"Now that's what I call a good little sister."
Taking the chili peppers from the stall owner, Kiana said this to Miko with a satisfied air.
She glanced around once, then moved on toward the next stall.
So Kiana actually knows how to cook...
Which means Kaito must have been eating her cooking all along...
Watching Kiana head off to buy more ingredients, Miko trailed behind, turning this over in her mind.
Though she hadn't noticed any of this before — but thinking about it, that was hardly surprising. She and Kiana had only recently started to get to know each other. Before that, the two of them had barely even crossed paths, let alone had any real conversations.
Hmm...
Next stop, meat?
So it really is going to be stir-fried chili pork...
Watching Kiana come to a stop in front of a meat stall, Miko silently reached that conclusion.
"One jin of lean pork, please."
"Sure thing." The moment Miko stepped up beside her, she heard Kiana already in conversation with the vendor.
"Only lean pork? You should get a little fatty meat too, Kiana-nee — it won't taste right otherwise."
She couldn't keep quiet about it. Miko figured Kiana might just prefer lean meat, but in her opinion, a bit of fat was what made it actually good.
Of course, she was only saying it offhand. However Kiana wanted to do it was fine.
Fatty meat makes it taste better?
Hearing that, Kiana decided to take the advice. Whatever the case, she'd never actually cooked before — she should probably listen to what others had to say.
"Alright, forget pure lean pork then. Give me some... fatty-lean pork."
Miko: "..."
She was struck completely speechless.
Just a moment ago, she'd been thinking that Kiana must cook often. And yet here was Kiana, acting nothing like someone who spent any real time in the kitchen.
"Just ask for pork belly, Kiana-nee," Miko said, unable to stop herself.
"Then let me have some pork belly."
Hearing Miko's voice from behind, Kiana finally remembered the proper term — one she hadn't used in so long it had completely slipped her mind.
She couldn't help it. Ever since crossing over to this world, she'd gone so long without buying groceries that she'd forgotten what the different cuts of meat were even called. Lean pork, at least, she still remembered clearly.
Sigh...
What exactly is Kiana up to?
Is she just acting on some sudden impulse to cook a meal?
Not knowing Kiana well enough to say, Miko could only guess. But whatever the case — based on that description just now — Kiana clearly didn't cook much. In fact, it was hard to say whether she'd ever cooked for herself at all.
Oh, right...
Could this be about Kaito?
The thought surfaced out of nowhere. Miko found her mind drifting to Kaito, far away in Liyue at this very moment.
If he were there alone, that would be one thing — but he wasn't alone. He had that little disaster with him.
Just the two of them, in Liyue, with no one else around. Miko was certain things would be very different from how they were back in Inazuma. Very different indeed.
Is Lumine cooking for Kaito over in Liyue?
But I never saw that...
Thinking back, Miko realized she hadn't actually seen Lumine cook anything for Kaito during their time in Liyue. And more importantly — Kiana was in Inazuma right now. There was no way she should know what was happening on the other side.
Oh, right...
That little brat, Wendy...
Could she have found something out and come back to tell her big sister Kiana?
The thought of Wendy crossed her mind unbidden, and Miko couldn't dismiss it. But it was only speculation — she couldn't be sure.
"What are you thinking about, Miko? Let's go." Just as Miko was lost in her own thoughts, she looked up to find Kiana already done with her purchase, watching her with a patient expression.
She's already done?
Miko snapped back to attention. "Oh — you're finished?"
"Yep. This should be plenty for the two of us." As she spoke, Kiana lifted the wrapped pork in her hand.
"Of course it is! Just thinking about getting to eat something Kiana-nee cooked is already making me excited!" Miko smiled, eyeing the meat with genuine enthusiasm.
"Somehow it sounds like you're just saying that."
Kiana was skeptical. Miko had clearly been deep in her own head just a moment ago — which made Kiana feel like she was hiding something.
"No, no, I mean every word! Kiana-nee, once you're done cooking, I will personally finish every last bit of that chili and pork — I promise!"
Miko responded with absolute, emphatic conviction. However this turned out, a dish this simple couldn't be that bad — even if Kiana really was just acting on a whim.
"I'll hold you to that. If you don't finish it, I am shoving it into your mouth myself, Miko."
Since Miko had committed so decisively, Kiana felt it was only right to back it up with an equally decisive countermeasure.
Uh...
Kiana's cooking won't be terrible, right?
She hadn't expected Kiana to take it this seriously. The realization hit Miko immediately — and she was already regretting opening her mouth.
But there was no taking it back. She'd just have to see how it went. Kiana clearly meant business, and Miko very definitely could not win in a fight.
I just hope I won't have to go crawling to Mei for rescue...
"Ah — don't worry, Kiana-nee! I'll clean my plate, every single bite!" Miko declared aloud.
Actually, the moment Mei crossed her mind, a small wave of relief washed over her.
Even if Kiana didn't feel like going easy on her, she'd certainly give Mei some consideration. After all, what younger sister would actually disrespect her older sister's feelings?
Of course — this particular sisterhood wasn't officially formalized yet, so technically the rule might not apply. But still.
"Then let's head back to the shrine."
With Miko's agreement secured, Kiana turned her mind to getting back and getting the cooking started. Whatever happened, she'd try it out before Lumine returned.
"Just these two things? The shrine doesn't really have much else in the way of ingredients, you know." Surprised that Kiana was planning to head back with only chili peppers and pork, Miko hurried to point it out.
"I only want to try making stir-fried chili pork — it's been ages. Later, once Acheron-nee finishes dealing with that pair of sisters' business, we can all go out somewhere proper to eat."
With no real confidence in her own cooking, Kiana had already accepted that they'd need to go out afterward regardless.
Of course... it would be nice if Miko could cook like Lumine.
____
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