I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [31]
Flickering, leaping, comforting flames.
Just watching them dance could calm her heart.
Just watching them glow could make her feel a bit dazed.
"Meow~~"
"...Ah, Coco... Where am I...?"
On the table, a girl slowly opened her misty eyes, her soft gray hair spreading like water across the wood-grained surface.
Awakened by the soft mewl, Jasmine finally realized that she had fallen asleep at her desk.
"Where was I... Oh, right, I was reading last night..."
Jasmine loved reading. It allowed her to learn about all kinds of things she wouldn't normally encounter in her daily life.
Especially the history and myths of various countries—those were her favorites.
"Meow~~ Meow~~"
"Are you hungry? I'll get you some food."
After rubbing her eyes, Jasmine hopped off the chair and gently picked up the little cat, Coco, who was waiting by her feet.
"Coco, have you put on some weight?"
"Meow~!"
Coco seemed suddenly energized, raising her chubby paw to swat Jasmine's cheek.
The curtains were suddenly drawn open, and the once-dim room was instantly filled with sunlight, invading every corner. These ferocious rays claimed all uncovered spaces as their own, leaving no shadow untouched.
This was the study, located on the second floor.
On the desk lay a thick book, recounting the legend of the Celtic King Arthur—a story Jasmine loved dearly. Next to it was a melted-down candle, a remnant of her late-night reading.
The floor was layered with a thick rug, soft enough that even a jump from the chair wouldn't hurt. Sometimes Jasmine wouldn't sit at her desk to read; she'd lay on the rug, completely absorbed in her books.
Back in the day, she'd just lie directly on the floor, until her sister, Baobhan Sith, worried the cold floor might make her sick. Instead of forbidding her from lying on the ground, she simply bought her a soft rug.
"Kids lying on the floor is perfectly normal," her sister had said. But honestly, Jasmine sometimes wished her sister would stop treating her like a child.
Pouting slightly, Jasmine carried Coco as she headed downstairs.
"Hasn't Baobhan Sith come back yet?"
A few days ago, Baobhan Sith had mentioned she'd be away for a bit.
Jasmine was used to it. In the past, whenever money was tight, her sister would go out on missions to earn rewards. Now, with fewer financial worries, they had more time together, and Jasmine cherished it.
Her sister took care of earning the money, while Jasmine ensured everything at home was ready, providing a warm, cozy environment to welcome her sister back, so she could relax as soon as she walked through the door.
After scooping out a bit of cat food—just enough to avoid overfeeding Coco, who might eventually struggle to waddle around—Jasmine frowned at the fridge.
"We're running low on groceries."
Ingredients had to be ready in advance so she could cook whatever her sister wanted.
So Jasmine grabbed some change, her keys, and, leaving Coco as the little "watch-cat," headed out for groceries.
"I'm heading out."
The market wasn't far, close enough to walk to without needing a bus.
The place bustled with friendly older folks, and Jasmine often shopped there, becoming familiar with many of the vendors. Over time, she grew fond of their conversations, her gentle and shy demeanor always endearing her to the vendors.
"Oh, Jasmine, back again."
From a distance, Jasmine's petite figure caught the eyes of the busy vendors. It was rare to see such a young person at the market.
"Grandma Endo, how's your health? Need a hand with anything?"
"Oh, it's just these old aches and pains—nothing serious. Are you here alone again, Jasmine?"
"Mm-hmm. Seems like my sister's busy again these days... I wish I could help her out a bit more, too."
"Haha, you're such a thoughtful child, Jasmine. Just having that in your heart is more than enough."
With a gentle smile, Grandma Endo reached over to pat Jasmine's head.
"Grandma Endo, um..." Jasmine's round cheeks flushed a soft pink. "The recipe you taught me last time—my sister loved it. So... could you teach me more recipes?"
"Of course, Jasmine. Anything you want to learn, Grandma is here for you."
In the end, Jasmine stayed to help Grandma Endo with some tasks. Although she was small, she could enhance her strength with cursed energy, making it possible for her to handle things alone.
Grandma Endo couldn't resist Jasmine's offer to help and, in return, handed her a bag of strawberries and a bag of apples.
"Take these. You've earned it."
With apples running low at home and finding it hard to refuse someone's kindness, Jasmine eventually accepted the fruits with a smile and a quick "thank you."
"Oh, by the way, the Nagano family got some fresh fish in recently. You should check it out; I bet that old man saved a few of your favorites."
"Thank you! I'll stop by there, then. Take care, Grandma Endo!"
Waving goodbye, Jasmine turned and walked away with a smile brighter than the sun, one that even made Grandma Endo's eyes squint with delight.
"Such a good child."
A short while later, Jasmine stood in the middle of the street, holding several bags.
"Got the fish, fruits, and veggies. We still have rice and soy sauce..."
After some thought, Jasmine decided to pick up some chicken and shrimp as well.
Baobhan Sith had recently had a craving for fried food, which immediately brought fast food places like KFC and McDonald's to Jasmine's mind.
"How could Baobhan Sith eat from outside places? You can't even see how they make the food. Who knows if it's clean or not? Besides... besides... I can make fried food, too! She only needs to eat the food I cook!"
It was, after all, for her sister's health.
After finishing her errands, Jasmine hurried back home, where she immediately searched for Coco.
"Good girl, Coco, for not making a mess."
"Meow..."
Coco replied listlessly, as if asking, "What exactly do you think I am?"
With her sister away, Jasmine only needed to prepare a single serving of food for herself.
Though they were better off now, the habit of thriftiness lingered, a quiet reminder of the old days.
Cooking, washing dishes, feeding the cat, doing laundry, hanging clothes to dry, cleaning the house—a fulfilling day passed in routine.
Soon enough, Jasmine was back in her study, picking up her book right where her bookmark left off. The warm light stretched her shadow long, filling the room with a comfortable warmth.
"Jasmine... Jasmine..."
Jasmine felt someone gently shaking her shoulder, cradling her so softly she felt like she was drifting off into a lullaby.
"Jasmine... Jasmine... you fell asleep here again?"
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Jasmine's golden gaze gradually focused, and she saw the figure beside her clearly.
"Baobhan Sith... Sister?"
"Why don't you go to bed? What if you catch a cold?"
Baobhan Sith frowned, giving her a reproachful look before letting out a gentle sigh.
A moment later, Jasmine felt herself being scooped up, a hand slipping under her legs as she was lifted off the ground.
It felt like a dream—the soft scent around her, her entire body weightlessly floating, then gently descending, cradled in a warm embrace.
"Have a good dream, Jasmine."
Baobhan Sith's slender fingers brushed Jasmine's hair aside, then she bent down, placing a light kiss on her forehead.
"Thank you for all you do, for our shared home."