❀══✧══❀
A peaceful morning settled over the house.One of those mornings where calm seemed to seep into every corner.
Ryota woke up, drawn by a delicious smell of food.Still half-asleep, he left his room and made his way to the living room.
The table was covered with dishes.Scarlet was eating in her corner, a faint smile on her lips.Evelynn, her mouth full, was struggling to speak, sitting next to Yuta, who was busy cooking.
Ryota joined them.
— Morning everyone! What are you cooking, Yuta?
— Sleep well? he replied. Where I'm from, we call this brunch.
— Brunch? Ryota asked, intrigued.
— A meal you eat between morning and early afternoon.It mixes all kinds of food and drinks, both sweet and savory.
— Sounds like a nice concept!
Ryota sat down and helped himself, casting a discreet glance toward Scarlet.
— Say… why does she always stay on her own side?
— Give her time to adapt, Yuta replied. We don't know her story.
Evelynn tried to speak, but with her mouth too full, she nearly choked.Yuta immediately handed her a glass of water.
— Eat slowly, the food isn't going to grow legs and run away, he said with a laugh.
Scarlet then moved a little closer… slowly, almost like a snail, until she reached their table.In a low voice, she addressed Yuta.
— …Hey… what's this dish?… please.
The three of them looked at her, surprised… then smiled.Seeing Scarlet take a step toward them strangely made them happy.
— Scrambled eggs with truffle and bacon.I can teach you how to make it, if you want.
— Thanks…
— I WANT TO LEARN TOO! Evelynn shouted enthusiastically.
A short silence followed.But it was a peaceful, warm silence.Not an awkward one.
— Tonight, I'm the one cooking! Evelynn declared confidently.
Shortly after, Scarlet, having finished eating, left the table and went back down to the basement to continue her training.Ryota and Evelynn, meanwhile, wanted to discover dishes from other worlds.
— Yuta, Ryota… do you have favorite dishes you can show me?
— Uh… where I'm from, it was mostly my sister who chose. Fried chicken.
— Fried chicken? We eat a lot of that where I'm from too, Yuta replied, surprised.
Time passed.Yuta talked about dishes from different countries on Earth.Ryota mentioned those from Andora.And Evelynn took notes seriously.
══ ✦ ══
In the basement, Scarlet continued trying out weapons, lost in her thoughts.
How can I fully use my power…?
She knew that, at times, a red glow accompanied her.Like with Eden and Rose… or the kitten she had saved.
Hours passed.She tried different experiments: summoning her blood, manipulating it, slightly injuring herself to use it…
Until the moment she succeeded.
A large scythe made of blood formed in her hands.
She trained relentlessly, refining her movements, adapting her technique to this weapon so different from traditional fencing.
Then, without her realizing it, a strange smell filled the air.A burning smell.Accompanied by shouts upstairs.
— What is wrong with them now…?
Scarlet went back upstairs.The living room was empty, filled with smoke.
She turned toward the kitchen… and her expression froze.
Ryota was holding a fire extinguisher.Yuta looked completely overwhelmed.Evelynn, her face blackened by smoke, had just opened the oven.
— …What are you doing…? You're going to burn the house down!
Evelynn burst into tears.
— I messed everything up… I'm sorry…
Scarlet stared at her, expression blank.
— …So you actually don't know how to cook.
Yuta took Ryota's place.Scarlet took Evelynn's.
They cleaned everything together, then Scarlet began cooking, assisted by Yuta.A dish from Atlas.
Her initiative surprised everyone.She cooked with Yuta without saying a single word, in a strange harmony.
Ryota looked at Evelynn.
— We really suck…
— Yeah…
At that moment, the doorbell rang.Ryota went to open it.
Raythem had just returned, curious to see how things were progressing.He stopped abruptly when he saw everyone gathered.
— Why does it smell burnt in here?
══ ✦ ══
Scarlet and Yuta brought the dish.The five of them sat down together.
They shared the meal while talking.Raythem learned more about their daily lives, their habits…
And watched, satisfied, as bonds slowly formed, each at their own pace.