Chapter 148 – Trial (6)

“Since when?”

A tender voice, laced with affection, drifted through the silvery strands of her hair.

“…Since when, what?”

“Since you started liking me.”

“Ah… Um… Eight years… ago…”

“Wow…”

Rubia, who had been hugging me, pulled back slightly. Her face came into view, a radiant smile making my jaw drop.

“That long?”

“…Yeah.”

I nodded, avoiding her gaze. A wave of embarrassment washed over me. It felt like a hidden vulnerability had been exposed.

“Why? Why did you like me?”

“Ugh… Why…?”

“Was it because of my chest?”

“Wah! Wh-What are you saying?!”

“Then tell me. Or I’ll just come up with my own reasons.”

“Hmm…”

The reasons I started liking Rubia…

“First, because you were beautiful…”

When the Priestess first appeared in the game, her beauty was breathtaking. I even stopped to read her story, despite usually skipping all the dialogue.

Of course, as a main character, she was designed to be stunning. But even so, she was simply beautiful.

Her silver hair, subtly shifting hues in different light. Her brilliant blue eyes, reflecting everything. Her sharp, proud features. Her dignified speech and melodious voice. Her—ahem—chest.

Everything about her was beautiful, and I loved it.

“Second… you seemed prickly on the outside, but soft inside. I liked that.”

I loved her personality. The way she put up walls because she was afraid of getting hurt was both sad and endearing.

“And… you were cool…”

No matter how many setbacks she faced, she always forged her own path. That was cool.

“Also… um…”

Knowing she would die, she still sacrificed herself to save others, smiling as she did it.

Because she was like my parents.

Because she reminded me of them.

Because I wanted to be like her.

That’s why I loved her.

But I couldn’t voice that last reason.

It felt too pathetic… I just wanted to keep it hidden.

“Anything else?”

“The rest is a secret…”

“Hmm… A secret. Alright. But eight years…”

Rubia murmured “eight years,” savoring the words, her hair swaying gently.

Then—

Chuu.

“—Oof!”

She kissed my forehead lightly before standing.

“If I stay any longer, I really might pounce on you… Let’s eat. Heehee.”

I clutched my forehead and looked up. Her expression was intensely seductive. Like she was about to devour me. No, like she was making me want to be devoured.

Did the Rubia I knew ever look like that?

I didn’t know. The expressions I sensed through intuition were never this detailed.

If she always looked like that… Perhaps it was a blessing I lost my sight.

Because I wouldn’t have been able to resist. I would have abandoned everything to spend every moment with her.

“Noah?”

“—Huh? Y-Yes!”

I shook my head and stood up.

“What? Want a kiss somewhere else?”

“—Guh… Ugh…”

That’s not fair… That expression is too powerful…!

I turned away and dashed to the kitchen.

“Just sit there… I’ll make something quickly…”

“Can I help? I’m not a great cook, but I can chop vegetables.”

“Oh? Then… hmm…”

Something Rubia could help with…

“Aha!”

I went to the small balcony and grabbed an onion.

“This is an onion. The outer layers are the peel. Just cut the top and bottom like this, peel it, and then chop it into fingertip-sized pieces, okay?”

“An onion? Oh… Okay, I’ll try.”

Her voice was full of curiosity as she took the onion, her eyes shining.

It might sting her eyes… but one onion should be okay.

As she washed her hands and grabbed a knife, I dragged a small step stool over to the sink. Then I grabbed zucchini, potatoes, green onions, tofu, and—not the cheap brisket—the good brisket from the fridge.

Sorry, Mom and Dad.

Huffing and puffing, I put everything on the counter and climbed onto the stool to start prepping.

Chop, chop, chop.

For a while, all was well.

Then—

“Uh… Hmm? Huh…?”

“What’s wrong?”

I hopped off the stool and went over to Rubia.

“Noah… This is weird.”

“Huh…? Is it bad?”

“I kept peeling, and now there’s only this left. Is this the onion?”

“…Oh.”

Rubia held up a tiny, finger-sized onion core, her eyes teary.

“…Pfft… Hahaha!”

“Why?! Why are you laughing?!”

“I-I mean… pfft… hehe… Um… clears throat Let me show you.”

Stifling my laughter, I grabbed a fresh onion and another step stool.

“I… I messed up, right? Sorry.”

“It’s okay. You didn’t know. Hehe.”

The thought of me teaching Rubia something filled me with a strange sense of pride.

“Okay, watch…”

I expertly demonstrated how to prep an onion. Even I was impressed by my own skill. If only I were holding something cooler than a paring knife…

“This… this is the onion.”

“Not the peel?”

“Nope! Amazing, right?”

“I see… Heehee… I was so clueless, I—”

“—Wait! Stop!”

I caught her hand just as she was about to wipe her eyes.

“Huh?”

“Wash your hands first! Otherwise, it’ll sting.”

“Really…?”

I nodded and carefully washed her hands.

“Yes. This little white thing is deceptively evil. Always be careful.”

I shuddered, remembering the first time I cooked and rubbed my eyes with oniony fingers.

After that, there were a few more minor incidents — over-peeling the green onions, crushing the tofu, peeling the zucchini like an apple. But finally, it was done.

“Ta-da…!”

“Wow… Miso soup…”

The vegetables were a bit haphazard, but it looked presentable enough. The large tofu cubes and chili pepper garnish were the perfect finishing touch.

While Rubia inhaled the aroma and sneezed, I arranged the side dishes on the table and went to the rice cooker.

Click.

“…Oh.”

I forgot to cook the rice.

***

Despite my worries, the rice turned out perfectly! Fluffy and delicious. And the miso soup, fragrant with brisket, smelled amazing.

“Here, try it. Ah—no, wait. It’s hot, so be careful.”

I took the tofu I was about to give her, blew on it, and placed it on her spoon.

“Heehee… Thank you.”

Rubia eyed the wobbly tofu before popping it into her mouth. Chewing, she smiled brightly.

“Wow… It’s delicious.”

“Hehe… The other ingredients are even better.”

I gave her some potato, zucchini, and brisket. She ate everything eagerly, which was utterly adorable.

“Haa… Spicy, but good.”

Rubia inhaled and exhaled, cooling her tongue, then started putting food on my bowl.

“Eat, Noah. Don’t just watch.”

“Okay.”

I ate what she gave me. It wasn’t as good as Mom’s, but better than Dad’s.

As our bowls emptied, Rubia spoke hesitantly.

“Do you… have any coffee?”

“Hmm?”

I quickly finished chewing and swallowed.

“I do!”

“Could we have some after we’re done?”

“Of course! I’ll make some!”

Rubia flinched.

“…What? You don’t want me to make it?”

“No! I’d love that.”

She avoided my gaze, suspiciously.

“Does the ‘me’ you know make bad coffee, too?”

“…Yes. Ahaha…”

“I see…”

I finished my rice and stood up.

“…I’m good at making coffee.”

At least, in this trial. After all, I’d just made decent miso soup. Coffee couldn’t be that hard.

“Just stay there. I’ll make you some.”

With a determined air, I went to the kitchen, climbed onto the stool, grabbed a packet of instant coffee—X-Nu, not the sweeter X-Sim—from the cupboard, and made the coffee.

“Here. Be careful, it’s hot.”

Rubia’s eyes widened at the aroma. She blew on it gently and took a sip.

“Hmm…”

“Well? How is it?”

“…It’s good.”

“Phew… Right? Hehe…”

As Rubia relaxed, I started clearing the table.

“I’ll help.”

“No, no. You sit. I’ve got it.”

The clinking of dishes, the aroma of coffee—a peaceful moment. Then, Rubia’s quiet voice broke the silence.

“Now that we’ve eaten… shall we go?”

“…Go where?”

“To get our rings.”