Filo looked at the plate of chicken momos hungrily, and as she extended her fingers I yanked the plate out from under her nose.

"Hey! Stop bullying Filo!" Melty said.

"I'm just making sure that it's seasoned right," I said, and in plain view of her took a massive bite out of one of the momos, making sure to make it as loud and obnoxious as possible. "Hmm... I think I should take another bite just to be sure that it's juuuust right..." I said that and took another giant bite.

This time, even Raphtalia and Eclair were looking at me with dirty glares. I decided to quit it then. "Alright, looks good." I arranged everything on the table- despite having some experience with cooking, the fact remained that I wasn't that good at presenting what I cooked. I knew that was an art in and of itself, most of what I made looked like I had just dumped it on the plate, which was true. But I saw no reason to sacrifice good taste for presentation, and while no one ever complained about it, I also had to note that it was a flaw that I could probably fix with a bit more care and thought.

It was one of the reasons that although people often said that I could be a professional chef at any point- I knew that wasn't true. Presentation was also something that mattered- but I couldn't care less about it.

"Alright then everyone," I said, not wanting to be devoured by four feroucious famished females. "You may now- dig in!"

"Yay!" Filo said.

Everyone started with one or two chicken momos- and sounds of delight were heard across the table.

"Mmm..." Filo said. It occurred to me that during her advertisements for KFC she was dressed up as a giant chicken- which begged the question, didn't the advertisers get that having her dress up as a chicken and eating chicken might seem... weird? Kind of like cannibalism? Whatever, I was probably thinking too much into it.

"This is great!" Melty said. She looked almost like she was about to cry.

Even Eclair and Raphtalia seemed to be unable to contain themselves. "My offer to have you as a chef still stands!"

"Declined!"

"If I could eat your cooking everyday for the rest of my life, I'd be soooo happy!" Raphtalia said.

I took a bit of the chicken momos myself- it was definitely better with the sauce.

But with that, the meal now turned to the hotpot.

"Filo, don't spill it," I reprimanded her. "And please be careful- it is rather hot."

It got to the point where I had to open up a window as it was getting quite steamy inside. Perhaps the old me would've found the concept of being in a steamy room with four other woman exciting, but I was beyond those kinds of jokes.

"Eurgh!" Melty cried out, taking too much of the hot liquid than she could handle, now fanning her hand in front of her tongue in a desperate attempt to get it to cool down. I didn't think she looked cute at all while she did so- no sir, but I did hand her a glass of cold soda to wash it down with.

"Be careful," Eclair said.

The hotpot was the main course, but afterwards, of course, was dessert. I was pretty sure that Filo must've had a well inside her stomach, or one of those pocket dimensions like you'd see in Doraemon, else there was no way that she could stomach all of that food.

"Hey- Filo does not eat too much!" Melty cried out.

"Mr. Naofumi, I've heard that child actors often struggle with people criticizing their weight," Raphtalia chimed in. "You shouldn't be thinking such things about Filo-chan. It could be hard for her body image growing up."

"Indeed," Eclair said. "I've heard stories of child actors who had their adult lives ruined later on because of various reasons."

"Eh!?" Melty chimed up. "Is-Is that true, Filo-chan? Is it really stressful?"

FIlo was eating her soup, being as happy-go-lucky as one could be. I snorted- it didn't look like Filo took stress for anything- I guess there were health benefits to being an airhead.

"You're one to talk about stress at a young age," I said to Melty.

"Hey- I'm not stressed out!" Melty said.

I decided not to comment for now. "I am not!" Melty exclaimed again, apparently reading my face.

I took a look at the clock- "You should be getting ready for bed."

"Hey- you don't tell me when to sleep!"

"You do realize we have law school in the morning, right?" I told her.

Melty blinked as the thought of school hadn't occurred to her. "Also, we'll have to find somewhere to leave Filo until her guardian comes back tomorrow."

"Eh- wait," she said, thinking about it. "Hey- missing one day of college wouldn't hurt, right?"

Elcair shook her head. "Now come on now, Melty-sama, you can always arrange for another playdate with Filo later. But you can't be seen playing truant for no reason."

"Right," Melty said, sighing.

"No matter," Raphtalia said. "I don't have anything important tomorrow, and I can stay by and watch Filo."

"Are you sure?"

"Yup," Raphtalia said. I guess she would be missing classes- to be fair thought, I would have no problem ditching classes if I was given the option- the thing though was that law school was preferable to staying with Filo and her shenanigans. "So I think that's a fine plan!"

"Sure," I said. I piled the plates in the sink, letting them soak before I'd tackle them tomorrow. "Alright then, let's head to bed!"

"Before that, Mr. Naofumi," Eclair said. "Could I have a word? In private?"

"O-kay..." I said, not sure what she wanted to talk about.

She led me outside and then, once the door was closed, pulled out her phone, showing me articles... about me. While I hadn't been very famous, drama is always popular on the internet and there were dozens of other TwitchTube channels talking about me. Ironically I was probably the most famous during this controversy. "I had this background check done because... well, I was going to get it done anyways, but after what those men in the café said..."

"Look, I didn't do it- okay?"

"I believe you," she said. "Miss Raphtalia believes you, and I trust her. I just wanted to let you know... I didn't tell Melty's father..." She looked a bit guilty. "He would never have allowed this at all if he were to know... so..."

"Yeah, thanks for that," I said. I was a bit annoyed by this person whom I'd never even met before, but it was somewhat understandable position for a father to take. I stifled a yawn- I did need to get ready for law school, after all.

Eclair nodded and we went inside.