days off like this from now on?” Nana murmured softly.
Mei looked down at the soft crown of Nana’s head and gave a gentle “Hmm?” She raised her hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Nana’s ear.
“Silly girl, isn’t every day like this?” “True~ Hehe~” As the night deepened, only a warm yellow floor lamp remained lit in the living room, its light softly enveloping the embracing pair.
The plot of honkai: star rail was still playing on the TV.
Watching the protagonists’ adventures when they had time felt no different from watching an anime.
Nana finished the last bite of her strawberry toast and pushed the empty plate to a corner of the coffee table.
With a mischievous grin, she reached out and wrapped her arms around Mei’s waist, burying her face in Mei’s soft sweater.
Her nose was filled with the faint scent of milk and the sweetness of strawberry jam.
“Mei, smell me.
Do I smell like strawberries too?” She spoke in a muffled voice, deliberately rubbing against Mei’s neck.
Mei chuckled at the rubbing and reached out to stroke her hair.
The strands felt soft under her fingertips.
“Yes, it’s cloyingly sweet.
A certain little kitten hasn’t noticed the consequences of doing this at all~” Nana suddenly froze.
Right, if Mei’s animalistic side was unleashed, she wouldn’t be able to get out of bed tonight.
Fortunately, Mei was also a bit tired this time and didn’t actually intend to do anything.
She picked up the chilled milk from the side and held it to Nana’s lips.
“Drink slowly, don’t choke.” Nana took a large gulp.
The cold sweetness slid down her throat, making her squint her eyes in comfort.
She looked out the window.
In the darkness, she could vaguely see the silhouette of the wind chime.
Occasionally, an evening breeze would brush past, and the tinkling sounds were delicate and gentle, like someone humming a song softly.
“This wind chime is really nice.” Nana swung her feet and suddenly remembered something, climbing up from the sofa.
“Oh right!
I also saw someone selling incense at the market.
How about we go check it out next time?
We can pick a suitable one for the bedroom; it’ll definitely smell great.” Mei looked into her sparkling eyes and nodded with a helpless yet indulgent smile.
“Alright, whatever you say.
But next time, you’re not allowed to sneak tastes of freshly made snacks.
Even the lady at the butterfly cracker stall this morning was laughing and calling you a little glutton.” “I am not!” Nana pouted and lunged back to tickle Mei.
“It’s clearly because the lady’s butterfly crisps were too delicious that I couldn’t resist!
And didn’t you also eat the piece I handed to you?” The two of them played around for a while longer until Nana got tired and curled back into Mei’s arms, her fingers unconsciously twiddling with the buttons on Mei’s sweater.
On the TV, the plot had passed the Doomsday Beast.
Mei reached for the remote, intending to turn it off, but Nana pressed her hand down.
“Don’t you want to see Himeko and Mr.
Yang?” “I’ve caught up.
I didn’t expect Teacher Yang to have such adventures later on either.” The kitten felt deflated.
So Mei had already seen it.
“By the way, what’s the training content for tomorrow?” Nana suddenly remembered business and looked up to ask.
Mei pinched her cheek.
“Why the sudden concern?
You were just thinking about playing.” “Just getting prepared in advance.” Nana stuck out her tongue.
“If it’s physical training again, the coach will definitely nag me tomorrow after I’ve eaten so much today.” “Don’t worry, tomorrow is technique training.
It won’t be too tiring.” Mei said with a smile.
“But if all the sweets you ate today turned into strength, maybe the coach would even praise you for making fast progress.” “Of course!” Nana puffed out her chest with a proud look.
“I’m a genius, after all!” Then she added in a small voice.
“Probably…?” Mei was amused by her and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
“Yes, yes, our genius.” Late at night, the TV screen went dark, and only the light from the floor lamp remained.
The wind chime tinkled occasionally, mixing with the sound of their shallow breathing.
Nana was already sleepy.
Her eyelids drooped, and her head bobbed against Mei’s shoulder.
“Go sleep in the bedroom if you’re tired,” Mei said softly, reaching out to pick her up.
“Don’t huddle on the sofa; you’ll catch a cold.” Nana dizzily wrapped her arms around Mei’s neck, mumbling.
“Carry me…
the wind chime sounds nice…
the strawberry jam is delicious too…” Mei walked step by step to the bedroom, gently placing her on the soft bed and tucking her in.
She turned to turn off the light, but Nana caught her hand.
“Don’t go, sleep together.” Mei smiled helplessly, turned off the light, lay down beside her, and pulled her into her arms.
Nana immediately snuggled into her arms, found a comfortable position, and soon began breathing evenly.
Mei looked down at her sleeping profile and reached out to smooth the stray hairs on her forehead.
The wind chime outside rang again, as if bringing this gentle night to a close.
She gently kissed the top of Nana’s head and whispered.
“Goodnight, my little glutton.” The bedroom fell silent, leaving only the sound of the evening breeze through the wind chime and the warmth of the two huddled together.