The sun goes down, and then comes the time when the alfar village surrounded by the precipice should be wrapped in darkness.
The powdery snow falling feels magical against the light of the torches, and creates a mystical and beautiful sight.
Normally there would be silence, but people are moving around energetically, and the night is noisy.
“Great spirit, these are fresh mushrooms picked on this mountain!”
“Great spirit, these are fresh tara shoots picked on this mountain!”
Snow is the guest of honor in this banquet.
They’re usually calm, but the birth of a being that is like a god to them has left the alfar in a state where they can’t hide their excitement.
Snow is sitting on the seat of honor, and is being brought vegetables one after the other. All that just to get a look at the newborn ice great spirit.
“Daddy…”
“It’s all right.”
Snow is a little scared, and hides behind me.
I’m sure the alfar have no bad intentions, but for a little kid, it’s scary for adults to come rushing in like this.
“And what do we do with all these fresh vegetables…”
“Alfar coexist with the mountain. Most vegetables can be eaten just like that.”
“Hm…”
When in Rome… Well, I can probably eat anything, but…
It’s kind of troubling for Reina.
She looks like she also doesn’t know what to do with these vegetables they say can be eaten as they are.
And as for Snow, the pile just keeps getting bigger, and she doesn’t even try to take anything.
I’m sure Katima’s right, and these fresh vegetables can be eaten as they are. But if we put that custom aside, it’s natural to hesitate to just pick up and eat them.
“You don’t have to force yourselves to eat or anything.”
“But then what do we eat?”
“Hm… True.”
I think it would be beyond rude to be sitting right in the center of this banquet, and start taking food out of my Storage Magic instead of eating the food presented to us.
But Snow is probably hungry too…
“In that case, can you make anything with these, Reina?”
“Eh?”
“You’re always making tasty stuff, right? The other alfar are all having fun as they like, so you should do what you want too.”
There’s someone clapping and humming while playing limbo, and one is even shooting flames from the mouths. And I even see someone breakdancing while holding a torch. They really do have fun in their own ways.
Katima is right, the villagers are all dancing and having fun as they please, but still…
“Don’t worry about it. Katima doesn’t either. Actually, Katima wants to see what Reina makes.”
“Well, you might not mind, but…”
“Exactly…”
We’re kind of reluctant to just start cooking in the middle of a banquet held for us. But then, Snow lets go of my back and runs in front of me.
“Mommy’s food?”
“Hn?”
“Snow wants mommy’s food!”
She says as she looks at Reina with sparkling eyes.
Snow’s expectations are so high, that we aren’t strong enough to deny them.
◇ ◇ ◇
There’s a big round pot, and the oil poured in it jumps with the heat.
And next to it are various vegetables covered in the white batter provided to us.
“Oh…”
Snow is looking at Reina while she cooks, with great interest, and Reina gives her a little smile.
“It’s dangerous with the oil jumping, so step back.”
“Eh… Snow wants to see mommy more.”
Before we know it, the alfar are gathered to watch Reina cook too.
“Katima, what happened to the alfar not minding?”
“Some of them don’t.”
Katima says as she points to the alfar that was surrounded by people but is now doing the limbo alone.
Then there’s the one breakdancing, who sometimes peeks over here with a frustrated expression.
“No, they’re definitely trying to compete with us.”
The one doing the limbo starts clapping alone, and the breakdancer starts doing what looks like a big move.
They’re definitely trying hard to get people to turn their eyes to them.
But the other alfar aren’t paying attention, and are all looking at either Reina cooking, or Snow, who is hanging around near her.
I feel bad for the others for taking their audiences.
“Listen Arata, it’s survival of the fittest.”
“I don’t think that’s the right thing to say here.”
Anyway, I pick Snow up, and sit her on my shoulders.
“Wawa! So high!”
“You can watch from up there because the oil won’t go that high.”
“Yay!”
Snow smiles happily above my head, and Reina smiles too as she watches her.
“You’re totally a dad now, Arata.”
“But in that case you…”
I get embarrassed and don’t say she’s a mom too, but the message gets through anyway, because her face is turning a little red.
“…”
“…”
The mood has turned kind of bittersweet, as the sounds of the oil and flames fills the air.
“Katima really respects you two, flirting so much with so many people around.”
“Eh?”
“Ah…”
“Daddy and mommy like each other.”
We look around, and see expressions I can’t quite describe on the faces of the alfar.
The adults have gentle expressions, like they’re thinking back to their youth or something, while the kids are looking at us with shining eyes like they’re waiting for us to continue.
And the other two look even more frustrated about us getting even more attention.
“…!?”
“I-I think the oil is ready. Arata, get back, it’s dangerous.”
“Is there anything that’s dangerous to Arata?”
“Don’t talk back Katima! Get away too!”
Reina gets flustered, and starts putting the battered vegetables in the pot.
And then, there’s a sizzling sound, and a savory smell fills the air.
Ah, this… It’ll definitely be tasty.
“It looks tasty.”
The warm looks from the alfar completely flip, and now they’re looking on while trying to contain their drool, completely taken over by their appetite.
But the same goes for me. And Snow too.
No, there are still two alfar dancing. Although they’re also drooling.
“Reina’s food really is the most powerful thing around.”
She can unite different races’ hearts just like that.
Basically, just let me eat, quickly. Is what everyone’s thinking.
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Yay, vegetable tempura! Tasty.
Thanks.
Really enjoying the slow and thoughtful romance between these two. It doesn’t feel rushed or dragged out. Just the perfect balance where you know there’s something there.