Kamisato Satoru watched Eula flee in embarrassment and shook his head with a smile.
Life in this foreign land was turning out to be pretty enjoyable.
"Good morning, Brother!"
Ayaka emerged soon afterward, having changed into a crisp white short-sleeved top and a beige pleated skirt that gave her a youthful, student-like appearance.
Remembering how she had passed out after a single glass yesterday, her face turned as red as a big apple.
She wished she could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.
"Morning. Go wash your face and hurry over for breakfast."
Satoru considerately refrained from mentioning what had happened the previous night.
"Okay!"
Ayaka hurried into the bathroom with a flushed face and emerged shortly afterward together with Eula.
Perhaps because they were both Cryo wielders, their relationship had progressed by leaps and bounds in this short amount of time.
"Come on, try it. See if it suits your tastes!"
Back in Inazuma, Satoru had mostly eaten whatever was prepared for him, only occasionally grilling a fish outdoors to improve his meals.
In reality, however, with the system’s enhancements, his culinary skills had long since reached the highest level.
"This is quite a feast."
The two beautiful young women were both a little dumbfounded.
Ayaka had never once seen her brother enter a kitchen, while Eula found it almost unbelievable that a man of such prestigious status knew how to cook.
The same thought quietly occurred to both of them.
Is this stuff actually edible?
Yet the irresistible aroma kept drifting into their noses, instantly awakening their appetites.
Naturally, Satoru had no idea what they were thinking.
Even someone with cooking skills as lethal as the Raiden Shogun’s could still find people brave enough to try her food.
The instant the Sweet Flower porridge entered their mouths, its refreshing sweetness made both girls’ eyes light up.
After sampling the various breakfast dishes, it did not take long before every plate on the table had been completely cleared.
"So? How does it taste?"
Satoru knowingly asked the obvious.
"It’s incredible! Your cooking is even better than the food at Good Hunter!"
Eula praised him, clearly still craving more.
Ayaka wiped her mouth and asked curiously, "Brother, where did you secretly learn to cook like this?"
As far as she could remember, Satoru spent his days wandering around dessert stalls.
She had never once seen him practice cooking.
"A while back, I ran into an old man selling cookbooks. I felt sorry for him, so I bought one. Turns out I learned everything after glancing through it a couple of times. Nothing difficult about it."
Satoru folded his hands behind his head and casually made up a story while shamelessly showing off at the same time.
Both girls rolled their eyes.
Clearly, neither believed a single word.
Satoru suddenly leaned toward Eula.
Their noses nearly touched, close enough that they could feel each other’s breath.
"They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. So, Miss Eula..."
"Have I captured yours yet?"
"...No. You’re imagining things!"
Eula’s beautiful face instantly flushed all the way to the tips of her ears, and she hurriedly retreated several steps in a fluster.
Deep down, however, she knew perfectly well that the breakfast had completely conquered her stomach.
Satoru saw straight through her denial.
Still, he knew when enough was enough.
Teasing this grudge-holding little cat really did give him quite the sense of accomplishment.
"Brother, please restrain yourself a little..."
Ayaka could only sigh helplessly when she saw the mischievous smile on her brother’s face—and the Kamera that had somehow appeared in his hand.
Click!
Satoru reacted with lightning speed, perfectly capturing Eula’s crimson-faced embarrassment.
"Ah! You actually took a picture of me like that?! I’ll remember this grudge!"
Eula practically jumped in fury.
After spending the past few days together, she had more or less figured out Satoru’s personality.
He loved playing pranks, but when it came to his actual character, she genuinely had no complaints.
"Do you have any duties with the Knights today?"
Satoru turned toward her.
"Nothing today. Another squad is taking over the rotation, so I finally get a chance to rest."
Eula brushed some dust from her clothes.
"Perfect. Ayaka and I were just worrying about not having anyone to show us around. Why don’t you take us sightseeing around the city today?"
"Please, Eula."
Ayaka joined in from the side.
"No problem. Let’s go. I’ll show you what the real Mondstadt is like."
Eula readily agreed.
She returned to her room and changed into an outfit better suited for going outside, once again looking crisp and capable.
The three strolled along Mondstadt’s stone-paved streets.
Although the sky had cleared, the atmosphere throughout the city still seemed somewhat oppressive.
"Look, who are those two strangers hanging around with someone from the Lawrence Clan?"
"Pah! The Lawrences should get out of Mondstadt. Don’t pollute the air around here."
...
Residents on both sides of the street pointed and whispered, some of their remarks downright vicious.
Ayaka’s delicate brows immediately drew together in anger.
She had only just made a new friend in Eula.
How could she tolerate people slandering her like this?
"Ayaka, forget it. Don’t take it to heart. I’ve heard it all so many times I’m sick of it."
Eula herself remained remarkably calm.
Although Ayaka’s reaction warmed her heart, she did not want her new friend to be ostracized because of her.
Whoosh!
Satoru casually flicked a finger.
A peanut shot through the air and struck the back of the knee of the man who had been shouting the loudest with pinpoint accuracy.