IITYVA 20

Chapter 20

“Ah, I see…”

I nodded slowly, blinking my blurry eyes.

So the young nobleman was learning how to cook because he wanted to make food for someone he liked.

And the result was this delicious stew.

Well, if that’s what As wants, then so be it.

Thinking that to myself, I continued speaking.

“As, the stew was really delicious. Thank you so much for making something so tasty. But you’re still young, so you don’t need to do things like this anymore. Working with fire and knives is dangerous and hard!”

“…”

“Kids should just enjoy eating the meals grown-ups make and have fun. Of course, you should study hard too…”

“Einra, I’m not a kid. I can handle cooking just fine.”

As spoke firmly and clearly.

Startled by his sudden discomfort, I quickly waved my hands.

“No, no, I didn’t mean you can’t do it…! I just meant that children are supposed to be cared for by adults!”

“I’m not a child. I’m an adu—ha…”

As trailed off and sighed, looking like he’d just been hit with a dose of reality.

He looked like I shouldn’t push the subject any further, so I quickly rolled my eyes around and changed the topic.

“Oh, right! Do you like spicy food?”

“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

“Well, usually kids don’t like spicy things. But the stew had a bit of spice, so I was curious.”

Suddenly, As’s eyes shimmered.

But as if it had only been my imagination, he smiled as if nothing had happened and answered calmly.

“I don’t really like it.”

“…”

“But I might end up cooking for someone who does.”

As said it matter-of-factly.

Somehow, I felt frozen in place, like a nail had been driven into my body. My mind went blank—I had no idea what to say.

I just stood there, staring blankly at As like a broken doll.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang from downstairs. It was the chime that rang whenever someone came to visit.

Internally thanking the unknown visitor for rescuing me from the awkwardness, I jumped to my feet.

“Looks like someone’s here. As, if you’re feeling better, come down slowly. Don’t push yourself!”

I lightly patted As on the head, then hurried downstairs.

“Who is it?”

As I opened the front door, a low chuckle greeted me.

When I looked up, I saw a pair of sky-blue eyes, curving gently with warmth.

“Did you run here, Einra?”

The voice I’d always heard through the crystal orb now tickled my ears directly.

A soft breeze brushed past his honey-colored hair.

“Did you miss me that much?”

There he was—my favorite, Harnen, standing at the door with a smile.

“Harnen!”

Overjoyed, I smiled brightly and threw myself into his arms.

Harnen let out a soft laugh, stroking my hair as if to ruffle it gently.

“You’ve gotten clingier since I last saw you. Am I imagining things?”

“It’s because you were gone for so long! I missed you so much!”

I pulled back from the hug and grabbed his cheeks, inspecting his face closely.

“You weren’t skipping meals while I was gone, were you? You’ve been eating properly, right?”

“I’ve been taking good care of myself since I knew you’d worry. How’s that? Did I do well?”

Harnen tilted his head like a puppy wanting praise.

I chuckled softly and patted his head like I was rewarding him.

“Yeah, you did great. Your health is the most important thing, got it?”

“If Einra wants it, then sure.”

Like a well-behaved golden retriever, Harnen quietly lowered his eyes and basked in my touch—until his gaze suddenly shifted behind me.

His eyes suddenly turned cold.

Just as I was about to turn around, confused by his sudden change, a soft voice spoke from behind.

“…Who’s that?”

It was the coldest I’d ever heard As’s voice.

Startled, I quickly turned around.

There stood As, smiling faintly, his lips curved like a drawn line, staring directly at Harnen.

“Ah, um, As, this is…”

“Nice to meet you, little mister.”

Before I could even introduce him, Harnen smiled first and spoke up.

“I’m Harnen. Einra’s one and only friend.”

“…!”

My heart swelled, and I clutched my chest.

My favorite had just called me his “one and only friend.” I was so touched I nearly cried.

But As’s reaction was… quite different from mine.

“Oh, I see.”

He responded indifferently, twisting his lips as if displeased.

“You’re Einra’s one and only friend, huh?”

“That’s right, little guy. By the way, who are you? You weren’t here just a short while ago…”

Harnen tilted his head innocently, putting a strange emphasis on “little guy.”

As’s crimson eyes briefly gleamed menacingly.

I instantly forgot my tears of joy and rolled my eyes around nervously.

This… wasn’t the vibe I was hoping for.

While I worried, As suddenly smiled brightly and answered Harnen’s question.

“Nice to meet you, Brother Harnen. I’m As. Einra found me passed out and has been taking care of me. She even puts me to sleep so I don’t have nightmares.”

“…Puts you to sleep?”

The smile vanished from Harnen’s face.

This weird tension was too much—I had to break it.

I quickly stepped between them.

“Okay! Let me properly introduce you two!”

I pointed to Harnen and spoke to As.

“As! This is Harnen. He’s my childhood friend—we went to the same academy. He works as a shaman in the capital and came to visit me on his vacation.”

Then I pointed to As and spoke to Harnen.

“And Harnen! This is As. I found him unconscious a week ago and helped him recover. He doesn’t remember anything except his name, so he’s staying with me for now. He’s really scared of nightmares, so I’ve been helping him sleep since yesterday.”

I took each of their hands and clasped them together.

“You’ll be living together for a while, so let’s all get along, okay?”

When I shouted, “Shake hands!” the two who had been staring each other down with icy eyes finally smiled and gripped each other’s hands.

“Looking forward to it, As.”

“Same to you, Brother Harnen.”

For some reason, their smiles felt like they had throbbing forehead veins, but I forced myself to smile brightly.

It was fine.

…Really, it was fine.