v3 Bonus Story: A Night in the Northern Forest

(This is a bonus short story.)[^(T/N This is what the raws said. Just translating)]

“Hey, that stuff you're grilling, just give me an edge piece,” Gaius pleaded from behind Shouko.

“No,” Shouko replied firmly. “It's almost ready, so please wait properly.”

“Not even a small piece?”

“Learn from Jene and Bival. Honestly, and you're the town representative.”

Gaius was hovering around behind Shouko as she grilled the meat. Even though Jene and Bival were relaxing behind them, enjoying pre-dinner drinks.

“Well, that's because we know we'll definitely get some,” Jene remarked.

“Yeah,” Bival agreed. “Though at first, we were definitely restless wanting to eat sooner.”

The hunt was over, and they had already finished their baths. Since Shouko or Haru applied the warm air magic they weren't good at themselves, their hair was silky smooth.

“Although, if those guys were here, it wouldn't be like this,” Jene added, likely referring to Falco and Leon.

“They're a bit late today,” Bival noted.

Shouko was also glancing towards the entrance. Then, her ears seemed to perk up.

“Nah, it's an illusion,” Jene teased. “I keep mistaking her for a squirrel or something.”

“No doubt,” Bival chuckled.

Shouko called out to Haru, who was just coming down the stairs.

“Haru, all that's left is to watch the meat until it's cooked. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Switching places with Haru in the kitchen, Shouko hurried towards the entrance. Shouko had good hearing. She must have heard something.

“Hey, Haru,” Gaius immediately started pestering the newcomer, “that edge piece there, give me a little.”

“Gaius, Shouko will get mad.”

“She's not here right now, right? C'mon.”

“Oh, honestly,” Haru relented.

Haru was softer than Shouko. Even though they hadn't lived together for even a week, Gaius already knew this. He took advantage of it to get a taste of the delicious-looking meat.

Judging by the noisy sounds from the entrance, it seemed Falco and Leon had returned.

“Haru, quickly!” Gaius urged.

“Eh, ehh? Just one piece, okay? Here, say 'ahh'...” Haru picked up the meat with the two sticks Shouko called chopsticks and brought it close to Gaius's mouth.

“Nom. Delicious!”

“Good.”

“H-Haru...”

When the two looked back towards the entrance, there stood Leon, pointing at Gaius and trembling with indignation.

“Y-you! Me! Gaius! 'Ahh'?!”

“Leon, calm down,” Falco admonished him with exasperation.

“Even I haven't had that done for me!” Leon complained.

“Come to think of it,” Falco realized, “I haven't had Shouko do that for me either! Shouko!”

Shouko stood watching the two of them with her arms crossed and a cold look in her eyes.

“Shouko!”

“Haru, you can't spoil them,” Shouko lectured. “Hunters get carried away easily.”

Though she was saying harsh things, to Jene and Bival, who were already slightly tipsy, it was hilarious.

“No doubt,” Jene agreed.

“Hahaha,” Bival laughed heartily.

Haru laughed, looking troubled, “But there's lots of meat, so isn't it fine?” she said.

Shouko uncrossed her arms and shrugged.

“Haru!” Leon demanded.

“Shouko!” Falco pleaded.

“See? This is why...” Shouko sighed.

In the end, Falco and Leon also managed to win an 'ahh' feeding from Shouko and Haru.

“Well, maybe just sometimes is okay,” Shouko conceded, amused. “It's kind of funny.”

“Yeah,” Haru agreed.

In the end, Shouko was still soft when it came to Falco.