I woke up one morning…to the smell of burning!
Suddenly becoming wide awake, I jumped out of bed before running to the kitchen, where I smelt the burning coming from.
When I got there, I found Ayaka standing in front of the stove, which had smoke coming out of it.
"Milady", I exclaimed, before rushing over to Ayaka and frantically checking her over. "Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No, I'm not", Ayaka replied.
"What happened", I asked.
I then looked up, and saw that tears were forming in Ayaka's eyes.
"I…I was trying to make you a meal for you for your birthday."
"You were trying to make me a meal for my birthday", I asked.
"Yes", Ayaka replied. "I went to Karpilla on Ritou and asked her if she could suggest a traditional meal from Mondstadt that I could cook for you. But, as you can see…it didn't go as planned."
After Ayaka said this, I smiled before taking her hands in my own.
"Even though you don't know much about cooking, you still tried to make me something for my birthday", I pointed out. "That makes me very happy, milady."
"It does", Ayaka asked.
"It does", I replied.
Then, I walked up to the kitchen counter and looked at the remains of what Ayaka was trying to make.
"Let's see", I started as I examined the ingredients. "Based on these ingredients, my guess is that you were trying to make Mondstadt Hash Browns?"
"Yes", Ayaka replied. "Karpilla said that it was one of the more simpler Mondstadt recipes to make. And yet, I still managed to mess it up."
"Please do not be so hard on yourself, milady", I said. "Now then, let's clean up the kitchen and try again from the beginning."
…
After Ayaka and I made a successful batch of Mondstadt Hash Browns, we sat down to eat them.
"These are delicious", Ayaka praised after taking a bite. "I would have never thought that dipping a savory dish in jam would actually taste nice."
"It's because the saltiness of the hash brown balances well with the sweetness of the jam", I stated.
"Thank you for helping me make the Mondstadt Hash Browns, Thoma", Ayaka said. "However, I am very sorry that you had to do so on your birthday."
"You really don't have to feel sorry, milady", I reassured. "After all, I quite enjoy cooking."
"I know you do", Ayaka said. "But even so, you're always taking care of the house for me and brother. I just wanted to return the favor for once."
After Ayaka said this, I began thinking.
"I have an idea", I started. "Why don't I start giving you some cooking lessons? Then maybe next year you will be able to cook me a birthday meal without my help?"
"That sounds like a wonderful idea", Ayaka replied.
"Well, what do we have here", a familiar face asked as he walked into the room.
"Good morning, brother", Ayaka greeted. "Thoma and I made some Mondstadt Hash Browns. Please, try some."
"Mondstadt Hash Browns", Ayato asked.
"Yes", Ayaka replied. "I attempted to make some by myself for Thoma's birthday, but…that didn't end up going well."
"I see", Ayato said. "Well then, I will gladly have some."
With that, Ayato sat down before trying one of the Mondstadt Hash Browns.
"Amazing", he said. "The salty potato and the sweet jam pair surprisingly well together."
"I thought the same thing, brother", Ayaka said.
"Anyway", Ayato started, before looking at me. "Thoma, do you have any plans for tonight?"
"No", I replied. "Why do you ask, my lord."
"Since it is your birthday, I was thinking that we could celebrate at Komore Teahouse?"
…
We were celebrating my birthday at Komare Teahouse. I had just won a round of the hotpot game, but my stomach was paying for it.
As I clenched my now queezy stomach, Ayaka rubbed my back in an attempt to sooth me.
"Poor Thoma", she said. "Perhaps we should take a break from playing the hotpot game?"
"I agree, milady", I said.
Then, Ayato suddenly cleared his throat, before holding up his tea cup.
"Thoma", he started. "Ten years ago, when there was disputes over who would become head of the Kamisato Clan, I told you that you should leave if you didn't want to get involved. But instead of leaving, you swore your loyalty to my sister and I. And for that, we shall forever be grateful to you."
"Indeed", Ayaka agreed, before bowing her head down to me. "Thank you very much for taking care of us for all these years, Thoma. I am very happy to have someone like you to rely on."
"Milady, my lord", I breathed out as I began getting emotional.
Then, a smile came to my face.
"I should be thanking you for taking me in in the first place", I stated.
Then, I bowed down until I was completely on the ground.
"My lord, milady, I vow to serve you for all eternity."
As I was making a gesture of loyalty, I suddenly felt something lick my face!
"Taroumaru", I said with a giggle as I sat back up. "I was in the middle of swearing my loyalty to my lord and milady!"
This moment got a laugh out of Ayato and Ayaka.
"I believe Taroumaru is just trying to wish you happy birthday, Thoma", Ayaka stated.
"Indeed", Ayato agreed. "Perhaps it is time that we did that as well?"
"Right", Ayaka agreed.
Then, her and Ayato both held up their tea cups.
"Thoma, happy birthday!"