"Shall we start then?" Astraea said, donning a white apron that made her look even more graceful.
"Yup, we should," I followed suit, retrieving an apron for myself as we started preparing dinner.
Astraea moved with practiced ease, her movements fluid as she began sorting through the ingredients we'd brought back.
"You're quite skilled at this," I observed, watching as she effortlessly organized the vegetables by type and cooking method.
"I've had plenty of practice," she replied with a gentle smile. "I usually prepare food for everyone, and I enjoy cooking too. It's a calming activity, don't you think? Creating something nourishing with your own hands. There's beauty in that simplicity."
"I guess so," I agreed, starting to wash the rice. "I can see the appeal of taking individual ingredients and transforming them into something greater than the sum of their parts."
"A rather philosophical way to look at cooking," Astraea said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Though not incorrect. It's quite similar to how a familia works, wouldn't you say? Individual people with their own strengths, coming together to create something beautiful."
"...I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right." I paused in my rice washing. "Is that how you see Astraea Familia? As something you're creating and nurturing?"
"Of course." Her expression softened with maternal warmth. "Each of my children—Alise, Ryuu, Kaguya, Lyra, all of them—they're precious to me. Watching them grow, supporting them through difficulties, celebrating their successes..." She paused, her hands stilling over the vegetables. "That's what brings me the greatest joy."
"They're lucky to have you," I said, "Not every god cares for their children the way you do." I'd come to understand this better over the past few months.
"No, I am lucky to have them, and that's why I wanted to thank you, Arin." She glanced at me with genuine appreciation. "For taking such good care of my children. Before, it always seemed like they would just accept death when it comes, but now it feels like they are more hopeful about their life and would most likely fight tooth and nail to survive any situation."
"That's good, I think. Though I didn't do much—it's their own strength. Maybe my threat worked, and they just don't want me chasing them in the afterlife." I grinned.
"Fufu, perhaps." Astraea laughed softly. "But still, you helped them. Don't diminish your own role in their happiness, Arin. All of them value you greatly—especially Ryuu."
I was about to respond when the kitchen door burst open.
"We're here to help!" Alise announced, leading Kaguya and Ryuu into the kitchen. All three had clearly finished bathing, hair still damp, dressed in comfortable house clothes and aprons.
"Perfect timing," Astraea said warmly. "We're just getting started with the main preparations."
"What do you need us to do?" Ryuu asked, rolling up her sleeves with determination. The other girls froze.
"...Lion," Kaguya sighed, "you do remember you don't have the skill to cook anything."
"Um, while I don't want to be as harsh as her, I think it would be better if you sit this one out, Lion." Even Alise, who always supported Ryuu, stammered.
"B-But I want to help…" Ryuu said, her long pointed ears dropping low, making her appear like an abandoned puppy.
"Then, Ryuu, how about you cut the vegetables?" It was simple enough that anyone could do it.
"Arin…" Ryuu lifted her face, her clear blue eyes looking at me. "Thank you! I won't let your trust in me be in vain!" she declared, making her way to the vegetables, grabbed a knife, and stood there doing... nothing. She just stood there, staring at them like they might attack at any moment.
"Um, Ryuu?" I ventured carefully. "Do you... know how to prepare those?"
"Of course I do," Ryuu said, but her voice lacked its usual confidence. She picked up a daikon radish, held it at arm's length, then set it back down. "You just... cut them. Into pieces. Small pieces."
"Wow, such detailed culinary knowledge," Kaguya drawled. "Truly, you're a master chef. Cut into small pieces. So revolutionary."
"Kaguya," Ryuu's voice carried a warning tone, but her cheeks were slightly pink.
"No, no, please continue," Kaguya pressed on, clearly enjoying herself. "What's your next technique? 'Put them in a pot'? 'Add heat'? I'm learning so much."
"Kaguya, maybe you shouldn't—" Alise started, trying to mediate, but even she couldn't quite hide her smile. "I mean, not everyone needs to know how to cook. Ryuu has other skills! Like, um... being really good at fighting! And looking elegant! And—"
"Not helping, Alise," Ryuu said, now distinctly flustered.
"I'm trying to help!" Alise protested. "I'm just pointing out that cooking isn't everything! You're amazing at so many other things!"
"Which is a very polite way of saying she can't cook," Kaguya translated helpfully.
"I can cook!" Ryuu insisted, grabbing the knife again with renewed determination. "I'll prove it right now!"
"Ryuu, wait—" I started, but she was already bringing the knife down on the daikon with more force than necessary. The radish rolled slightly, and the knife came down at an angle, sending a chunk flying across the kitchen.
Alise caught it reflexively. "...I think the vegetable is trying to escape."
"It's rebelling against its fate," Kaguya observed solemnly. "It knows what awaits it in this useless fairy's hands."
"Both of you, stop it!" Ryuu said, her face now fully red. "And Kaguya! Stop calling me that! I can do this! I just need to—" She tried again, and another piece went flying, this time bouncing off Kaguya's forehead.
"Ryuu's eyes widened in horror. "I didn't—that wasn't—"
"Ow!" Kaguya rubbed her forehead, "Lion, are you picking up a fight?!"
"Lady Astraea, permission to use my sword on Kaguya?" Ryuu asked, her voice strained.
"Denied," Astraea said, but her eyes were twinkling with suppressed laughter. "Violence is not the answer, dear."
"Are you sure?" Ryuu muttered.
I decided it was time to intervene before Ryuu actually did resort to violence—or before she accidentally took someone's eye out with a flying vegetable. "Alright, alright, that's enough teasing. Kaguya, stop tormenting Ryuu. Alise, stop 'helping' in a way that makes it worse."
"Tch! Just when it was starting to get fun!" Kaguya protested.
"And I really am trying to help!" Alise added.
"I know, but you're both terrible at it." I moved over to where Ryuu was standing, still clutching the knife like she was ready to duel with it. "Here, let me show you. It's not about force—it's about technique."
I gently repositioned her hands on the knife, showing her the proper grip. "See? You want to use a rocking motion, not a chopping motion. Remember what you taught me in our spar?"
"Let the blade do the work," Ryuu answered, standing still as I guided her hands, demonstrating the proper cutting technique. "Like... this?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual, but the close distance between us let me hear her clearly.
"Exactly like that," I confirmed, stepping back. "Now try it on your own."
She did, and this time, the cut was clean and even. Her eyes widened slightly with success. "I... did it?"
"See? You can do it easily," I encouraged. "Now, for the next cut—"
"Wow, Arin," Kaguya's voice cut in, laden with mock surprise. "I had no idea you were so good with your hands. Teaching Lion such... intimate knife techniques."
"We are just cooking!" Ryuu said.
"Is that so?" Kaguya wondered aloud. "Cooking lessons. How scandalous."
"Kaguya, I swear—" Ryuu started.
"Alright, alright!" Alise jumped between them, literally spreading her arms out like a referee. "How about we all focus on the actual cooking? You know, the thing we're supposed to be doing?"
"Alise is right," Astraea interjected, her voice carrying just enough divine authority to cut through the banter. "While I'm enjoying the... liveliness... of this kitchen, we do need to finish preparing dinner. Ryuu, dear, why don't you work on the vegetables with Arin's guidance? Kaguya, please focus on your rice. And Alise, I believe your stew needs stirring."
"Yes, Lady Astraea!" they chorused, though Kaguya shot one last smirk at Ryuu, who gave her a glare in return.
The kitchen filled with warmth and wonderful aromas—garlic sautéing, meat browning, rice steaming. The earlier rain had left the air cool, making the heated kitchen feel especially cozy.
"Thank you," Ryuu whispered to me as we returned to the vegetables.
"Anytime," I replied. "Though I have to ask—did you really never learn to cook?"
"I never had to," Ryuu explained quietly, carefully making another cut with her newfound technique. "And after I came to Orario, I was so focused on training and justice that I never learned properly. The others usually handle meal preparation."
"I see, that's understandable," I said.
"How about you?" she asked back, "When did you learn to cook?"
"I learned it because there was no one else to do it for me," I answered, "Though I was never that good, I can only make some basic stuff."
"You are already way better than me, though." Ryuu replied, as she continued to cut the vegetables, "But I guess cooking is not that impossible."
"Nothing's impossible if you set your mind to it!" I said, then added, "Besides, you're picking this up quickly."
"Because you're patient with me," she said softly, and there was something in her tone that made me glance at her. She was focused on the vegetables, but her cheeks were still slightly pink; that expression of hers made my heart skip a beat.
"Are they flirting again?" Kaguya's voice drifted over. "So repulsive. But it's some good teasing material."
"Kaguya!" Alise hissed. "You promised Lady Astraea you'd focus on the rice!"
"I am focused on the rice! I'm also multitasking!"
"That's not what multitasking means!"
Astraea simply smiled, watching her children bicker and laugh and work together, and I realized this was exactly what she'd meant earlier. This chaos, this warmth, this sense of belonging—this was familia in its truest form.
Ryuu successfully completed another cut and looked up at me with such pride, as if she'd rent a mountain in two. Kaguya made another teasing comment that Alise tried to mitigate. Astraea supervised it all with maternal affection. I couldn't help but hope for things to remain this peaceful forever.
"Arin, could you help me with this next part?" Ryuu asked.
"Of course," I said, moving closer. "Here, let me show you—"
"Oh, he's showing her again!" Kaguya announced. "Everyone, take notes! This is premium cooking instruction!"
"Kaguya! I'm going to put you in the stew!" I threatened, fearing Ryuu might become self-conscious about the physical contact. She is so insufferable. I glared towards Kaguya before returning to help Ryuu.
"Is that a challenge?" she shot back, grinning.
"Kaguya, please don't encourage him," Astraea sighed, though she was smiling.
"Too late!' Alise announced cheerfully. They're already plotting each other's demise!'
I shook my head and returned my attention to helping Ryuu, letting their banter fade into comfortable background noise.