I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 94 : My Luck is Truly Rotten [1]

After blowing out the candles, making a wish, and cutting the cake, we proceeded with our dinner.

It was already eight p.m., so, following my mother—who scolded everyone to eat first—we all sat at the table.

My father had joined two tables together to create a huge king-size dining table. I was seated in the middle, with Julius and Anna on either side. Across from me sat Aria, Elise, and my mother.

A series of plates were set in front of each person. There were a total of six people at the table, including me. My father, the cook, was plating dishes in the kitchen. The faint sizzling sound could be heard from where we sat.

My mother insisted on helping him, but… well, her condition wasn't the best today, so he refused her assistance.

My eyes lingered on my mother's face. She was laughing and chatting with Anna and Julius, but a slight hint of tiredness showed in her eyes. I noticed it immediately.

"Mother, how is your health?" I asked, looking at her.

The conversation halted for a brief moment. Everyone turned their attention to my mother. They, too, must have noticed—her tired eyes, her thin, sunken cheeks.

Smiling in my direction, my mother responded, "Oh..! Worry not, my baby~ Your mother is doing fine." She gave a double thumbs-up with both hands.

I let out a sigh before giving up. My mother was persistent, after all. No matter how much I urged her to rest, she just wouldn't listen. I still remember this afternoon when I returned home—both Elise and I told her to take a break, but she just scolded us, saying, "Don't tell your mother what to do!"

We had no choice but to give up. My mother was sweet, but when she got angry… Oh boy! She was worse than a demon. Just remembering it sent shivers down my spine.

"Here comes the food! Heads up, everyone." My father emerged from the kitchen, pushing a food trolley stacked with neatly arranged dishes.

The aroma hit my nose instantly, and I could feel my mouth watering.

"Oh, all of this looks delicious!" Julius complimented.

"Ho ho! Wait till you taste it," my father said with a grin. "The locals call me Grillmaster X!" He raised a spatula as he proudly declared the ridiculous name given to him.

"You are the best, sir!" Julius continued to praise him.

How very typical of him.

"But sir, what does the 'X' stand for?" Anna asked this time.

"X?" My father turned to her. "I don't know… it just sounds badass."

"..."

"..."

"Pfttt...!"

A soft chuckle came from in front of me, and I was surprised by the source.

Sitting beside Elise, Aria covered her lips. She had been silent ever since she arrived at our house.

After spending time with Aria, I realized she had very few friends and preferred to keep her distance from unnecessary conversations. She only spoke when the topic genuinely interested her.

"Ah! Mother, look! She can talk!" Elise teased.

'That was kind of brutal, sis…'

I worry about Aria's mental state.

"Now, now, Elise, don't tease her," my mother chided. Watching my sister get scolded was oddly satisfying.

"Aria, dear, don't mind her, alright?"

"No, ma'am! I really don't! It's completely fine," Aria said hastily, a faint redness coloring her cheeks as she shook her head.

As the conversation continued, my father had already placed several dishes in front of us—roast chicken with orange glaze, garlic butter lobster tails, truffle pasta, stuffed mushrooms, smoked salmon canapés, tomato-cheese soup, and a three-tiered chocolate mousse cake.

"W-Woah!" Anna exclaimed.

"Please enjoy," my father said, bowing slightly.

After he served everyone from the bowls, we began eating.

I started with the roasted chicken—it looked the most appetizing of all. Savoring each bite, the flavorful juices exploded across my taste buds.

"Sir, you are a genius!" Julius complimented. He was also munching on the roasted chicken. "If I offered you a job as Hartfield's Head Chef, would you accept?"

His eyes were practically sparkling, and I didn't think he was just joking.

"I have to politely decline. My heart is set on only two things—the first is this café, and the second is my wife."

"Oh dear~!" My mother reacted.

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As the laughter and chatter continued, I had already finished my roasted chicken. Now, I picked up the tomato soup.

Honestly, I was still pretty hungry, despite the fact that I had eaten this afternoon.

'Was this due to some kind of side effect of one of my skills?' I wondered as I took a mouthful of soup.

'Correct.' Sera responded.

'Eh? What do you mean?' I asked.

'Let's eat first. We will talk later. We are very hungry too.'

'Alrigh—Wait?! Hungry? You are hungry?!'

How was that even possible?

Wasn't she just a ghost?

How could a ghost feel hunger, let alone satisfy it?

'Our consciousness is shared. The things you sense can be shared with us too, so everything you eat can be tasted by us as well. And one last thing—don't ever call me a ghost.'

'Are you serious?!'

That was actually pretty damn scary.

Now, I really wanted to know what her limits were.

"Hey." Anna lightly nudged me with her elbow, snapping me out of my private conversation with Sera.

I slightly lowered my face toward Anna, tilting my body toward her. She was seated to my right.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Nothing..." she said. "It's just that your family seems pretty fun."

That statement made a smile appear on my face. "Yeah... you're absolutely right."

"Hehe. Unlike mine, which hasn't had a proper family dinner in ages," she whispered.

"..." I didn't respond immediately.

But before I could, Elise interrupted.

"Ooooh my~ Zane!" The way she called my name already told me she was up to no good.

"Yes, sister dear," I replied casually, taking another spoonful of soup into my mouth.

"I wanted to ask you something…" she added.

I listened to her.

"I have been meaning to ask... You and Anna, when did you start dating?"