CH-43 : Misha's Gratin

 Chapter 43.1

I'm currently sitting down by myself taking a short break after our meal.

Today's dinner was better than normal though my mothers mushroom gratin is still the best.

I ate a bit too much though and it's lying a bit heavy in my stomach, however, this feeling of fullness is pretty good.

Everyone else has gone into the workshop. My father learnt Ray was interested in making swords so he enthusiastically took him to the workshop.

Misha and Sasha also disappeared.

It's been a while and they still haven't come back, however, I can hear laughter from time to time so they are still chatting away.

Leaning back in my chair I can hear noises from the kitchen.

My mother? Let's take a look.

It was actually Misha inside.

"What you doing?"

Misha turned around with her usual deadpan expression.

"Gratin."

I can see the stone ovens lit. Is she actually making gratin?

We've finished eating though.

"What about it?"

"Making it."

"You are?"

*Kokuri* Misha nods.

"Arnos' mother is good."

"Well I won't argue with that but why?"

Misha blinked a couple times.

"Taught me."

Sasha and Misha did help out when preparing dinner. Did my mother teach them how to cook it at the same time?

"Practising by myself."

I see.

"You wanted more practice making gratin?"

"Nn."

"Well, my mothers mushroom gratin is the best there is."

Misha nods again.

"Arnos' favourite food."

"…Does that mean you are practising because it's my favourite food?"

It's only a little bit but Misha suddenly looks shy.

"I like Arnos's happy face."

She's saying something cute.

"I'm glad."

Misha smiles at my words.

"Arnos is close with Sasha."

"That's right."

Sasha exposes all her emotions without holding back and talks to me rudely. She's also meddlesome and unintentionally amusing at times. I had no such subordinate 2000 years ago.

"Something wrong with that?"

"It's nice." Misha stares into my eyes. "But I'm a little lonely."

"I see. Does it feel like I've stolen your older sister?"

Misha's eyes opened slightly and she shook her head.

"Opposite."

Misha suddenly points at me.

"Me? By Sasha?"

Misha nods slightly.

Unusually for Misha, she's assertively looking me in the eyes.

"I made friends first." Her voice becomes thinner. "…But Sasha is closer now…"

I unintentionally laugh.

"So even Misha can think like that."

She looks down and says in a small voice.

"…Jealously is not good…"

Our feelings don't always go the way we want them too.

"I'm not on better terms with Sasha than you."

"Really?"

Misha stares doubtfully at me.

"She just talks more"

"…I speak less…"

Misha's voice gets even quieter.

"That's one of your good points Misha."

Her face relaxes slightly.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I can feel calm when I'm talking to you."

*Fufu* Misha laughs shyly.

"I'm happy."

Fumu. This misunderstanding seems to have been solved.

"Ah."

Misha suddenly notices something and puts on some mittens before fetching a pot from the oven.

A delicious scent of white sauce and cheese drifts out.

"I did it."

Misha joyfully puts the pot on the table before taking a wooden spoon and scooping up some gratin, blowing on it to cool it down and then eating it in one gulp.

Did it go well? Misha's nodding while tasting her gratin.

"Is it delicious?"

Misha turns around to face me with her deadpan expression before scooping up some more gratin and pointing the spoon at me.

"Eat?"

"Ah, no, I just ate a while ago."

".....I see...…"

Misha stares at the gratin on the spoon.

She somehow looks lonely.

Oh, she did say she liked seeing my happy face so that's why she was practising.

In that case, no matter how full I am I will eat it.

"Fumu. Actually, I've changed my mind. I'm a bit peckish. Can I have it?"

Misha smiled happily and nodded before blowing on the gratin.

Moving forward she brought the spoon to my mouth.

"Here."

Misha's demanding that I open my mouth.

"..."

I'm not a baby. I can eat by myself.

When I didn't open my mouth she tilted her head to one side.

"…Aaahn…"

Did she think her intention wasn't communicated? She's asking me to open my mouth again.

Whatever. It's fine I guess. Do what you want.

I opened my mouth and Misha fed me the gratin.

Umu, this is exquisite. She's only just learnt from my mother but she can already perfectly replicate my mother's mushroom gratin taste.

"…How is it…?"

"Exquisite."

*Fufu* Misha laughed.

"One more?"

"Let's have it."

Misha brings it to my mouth again.

"…Aahn…"

Did you think I wouldn't open my mouth if you didn't do that?

Misha feeds me the same way again.

I was already stuffed but in the next 10 minutes, I managed to eat another dish of gratin.

"It was delicious. Misha's good at cooking."

"…Normal…" She says a little shyly. "I'll make it again."

"Don't overdo it. You don't need to make it to remain friends with me."