Annie was standing on the top step of an A-frame ladder, holding a string of colorful lights, preparing to hang them on the top of the tree.
She stood on her tiptoes, trying her best to stretch her arms.
But when she turned her head, she found Kotetsu Isane, who had been standing at the bottom of the ladder helping to hand things up, was already taller than her on the ladder without even standing on her tiptoes... "..."
Annie looked at that 1.87-meter towering "giant tower," then looked at the ladder under her feet, her movements freezing in mid-air.
The atmosphere became very awkward for a moment.
Finally, Annie climbed down from the ladder expressionlessly, stuffed the lights into Yone's hands, and silently went to do something else... On the other side, in the open kitchen, it was a different scene of bustling activity.
Ever since Unohana Retsu had been summoned, the power over the kitchen had been handed over from Perona without any suspense.
Compared to Perona's "as long as it's edible" level, Unohana Retsu, who had lived for a thousand years, was a grandmaster-level existence in cooking as well.
At this moment, she was wearing an apron, holding a soup spoon, and elegantly tasting the thick soup.
"Kumashi, hand me those spices over there."
"Hoi!"
The stuffed bear Kumashi was wearing a tiny chef's hat, working diligently on the side, cutting vegetables and passing plates, busy and happy.
As for the former head chef, Perona?
She was like a little brat who only knew how to cause trouble during the New Year; she was currently slumped on the sofa without any image, clutching a controller and outputting frantically at the TV screen, with half a Gingerbread Man in her mouth: "Ahhh! Lord Mo Die, come help me! I can't pass this level either!"
By the dining table, Reze was holding a table knife, gesturing towards a large, freshly roasted turkey, even humming an unknown tune.
Everyone was performing their duties, a scene of harmony.
When the sound of the front door opening rang out, everyone's movements stopped in unison.
Several pairs of eyes simultaneously looked at the panting figure at the door.
"Ah, Modie-chan is back!"
Reze was the first to put down her knife and waved happily.
"Welcome back, My Lord." Unohana Retsu turned around and smiled gently, "Dinner will be ready soon."
"Honestly, you're too slow! I'm starving!" Perona threw down the controller and complained in a low voice.
"..." Although Annie didn't speak, she also walked over silently and handed Su Modie a pair of slippers.
Looking at these familiar faces and feeling the warmth inside the house.
Su Modie only felt her eyes grow hot.
No cold instant noodles, no drafty door cracks, and no lonely purple toy.
There was only... everyone... This is so good.
"Yeah."
Su Modie took a deep breath and gave a brilliant smile: "I'm back."
Although her body was still weak and sore from climbing those few flights of stairs just now, as the head of the household... she always felt she should do something, rather than waiting for food like a small animal.
Perona:?
So, she rolled up her sleeves and strolled into the kitchen, wanting to see if she could help with anything.
"Um... Sister Hana, is there anything I can help with? Cutting vegetables or washing dishes?"
Unohana Retsu, who was tasting the food, stopped her movements and turned around.
Unohana Retsu narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze falling on Su Modie's still slightly trembling legs, her tone gentle:
"It's naturally good if My Lord wishes to help, but..."
She reached out her somewhat cool fingers and gently wiped a bit of sweat from Su Modie's forehead, a hint of meaningful concern showing in her eyes:
"To be this tired just from climbing stairs, your physical foundation is really too poor. If this continues, it's quite worrying."
"It's okay, when I have more simulation values, I'll just chug some Attribute Potions~"
Su Modie was optimistic.
However, Unohana Retsu was clearly a woman who managed the household strictly; her smile seemed to deepen a bit:
"That would be such a waste... It just so happens I'm free lately. After Christmas, how about I personally help you devise a special training plan? Whether it's Kendo or physical techniques, I believe I can make your constitution undergo a... qualitative leap in a short time."
"!!!"
Su Modie only felt a chill rush straight to her head; the hot sweat from climbing the stairs instantly turned into cold sweat.
Let Unohana Retsu... train her?!
"No, no, no! No need!"
Su Modie shook her head like a rattle, her face pale, looking somewhat pitiful:
"I... I think I'm doing great right now! Really! I can eat and sleep, my body is super healthy!"
"Pfft—"
A light laugh broke the suffocating pressure.
Reze, who was brushing sauce on the turkey nearby, couldn't help but laugh out loud.
She put down the brush and walked over to Su Modie, who had been scared into a shivering little quail, her green eyes full of doting.
"Oh, Sister Hana, stop scaring her."
Reze cupped Su Modie's small face, and seeing her cute, startled appearance, her heart softened. She couldn't help but lean in and peck her fair cheek.
"Chu~"
The warm sensation made Su Modie daze for a moment. Before she could react, Reze had already turned around with a smile, pushing her back like she was coaxing a child:
"Alright, alright, the kitchen is a battlefield; it's not a place for a cutie like you. Go play over there obediently."
"Eh? Wait..."
Su Modie tried to protest, but Reze took her hand without allowing any argument and led her to the sofa area in the living room, then pushed her down next to Perona, who was sitting cross-legged playing games.
"Here, your mission is to play with this one. Just don't let her steal any more unbaked gingerbread men."
Reze winked playfully and then turned back to her post in the kitchen.
"..."
Su Modie sat on the soft sofa, still a bit dazed.
"Hmph, finally here, Player 2!"
Perona, on the other hand, was not polite at all. Seeing Su Modie sit down, she immediately stuffed another controller into her arms, saying with a face of disdain mixed with a bit of hidden joy:
"Hurry up, hurry up! This level's boss is too hard to beat. Since you have nothing to do anyway, accompany me to clear the level!"
Su Modie held the controller, looking at the colorful game screen, then turned to look at the layout of the house, suddenly realizing.
Good grief.
Had the hierarchy in the house formed without her noticing?
Reze and Unohana Retsu represented the Adult Group in charge of cooking; Annie and Yone represented the Youth Group in charge of labor... and finally... Su Modie looked down at the controller in her hand, then at Perona, who was focused on the TV.
The Kids Group, whose success was measured by not causing trouble... "..."
As the main body, the Master, and the head of the household, Su Modie's current mood was very complicated, even a bit speechless.
She had actually ended up in the same tier as Perona?
She was clearly older than Annie!
This was simply... "Stupid Lord Mo Die, what are you complaining about! What do you mean by the same tier as me? Hurry up and play! I'm about to die!"
Perona leaned against Su Modie and shook her.
"Coming, coming! Don't rush me!"
Su Modie sighed, but her body honestly operated the character to rush forward.
Forget it.
She leaned back, sinking into the soft sofa, listening to the sound of chopping and laughter from the kitchen, and watching the flashing Christmas tree lights.
Although it was a bit embarrassing... this feeling of being pampered, being taken care of like a child, and not having to worry about anything... seemed not bad at all?
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