Chapter 16: Difficulties With A Dragonewt (Part 3)
There we go!
"All done!" I announce.
With the food ready, I make their plates.
"Two sunny side up eggs, one thick slice of honey glazed ham, a generous helping of vanilla greek yogurt, and a banana smoothie," I say, handing Polt a glass cup and her plate.
"Thank you very kindly," Polt says.
"You're very much welcome," I grin.
As Polt heads toward the dining room table, Lilith walks up to me, ready to receive her food.
"Cheesy scrambled eggs, two sausage patties, two pancakes, and sparkling white grape juice," I say, giving it to Lilith.
"I appreciate it," Lilith says.
"It's my pleasure," I say.
With Lilith going to the table as well, I look over to Draco.
She's standing just outside of the kitchen with her back up against the wall and arms crossed while looking at the TV in the living room.
Either she's trying to look busy, not seem curious, or appear disinterested.
I'm still gonna approach her with this specially made plate regardless.
"Draco," I say, walking up to her.
"Hmm?" She turns her head away but still acknowledges me.
She thinks she can hide it but I definitely saw her salivating just now.
"You seem more like a coffee shop type so I started you off with a little bit of that in mind. A sliced bagel with sweetened cream cheese, two strips of crispy bacon, strawberries, two soft-boiled eggs, and some coffee," I say.
"Did you make the eggs that way just because of my species?" She asks.
"K-Kinda," I answer.
Reaching out her hand while still looking away, she picks up an egg off the plate and bites into it.
"Lucky for you, soft-boiled is how I prefer it so… t-thanks… Ryuta," she says hesitantly.
"Don't mention it. However, you don't have to hide your face from me. I know your cheeks are getting red, Draco," I tease.
"S-Shut up or I'm gonna actually hit you!" She threatens, facing me.
"If you hit me then I will drop this plate," I warn, chuckling.
"You wouldn't dare," she says.
"Try me," I say, acting like I'm about to make it fall.
"R-Ryuta, I swear! If you drop it, I'll never forgive you," she shouts, starting to panic.
"Then hurry up and take the damn plate so you can eat," I say.
"I will!" She yells, snatching it from my hands and walking into the kitchen.
"Enjoy it," I say, smiling.
"I will do that too! I'll eat the shit out of it!" She says, putting a few more soft-boiled eggs on her plate and getting her coffee before joining the others.
I can tell she got some fun out of that small quarrel I instigated which is good.
Now I can help myself to some food.
"About time you brought your butt in here," Lilith says.
"I can't help that I was busy watching tv," Draco says, acting as if they couldn't hear her shouting from just a moment ago.
"Whatever you say," Lilith says.
"Either way, it's good you're here now," Polt says.
"If you say so," Draco says.
Come here, blueberry muffin!
No escape for you, toaster pastry!
"Sweetheart, are you joining us?" Polt asks.
"On my way!" I answer.
Hurrying over, I take my seat at the table.
"Think you got enough food on that one plate?" Lilith questions.
"As the one who cooked it all, it's only fair for me to get a little bit of everything before it's gone," I reply.
"Done! May I get some more?!" Draco exclaims quickly.
I just got in here.
Did she scarf it down that fast?!
"That depends. What do you have to say about my cooking now?" I inquire.
"It's… it's really good," she admits sheepishly.
"You're damn right it's good!" Lilith says.
"I knew you would change your tune," Polt chuckles.
"Go ahead and knock yourself out. There's plenty to go around," I laugh.
Hearing that, Draco jumps out of her seat with her plate in hand, running back into the kitchen.
Silently, Polt and Lilith give me a thumbs up with a smile.
Seems I'm doing good.
Just gotta keep it up.
Giving them a thumbs up back, we resume eating with Draco coming back in with seconds.
After a few minutes, the doorbell rings.
"I've got it," I say, wiping my mouth off.
I'm certain it's one of the MON members.
Walking up to the door, I open it.
"Hi, Ryuta," Manako says.
"Hey, Yuyu," Tionishia says.
Eh, I was half right.
"What's going on, you two?" I question.
"Smith sent us here because she realized she left before you cooked," Manako explains.
"I figured as much," I say.
"You don't mind us coming in to procure said food, do you?" Tionishia asks.
"Course not," I answer.
"Great!" They say, rushing right past me to the kitchen.
For as much as they show up for food, I wonder how much they bother Kimihito.
Closing the door, I return to the kitchen, seeing Manako partake in a muffin while Tionishia bites into a cream cheese cinnamon roll.
"So delicious!" Manako exclaims.
"So yummy!" Tionishia shouts.
Those two act like they have been eating out of the garbage.
"Are you two okay over there?" I ask, slightly concerned.
"Mhmm!" The two nod, their mouths full.
"I'll leave the both of you to it then," I say, about to go sit my butt back down at the table.
Tionishia immediately runs over to me.
I swear she's gonna accidentally hit me like a truck one of these days.
"Actually, I have something to ask, Yuyu," Tionishia says.
"And what's that?" I inquire.
"Um. W-Well, you see… what did you get me for my birthday if you don't mind my asking?" she says reluctantly.
"Uhhh, when was that exactly?" I say.
"May 2nd," she says.
May 2nd?!
"Tio, that was way before we met! At least Doppel had somewhat of a fair point to expect a gift from me," I point out.
"Oh, c'mon! It doesn't feel fair that my birthday happened before we met! That means everyone else in MON gets something except me! I wanna be included!" She whines.
"Fine, I'll get you something too," I say, wanting to avoid hearing her cry or whatever she may do to convince me.
"Really? Yay!" She exclaims, swooping me off the ground with a tight hug.
"So what do you want as a gift?" I ask.
"That's a secret right now, Yuyu," she answers, kissing me on the cheek.
"T-Tio," I blush, surprised.
Realization hitting her, she gasps and lets me go.
"I-I didn't mean to do that! Geez, I'm super sorry, Yuyu!" She apologizes, her cheeks flushing.
"I-It's totally fine, Tio. Don't worry about it," I assure.
She kneels down on both knees.
Manako takes notice and slowly approaches.
"Yuyu, please go on a d-," Manako covers Tionishia's mouth before she can finish.
"Tio, you'll compromise the mission if you say that," Manako says, uncovering Tionishia's mouth.
"Why do we have to wait so long? It's such a pain," Tionishia complains.
"Good things come to those who wait. Now it's about time we got going or else Smith and the others are gonna starve," Manako says.
"Okay," Tionishia groans begrudgingly, standing back up.
Do I even wanna know?
"Would you two like some bags?" I question.
"Yes, please," the two answer.
Bagging up some food for them, I hand it over.
"Thank you so much, Ryuta! We are so grateful!" Manako bows.
"Always happy to help," I say.
"See ya later!" Manako and Tionishia wave as they leave.
"See ya around," I say.
Today has to be the fastest anyone from MON left my house so far.
I can go back to eating now.
"They really came and went this time around," Polt comments as I proceed back to my seat.
"They just stopped by to acquire food for Smith and the others," I explain.
"Makes sense," she says.
"Ryuta, I'm retiring to my room for a bit. Surely, you don't mind?" Lilith yawns.
"That is correct," I say.
Polt's watch starts beeping.
"Aw, man. Already time? Guess I gotta go as well," Polt says.
"In that case, may your sweetheart get a kiss from the both of you?" I question.
"That's not something you have to ask," Polt and Lilith say, getting up from their chairs.
Polt gives me a small kiss and I kneel down to kiss Lilith.
After saying goodbye to Polt, they both exit the dining room.
That leaves me alone with Draco.
Upon sitting back down do I just now realize that Draco has been seemingly out of commission for a bit, her head face down on her empty plate.
Did she eat herself into a food coma?
"Are you doing fine over there?" I ask, worried.
"… Yeah… don't mind me," she weakly mutters, hardly moving.
Chowing down what's left on my plate, I exhaustedly lay back in my chair.
It's so good but I think I might've overdone it this time.
No wonder Draco is still here and face down after she wolfed down two plates.
Lilith's probably already taking her nap.
Now here I am most likely about to have the same fate!
I wouldn't be surprised if MON falls asleep after they eat it.
Polt's the only one who got off scot-free it seems!
I won't be beaten by my own food damn it!
I slap myself a few times.
Feeling much more awake now but not sure how long it will last.
Better get Draco upstairs before I fizzle out.
Standing up, I make my way over to Draco's side of the table.
"Hey, Draco. You awake?" I question.
Sitting up, she stretches and lets out a big yawn.
"I feel leagues better now!" She says, seeming to be completely back to normal.
She only took a power nap?!
That's cheating!
"Since you're doing fine now, I'll be upstairs if you need me," I yawn.
"Actually, I have something important to say," she stands to her feet and grabs my right wrist, stopping me.
"What's that?" I say, facing her.
Her eyes nervously dart around and she twiddles her fingers.
"T-The food wasn't just good… it's s-seriously the best I ever had," she stutters.
"Thank you for the compliment. It means a lot to hear you say that," I say.
"B-But that's not it!" She suddenly slams her hands against the wall just above my shoulders, pinning me against it.
She's getting really intense!
W-What in the world is she about to do?!
"I-I'm sorry that I insulted your cooking. It was very rude of me. Please forgive me!" She apologizes.
All of that for a simple apology?!
"That's it? Of course I forgive you," I say.
"Then let's go so I can make it up to you," she grabs me by the left arm and begins leading me to upstairs.
My heartbeat increases drastically.
M-Make it up to me?
"D-Draco, please explain yourself," I say nervously.
"You know what I mean," she says softly with a blush, looking back at me as we're halfway up the stairs.
"You don't need to do that," I snatch my arm away from her.
"Ryuta, I'm not gonna feel right if you don't let me do this," she says.
"You apologized and I forgave you. That's the end of it," I say.
"Are you sure it's okay?" She questions.
"Yes I am," I affirm.
She starts laughing.
Probably because she's trying to dial it back to avoid being awkward.
"Guess those two did have a point after all. Anyway, I'm going to my room," she says.
"You do that," I say.
At least that got handled properly.
Taking a single step, I immediately fall forward, crumpling up on the stairs.
"Ryuta! Are you okay?!" she exclaims.
All of that time cooking and consuming so much food finally caught up to me.
Guess I'm taking that nap whether I like it or not.
"I'm just super… fucking tired," I mutter.
"Don't scare me like that. I thought you were hurt or something," she says.
"Could you please help me to my room? I actually can't move," I ask.
"Sure thing," she answers.
Picking me up, she throws me over her shoulder and carries me.
"Thanks," I says.
"Don't sweat it," she says.
I think we can say this has been a great start for it only being day one.