Short Everyday Life (2)
“D-Disciple. C-Can we stop now—?”
“Stop what?”
“Eep, th-there—!!”
“...”
Thud.
Ashu slammed the wooden sword he’d been about to swing into the ground. His fists trembled with barely contained fury. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, he exploded at Ideal.
“That’s why I said stop making those noises—!!”
“Y-Yes…?”
Ideal’s eyes blinked in confusion. She looked genuinely baffled, as if she had no idea what she’d done wrong.
“Wh-What did I do…?”
“...Haa.”
The fact that she didn’t know was the real problem. Ashu supported his aching head with one hand, feeling like he might collapse.
“...You done now?”
“Yeah.”
Any more, and his head really might explode. Ashu let out a deep sigh and rubbed his face. Ideal fidgeted beside him, stealing glances and gauging his mood. Then, as she bent down to pick up the fallen sword—
“Eep…!!”
“Watch out—!!”
Ashu caught her just as she toppled forward. The arm cradling her upper body sank into an oddly soft cushion. Recognizing the familiar sensation, he squeezed his eyes shut.
“S-Sor, sorry….”
“...It’s been six hours already. Why are you pushing training so hard lately?”
“W-Well, lately I’ve been thinking about dieting, or something like that….”
Ashu sighed as he helped Ideal to her feet.
“Father’s throwing a birthday banquet next week.”
“...”
She’d been shocked when she first heard. That man, holding a banquet for her—on his birthday, no less. It still felt like a dream. Had he finally acknowledged her?
“You’re coming, right?”
“O-Of course…!”
Ideal nodded as if it were obvious. But now, that man’s approval mattered less than the woman right in front of him. She was irreplaceable. Clumsy and annoying as she could be, the thought of a world without Ideal was unbearable.
‘If you disappear...’
Ashu’s eyes darkened in an instant. Deep in his pupils, a beastly glint flickered—like something hungry that hadn’t yet devoured its prey.
“...I won’t let you.”
Ideal, who’d been stretching beside him, turned.
“Pardon? What’d you say?”
“...Nothing.”
“...Time flies.”
It was already the week of Ashu’s birthday banquet. It felt like she’d arrived here just yesterday, but three months had passed.
‘A banquet, huh.’
Obviously full of ulterior motives. And yet, here she was, walking straight into the beast’s jaws.
“...At least I can keep a knife between my teeth.”
Opening the window let in the biting northern wind, sharp enough to slice skin. The sudden chill raised goosebumps on her arms. The weather had turned nastier lately—sky perpetually overcast and dim.
“Still, I’m totally used to it now.”
Ideal’s body was far more flexible and agile than she’d imagined. She could now dodge Ashu’s attacks like an eel, not taking a single hit. She’d been shocked when he awakened his aura in a rage back then—though it had only flickered for a moment. He hadn’t been able to manifest it since.
“...But why did the training degree only go up by 5 percent?!!”
Aura! Sword energy! Sure, it was still like flipping a light switch—on then immediately off—but 5 percent was way too stingy.
Her cheeks puffed out in dissatisfaction.
“...Hah!!”
Pffft. She deflated like a punctured balloon.
‘...Dangerous!!’
Her masculinity was fading bit by bit. Any dissatisfaction or annoyance showed right on her face.
‘Making these girly moves...’
Saving Ashu was important, but preserving her masculinity was too…!! Even if she was a woman now!
‘Humans get ruled by hormones, they say.’
But not her. Don’t underestimate her will. She clenched her fist and thrust it skyward.
“Wh-What’s this…?”
Out for an evening market stroll. Ashu suddenly returned, arms full of bread bags.
“Cakes.”
“...Why these?”
“The bakery gave them.”
“These…?”
Ashu nodded. Lately, dragging their precious golden boy to the market daily had changed the villagers’ gazes. People had started giving them gifts. As the lord’s son, it didn’t hurt to curry favor. Probably stamping their faces in advance.
‘And Ashu’s not as scary as they thought.’
He only looked fierce. Deep down, a good kid. Rumors about him were shifting too. To think she’d reformed that brat this much. Maybe she had a real talent for teaching. She wanted to brag to someone.
“Oh, dessert too.”
Ashu pulled a neatly packaged cake from a bag.
‘...Ch-Chocolate.’
Gulp.
Chocolate was universal perfection. That sweet cocoa lump gave energy for a whole day with one bite. So what about a chocolate-coated cake? One chomp, and sweetness flooded your mouth, drawing a blissful smile. The thick layered chocolate cream clung to your tongue.
Gulp. Saliva pooled relentlessly.
‘...No!’
She had to resist. Desserts like this were for girls.
“D-Disciple, you eat the cake….”
“...Not eating?”
“I-I don’t like that stuff!”
“You’re usually desperate for it.”
Ashu picked up a fork. Soon, that sharp utensil would pierce the fluffy chocolate cake. Then, the moist texture would melt in his mouth with the chocolate, sweetness bursting with every moment….
Glance.
Glance.
Glance.
“...”
Glance.
“...You really not eating?”
“R-Really not…!”
“Then why stare like that?”
“Eep, th-that’s…!!”
Ashu chewed his lip. He raised the fork high. It glinted coldly in the sunlight.
“...Actually, never mind. I’m full.”
“Y-You’re not eating?”
“...Yeah, guess I ate too much lunch. Not hungry.”
He pushed the cake toward her.
‘...But isn’t leftover food fair game?’
Ashu wasn’t eating it anyway. That precious chocolate cake would end up in the trash. She couldn’t let that energy bomb go to waste!
Gulp.
“Th-Then can I have it?”
“Eat it.”
She glanced ahead, but Ashu seemed truly indifferent.
“Ahem. Then I’ll clean up what my disciple left…!”
Slide. Pulling the cake close filled the air with sweet cocoa aroma, clouding her mind. She stabbed the fork in and took a massive bite.
Rich chocolate slowly melted on her tongue, filling her mouth with sweetness.
“Heh, hehehe….”
Hah! She snapped to. She wasn’t happy about sweet snacks. Her body was just thrilled with the high calories…!! So, for her body’s sake, she had a duty to devour it quickly.
“...You’re eating well.”
Ashu muttered, chin propped, watching her.
‘...Maybe I shouldn’t hog it all.’
The cake was already more than half gone.
‘Even if he’s full, one bite won’t hurt.’
Pity, but she was a magnanimous adult. She gently speared a soft piece.
“D-Disciple.”
“What.”
“Want a bite…?”
Ashu’s eyes trembled at the words. His face twisted like a snake flicking its tongue.
‘...He wants it?’
If he wanted it so bad, he should say so. Watching someone eat always made your hunger return.
“I said eat?”
“You looked like you wanted some….”
“...”
Ashu stared piercingly at the fork.
“Disciple, my arm’s getting tired….”
Eat or don’t—make up your mind. Her hand shook.
Ashu finally steeled himself, opening his mouth resolutely.
“...Ah.”
He took the fork in.
“Good, right? Delicious?”
“...Yeah.”
Must be really tasty. She could see the cake rolling around as he savored it.
‘So tsundere.’
Pulling the fork away tugged his head slightly—like a fish hooked on bait. She burst out laughing.
“What, that good?”
“...It’s fine.”
Ashu mumbled softly, embarrassed.
“Buy another on the way back?”
“...No, this is enough.”
Satisfied, he licked his lips. Who knew he loved desserts so much? Next chance, she’d get some from the capital. He probably hadn’t tried tons of foods yet.
She shoveled the rest into her mouth, cheeks bulging in bliss. Heaven.
‘But I feel like I forgot something important...’
Reclaiming her lost masculinity, right?
‘Whatever.’
Survival came first—when did she have time for that? As long as she didn’t date a guy.
“...All gone.”
“Yeah, not much left.”
“Right….”
After finishing the cake, they headed home—Ashu looking oddly wistful. Maybe she should buy him one later. This master-disciple life might not last much longer. She wanted to spoil him a bit more while she could.