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Chapter 200
"You’re here to see Eileen, right?"
"Yes."
"But..." Stella said, glancing hesitantly behind her, "she is asleep right now."
‘That’s a lie.’
It was clear Stella was tactfully skirting around the truth since Eileen was avoiding me. Even though I knew that, I held my tongue.
Stella, trying to read my mind, ventured to ask, "Should I wake her up?"
"... No. I think it’s fine."
Saying so, I handed a beautifully wrapped box to Stella. Inside were two portions of pudding, including one for Stella.
"I bought it from the restaurant earlier because it was good. Please share it with Eileen."
"Oh... is there one for me too?" Stella asked, taken aback.
Her face suggested she had expected something for Eileen, but not for her.
I nodded, offering a faint smile, "One is for Eileen, and the other is for you, Stella."
"...Thank you."
"Enjoy it."
Stella gingerly cradled the box in her hands. Waving a hand in farewell, I ascended the staircase.
