Being the Former Archon's Live-in Cook

Act 7

"I hope you don't mind cooking an earlier breakfast than usual? I can help you in the kitchen." 

"Furina," you pat her hair. "You don't need to feel sorry for me too much. I can cook food for you by myself just fine. You should sleep more."

She pouted at you. "Who said I'm feeling sorry? I just felt like doing something productive in the morning with you instead of sitting around." She puffed out her chest in pride, her big white shirt did justice on her adorable appearance. Even though there wasn't much going on in the chest department, it still prompted you to look. "Do you really think pitying someone early in the morning is a grand idea for me? Such a glum manner to start off the sunrise!"

For some reason, your hand just shoots out slowly and gently settles itself on her cheek. Were you thankful? Or did you just act based on the intensity of your feelings at this moment? Like it  was the right thing to do even if there's no concrete reason you can think of on the spot. Her eyes widened at the action. The boost of confidence that skyrocketed inside you plummeted upon seeing that expression. But once her eyelids relaxed, she even leaned on the palm of your hand as if treating it like a cushion, the gentle smile on her face never leaving and giving a warm feeling. The sequence in her movement propelled your heart to backflip. If you were to faint in this very moment, no doubt Furina would panic and have no idea how to resuscitate you back to life. 

Actually, maybe she did know how. You could perhaps pretend to have fun.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked, making you internally blush at her tone of voice. She was surprisingly cordial. You were used to her smacking the back of your head or making irascible comments on your cooking, even though she always eats everything you cook without leaving a single grain in sight. 

"I have to. I cook for you, you know?"

"Hm." You blush more at that reply. 

"What?"

"Maybe I should talk to you more often."

"Aren't we doing that right now? Talking."

"You seem to smile more whenever we do."

You roll your eyes as you get past her and walk down the stairs with her following behind you in pitter-patters coming from her footsteps. "So... how do I help you?" she asked.

"Keep up." You tease her as she kept asking you over and over what she had to specifically do to help by poking your shoulders repeatedly as you both descend the stairs.

"S-slow down..."

"Be faster and you'll be fine." 

"Ugh."

The first ever cooked meal you received was from your dad. That memory was still clear in your head. How he used to smile and how he behaved around you and his wife. There wasn't much of that in the present. 

Seeing Furina alongside you being your cooking assistant in the kitchen was funny to witness. She was unsure most of the time, eyeing your movements and deciding if it was appropriate to step in or not. 

"Here's the ladle." 

"That's a regular spoon, Furina."

"Here's half a cup of water."

"It's more than half... Aren't you a Hydro user?"

"I chopped some Bulle Fruit."

"I think you meant to say mince. Mademoiselle Crabaletta could do a finer job. Why Bulle Fruit?"

"Can't you just cheer me for helping out?"

"In order to do that, you'd have to do a decent job." You harmlessly pinch her cheeks.