Magic Stone lamps hung in the spacious hall, and the wooden dining table was covered with dishes rich in color, aroma, and flavor.
"Please enjoy your meal."
The demi-human owner set down the final plate, smiled, and turned to leave.
On the way to Babel, Bell had chosen a somewhat shabby-looking tavern and sat across from Lefiya at a table. It was afternoon, and aside from the two of them, there were no other customers in the hall. A little girl sat beside the owner, flipping through a picture book while humming a love song.
Affected by that childish singing, Lefiya seemed to soften as well. She cupped her cheeks and stared blankly at the boy in front of her.
"Lefiya-san, are you really not going to eat anything?"
Bell swallowed his food and asked.
All the dishes on the table had been ordered by him alone. Lefiya had not touched anything and simply watched Bell enjoy the meal.
"I already ate at the Familia canteen. Honestly, how can you skip meals like that? It's not good for you."
Reflected in Lefiya's eyes was the sight of the boy eating heartily. Her words sounded like a complaint, but also like sincere concern.
"I was pretty busy today..."
Bell answered honestly.
He had eaten snacks like fried potato balls to fill his stomach a little, but since they were heading to the Dungeon, Bell still decided to eat properly first.
"In other words, you made plans with girls and went all over the place, right? What exactly were you doing that made you so busy you couldn't even eat properly?"
Lefiya gave a light huff, accurately guessing the boy's schedule.
She ignored Bell's explanation that he had at least eaten a little and changed the subject on her own. "Is the food here good? The decor looks a little plain."
"This is one of my information spots. The cooking is flawless. Lefiya-san, do you want to try some?"
Bell pointed to the food he had not touched yet.
The boy's life was not limited to going back and forth between the Dungeon and the mansion. To handle situations like this, Bell had, with Laurier's help, memorized several taverns with delicious food.
"N-no, I'm fine. That would be in-in..."
Lefiya stammered for a long time without managing a complete sentence.
"In?"
Bell asked in confusion.
"It's nothing. Just eat it yourself!"
Lefiya replied, her face red.
Her clear voice sank into the aroma of the food, while the song in the distance echoed with a peaceful sound.
Bell continued enjoying the meal. Lefiya tied her rich golden hair behind her back, rested her face in both hands, and quietly watched the boy.
"Lefiya-san, you're smiling to yourself."
Bell reminded her softly.
"I-I was just spacing out..."
Lefiya pulled her gaze away from the boy's handsome face and looked toward the food on the table. "Bell Cranel, do you like meat dishes that much?"
On the square table were herb-roasted chicken glistening with fat, steak cut into chunks with garlic cloves and mashed taro, along with fried chicken and fried rice.
"For humans, this kind of food is better for replenishing strength."
Bell set down his spoon and continued without thinking, "Lefiya-san, you dislike meat and prefer vegetable dishes. Does staying here make you uncomfortable?"
"Of course not."
Lefiya answered without hesitation.
She lowered her head slightly, hiding the blush on her cheeks. "Elves don't really like meat dishes in general. It's definitely not because I'm a picky eater..."
In truth, ever since Lefiya had started morning training, she had added the meat she disliked to her daily meals. Her body's rapid development was probably thanks to that.
"I see. Lefiya-san really is a good girl."
Bell answered with an easy, friendly joke.
"Ugh... Don't joke about that... So, um... what kind of food do you like?"
Lefiya stammered out the question.
"Hm?"
Bell had not heard her clearly.
"I said, tell me what food you like..."
Lefiya repeated the question, then quickly added, "Because, well, you know what dishes I like, but I don't know your preferences. That's a little unfair, right?"
Lefiya's logic did not hold up at all, and the fairness she was chasing was completely inexplicable. Although Bell saw through that, he still played along and answered.
"I don't have any special preferences. If I had to say, I like things like fried potato balls and fried chicken. I'm not that fond of overly sweet food, but only by comparison. It's nowhere near enough for me to dislike it."
With each sentence Bell said, Lefiya nodded thoughtfully.
No one knew what kind of scene those jewel-like blue eyes were imagining.
Finally, Lefiya hummed softly and murmured, "So you're an ordinary person too..."
"Did Lefiya-san think I was some seven-armed, eight-legged monster?"
Bell answered with a smile.
"No, that's not what I meant. It's just that this kind of daily life feels a little new."
Lefiya felt something strange.
The food on the table was something she disliked, and she was not the one enjoying the delicious meal.
Even so, a light, floating joy welled up in Lefiya's heart.
The boy had fought blood-soaked battles countless times, always protecting Lefiya in the form of a [hero].
That figure stirred the heart and gave rise to admiration, but inevitably, it also made her feel as though the boy's world was very far away from her own.
But now, Bell sat in front of Lefiya like an ordinary person, the corners of his mouth lifting because of food he liked, smiling because of this peaceful everyday moment.
Lefiya suddenly felt that the distance between them was just like this square table. If she reached out, she could easily touch him.
Even this plain, ordinary daily life was something she could keep watching forever.
No.
If only this warm daily life could continue forever.
Lefiya hid those feelings in her heart and silently watched over the boy.
When the food on the table had been completely cleared, Bell asked the owner to pack jerky and other portable food for him.
"These are for eating in the Dungeon."
Bell looked at Lefiya's dazed face and explained.
"You're very thoughtful."
Lefiya praised him with a smile.
Aside from jerky, the takeout box also contained dried radish and mashed mushrooms, foods Lefiya liked.
"Of course. If something happens, we might have to spend the night in the Dungeon. Naturally, we need to be prepared."
Bell revealed his meticulous thinking.
"Ugh... That won't happen. Who would spend the night with you? You're not looking forward to that, are you?"
Lefiya's face instantly turned bright red.
"I definitely wouldn't look forward to an accident. I only hope Lefiya-san masters Concurrent Chanting and goes home as soon as possible."
Bell answered honestly.
"Huh? Not looking forward to it at all is too much, isn't it?!"
"All right, if it's an accident without any danger, I would look forward to it."
"Ah, I knew it! Don't run, you permanently horny rabbit!"
Amid Lefiya's embarrassed shouting, the two of them left the tavern, one after the other.