"No salt… it's really tasteless."

Luciel tasted the tomato broth.

Though plain, the sweetness and tang of the tomatoes blended perfectly, making the light soup surprisingly appetizing.

He placed the pot of broth on the table and set down a large slab of roast meat on a wooden plate.

Turning his head, he called to the girls, "Go wash your hands. Dinner's ready."

"Wash our hands?" Liyue froze.

It was the first time she had ever heard of such a luxury.

She glanced at her palm, only to find it black with dirt.

Indeed… it really did need washing.

"Huh? Washing hands isn't necessary." Mino wiped sweat from her forehead, leaving five dark smudges across her face.

"No. Before, maybe you had no choice," Luciel said firmly, shaking his head. "But now things are better. We can't keep living like before."

"But… isn't that a waste of water?" Mino grumbled softly.

"It's all rainwater. Using it isn't wasteful." Luciel gave the bunny-eared girl a look.

With the crystal fish, he no longer had to worry about water shortages—even filtering rainwater wasn't worth the effort anymore.

"Okay…" Mino muttered, seeing his serious expression. Too timid to argue, she obediently went to wash her hands.

"You too. Wash your hands, or there's no dinner for you," Luciel said, squinting at Liyue.

"..." The white-haired girl wanted to object, but under his gaze she faltered.

"Oh." She reluctantly followed the bunny-eared girl to wash her hands.

"Honestly… do I have two daughters now?" Luciel rubbed his forehead. "I'm only a few years older than them, yet somehow I feel like the parent here."

When someone with more experience faces those who are still immature, a natural sense of responsibility often surfaces. Perhaps this was what it meant to be a leader.

"Done!" Mino held out her freshly washed hands like a child asking for approval.

"Very good. Nice and clean." Luciel nodded.

He turned to Liyue, who also showed her palms, and said gently, "Go sit down. You can eat now."

"???" Liyue blinked, then stared blankly at her own open hand.

Why was she behaving so childishly?

She was already sixteen years old.

"Huh! Today's soup is red!" Mino exclaimed in surprise as she peered into her wooden bowl.

"Liyue, what are you staring at? Come eat." Luciel smiled faintly as he called her over.

Of course, he knew why she was acting strangely. Humans were social creatures.

Liyue had been isolated for so long that, in trying to fit into this new life, she unconsciously imitated others. It felt unnatural, but in time, she would get used to it.

"Oh, coming." Liyue patted her cheeks lightly, brushing away her stray thoughts.

She sat down, eyes fixed curiously on the glowing red broth.

"You've both worked hard today. Let's eat." Luciel took the first sip.

"Wow~~" Mino's blue eyes widened after tasting hers. "What's with this soup? It's so delicious!"

She sipped eagerly, unable to hide her delight. The sweet and sour flavor was irresistible.

Luciel chuckled. "I added tomatoes. You'll learn how to cook with them later."

"What's a tomato?" Mino tilted her head, puzzled.

"They're a kind of red fruit. Some are still unripe—I'll show you later."

He glanced at her twitching bunny ears, amused at how much she loved it.

"Mm-hmm!" Mino nodded happily and waved her arms in excitement. "This tomato broth is the best soup I've ever had!"

"Then eat more." Luciel ladled another spoonful into her bowl.

The satisfaction of cooking something so simple yet so appreciated made him smile.

"Hehe…" Mino squinted happily as she slurped away.

"Is it really that good?" Liyue asked softly, a trace of doubt in her voice.

Mino's reaction seemed a little exaggerated. Still, a spark of curiosity lit up in her silver-white eyes. She took a sip.

"...!"

Her white brows lifted slightly. The flavor was richer than she expected.

She quickly drained the whole bowl.

"Here, have another spoonful." Luciel served her more without hesitation.

The pot wasn't large—enough for about four bowls of soup, two ladles each.

"N-no need." Liyue's cheeks flushed as she tried to refuse.

"Hurry up and drink, or Mino will steal yours," Luciel teased.

"...!" Instinctively, Liyue hugged her bowl protectively.

Only after a moment did she realize how silly that looked. Her face turned scarlet.

"I-I'm not stealing!" Mino puffed her cheeks, tugging at Luciel's sleeve like a spoiled child.

Her little act was more playful than truly upset.

"Eat the roast meat before it gets cold," Luciel said, dividing portions for them.

"Ah…"

Mino chewed, frowning. "Why does it taste different?"

The dried meat roast was tough and chewy, but carried a strong fishy smell.

Compared to the soup, it wasn't nearly as enjoyable.

After dinner, Luciel stoked the fire and glanced at Mino tidying the bowls.

"How's the sewing coming along?" he asked.

"It's done! I even added sleeves to the robes." Mino's long ears perked up happily.

Last night she had finished sewing a skirt with the cloth Luciel had cut. Shorts, though, would have to wait.

"You'll both bathe later," Luciel said as he tossed stones into the firepit.

Before Mino could reply, he added, "Take a robe for Liyue to wear afterward."

"A bath? But didn't we just wash yesterday?" Mino blinked innocently.

"You ate yesterday too. Why are you eating again today?" Luciel replied flatly.

"Uh~~" Mino's mouth opened, then closed, unable to argue.

"I…" Liyue started to protest.

But Luciel cut her off, narrowing his eyes. "Can't you smell yourself? You reek."

His tone was blunt, his lips curling in disgust. "I can smell it from here. So go bathe."

"I-I-I don't smell!" Liyue's face turned crimson, her ears burning red.

"I'm not smelly at all!"

Shame and anger twisted inside her. It was the first time in her life someone had called her stinky to her face.

She almost wanted to bite him.

Luciel only shook his hands as though brushing off an unpleasant odor. "..."

"Hehe…" Mino giggled behind her hand. The scene was so familiar it amused her endlessly.

"Fine! I'll wash right now!" Liyue stomped her foot, then stormed toward the bath in frustration.

"Wait—I'll heat the water for you."

"No! I'll be quick!"

"Cold water won't help. You'll still stink after."

"You… you liar!"

"...What?"

"You are lying! You said I stink just to tease me, didn't you?"

"No. You really do smell."

Kang dang~~!

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