“Mr. Ivak…” Reese mumbled, rolling the lollipop in her mouth as she called him softly.
Ivak’s eyes had been closed all along. Hearing her voice, he half-opened them to glance at her.
Reese’s pale green eyes and white hair were already striking, and her dragon form’s human-like appearance was so breathtaking it almost transcended humanity. Ivak, though more subdued in appearance, radiated a calm, gentle aura that drew attention wherever he went.
Wow… almost everyone’s gaze turned toward the two of them. It wasn’t a big deal, but too much attention could be uncomfortable.
“Yoo-hoo, everyone’s staring at us…” Reese mumbled.
Ivak reached over and patted her head. “Don’t speak with something in your mouth, I can’t hear you.”
“Ugh.” Reese held the lollipop in her hand. “So many people are watching us.”
“Mm, that’s because you’re beautiful.” Ivak cast a sidelong glance. The street wasn’t crowded at this hour, but all eyes were on them, and he couldn’t help noticing.
“Mm.” Reese perked up a little at the compliment. “…But it still feels kinda weird.”
“Hmm.” Ivak nodded, fully opening his gray, shimmering eyes for a moment before closing them again. “I’ve mapped the nearby terrain. Next, we just need to find an empty spot and activate our concealment magic. No problem.”
“Oh.” Reese nodded, about to pop the lollipop back in her mouth when she suddenly asked, “…Why don’t we just find a place to stay tonight?”
“Because we have no money,” Ivak replied immediately.
“…” Reese licked her lollipop, realizing the problem. “But! Didn’t we just go to that… convenience store to buy stuff?!”
“…For humans in this world, low-level magic works fine,” Ivak said sheepishly. “It was just candy; not expensive anyway.”
“…Mr. Ivak! That’s not okay!” Reese stopped in her tracks, staring at him.
“…Alright, alright, I get it.” Ivak chuckled and scratched his head. “Reese… speaking so loudly just makes more humans stare at us.”
Reese froze, looking around, her face flushing. She lowered her voice and said, “But… what’s wrong is wrong!”
“Yes, yes…” Ivak pressed his hand gently on her head. “Once the holy bastard delivers the money, I’ll use a little magic to repay it.”
“Mm!” Reese finally turned and put her lollipop back in her mouth.
“Tonight, there’s a mountain nearby. We’ll sleep in the trees there,” Ivak said. “But first, we need to check on the matter Harts asked us about, and contact the seller of a nearby house.”
Reese paused. “…Wait… (holding her lollipop) Mr. Ivak, did you already check the house?”
“Yes, my clone went to see it,” Ivak replied. “Just returned. The place isn’t bad.”
“…” Reese froze again, staring at Ivak.
Ivak frowned at her wide eyes. “What is it?”
“This Ivak… isn’t your clone, right?!” Reese asked, dead serious.
“…No.” Ivak chuckled. “I won’t use a clone to accompany you like before. Don’t worry.”
“Mm.” Reese finally relaxed and turned back, walking beside him again.
“Hmm~ hmm-hmm~”
Anya looked over at Lirina humming while serving the food.
Huh… why does she always look so happy? Going shopping, cooking two meals—these should all be extra work, right? Yet she does it with such joy.
Anya sighed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
But the aroma of the food mixed with Lirina’s humming made it impossible to feel discouraged.
Yes… right now, I’m being taken care of by her.
Anya smiled helplessly as Lirina brought the served food to the table.
“Anya, go wash your hands and get ready to eat.” Lirina placed a plate of hamburger steak over rice on the table.
“Mm.” Anya got up and headed to the bathroom.
Lirina moved to the cooking area, bringing another plate and two bowls of miso soup, washing her hands at the sink in the process.
When Anya returned and sat at the table, she took in the sight of the meal.
White rice dotted with lettuce and tomato, topped with a sizable hamburger steak and a lightly browned fried egg. Steam rose from the food, with rich brown sauce drizzled over the rice, meat, and egg, making the aroma irresistible.
Next to it, a delicate bowl of soup with dark green seaweed, white tofu, and pieces of fish-like ingredients Anya didn’t recognize. The scents mixed in her nose, making her saliva flow uncontrollably—she’d never experienced such richness before, having been used to “angel food” that was bland and watery.
Anya took a deep breath, ready to scoop her spoon, when she noticed Lirina clasping her hands together: “Itadakimasu!”
Lirina picked up her spoon, noticing Anya’s puzzled look. She smiled. “It’s a Japanese custom. People say this before eating and ‘Gochisousama deshita’ after finishing.”
“Oh.” Anya wanted to ask more but couldn’t resist the aroma. “Then… I’ll start too.”
Anya plunged her spoon into the hamburger steak, lifting a whole chunk toward her mouth.
“Eh…” Lirina’s eyes widened in surprise.
Hearing her, Anya paused. “What?” (Swallowing)
“Um…” Lirina giggled. “If you eat it that way, the rice won’t taste right later. You should…”
Anya put down the meat, watching Lirina cut a small piece of hamburger and scoop some rice together, nodding at her.
…Nod? Am I being treated like a kid who needs to be taught how to eat?
Still, Anya followed her example, cutting a small piece of meat and eating it with rice.
The taste burst in her mouth: tomato flavor and the unfamiliar seasonings of this world mingled with the soft, perfectly cooked rice and tender but firm hamburger, dancing in perfect harmony.
She eagerly tried again, adding a bit of the fried egg white this time.
Oh…
Lirina watched Anya devour the food and felt incredibly happy.
She’s enjoying it… that’s enough.
But… looks like Anya never ate anything this good before, hence the big bites. Huh… thought she’d be more ladylike. Never judge a book by its cover.
Thinking that, Lirina took a spoonful of rice herself, sipping miso soup afterward.
Setting down her bowl, she caught Anya staring. Lirina smiled. “It’s delicious this way too—rice and miso soup together is really good.”
Anya didn’t reply, following Lirina’s example, eyes lighting up.
Lirina smiled and lowered her head to eat. Usually, cooking for herself was just… good, not this delightful. Today, she couldn’t help praising her own cooking.
The method and seasonings hadn’t changed, so it must be psychological—eating together makes the food taste even better.
Especially seeing Anya eat so heartily—it makes her food taste better too. Already good, now it feels like it could take off… kidding! Hehe.
“…Mm.” After finishing half the plate, Anya paused, probably realizing her messy eating, and glanced at Lirina cautiously.
Lirina smiled back.
…Of course, she’s enjoying my messy eating… oh well, the food’s too good to care.
“Watching me like that… is it really that interesting?” she murmured, cheeks warming.
“No… no, I just think you look happy eating, and… that makes me happy too.”
Oh… I misread that… but wait, happy eating? Never mind, it’s delicious, so no quarrel.
Anya snorted lightly and continued digging in.
Seeing Anya’s focus, Lirina relaxed, eating her own portion.
…Hmm, kind of amusing. Didn’t expect this seemingly ladylike girl to eat like this… hehe.
“By the way… how can you… make food this delicious?” Anya asked suddenly, curious.
“Mm.” Lirina swallowed. “Well, at home, my mom was busy, and I didn’t want to bother… um, my family for meals, so I learned some cooking skills myself.”
“This is more than just ‘some’ skills.” Anya sipped soup.
“Hehe… Later, everyone liked my cooking, so I wanted to keep making them happy. The ingredients here are similar, so once I got used to it, I could cook really well.”
“Oh.” Anya looked at Lirina’s happy face and felt warm inside. “Surprisingly… you’re pretty capable.”
“Of course… mm.” Lirina nodded, realizing Anya said “surprisingly” and puffed her cheeks. “I’m not that clumsy!”
Ah, a little childish—expected. Anya’s heart fluttered at her puffed cheeks.
“I never said you were clumsy; that’s how you interpreted it.” Seeing her reaction, she couldn’t resist teasing a bit more.
“!” Lirina froze, wanting to protest, but realized she couldn’t—completely caught.
“Hmph…” She muttered awkwardly, lowering her head to eat.
Well…
Anya looked up at Lirina again.
~~~~~~~~
A/N: Gochisousama deshita – Japanese phrase said after meals, meaning “Thank you for the meal.”