After cheering Angel up, it didn't take long before their order arrived.
A waiter with a tray carried their order in one hand, maneuvering through tables and the occasional person with ease.
"Here's your order po, ma'am."
"Ah! Thank you!"
Maria smiled and directed the male waiter where to place the food.
Meanwhile, all Angel could do was nervously (and cutely) nod her head, thanking the waiter as well.
After Maria got her pork sisig and Angel her chicken inasal, Angel looked at Maria—and couldn't help but focus on Maria's dark brown eyes.
Now that she thought about it… when Angel was playing with Maria, she always assumed her eyes were black. But no—under the sun, or when the light hits her face just right, it reveals a beautiful, dark brown color.
And right now, those eyes were looking solely at her.
So warm.
So gentle.
"Ate, let's eat?"
Angel asked, smiling as she tilted her head.
Maria smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, let's eat. I bet you're hungry, huh?"
Maria teased.
Angel couldn't help but giggle a bit. It might be true. It was already 11:50, after all—it's normal to be hungry. But right now? It didn't seem that way.
It's as if just seeing Maria was enough to satiate her hunger.
It's corny, it's not something Angel would've normally thought of, but...
「It's not wrong.」
Angel thought to herself, then replied,
"Yeah! I'm starviiingg~"
Angel whined as she began digging into the chicken inasal.
"Woahh there, you aren't kidding, huh?"
Maria laughed, starting on her own food.
As the two ate, the waiters and other people at the restaurant couldn't help but glance at the two young ladies, clearly having the time of their lives.
"I missed this so much,"
Angel said in between bites of chicken.
"Oh, you did mention you studied abroad. Makes sense you'd miss Mang Inasal."
Maria replied, resting her head on one hand.
Angel giggled.
"Ah. Well, there's that too!"
It's not entirely wrong. She hadn't gone out in so long. And while it's true she didn't actually go abroad, it is true that she missed Mang Inasal and its chicken.
There's just something about the softness of the chicken that's so delightful to taste every now and then. Not to mention the unli-rice! That's the best part—even though Angel wasn't exactly a big eater. One cup of rice was already enough for her ulam most of the time.
"You know, now that I think about it... how close are you to your kuya?"
Maria asked, breaking Angel's train of thought.
"I think we're pretty close."
Angel laughed nervously. It's not entirely wrong—because her big brother is her. And she's her little sister. Makes sense?
Maria smiled and nodded, blowing on a spoonful of pork sisig before eating it.
Angel looked down at her food and kept eating, but after a few bites, she glanced back at Maria.
"Uhm, ate… may I ask? Why are you so kind to me? I'm just Joseph's little sister. I don't think I've ever asked you this before…"
Angel looked into Maria's eyes, searching for a reason. Maria noticed this too—and smiled softly at her.
"That… that is a secret~"
"Guhh, just tell mee~"
Angel persisted.
"A woman needs to have her secrets~"
Maria teased.
"Uuuu…"
Angel looked down, a bit disappointed.
"Well, maybe I can tell you…"
Maria said playfully.
"I have no reason at all~"
She looked at Angel and saw her shocked expression—then made a smug little smile.
"Well… I just think you look like a sweet girl. Plus, since you're my childhood friend's little sister, isn't it customary for me to befriend you?"
Ah. That made sense. Angel looked a little more at ease, starting to understand Maria's intentions.
"I see…"
Angel nodded and smiled.
"That— and you're cute."
"W-What?!"
Angel turned bright red.
"Oh, stop it!"
She waved her hand at Maria, flustered, which only made Maria laugh.
Before they knew it, they were both done eating and already on their way home.
"Thank you… for treating me."
Angel said, cheeks still a little pink.
"Don't sweat it. That's what big sisters do, right?"
Angel felt a warm hand rest on her head. She couldn't help but giggle stupidly. Is this how a headpat feels? It kinda feels nice.
"Well, here we are,"
Maria said as they reached her house.
"Ah… yes…"
Maria walked up to her gate and opened it, then looked back at Angel.
"Now that you know how to treat someone, next time be prepared to treat me as well, okay~?"
Maria winked before closing the gate behind her.
"A-ah, yes… Thank you again!"
Angel bowed, face still flushed.
Now that she went out with Maria, she had extra material for her light novel.
Angel watched as Maria disappeared into her house—Maria waved one last time before closing the door, and Angel waved back with a smile, happy to know Maria got home safely.
As Angel began walking back to her own house, she looked up at the sky.
For once… the heat, the brightness, the slightly painful sun—it wasn't so annoying.
For once, she appreciated the warmth.