“How are you planning to help us work in the kitchen from all the way in here?”
“I’ll give you moral support, m’kay?”
“You gotta be kidding me... Whatever, it’s fine. Daddy and I are gonna knock this breakfast out of the park! Marie, can you cheer us on?”
“Good luck, Myukey! Good luck, Daddy!”
“I’m going to make something super yummy for you.”
Energized by Marie’s cheers, Anima and Myuke made their way into the kitchen. The cold winter winds blowing in through the lattice vents made the room just as cold as the outside.
“It’s pretty cold, not gonna lie. I can barely touch the utensils.”
“Would you like a hug?”
“A hug? Hmm...” Myuke glanced around. Apparently, getting pampered in front of her sisters was embarrassing for her, as she latched on to Anima the moment she confirmed that the door was closed. “Nice and warm...”
“I’m glad to hear that. Take all the time you want to warm up.”
“Thanks, but I’m good. I don’t wanna fall asleep in your arms.” She stepped back, then looked up at Anima. “So, what are we making? I can do vegetable soup, but that’s about it.”
“We’re in the same boat, then. In which case we’ll need the large pot to make it.”
Anima reached for the pot, which, to his surprise, had leftover stew inside of it. Luina had probably made extra the night before as a way of lessening her chores for the morning.
“Here, let’s warm this up.”
Myuke used the fire lizard stone once more, lighting the stove. She then picked up the ladle and started stirring the stew to keep it from burning. In the meantime, Anima set the table, filled the jug with water, and... that was it. His work was done.
“Do you want to switch?” he asked, ready to take on another job.
“Just sit back and watch, Daddy. When I made the vegetable soup with Bram and Marie, I realized that I love cooking. It’d be awesome if I could help Mommy in the kitchen every day.”
“Good girl.”
“This isn’t about being good. I’m the oldest, so helping Mommy out is my job. Plus, I’ll learn more and more recipes from watching her up close.”
“Maybe it’s time to get you your own personal magic stone.”
“Really?!” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She knew a lot about magic stones, but the only one she held was a splurting slime stone. Anima had never seen her use it before, so he thought it safe to assume that it didn’t have any real-world applications.
“Really really. You help us around the house all the time, so you more than deserve it. I’ll get you one the next time we’re around there.”
“Woo-hoo! I love you, Daddy!” Myuke hugged him tightly, putting a big smile on his face. He had no idea how much a fire-type stone would cost, but her hug was priceless. “I’ve wanted a fire rabbit stone for the longest time! I wouldn’t mind a fire lizard stone either, though the tail’s a bit... y’know. Fire rabbit stones are super common; you can get them at any magic stone shop, so now we just have to figure what to put it in. I was thinking a ring or a bracelet, ’cause I’d need to take off a necklace to take a bath.”
If it’s a common stone, it probably doesn’t cost too much, Anima thought to himself.
“Why didn’t you say anything if you wanted one so much?”
“I was gonna ask for one for my birthday! Aaahhhhh, I’m so happy! I’ll be able to do so much stuff once I get my own stone!”
Myuke hummed a merry tune as she stirred the stew, and soon enough, its sweet smell began to permeate the room. Anima put the flame out and ladled the stew into five bowls, then the two of them carried breakfast into the dining room that had been warmed by the fireplace.
Bram was sitting in a chair, her head drooped over the table. Marie was fast asleep, though strangely, her mouth was moving. She was articulating ‘Good luck! Good luck!’ Apparently, she was cheering Anima and Myuke on even in her dreams.
“C’mon, let’s go!” Myuke clapped after they put the bowls down on the table. “Pull yourselves together!”
They both sprang up instantly.
“It smells yummy, m’kay?”
“Nummy!”
“When did you get so good at cooking? This stew looks just like Mommy’s, m’kay?”
“’Course it does. This is yesterday’s leftovers.”
“That’s still incredible, m’kay?! I totally woulda messed it up, but you warmed it up no problem!”
“Myukey’s imcebible!”
“I didn’t do anything special,” Myuke replied, blushing after hearing her sisters compliment her breakfast-making. “This is only natural for someone my age.”
“You’re helping out a lot, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I’ll go get Mommy. In the meantime, can you bring the cups and jug in here?”
“Of course!”
Myuke hurried back to the kitchen, and Anima went upstairs. A couple moments later, the family was finally gathered at the table for breakfast.
“Thanks for the meal!”
Following Marie’s example, they all said their thanks and started eating. The thick, sticky sweet potato and carrot stew danced across Anima’s tongue. The soft, bite-sized vegetables practically melted in his mouth as the wonderful taste overtook his senses.
“Is it too hot, Mommy?”
“No, it’s perfect. You’re really good at gauging how much things need to be heated.”
“Thank goodness; I was afraid you might burn yourself. Anyway, get this: Daddy said he’s gonna buy a fire rabbit stone for me!”
“Did he now? I’m so happy for you. Make sure you give him a big thank you.”
“I’ll wash your back today!”
“Me too! I like rubbity-rub!”
“You can rubbity-rub me, m’kay? Whaddaya think?”
“’Kaaay!”
“I swear, you’re getting lazier by the day.”
“I bloom in the heat. You’re doing a lot for me now, but I’ll pay you back a hundredfold in the summer, m’kay?”
“I can’t wait.”
Another idyllic day was waiting for the Scarlett household. Listening to his family’s cheerful conversation, Anima quietly enjoyed the mellow taste of his stew.