Viloti watched Felyn enter that house.
She hadn't managed to speak with him on the way.
Without realizing it, she'd followed him home.
The sunset stretched her shadow very long, that pale pink figure particularly clear in the twilight.
Lights turned on one by one, from the first floor to the second, warm yellow light filtering through curtains, outlining the contours of life.
Viloti took several deep breaths and walked toward that house.
"I'm home."
Felyn returned home and hung his bag on the wall.
He felt tonight's home was somewhat different.
"Welcome home."
The kitchen sliding door opened, and Daiyi emerged.
She wore a beige knit sweater tonight, paired with a knee-length cotton dress.
Daiyi wore the little bear apron Felyn had used this morning, with some flour dusting it.
She had casually pinned her black hair into a bun, revealing her fair neck.
"Come eat quickly."
Daiyi wiped her hands on the apron, those dark green eyes still carrying some coolness.
She was different from other young ladies—she enjoyed cooking.
Putting ingredients and seasonings into pots and heating with fire, this transformation from disorder to order made her feel relaxed.
But since coming to Seiwa, this was her first time cooking.
Felyn stood frozen, looking at the food on the table.
Limited by the home's ingredients, the table's dishes weren't luxurious, but each dish radiated enticing colors.
Exquisite plates were garnished with fresh herbs, even the tableware placement angles were meticulous.
Unexpectedly, he could actually eat food someone else made for him.
Overwhelmed by this sudden warmth, Felyn walked dazedly toward the dining table.
Daiyi quickly stepped forward and gently tugged his sleeve.
"Wash your hands first."
Felyn dazedly went to the washroom.
Wait!
Sober up!
It was just the first time since coming to this other world that someone had cooked for him.
And this meal itself was fake—Daiyi only did this to pretend to be lovers.
Felyn cupped cold water in his hands, continuously washing his face to calm down.
Coming out of the washroom, Felyn saw Daiyi couldn't untie her apron.
She looked troubled, stealing glances at Felyn several times.
"I'll help you."
Felyn came behind Daiyi, his fingers gently touching the knotted bow.
Daiyi's bun emitted a faint, pleasant fragrance.
Several strands of hair dampened by sweat clung to her fair nape, looking very beautiful.
Daiyi stood in place, feeling Felyn's fingertips occasionally touch her back, that slight sensation like feathers brushing across.
She lowered her head, her heartbeat somewhat fast, even her breathing becoming cautious.
Warm yellow light and sunset's afterglow intertwined, covering the entire room with an ambiguous halo.
The meal's aroma drifting from the room mixed with Daiyi's faint fragrance.
Time seemed to freeze at this moment, even the air becoming gentle.
"Done."
Felyn removed the apron for Daiyi, ending this scene.
"It's really great to be alive—I can actually eat food you made by hand."
Contrary to Felyn's expectations, Daiyi didn't refute this statement.
She turned around, arranging her hair while walking toward the dining table.
Daiyi took out a pink teddy bear and placed it on a dining chair.
"What's this for?"
Felyn raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't expected to see dining with dolls service in this world too.
"It's my father."
"Are you serious?"
Felyn couldn't help but complain.
Daiyi's face darkened as she glanced at Felyn.
"It's just pretending my father is at the table interviewing us."
You should have said that completely!
Acting mysterious by not speaking clearly, huh!
Felyn bowed to the toy bear.
"Thank you for father-in-law's cultivation. That my girlfriend is so excellent is all thanks to your efforts."
Daiyi pursed her lips and turned away.
Even knowing it was pretense, hearing "my girlfriend" still made Daiyi's heartbeat quicken.
"It would be better if your thanks were more detailed—thanking him for cultivation before age seventeen. Because after seventeen he stopped caring about me."
Daiyi corrected Felyn's statement.
Who would thank a father-in-law like this? Did he really think he had his daughter's pregnancy report!
The two sat at the dining table, preparing to eat.
"Miss Daiyi, my next words aren't because of the contract." Felyn suddenly seriously stared into Daiyi's eyes.
"Alright, I understand your feelings, but I refuse. You're a good person."
Daiyi elegantly set down her teacup, her voice cold.
"I'm not confessing!"
"Aren't you? Boys who show such expressions all confess to me. I'm used to it."
Daiyi lightly raised an eyebrow, her lips carrying a trace of subtle smile.
"I know you're cooking to pretend to be lovers, but still want to thank you."
Hearing this, Daiyi's expression remained calm, but her fingers pressed hard against the teacup's edge.
"No need to thank me."
While eating, Felyn glanced at the toy bear, then served food to Daiyi's bowl.
Where Daiyi came from, they were accustomed to using chopsticks.
"What for?"
Daiyi turned her head, using chopsticks to block Felyn's attentions.
Their posture looked like fencing.
"Serving you food—how else can I express my care for you in front of father-in-law?"
"Exchanging saliva like this, wouldn't that be... just like kissing..."
Her voice grew smaller and smaller, finally almost becoming self-talk.
The little person in Felyn's heart wanted to start screaming.
Could she not say it so disgustingly?
After Felyn's laborious explanation of serving food's meaning, this young lady finally reluctantly accepted it.
Daiyi stared at the food Felyn had served her for a long while before decisively picking it up.
Her fingers trembled slightly, as if performing some major ceremony, those dark green eyes holding some nervousness.
She slowly brought the food to her mouth, chewed a few times, her cheeks slightly heating.
"Oh right, we're just practicing serving food. You don't need to actually eat it." Felyn, watching Daiyi eat, suddenly said.
Daiyi's movement froze. She glared fiercely at Felyn, showing an expression of wanting to kill him.
Shame and annoyance intertwined on her face, her face red as if about to drip blood.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Hehe.
"Father-in-law, Miss Daiyi is really virtuous."
Felyn smiled at the pink teddy bear—he'd finally won back a round.
During the remaining dinner time, Daiyi witnessed Felyn's professionalism.
He could actually chat with a speechless bear for twenty minutes.
If she'd also prepared wine glasses, Felyn would probably drink with the toy bear.
Daiyi seemed to see Felyn and her father both drunk, laughing heartily while saying something.
Thinking of that scene, Daiyi's lips unconsciously curved in a shallow arc.
If she could really have such a day in the future.
But such emotions were destined to be impossible for her.
Being able to chat and gather with family and friends was her luxury wish.
Felyn could still stay by her side pretending to be lovers only because she hadn't voiced her inner disrespectful thoughts about the gods.
If he knew, even this false emotion built with money would disappear.
This was fine—hiding it from him, letting herself somewhat willfully enjoy this ordinary false time.
After eating, Felyn began clearing dishes while brewing black tea for Daiyi.
Using this opportunity with Daiyi beside him, he'd simulated meeting his father-in-law once.
But the time was still too short—Felyn had only simulated once.
Next time he'd simulate other situations.
Felyn carried bowls, passing by the balcony.
He saw a pink figure appear below his building.
Felyn stepped backward to the balcony and rubbed his eyes.
Outside was only quiet night and several dim streetlights.
"Strange."
Seconds ago, a car bearing the Silafiel crest had stopped before Viloti.
She'd spent an hour walking several hundred meters, finally reaching Felyn's front door.
Then she was forcibly taken away by guards who got out of the car.
Just as Felyn was about to leave, he noticed Daiyi's notebook on the balcony table.
She'd probably been reading here during the day and forgotten to clean up.
He immediately saw Daiyi's record in the notebook.
[Gods may not exist; faith and divine arts may lack direct causal relationship]
Felyn drew in a sharp breath.
Such disrespectful statements toward the gods...
This person's father—could he be the Demon King?
(End of Chapter)