Oh, it's Leme. Good morning.

　The girl who was carrying a plate of food to the table smiles when she notices me.

　Her light brown hair is longer than Kash's, and she ties it back into a single bun while she cooks. She's twelve years old, but the kitchen is already her domain.
　Maka. She's Kash's older sister who holds the [position (job)] of [cook].
　The family's common light green eyes catch me.

''Yes, good morning.''

You're right on time. Bon appétit.

Thank you for everything.

　I'm like, "Leme-chan...! And Mia, who slipped to her feet - Kash's sister - smiled back at Maka while patting her head.

''No, no, she says it's the opposite if she doesn't allow me to do this. It is also thanks to Reme that I was able to practice cooking properly in my house. How many times do you have to say that?

　Maka chuckles.

　Kash's house, which was having a tough time making ends meet, was able to afford it now that Kash had become the secretary of the Demon King's Army.
　It was Mira who invited Kash to join, and it was the Demon King's Castle who was paying his salary.
　I think it's not right that I should be thanked, but if I say that, if Kash hadn't met me in the first place, he wouldn't have had a future as a secretary to the General Staff.
　I don't want the food to get cold by continuing the conversation that has become a staple of late, so I nod vaguely.

''Well then, let's have a feast, shall we?

By all means, it's another great day.

　I take a seat after Kash pulls away from Natsu - Kash's brother - who is biting my hand today and again.

'Oh my, has your expression softened?　Something has been bothering you lately, has it been resolved?

　Ms. Hazel - Kash and the others' mother - says something like that as she puts her hand on her cheek.

'Was it so plainly troubling...'

　Like Mira, Hazel is perceptive as well. Or maybe I'm easy to understand.

''Huh, Kash was very worried about it.

I'll do my best.

　At this rate, you're going to be worrying a lot of people.

I don't think it's a bad thing to be worried. It means that you are making an effort to find an answer. That's why my daughter was very sad, wondering if it was something she couldn't discuss with Hishoro.

Oh, Mom!

　Kash hurriedly clutched at his mother's arm and shook her body to stop her from speaking.
　Hazel said, "Oh dear," and slowly swayed.
　While all this was going on, breakfast.

　In the midst of the harmonious progress of the meal, Natsu-kun stuck out his tongue with a twisted expression, "Ew.
　On top of that, there were finely chopped but bitter vegetables on top of it.

''Majii.''

Hey, you need to eat.

　When Maka scolded him, Natsu turned away with a wink.

I don't want to eat it because it's disgusting.

What? Don't be so miserable with those little pieces. It's a nutritional food. Eat it. Look, everyone else is munching on it but you.

Be-

　I had been gazing blankly at the older sisterly side of this lively and friendly girl, but I had to interrupt her when Maka started twitching and shivering. The table with its delicious food is not the place for an angry voice.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. Natsu-kun, are you sure you want to do this?　You're going to be strong enough to protect your sister and mother, aren't you?

!

　Natsu-kun looks at me.
　I tell everyone to excuse me for a minute, and then I stand up.

　Something obvious....hmmm...here we go.
　I grab the table where the food is lined up and lift it up as it is.

　Of course, I take great care not to let any of the food or water fall out. I lifted it up without shaking a single dish or raising a single dust particle, made sure Natsu was surprised, and then slowly lowered it down.
　I'm not sure if I behaved in a good way. But I did get his attention.

I'm sure Natsu-kun is aware of this, but I don't have the [job title] to fight like a warrior. Even so, if you eat a nutritious meal and train your body a lot, you'll be able to do this much. I wonder if a girl who loses to the bitterness of vegetables will be able to beat a bad guy who wants to kill my family.

　I shouldn't interfere with another family's education, but I decided that this time it was in line with Maca's wishes and it would be good.

''..........''

　Natsu looked at the plate of food and me in turn and compared them.

If you don't eat vegetables, maybe I can get the kash from Natsu-kun.

　Kash's ears twitched.
　Maka laughed, "I want to be taken too! Thank goodness, her anger seems to have subsided.

".........!　I'll eat!　I don't do Kash to Leme!

　With that, Natsu-kun swallowed his food with a gulp.
　He frowned at the bitterness on his face, but swallowed it down with a gulp.

''Doda!''

Yeah, that's not what I'm talking about. This is a way to protect your family.

　Natsu-kun is in a good mood.
　Even though there's no such thing as a single meal, a meal is an accumulation.

　The food that you take into your body becomes a part of you.
　Everyone's eyes are focused on me as I stand up with a clatter.

'What's wrong, Leme?　Do you want to lift the table again?

　Maka says, with a curious look on her face.

'Oh, no sorry.

''Haha, Leme, you're always so calm, but that's what happens sometimes.

　I laugh too, haha, and sit down again.
　I was tempted to run out to the Demon King's Castle now, but I get the last of Maka's food.

　My family sees me off and I head to work with Kash, who's ready to go.



　.........Come to think of it, Kash was worried about not being consulted?
　But how shall I explain it?

''Ummm.......for the next fight, I had to come up with a new technique. I had a technique in mind, but I was having trouble figuring out how to learn it.

A deliberate...one hell of a job?

'I'm not a cool guy like that. But yeah, I guess it's about as hard as it gets.

It's a move that's similar to a coup de grace. Did you come up with a way to remember it earlier?

I feel like I'm on to something, though.

You can do it, Leme!

"...Yeah, thanks. Now that you mention it, I feel like I can do it.

　When I get to work, I immediately head to the link room - a room that reflects my spirit in my magical body (avatar).

"Did you get anything?

　The Demon King was there.
　I wonder if she's curious about it too, it was a line that was said every day these days.

　In the past, I would have had a cloudy expression of apology, but not today.
　It's kind of strange, but I might have been saved by Natsu-kun, who doesn't like vegetables.

'Maybe, but...'

Great.

　I first transfer my spirit to my magical body (avatar).

'Oh, may I explain it to you?　I wondered if the master might be thinking of this as something he could reach on his own.

Mmm, well then I won't ask. Instead, I'll ask you-- Carmilla. I'll leave it to you.

　Then Mila came out of the shadows, hitting her head on the equipment with her head.

It's a good thing. Demon King-sama........he asked me to keep my existence a secret.......

You don't think you can pull the wool over his eyes, do you? You just come out of there and walk away.

　He didn't want to put any pressure on me before I supported him. Still, he was curious about it, so he hid and visited........

'I want to get things straightened out myself, so it would be nice to have someone to listen to me.

"!　Well then, unworthy Carmilla, I'm willing to risk my life for that great role.

You're in charge.

　The Demon King-sama said that and left the room.
　She intends to learn it on her own as well.

''Well then, let's get right to it.''

Yes!