"I appreciate you reaching out to me last night.” Ian, Kichi's father, expressed his gratitude once more. "It's truly concerning to consider how frequently she nods off while journeying alone."  

It was sometime around nine o’clock in the morning when I arrived at Kichi’s house. I had made sure her father got her home safely the night before, but I was unable to shake off this anxious feeling. Despite having no valid reason to feel anxious, last night I found myself consumed by a sense of unease after parting ways at the train station. 

The feeling lingered throughout the night, causing me to have a restless sleep. Even after taking a refreshing shower, I couldn't shake off the sweet scent of Kichi that seemed to cling onto me. It was as though a part of her was still with me, heightening my emotions and thoughts.  

“Did you manage to eat yet?" Ian's question interrupted my thoughts. 

I wouldn't willingly wake up this early if it was not for work or exercising, let alone having breakfast." 

“No, I have not.” 

“Excellent," he stated with satisfaction, "I have just completed preparing breakfast." 

“Smells delicious!” I commented.

"I get up early each morning to make treats for my store, and I also make sure breakfast is ready for Kichi," he described his daily ritual. "She should be waking up shortly." 

Sitting at the Hyde's table, my mind wandered to my humble beginnings at the orphanage. A wave of bittersweet nostalgia washed over me as I reminisced about the chaotic yet heartwarming mornings at the orphanage. Milana, the head of the orphanage, and the rest of the staff always had their hands full as they tried to settle down the lively children for breakfast. It was a delicate balance between maintaining order and fostering a sense of joy and belonging for us young ones. 

When was the last time I enjoyed a home-cooked meal? I pondered to myself.

“Does Kichi have to commute to college from her home?" I inquired. 

“Yes, she does," he replied. "The campus is conveniently located in town, so it's not a hassle to travel. Plus, she likes to keep an eye on me. She worries about me, despite not needing to. But I suppose that is expected when you lose one of your parents." 

I could not find the right words to respond. Deep down, I knew that anything I could say would have no impact, but even more so, I detested these kinds of conversations. So instead, I focused my attention on the delicious omelette in front of me. The mushroom, bell pepper, and jalapeno flavors all blended perfectly together, and the fresh cilantro on top added a burst of freshness. The tomato salsa on the side was a nice touch, and the dish was completed with a slice of warm raisin bread. It was clear that Kichi’s father had put a lot of effort into making this meal, and it was absolute perfection.

I found myself unable to resist after just one bite - it was that irresistible. "This is amazing!" My taste buds delightfully savoured each and every bite. 

"Baking and preparing omelettes are my areas of expertise." Ian savoured a mouthful of his meal and, as he swallowed, remarked, "I am quite surprised that Kichi is still asleep."

A quiet laugh escaped my lips as I couldn't help but feel slightly flustered by how a few simple words could make my heart skip a beat. With a sheepish tone, I added, "Perhaps she is just exhausted." 

"It is common for her to push herself too hard. While I appreciate her assistance, it's important for her to prioritise her own well-being and interest.  I do not want Kichi to feel obligated to adopt my interests as her own, which is why I am pleased she took the opportunity to attend the interview yesterday." 

I discreetly shifted my gaze away from Kichi's father, instead fixing my eyes on the delectable assortment of freshly baked goods resting on the table between us. While his presence did not necessarily make me nervous, I couldn't help but feel a slight sense of apprehension. I was acutely aware that he might pick up on my obvious desire for his daughter, and I didn't want to make a poor impression on someone so important to her.  

Ian spoke up again after the silence lingered. "Meeting you is truly important for her since she has been regularly tuning in to watch you on TV."