...
Lucian always felt that time at Tracen passed incredibly quickly.
Before he knew it, another week had gone by, and it was the day he'd agreed to meet with Ines Fujin.
"Welcome~" Ines Fujin opened the door and placed indoor slippers in front of Lucian. "Come on in."
"Excuse the intrusion."
"No intrusion at all." Ines Fujin turned her head and called out, "Hana-chan, Tsuki-chan, Onii-chan's here. Aren't you two coming out?"
That single shout immediately summoned two little horse girls.
"Onii-chan~"
"Onii-chan——"
They stretched out their arms for hugs even while running toward him.
Lucian had no choice but to crouch down and pull both little ones into his arms, making it fair for both.
"Tsuki-chan, Hana-chan, it's been a while."
"Onii-chan finally came!" Ines Tsukigami bounced with excitement, waving her hands and feet.
But Ines Hanakami pouted with her small face scrunched up. "Hmph, Onii-chan said he'd come last time too, but he tricked Hana-chan."
"Onii-chan was just too busy with stuff." Lucian cast a pleading look toward Ines Fujin.
"Hana-chan, Tsuki-chan, Onii-chan is our guest. Aren't you going to take him inside to sit down? Be careful or he might leave again." Ines Fujin said.
"Onii-chan, Tsuki-chan will take you. Hana-chan gets mad so easily, so ignore her." Ines Tsukigami grabbed one of Lucian's big hands with her two small ones.
Ines Hanakami immediately grabbed his other hand protectively. "Who said I get mad easily! Onii-chan, I can take you too."
...
Lucian was thus led into the living room. After pouring him a glass of water, Ines Fujin headed to the kitchen.
The two little horse girls sat one on each side of him, watching TV with great interest.
"Hana-chan, Tsuki-chan, where's Auntie?"
Tsukigami: "Mama's still working outside. She'll come back a little later."
Lucian heard the sound of the wok heating up in the kitchen. "I see. Then you two stay here obediently. How about I go make something delicious for you?"
"Yay~"
...
After Lucian left, the two little ones huddled their heads together, whispering something.
"Big Sis, when do you think Onii-chan can move into our house?"
"I don't know, but I believe Big Sis." Ines Tsukigami took the remote. "It's better than believing Hana-chan, right?"
"Hmph, I'm the one Onii-chan spoils the most."
"No, I am!"
"It's me!"
...
Knock knock—
Before entering the kitchen, Lucian knocked on the door.
"Trainer, I thought you wouldn't come into the kitchen." Ines Fujin was cutting meat.
"Is there really any logic in making a guest cook?"
"Why are you turning it around on me? Didn't the Trainer himself agree to this?" Ines Fujin laughed.
"Fine~ What are you making now?" Lucian asked as he approached.
"Red-braised pork." Ines Fujin set down the cleaver. "Those are the ingredients I bought this afternoon. Trainer, see what you can make with them."
Lucian glanced over. "There are quite a few options."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Trainer."
Ines Fujin untied her apron and suddenly stepped closer to Lucian.
Lucian froze, thinking from her posture that she was about to hug him, but Ines Fujin was actually just tying the apron around him.
The distance, though, felt incredibly intimate.
"Ines..."
"What's wrong, Trainer?" Ines Fujin looked up.
"You're really turning into a hands-off manager, huh?"
"With the Trainer in the kitchen, wouldn't I just get in the way? Might as well stand aside and observe and learn." Ines Fujin tied the strings and stepped back. "There, now your clothes won't get dirty."
"Thanks, Ines."
"Then just make one super delicious meal to thank me~"
...
After deciding what to cook, Lucian quickly got into the zone.
Ines Fujin quietly retreated to the side, giving him plenty of space to work.
But her mind wasn't on observing his cooking techniques—she was unabashedly staring at his sharply defined side profile.
So she really did like him...
Because even just standing there watching, she didn't feel bored at all. She even hoped time would slow down.
"Hm?" At that moment, Ines Fujin noticed the fine beads of sweat on Lucian's temple.
She stepped forward with a tissue.
For Lucian, who was completely focused and immersed, it was like something suddenly sprouting up into his field of vision.
"In...es?" Lucian stopped what he was doing; only the sizzling of the oil in the pan remained.
Her sudden closeness made Lucian freeze, even slowing his breathing.
He could only quietly gaze at Ines Fujin's exquisite face, now so close.
Ines Fujin felt the same—afraid her breath might bother him, so she kept her lips pressed together, exhaling softly through her delicate nose.
But she felt it was time to take the initiative and get closer.
And by slowing her breathing, it was as if she were carefully filtering and savoring Lucian's scent—a steady, woodsy fragrance.
"You're sweating so much... There, all done. Thanks for the hard work, Torena-san~" Ines Fujin lowered her head and casually tossed the tissue into the trash, cleverly avoiding the momentary awkwardness.
"Ah, thanks, Ines. I didn't even notice." What panicked faster than his heart was the way Lucian unconsciously averted his eyes.
"I don't want to taste the Trainer's sour sweat later~" Ines Fujin pressed a fingertip to her lower lip, looking playful. "But why was the Trainer staring at me the whole time just now?"
After keeping a proper distance, Lucian felt less embarrassed. "Because you're pretty... I'm serious, Ines. Your eyes are really beautiful—like naturally carved jade."
"Jade? Green? That's not exactly a flattering color." Ines Fujin stuck out her little pink tongue.
How could Lucian not know what she meant? "Nonsense, don't just follow what others say. Doesn't green have any good symbolism?"
"Like what?"
"Like... life, the return of spring, everything reviving, and animals... uh, never mind." Lucian stopped himself just in time before blurting it out.
"Oh~ Okay~" Ines Fujin nodded generously. "Actually, the Trainer is really good-looking too—especially your side profile. It has that cool, elegant air of an aristocratic young lord."
Lucian touched his nose and laughed. "Thanks, Ines."
"Calling me 'Ines' even outside—people who don't know might think you're older than me." Ines Fujin suddenly said in a soft, wistful tone.
As mentioned earlier, Ines Fujin was one or two years older than Lucian.
"Is 'Ines' not good?" Lucian flipped the chicken wings in the pan—almost burned them during the chat. "Then what do you want me to call you?"
"Of course... Big Sis."
...