Haru's room was unusually tidy.
Well... with one notable exception.
The bed looked as though it had survived a natural disaster.
The sheets had surrendered completely, one pillow dangled precariously off the edge, and the blanket had somehow managed to twist itself into what resembled a defeated snake.
Apart from the soft breathing of its lone occupant and the steady ticking of the alarm clock, the room was peaceful.
Until...
Beep! Beep! Beep!
A muffled groan answered the alarm.
The bedroom door creaked open and Mika peeked inside.
"...Elara?"
She blinked twice.
"What are you doing on Haru's bed?"
Her gaze drifted across the battlefield of blankets.
"...And why does it look like it just survived World War Two?"
Without even opening her eyes, Elara lazily stretched an arm toward the alarm clock and slapped the top of it.
The beeping stopped instantly.
"Mmm..."
She buried her face deeper into the pillow.
"...Five more minutes..."
Mika couldn't stop herself from laughing.
"A few days of school and you're already this worn out?"
"Mmmm..."
"It hasn't even been a full week."
Another sleepy mumble escaped Elara.
Mika rested against the doorframe with an amused smile.
"Well, don't worry. Today's Friday."
One blue eye slowly peeked open.
"...Weekend?"
"Yep it's finally here."
Elara suddenly looked a little more alive.
"...Yay..."
Her enthusiasm was so weak it somehow became adorable.
"I'll let you enjoy those last five minutes," Mika said, turning toward the door. "But after that, you're getting up whether you like it or not."
"Mmmm..."
"Oh, before I forget..."
She looked around the room.
"Where's Haru?"
Elara answered without moving.
"...Garden."
"I should've known."
---
Mika wandered over to the window and gently pushed the curtain aside.
Just as expected.
Haru stood outside with a watering can, carefully tending to the rows of vegetables he'd planted.
Despite the chilly morning air, he looked completely absorbed in his work.
A cold breeze swept through the garden.
"Achoo!"
He sneezed violently before rubbing his hands together and continuing as though nothing had happened.
Mika sighed, smiling to herself.
"...Hopeless."
She quietly left the room.
---
Five minutes later she stepped back outside carrying two steaming mugs.
Warm curls of cocoa drifted into the cold morning air.
By the time she reached the veranda, Haru had just finished watering the final row.
He shut off the tap.
The ground had turned into soft mud, forcing him into an awkward waddling walk to avoid slipping.
His shoulders were stiff.
Both hands remained buried inside his sleeves.
Watching him shuffle toward the house was strangely entertaining.
"...You look like an old penguin."
"What?"
"Nothing."
She placed the mugs on the veranda before walking over.
"Morning, champ."
"Morning."
She looked him up and down.
"Those are some ridiculous nerves you've got."
"Hm?"
"You couldn't pay me enough to water plants in this weather."
Haru laughed through chattering teeth.
"Yeah... no kidding."
He rubbed his hands together again.
"I can't even feel my fingers anymore."
"So why'd you do it?"
He looked toward the small garden.
Rows of vegetables shimmered beneath tiny droplets of water.
"As long as my veggies are happy..."
A content smile appeared on his face.
"...I'm happy."
Mika followed his gaze.
"They're lucky."
"Hm?"
She smiled softly.
"Never thought I'd live long enough to be jealous of vegetables."
Haru chuckled.
"What a weird thing to be jealous of."
"I know."
She raised both hands.
Instinctively, Haru did the same.
He went for a high-five.
Clap.
Instead of pulling away...
Mika closed both hands around his.
Haru froze.
"..."
"..."
Her eyes widened.
"...Whoa."
"What?"
"These aren't hands."
She looked genuinely concerned.
"They're ice packs."
Haru immediately relaxed.
He didn't even try to pull away.
The warmth spreading through his frozen fingers was heavenly.
He closed his eyes.
"...So warm..."
A small shiver ran through his body.
Mika giggled.
"I figured your hands would be cold."
She squeezed them slightly.
"But this is ridiculous."
"Worse than yesterday?"
"Much worse."
She looked at him in disbelief.
"Did you soak them in a freezer before coming outside?"
"My entire body feels like it was."
She laughed.
"Well, lucky for you..."
She tried pulling one hand away.
"...I brought—"
Haru instinctively tightened his grip.
"No."
"...Huh?"
"I don't wanna let go."
Mika blinked.
Then burst into laughter.
"Come on."
She gently tugged again.
"I can't pick up what I brought if you keep kidnapping my hands."
"...Five more minutes."
She couldn't help smiling.
"So that's where Elara learned it."
"...Fine..."
With obvious reluctance, Haru finally released her.
She picked up one of the steaming mugs and handed it over.
"Hot cocoa."
His eyes lit up.
"...You're amazing."
He accepted the mug with both hands, immediately letting the heat seep into his frozen fingers.
He lifted it toward his face and simply enjoyed the warmth rising from the cup before taking his first sip.
A peaceful sigh escaped him.
Mika smiled triumphantly.
"There."
"Better?"
"...No."
She blinked.
"What?"
He looked at the mug.
Then back at her.
"Your hands were better."
"..."
"They were warmer."
Another sip.
"...And softer."
Mika nearly inhaled her cocoa.
She quickly turned away under the excuse of taking another drink.
Thankfully...
The steam hid the blush spreading across her cheeks.
"...Idiot..."
"Hm?"
"Nothing."
---
The first rays of sunlight slowly climbed over the rooftops.
Golden light spilled across the garden.
Haru looked up with genuine admiration.
"Aaah..."
"Isn't she beautiful?"
Mika followed his gaze.
"...What?"
She stared at the sun.
Then back at him.
"...Hold on."
"...Don't tell me you're simping for the sun now."
"Well..."
He nodded matter-of-factly.
"Sun-chan is one of my waifus."
Mika stared.
"...Sun-chan?"
"Yeah."
He sounded completely serious.
"Remember when I became Galaxy King?"
"...Unfortunately."
"One of my powers lets I summon celestial bodies as anime girls."
He began counting on his fingers.
"Sun-chan."
"Moon-chan."
"Saturn-chan."
"Earth-chan."
"They're all wonderful."
"..."
Mika slowly pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Don't you have enough waifus in real life."
"...What?"
"Nothing."
"I see."
She took another sip before clearing her throat.
"Anyway..."
"Don't you think it's finally time to get Elara a phone?"
Haru immediately answered.
"No chance."
"...Why?"
"I'm broke."
"..."
"...How?"
She narrowed her eyes.
"Wait."
"...Don't tell me..."
Haru looked away.
"It was..."
"A limited edition."
"I KNEW IT!"
"You spent it on gacha!"
"It was Sun-chan's Egyptian outfit!"
"Like I said it was limited!"
"It made perfect sense!"
Mika dramatically clutched her chest.
"I can't believe this."
"Meanwhile poor Elara doesn't even own a phone."
Haru pointed at her accusingly.
"Oh?"
"And what about you?"
"What about me?"
"Didn't you spend your money trying to pull that gay vampire guy you like?"
Mika gasped.
"Excuse me?"
"My Lord Dracula is a gentleman."
"And besides..."
She proudly puffed out her chest.
"I live for yaoi."
"...Sure."
"But!"
She suddenly pointed a finger at him.
"If you ever start liking boys..."
"There will be consequences."
Haru blinked.
"...Not that I was ever planning to."
"Good."
She nodded with satisfaction.
"We understand each other."
"...You're weird."
"Says Mr. Sun-chan."
"...Fair."
After another quiet sip, Haru spoke.
"So..."
"I think we need another guild event."
Mika immediately brightened.
"What about the Wild Hunt!"
"I almost forgot!"
"We'll need everyone for that."
"And planning."
Haru nodded.
"How about karaoke tomorrow?"
"It's Saturday."
"Most people should be free."
"And it'll be the perfect chance to introduce Elara properly."
Mika practically vibrated with excitement.
"I love it."
"I'll message everyone."
She immediately reached into her pocket.
Haru gently lowered her hand.
"Easy there."
"We still have school."
"...Right."
She sighed dramatically.
"Responsibilities."
"The greatest enemy."
"Come on."
He chuckled.
"Let's wake our sleeping knight."
The two stepped back inside—
—and immediately froze.
A rich buttery aroma drifted through the house.
Fresh pancakes.
Mika sniffed the air.
"...Please tell me that's breakfast."
Haru smiled.
"I think our apprentice chef has been busy."
They followed the heavenly scent into the kitchen.
Standing proudly before the stove was Elara.
She wore an apron far too large for her.
Flour dusted her scarlet hair.
A streak of batter decorated one cheek.
She turned with a bright smile.
"You have arrived at the perfect—"
Her words stopped.
Haru had casually stepped forward, wiped the batter from her cheek with a finger...
...and popped it into his mouth.
"Mmm."
He thoughtfully nodded.
"Not bad."
Elara's entire face turned crimson.
She simply stared.
Unable to process what had just happened.
Mika slowly grabbed Haru by the collar.
"...You do this on purpose."
"Hm?"
"You enjoy making us flustered."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
His voice suddenly shifted into an exaggerated aristocratic accent.
"I know not of what you speak, fair maiden."
Mika covered her face.
"...You're trying to sound like Dracula again."
"Did it work?"
"I'm refusing to answer."
Elara, still bright red, quietly placed three plates on the table before setting down a bottle of syrup.
"...Breakfast... is served."
Haru and Mika exchanged a cautious glance.
The pancakes looked...
Normal.
Which somehow made them even more suspicious.
Mika folded her arms.
"I'm waiting."
"...For?"
"You taste them first."
Haru sighed dramatically.
"So little faith."
He picked up his knife and fork.
Cut a small piece.
Placed it in his mouth.
Silence.
He chewed thoughtfully.
Elara watched with nervous anticipation.
"..."
"..."
Finally...
Haru looked up.
"This..."
"...is terrible."
Elara's hopeful smile froze.
"...R-Really...?"
"It is."
He nodded gravely.
"Horrible."
The color slowly drained from her face.
She sank onto her knees.
"...I failed..."
Mika immediately stood.
"Haru!"
"Even for you that's mean!"
Before she could continue—
Haru casually took another bite.
A much bigger one.
"In fact..."
"This is so terrible..."
"...that neither of you should eat yours."
He reached toward Mika's plate.
"I'll bravely endure this suffering for everyone."
Mika slapped his hand away.
"...You're lying."
"I'm not."
"You're smiling."
"I'm absolutely not."
"...There's syrup on your nose."
"..."
"...Traitor."
She picked up her fork and took a bite herself.
Her eyes widened.
Then...
She took another.
"..."
"...Elara."
"You don't have to force yourself..."
Elara whispered sadly.
Mika looked at her.
Then smiled.
"Haru's an idiot."
"These are amazing."
She took another bite.
"I'd even say they're better than Haru's."
"Hold on."
Haru immediately objected.
"Let's not get carried away."
"I admit these are fantastic..."
"But better than mine?"
"That's slander."
Mika grinned.
"My memory's a little fuzzy."
"You should make your signature pancakes again."
"You just want free pancakes."
"...Maybe."
"It works every time."
"...I hate that you're right."
Elara slowly looked between them.
"...You... actually like them?"
Haru smiled.
"They're the best you've made so far."
"And you learned this much in only a few days."
"It won't be long before you're packing our lunches."
Elara's blue eyes sparkled.
"...Really?"
"Really."
She practically bounced into her chair before happily picking up her own fork.
The biggest smile either of them had ever seen spread across her face.
For the first time since arriving in this strange new world...
Breakfast felt like home.