Chapter 11-B: Dinner with Azusa!

"All right! Stay still, Melty!"

"Hehe, that tickles!"

After their bath finished, Eryn wiped Melty's body with a towel. After wrapping it around her body, he then moved on to Iris and Lofie.

"Hold still, Iris…" he wrapped a towel around her fluffy hair and began rubbing gently, then wiped it down to her body and wrapped it around her. "Now, Lofie!"

"Hup!" Lofie raised her hands, her tail waving around vigorously.

"Haha, easy there, Lofie…" With the last towel, he dried her hair and body. He struggled a bit with wrapping the towel around her body because her tail kept getting in the way.

"And now, here's your new clothes!" Eryn grabbed the new change of clothes and handed them to each of the monstergirls. I hope they like them…

"Wow!" Melty practically snatched it from his hands. "New clothes from Eryn!"

"Huahh…" Lofie's eyes lit up with happiness as she accepted the clothes. She nuzzled her head into them, feeling them with her face.

"Thank you so much, Eryn…" tears began welling up in Iris's eyes. "You're so kind to us…"

"Aww, don't cry, Iris…" he crouched down and softly patted her head. She's going to make me cry at this rate. "I told you already, didn't I? You deserve this. All of this."

"Mhmm…" she nodded timidly, sniffling.

"Come on, try on the new clothes." He gently rubbed her tears away from her eyes. "See if it fits!"

With Eryn's help, the little monstergirls put on their new clothes. Lofie wore a little light green dress, Iris wore a buttoned white shirt and blue skirt, and Melty wore a pink shirt with short black pants. They all seem to fit well!

"What do you think–"

"I love it!" Melty ran in circles around Eryn. "I've never got a chance to wear new clothes like this!"

"Me too!" Lofie hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Eryn."

Iris twirled around, her skirt fluttering in the air. "It's so pretty!"

"Haha…" Eryn smiled sweetly. Seeing their joyful expressions were always soothing to his soul. I'll never get tired of their wonderful smiles…

After stepping out of the bathroom, a rather pleasant aroma passed by him, tingling his nostrils. "Huh, something smells… really good."

The monstergirls also sensed this aroma in the air with their sharp noses. Iris took a big whiff. "What is that smell, Eryn?"

"It's making me hungry…" Lofie placed her palms on her stomach.

"Why don't we get something to eat then?" Eryn asked as he walked to the kitchen with the monstergirls following behind him. As they entered the kitchen area, their eyes were greeted with the sight of…

"Hey, Eryn!" Azusa finished setting the last of the plates on the table. "Done with their baths?"

"A-Azusa?" his eyes widened in surprise. "What are you…"

"Oh, I just finished making dinner!" she grinned, then glanced at the clock. "Er, well… early dinner, I suppose?"

On the table, there were five plates consisting of a colorful selection of meals. Omelets, salads, with rice slathered in ketchup, made up the bulk of the meal.

"I thought you were cooking food for yourself…?"

"Ah, well… that was the plan." She scratched the back of her head. "But I figured I'd make some for you and the monstergirls! I bet you haven't eaten dinner yet."

"Well, I haven't but…"

"Great!" She clapped her hands. "Then let's have a meal together!"

She… made this all for us? Eryn walked to the table, taking in the sight of these delectable meals that could make anyone's mouth water.

"Wow…" Iris and Melty held the edge of the table with their little hands, peeking over it.

"You really didn't have to do this, Azusa…" Eryn let out a faint sigh, "but I owe you big time."

"Come on, come on!" she readied the chairs for them to sit. "You can repay me by eating it with me!"

"… Can we eat this, Eryn?" Melty tugged on his finger, looking at him with upturned eyes. When it came to Eryn's cooking, they would eat it without second thoughts. But when it comes to someone's cooking…

"Of course." Eryn patted her and Iris's heads. "Azusa made it just for you."

He helped Melty and Iris to get on the chairs. Though he noticed there's one other monstergirl who hasn't spoken up. Wait, where's Lofie? As if to answer that question, Lofie ran and hugged him from behind.

"Oh, Lofie." He turned around and put his arms around her, lifting her. "Aren't you feeling hungry?"

"Mnnngh…" she pouted which left Eryn confused.

"Lofie…" Eryn tilted his head at a curious angle. If he had to guess, this must be making Lofie conflicted. She doesn't exactly share a positive impression about Azusa, but her cooking's telling her otherwise. She's having mixed feelings about Azusa's cooking, isn't she?

After tucking the other monstergirls' chairs, Eryn took a seat and sat Lofie on his lap. He stared at his plate. It was presented so well, not to mention the amazing aroma emanating from it. "This sure brings back memories, Azusa…"

"Why don't you give it a taste?" She asked. "It tastes just as good as it did back then!"

Eryn took a spoonful of rice and omelet into his mouth. A savory and nostalgic taste enveloped his tongue, one that he didn't realize how much he missed.

"Your cooking never ceases to amaze me, Azusa." He bobbed his head. "My compliments to the chef."

"I'm happy to hear that!" she beamed.

"Iris, Melty… go ahead and give it a try." He gazed at them. "I promise you'll love it."

Iris and Melty stared at each other before taking a spoonful of their food. Since Eryn seemed to enjoy it, they decided it must be good. They both took the spoon into their mouths… and their expressions immediately lit up.

"Wooow!" Iris's ears twitched in delight as she clasped her cheeks.

"It's so good!" Melty squealed joyfully. She proceeded to stuff her mouth with the food.

Azusa clenched her fists on the table. W-What is this warm feeling welling up inside me?! To think seeing such adorable faces munching on her food could elicit such an emotion!

"Here, Lofie." Eryn took a spoonful of her omelet and drew it to her lips. "Would you like to give it a try?"

"Mnnngh…" Lofie's eyes locked on the delectable food in front of her lips. To eat or not eat… that was the question.

"Look." To convince her, Eryn took another bite of his food and chewed it. "It tastes good!"

"…. Aaaah." Lofie reluctantly opened her mouth and Eryn fed her with the spoon. After chewing it for a few moments, her eyes sparkled with star pupils. Her tail began waving around excitedly.

"Was it good?" Eryn asked with a smile.

"… Maybe." Lofie crossed her arms and huffed, but she couldn't stop her ears and tail from bouncing.

She's so adorable! Azusa wanted to squeeze her cheeks, but she figured she had to restrain herself from doing so. Just knowing Lofie enjoyed it was a win in her book. Perhaps Lofie would slowly start warming up to her.

"I could use your expertise in cooking, Azusa." Eryn said as he fed the Anubis.

"Haha, I wouldn't mind cooking for these adorable kids every now and then!"

"N-No, I couldn't possibly bother you with this…" he waved his wand. "But… I would like to learn a lot from you."

"Heh, so you finally started cooking for yourself?" she mused.

"Well, you know… figured it would give me some control in life." He replied, tracing his finger around the glass. "And well… I won't be eating for myself anymore." His eyes moved to each monstergirl, each new member of his family.

"I see." Intertwining her fingers together, she rested her chin on her hands. He sure has changed a lot… for the better. "I much prefer you like this, Eryn."

"Huh, really…" Eryn let out a soft chuckle. Compared to me many years ago when I didn't take care of myself…

I much prefer myself like this too.