Chapter 80

"Back home."

After working up a bit of a sweat at the knight headquarters, the sun had started to dip westward, and it wouldn't be long before the scorching orb would hide behind the horizon. I opened the door to my new home, still not quite used to it.

"…Hm. Welcome back."

It's also still not quite natural to have someone there to greet me. It's not that I don't like it or anything. When I was at the family dojo, my parents were usually around, so it's not a big deal, but having a younger girl waiting for me at home still feels a bit off. I guess I just need to get used to it.

Muyi, confirming my voice and presence, replied with a somewhat dismissive tone. She seemed to have been sitting in the living room, bored. She glanced at me for a moment before lifting her upper body from the table.

"Ooh, that smells good."

The first thing I noticed when I got home was the aroma of cooking, which wasn't there when I left in the morning. Hmm, this is probably a stew. Maybe a pot-au-feu or a stew. Even someone like Muyi, who isn't used to cooking, can make a decent one. It's a foolproof recipe.

I have a feeling that Haruwi from Lucy's place did a good job with the basic household chores. After all, a stew is pretty simple; you just throw the ingredients into a pot and cook them. It's hard to mess it up unless you really try. It's a good dish to teach someone who knows nothing about cooking.

"…I'm hungry."

"Huh? Were you waiting for me?"

As I said this, a cute growling sound echoed through the house. The culprit, after widening her eyes, turned away, blushing. So cute.

I had assumed Muyi would have eaten already, so it was a bit of a surprise to find out she had been waiting for me. I don't think she dislikes me, but I also don't feel like she's that close to me yet, so it's a mix of happiness and embarrassment.

"…Eating with someone is more delicious, right?"

"Hehehe! That's definitely true."

Muyi mumbled, and I couldn't help but smile. How many more cute points is she going to rack up?

While savoring the scent of the food, I also thought about how important moderate exercise is. A pleasant feeling of hunger was spreading through my body. While my current job isn't too demanding, if I just eat and sleep, I'll turn into a pig in no time.

"Well, let's dig in."

"Mm."

With my words as the cue, Muyi started moving. After a while, she ladled the contents of the pot into bowls. On the table, a pot-au-feu with chunky ingredients was laid out.

The contents were sausages and, I think, potatoes. The peels weren't removed well, and the cuts were uneven, but it's still something Muyi worked hard on. Most importantly, even if her knife skills were a bit off, it wouldn't affect the taste of the stew.

"Itadakimasu."

"…Itadakimasu."

We said the pre-meal greeting and started eating.

…Mm, it's delicious. There's a bit of bitterness from the scum, but it's still within acceptable limits. Asking Muyi, who has never cooked before, to skim the scum continuously while cooking is a bit too much.

"Yeah, it's delicious."

"…Mm. Really?"

Cooking is about gratitude to the person who made it, whether it's a restaurant worker, my mom, or Muyi. So, I make sure to tell her it's delicious. It's an important part of emotional education for Muyi.

Muyi's face seemed to have a slight upward curve at the corners. No one likes to be criticized, so I plan to keep praising and encouraging her.

"…Oh, by the way."

"Hm? What's up?"

After a couple of bites of the pot-au-feu, Muyi suddenly remembered something.

"There was a box for you. I put it away in the back."

"Hm, thanks. …I wonder what it is?"

"Beats me."

I wonder what it could be. I don't have any packages coming my way. I've settled all my affairs with the inn where I stayed in Bartlaine, and the only people who know I live here are Alyssia, Lucy, and Ibroi. I met Srena earlier, but I didn't tell her my address.

Among them, the one who would send me a box is… probably Ibroi. It's probably a thank-you gift for capturing Bishop Leveos. I can't think of any other reason.

It was a bit of a troublesome and awkward request, but I might as well take what I can get. I don't think he sent me garbage or junk. Money or items are always useful in these times. I'll check it after dinner.

"By the way, I have something to tell you too."

"…What is it?"

Muyi looked up from her plate and responded.

Muyi's eating habits are, to put it nicely, age-appropriate. To put it less nicely, they lack manners. Cooking is a necessity for life, so I taught her that first, but eating manners aren't a matter of life and death. Haruwi probably didn't have time to teach her in the short period she was with her.

So, it's up to me to educate her. She'll have opportunities to eat with classmates when she starts at the magic academy, so I want to help her avoid embarrassing herself.

"Apparently, an important person from a neighboring country is coming to our country soon. I might be called to provide security."

"Hmm."

Muyi's response was rather indifferent. It's understandable that she wouldn't be interested, but I need to let her know that I might be away from home for a few days.

"Also, as you can see, I don't have any nice clothes. I'm planning to go shopping soon. Alyssia is going to show me around, so do you want to come?"

"…No."

Her reaction is still the same.

Hey, stop poking the sausage with your fork.

"I understand this might be boring for you, but don't play with your food."

"…Hmph."

She reluctantly stopped when I scolded her. However, she seems a bit sulky. Why? It's cute, but I wonder what's going on.

"…Is Alyssia that female knight?"

"Yeah, the silver-haired one at the headquarters."

"…Oh, right."

I wonder what's going on. For Muyi, Alyssia is probably a thorn in her side or something. She doesn't have a good impression of her. However, they're not enemies anymore, so I hope they can at least have a decent relationship. She's my colleague… or is she? Well, we work in the same place.

"Itadakimasu."

"…Mm."

As we chatted, we finished our meal. I was pretty full. I don't want to overeat, so I'll stop here. I glanced at the pot; there was still some left, so I'll save it for tomorrow.

Incidentally, Muyi had finished eating a bit earlier than me. Probably because of her past, she doesn't have the habit of eating slowly. She always eats like she's in a hurry. I want to teach her that the world she lives in now is different, but words alone won't do much. I'll let her get used to it gradually as she continues her new life.

"Well, then."

I put the dishes in the sink and headed to the back of the house. I'll wash them later.

By the way, I'm a bit curious about the box that Ibroi probably sent, so I'll open it now.

However, while he did say he would send a thank-you gift, I didn't really have any idea what it would be. I said I'd take whatever I could, but I'd be in trouble if he sent me something I couldn't handle.

"Oh, this one?"

In the back, I found a wooden box carelessly placed in the corner. I had imagined a smaller one, but this was surprisingly large. It was a good thing Muyi could carry it.

I examined the box, lifted it, but it didn't feel particularly heavy. Hmm, what could it be? I really have no idea what's inside. Well, I'll find out when I open it.

"Here goes."

With a mix of slight anticipation and significant anxiety, I opened the box. The lid came off without much resistance.

"…So that's how it is."

The contents were fabric.

More specifically, clothes.

And they were clearly not my size. From the patterns and sizes, they were definitely for a woman, and a small one at that.

There were various styles, from plain ones that could be used as pajamas to cute ones that she probably wouldn't like.

"…"

These are for Muyi, right?

However, while Ibroi knew I was getting a house, he shouldn't have known that Muyi would be living with me. At least, I didn't tell him.

So, there's only one culprit.

"…Maybe I'll go thank them next time."

The sender and the little tyrant who planned this.

Incidentally, there was also a substantial amount of darc in the bottom of the clothes. It's nice, but it's the most awkward thing to react to.

Well, whatever. I'll treat Muyi to something delicious with this.