'Maria?' Peter hesitantly asked, entering the balcony. She had been living with him in his late uncle's house for a month now. She had proven herself to be skilled in household chores, something that he was absolutely not.

'Yes?' Maria asked, turning to him. Peter sighed when he saw she still wore the same white summer dress as always.

'Aren't you cold? It's autumn!' Maria seemed to ponder his question for a moment before slowly nodding.

'Indeed I am.'

'Then why are you still out here? You might catch a cold!'

'I won't, I'm not human after all.'

'I-I see…' Peter stood there, unsure of what to do. It seemed rude to just walk away, but he didn't know what to say! He just needed to find something, anything to talk about. So, he just said the first thing that came up.

'Maria, have you ever had sushi?' He wanted to slap himself. Of course she had never had sushi, she had been a painting! Damn him and his hungry stomach!

'Sushi?' Maria asked, tilting her head. Peter blushed at the how cute she looked with that curious expression. At the very least, she seemed intrigued.

'It's food made from cooked rice combined with other ingredients like seafood or vegetables.'

'No, I've never had that. Does it taste good?'

'If it's well-made. But do you even need to eat?'

'I probably won't die, but I can still taste and feel hunger.' Peter nodded. He had always made sure Maria had food, but he had never been sure whether she needed it or not. Now he know.

'… Can I taste it?'

'Huh?'

'Sushi. Is there any possibility that I can taste this food?' It was the first time Maria had made anything even close to a request. Most of the time she just wandered around the mansion until Peter asked her something.

'Of course! I know a great restaurant not far from here! It might be better if I bought you some other clothes first, though. You'd stand out in summer clothes.' Not like she wouldn't stand out either way, with her looks. But at least she wouldn't appear weird to others.

'If that is what you wish. When can we leave?' Peter couldn't help but smile at the eagerness he saw on her face. Maria rarely showed emotions, so he was glad things like this still affected her.

'Right now if you want. I'll just grab my coat.'

'And, do you like it?' Peter asked, smiling at the happy expression on Maria's face. Maria only nodded, taking a bit of another kind of sushi. She now wore a beautiful green dress, and a light brown winter coat hung over her chair, together with a beige scarf. Peter had chosen them for her. He still blushed when he remembered when Maria had suddenly started undressing in the changing booth, while he was still in there! He had been out of the store, trying to calm his beating heart faster than you could say 'winter coat'. Maria still lacked common sense, but Peter was sure over time she would learn how to act like a proper lady. She was already learning at an astounding rate after all. Who knows, maybe over time he could take her out on dates like this one without any trouble. Peter once again found himself turning red as a tomato, thinking about how he'd used the word 'dates' in the sentence.

'Is everything okay? Are you coming down with something?' Maria asked, her tone slightly worried.

'Y-yeah, I'm fine. It's just slightly hot here, that's all.' Maria took her glass of water and held it in front of him.

'…?'

'Please drink to cool you down: I don't want to see you getting overheated.' Maria said with an earnest expression.

'… I will, thank you'.