"Honestly, I also grew up in an orphanage. It's not like my situation was any better than yours, Tama-senpai. Why do you think I wouldn't understand how you feel?"
Turning around, she fetched a cup of cool water.
She handed it to Tamamo Cross, who was still sticking out the tip of her tongue in lingering fear, while Nearl voiced a small complaint about the misunderstanding.
"Thank you."
Tamamo murmured her thanks, took the cup, and eagerly took a sip.
Feeling the cool liquid flow through her mouth, she couldn't help but let out a contented sigh.
"Would you like another cup?"
Resting her cheek lightly on her hand, Nearl asked with a smile.
"Nah, I'm good."
Tamamo quickly shook her head. Being stared at by Nearl like this gave her an inexplicable sense of embarrassment.
"No need to stand on ceremony with me."
"Really, really! Let's get back to what we were talking about before."
Handing the cup back to Nearl, Tamamo Cross recalled where her impression of Nearl came from.
"About that... it's probably because of the first impression you give off, and your aura, Nearl."
"You're so dignified and elegant, with perfect manners. Anyone would think you came from a wealthy family."
"That's a misunderstanding."
Nearl stated decisively.
"A person's aura is shaped by very complex experiences. Family is just one part of it. Just like you, Tama-senpai, you don't feel inferior because of your family background, do you?"
"Ha, why would you think that? Lots of people think I'm still haunted by my poor upbringing, you know?"
Tamamo Cross laughed, a playful and mocking tone in her voice. But who was that mockery aimed at?
"Because when you talk about your family, your eyes sparkle. Surely, in your heart, they are your most precious treasure."
Nearl lifted her pale golden eyes, which actually seemed to gleam faintly in the dim light of the street lamps.
"That feeling is a hundred times more precious than any golden carrot or silver banana."
Having her hidden feelings laid bare so directly, even Tamamo Cross felt a little shy.
"Haha, it's not as great as you make it sound."
"Not at all. I really admire people like you, Tama-senpai. Whether as a friend or as family, I'd wish for someone like you, who cherishes others so deeply."
"!!!"
Tamamo's small hands flew to cover her mouth, desperately suppressing the urge to cry out.
'Wh-what is this! This person, doesn't she know anything about holding back?!'
Her sapphire blue eyes spun in confusion. If not for her fur, her delicate horse ears would surely be bright red.
Unfortunately, Nearl was currently busy handling the barbecue, otherwise she would have realized that Tamamo Cross had misunderstood something.
'Calm down! Calm down! Tamamo Cross, summon the spirit you had when you won those consecutive championships!'
'It's just a sentence, it might not mean anything special, don't act like a fool!!'
She patted her cheeks firmly and took a deep breath.
Gasp... Cough! Cough! Cough!
But alas, in her flustered state, Tamamo completely forgot she was standing right next to the grill. That mouthful of smoky air sent her into a coughing fit.
"Ah~ Senpai, you're being careless."
Seeing this, Nearl went over and patted Tamamo's back to help her catch her breath.
"Ugh... I feel so useless."
Having made a fool of herself twice in front of Nearl, Tamamo Cross hung her head in dejection. She felt her image was utterly ruined.
Along with it, her tiny maiden heart made a crack sound as it shattered.
Seeing her senior in front of her, ears drooping weakly and pressed against her hair, Nearl felt she had to think of some way to cheer her up.
"Not at all. Senpai, you can help me with this barbecue. Honestly, there's quite a lot here. If I had to do it all alone, I might not finish in time."
"Really?!"
Hearing this, Tamamo's eyes suddenly shone with light.
'Great! I can still show what I'm capable of.'
Thinking this, she confidently patted her chest (where any change was hard to see anyway) and declared with full confidence,
"Leave it to me! I'll show you, Nearl, the housekeeping and cooking skills a big sister with several younger siblings ought to have!"
"Then, I'll leave the grilling of this meat to you, Senpai. I'll handle the vegetables and fruit platter on this side."
Nearl roughly divided the ingredients and assigned the task to Tamamo Cross.
"Ok."
From there, the scene quieted down, with only the occasional crackle of the charcoal and the sizzle of ingredients roasting over the high heat echoing around.
"Senpai, here are the cumin and pepper. Here, I'll put them on your left side."
"Ooh, got it."
"Senpai, I poured you a glass of water. It must be uncomfortable staying in front of the charcoal fire for so long; it's probably very drying."
"I know, thanks."
"Senpai..."
'Yabai! What's with this kid? She's being way too considerate!'
Tamamo Cross flusteredly turned the skewers in her hand, but her attention kept drifting towards Nearl beside her.
'The things she prepares, the timing when she hands them over... it's all just perfect. Like when your back itches and there just happens to be a backscratcher right there.'
'And after she acts, she goes back so easily, never annoying at all. Is this a natural talent?'
Perhaps her gaze was a bit too intense, because Nearl suddenly turned her head.
"Tama-senpai, the meat is about to burn."
"Wah wah!"
Tamamo hurriedly and frantically lifted the skewers, but they had already picked up a slight burnt smell.
"I messed up..."
"It's alright. Let's put them here for now. There's still plenty of meat. I'll still need to trouble you, Senpai."
Nearl brought a plate and carefully placed these flawed pieces on it.
"This meat isn't really edible anymore. Even though it's just some burnt marks on the surface, the bitter taste of the carbon and the smoky smell have already seeped in. It's unpalatable."
Tamamo Cross also felt a bit bad, but she decided to just throw them away. However, Nearl stopped her.
"Leave this to me. Senpai, just focus on the skewers."
"Alright then."
After thinking about it, it wasn't a big deal, so Tamamo left it to Nearl.
"Okay! This time, I absolutely cannot make a mistake. I'll grill the perfect meat!"
Pushing her sleeves up to her elbows, she prepared to start placing the ingredients, filled with a desire to redeem herself.
"Wait a moment, Senpai. Your apron."
Just then, Nearl walked over, holding a simple-colored apron in both hands.
"I didn't notice earlier, Senpai. How can you grill meat without an apron? Wouldn't it be awful if you got grease stains on you?"
Standing behind Tamamo, Nearl bent over to tie the waist strap into a neat bow, then stood up with a cheerful expression.
"There, all done."
Wordlessly, Tamamo Cross reached back and touched the perfectly tied bow, her gaze thoughtful and complex.
--+--
T/N: Mans momming so hard even Tama's seduced
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.