Once the two of them returned to the church, they entered the room where they usually sat down to eat together. Every eye in the room turned to Stella as she walked in, her presence illuminating the space.
"Stella!" The little one cheered, her face beaming with joy upon seeing her.
Yuno and Sister Lilly glanced toward the doorway, smiles spreading across their faces. "Stella, I'm glad you could join us! We were just about to start eating," Sister Lilly greeted warmly, setting the last plate of pop potatoes on the table with a flourish.
"Glad to see you didn't run away," Nash joked, his brows raised and a playful smirk dancing on his lips.
"Why would I run away?" Stella replied, her tone brisk as she scanned the table and the seating area. Her gaze landed on the empty seat right next to Yuno, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She rushed toward it, but just then, Asta burst through the doorway behind her, his laughter echoing.
Stella stumbled, her balance wavering, and she fell hard into Father Oris, causing him to drop a boiling pan of soup. The scalding liquid splattered across the floor, some of it landing on Father Oris's arm.
"Ah!" he yelled, his eyes wide with surprise and pain.
"Do you really have to be such a klutz?" Nash remarked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Stella, who stood wide-eyed and mortified at the chaos she had inadvertently caused.
Her brow twitched in annoyance. "I only fell because Asta ran right into me and yelled!" She pointed an accusing finger at Asta, who casually took the seat next to Yuno, leaving Stella beside Nash.
"Sure," Nash shrugged, his voice thick with mock indifference.
"I'm older than you, you know!" She shot back, her cheeks flushed with frustration.
"Ah, Father, I'm so sorry!" Stella rushed over to him, concern etched across her features as she noticed the pain in his expression. "Celestial healing magic, light of the lunar moon," she murmured, her hands glowing softly as she focused on healing his burn.
"It's alright, Stella, it's not your fault," Father Oris assured her, wincing slightly. "Asta, how many times do I have to tell you to stop running around inside?" He turned to Asta, his voice stern. "I'm sorry!" Asta laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head as his cheeks turned a shade pinker.
"Now, everyone, let's just sit down and eat dinner, okay?" Sister Lilly suggested, her tone gently commanding as she began to clean up the scattered soup that painted the floor.
After healing Father Oris's arm, Stella finally took her seat next to Nash, letting out a quiet pout. *Man, I really wanted to sit next to Yuno,* she thought, a tinge of disappointment crossing her features.
Just then, Nash began talking to her. "At least one good thing you did was get rid of that soup. I don't think I could handle another night of pop potato soup, he whispers to her."
"What was that?" Father Oris questioned, cocking an eyebrow.
"Nothing," they both said in unison, shaking their heads as if sealing a secret.
As the tension in the room dissipated and everyone began eating, laughter and chatter filled the air. "Sister Lilly, your cooking is so amazing! Will you please marry me?" Asta exclaimed, his voice a mixture of admiration and silliness.
"It was Father who cooked everything, so you can marry him instead," she replied with a playful smile, her eyes twinkling with delight.
"But I don't wanna," Asta pouted dramatically while Yuno sighed at his childish antics.
"Are we really the same age?" Yuno asked, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Oh, come on! Yuno, can't a guy ever dream?" Asta replied, a cheeky grin plastered across his face, making the room feel alive with warmth and camaraderie.
Father Oris cleared his throat, basking in the sudden spotlight as everyone turned to him. "I heard Sister Lilly mention it earlier, but the Grímore awarding ceremony is sneaking up on us like a cat before its pounce!" His eyes twinkled with excitement. "Yuno! Stella! I'm just so thrilled that you two will finally be receiving your grimores!"
"Hey, what about me?" Asta shouted, jabbing a finger into the air with all the grace of a thrusting swordfish.
Father Oris, unfazed, waved him off like a pesky fly. "Anyway, what grimore do you think you'll receive? With your magical prowess, it'll be nothing short of spectacular!" He leaned in closer to Yuno and Stella, practically bouncing in his seat.
Stella's fork froze in mid-air, her smile evaporating fast.
"Oh right! That reminds me!" Asta suddenly declared, plopping his bowl down on the table with a thud that echoed like a war drum. "Stella says she doesn't want to receive her grimore or become a Magic Knight!"
The table gasped collectively, air escaping their lungs like a deflating balloon, their eyes wide with shock.
"ASTA!" Stella screeched, turning a shade of crimson that could rival ripe tomatoes.
Father Oris dropped his fork with a clang that could shatter glass. "It's official!" he wailed dramatically, hands flying to his temples. "Yuno truly is the only hope for Hage Village!"
"HUH?!" Asta and Stella shouted in perfect harmony, their brows furrowing in shock as they looked at him.
Sister Lilly glided over, placing a gentle hand on Stella's shoulder. "It's perfectly alright if you don't wish to become a Magic Knight, but at least accept your grimore," she urged softly, her voice soothing as a lullaby.
Stella's eyes sparkled like stars as she looked up at Sister Lilly, her tension easing. "Thank you, Sister Lilly!"
Nash, biting into his pastry and clearly enjoying the spectacle, burst out, "I really thought the three of you would at least give the exam a shot! Let's be honest, it's most likely Yuno will get in while you two fail spectacularly and come crawling back!" He said
"Come on! I'm going to become a Magic Knight no matter what!" Asta yelled, fists clenched and eyes blazing like a furnace.
Stella shot him a sideways glance, hands on her hips. "I get why Asta might not make it, but why wouldn't I?"
Meanwhile, Asta stood off to the side, his face crumpling like a discarded piece of paper, tears welling in his eyes as he heard the chorus of doubt from the others. "You guys are so mean!" he wailed, his lip quivering like a puppy
Nash leaned back, crossing his arms with a smirk. "What can you do when your only defense spell is as strong as a wet noodle and your healing spell barely works—not to mention that glitch spell of yours?"
"Darn it, he's got a point," Stella mumbled, slumping down in her chair feeling defeated.
"She still has a chance," Yuno finally broke the silence, his voice calm yet resolute after quietly observing the conversation unfold before him. Stella's heart skipped as she quickly turned her head to face him, her eyes wide with surprise.
Yuno... she thought to herself, a mix of admiration and curiosity swirling within her.
He carried an aura of cool detachment, always keeping to himself, so different from Asta, whose boisterous laughter and chaotic energy filled every corner of the room.
Stella had always found comfort in Yuno's quiet presence, she remembered hearing whispers from the others that before she joined the church, he had been such a cry baby, soft and vulnerable. But since her arrival, he had remained an island of solitude, often silent, yet his every gesture spoke volumes. It was in the way he offered her a reassuring nod during difficult moments and how he would shyly share his lunch with her, watching—these gestures revealed the kindness that lay beneath his stoic facade.
"Yuno's right," Asta said his mouth full as he featured animatedly. "Stella doesn't even have a grimore yet, but she can already has three spells! Just imagine how powerful she'd be once she gets her grimore. She'll be unstoppable!"
Yuno nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I can see that. With the right training, Stella could really shine."
Stella looking up from her plate once again, feeling the embarrassment creeping into her cheeks. "I mean, I guess..." She mumbled, avoiding their eyes.
"Come on, Stella!" Asta interrupted, leaning forward with a grin that practically
radiated enthusiasm. Let the three of us become Magic Knights together! It'll be awesome!" He thrust his fist forward in the air, waiting for a fist bump.
Stella hesitated, her heart racing at the thought. Fine I'll go, but just to get my grimore, okay?" She replied, trying to sound nonchalant, but her voice came out a little too high-pitched.
Asta's eyes sparkled with excitement. "But you'll love it! Just imagine all the adventures we'll have! And Yuno will be there too!"
Stella's expression faltered. "I'm still undecided about the Magic Knights," she said, her voice firm but lacking enthusiasm. She looked away from Asta, who was still eagerly waiting for the fist bump.
But then, a wave of guilt washed over her, and she quickly bumped her fist against his. "Alright! Just to make you stop looking at me like that," she added, a small smile breaking through her flustered demeanor.
"Now was that so hard?" Asta laughed, plopping back down in his chair. "Besides, I know you'll be super bummed without Yuno around."
Stella's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. "What are you talking about?" she shot back, trying to play it cool. But Asta's teasing grin only made her more self-conscious.
"Come on, Stella," Asta said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "You totally have a crush on Yuno, don't you?"
The words hung in the air for a moment, and Stella's eyes widened in horror. "I do not!" she exclaimed, her voice rising an octave as she felt her face heat up.
Asta's laughter erupted, and he leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying her embarrassment. "Oh come on, it's so obvious!"
In a fit of flustered embarrassment, Stella waved her hand, and without thinking, she activated her glitch spell. Suddenly, Asta's cup of water next to him splashed all over his face, drenching him in the process.
"Ahh!" Asta sputtered, wiping his face with his arm and looking utterly shocked. "What the heck, Stella?!"
Stella gasped, her eyes wide with horror. "I didn't mean to do that!" she blurted out, but inside, she couldn't help but feel a little satisfaction at the sight of Asta's shocked expression.
"Way to go, Stella! Show him no mercy!" Nash exclaimed, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Stella's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she glanced down at the table, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her napkin. Yet, a small smile tugged at her lips, relieved to feel the tension at the table dissolve like sugar in water.
"Here you go, Asta," Sister Lily said cheerfully, offering him a napkin to dab the water off his face.
"Thank you, Sister Lily, Will you please mar- Asta began, his voice earnest but interrupted.
"No!" Sister Lily declared, playfully cutting him off with a swift hand gesture, and her words sent peals of laughter ringing through the air.
The laughter was infectious; even Yuno cracked a chuckle, a rare sight that a sound sent a wave of warmth through Stella's heart. She glanced around the table, her eyes sparkling with joy as she took in the lively scene. She wished this moment of happiness could last forever.