“I… Mum… When did you become more gluttonous than me?” Yin asked as cold sweat dripped off her face.
“Tch, a bit rude. Your mother’s been eating nothing but light food for three and a half months and this is what you say when I want a little bit of meat?” Shiro pouted as she still had her spoon in her mouth.
Hearing this, Yin’s smile twitched as she had been doing nothing but eat for the past three hours now. She returned during the second hour and she figured that Shiro would be finished soon but no, she kept going.
Yin thought that she would at least try to eat less or act more refined since Nan Tian was here but her eating style was… barbaric to say the least.
“Please eat slowly, you’ll choke.” Yin sighed as she sat down.
Lisandra was also nearby but she didn’t want to get too close in case Shiro’s fear acted up.
“Why aren’t you sitting down as well Lisa?” Shiro asked, seeing Lisandra stand silently in the corner.
“Mn? Oh erm can I?” Lisandra asked as Shiro raised her eyebrow before pausing in realisation.
During the time she was in the room, Lisandra had the least amount of contact. It was no wonder that Lisandra might be a little hesitant. Feeling bad inside, Shiro smiled and gestured for her to sit down near her.
“It’s ok, come and sit down.” Shiro smiled as she continued to eat.
It was a little difficult to eat at her pace with just one hand since the other was holding onto Nan Tian but he used magic to stabilise the bowls so she didn’t need to worry.
Most of the food that she ate was converted into mana so it was only natural that she wasn’t feeling satisfied just yet. After all, her mana pool could be called an ocean.
While there still seemed to be something blocking her use of mana, Shiro felt ‘healthier’ in a way since she was a monster after all. Mana was the core of her being.
Similar to how vampires will become lethargic without blood, spirits and monsters that depend on mana as their main source of energy will be weakened. Sure they might be able to constantly generate mana within their bodies but it would still cause them to hunger.
Seeing that Shiro assured her that it was ok, Lisandra hesitated for a moment before sitting next to Shiro.
As she continued her meal, Shiro noticed that Lisandra was glancing at her occasionally,
“Is something wrong?” Shiro asked as Lisandra hesitated for a moment before making up her mind.
Hugging Shiro, Lisandra’s shoulders started quivering as she opened her mouth.
“I’m glad that you’re safe mum.” Lisandra said as Shiro paused and smiled.
“Mn, I’m sorry for not coming out sooner. But that reminds me, that’s the first time you’ve properly called me mum huh?” Shiro smiled as Lisandra nodded her head.
“So like, sorry to crash the parade but how will you eat if both your hands are occupied?” Yin asked as she rested her chin on her palm.
“Why don’t you feed me darling? You seemed to do a good job a few months ago.” Shiro chuckled as Yin rolled her eyes.
Shuffling her chair closer, she wordlessly picked up the bowl and spoon.
“I’ll ask for my hug later since lil’ sis hasn’t been spending time with you as much as I have. ” Yin said as she started to feed Shiro.
###
After finishing the meal, Lisandra helped Yin clean up the dishes while Shiro rested next to Nan Tian.
Pulling out her phone, Shiro wondered what she should be doing now.
She wanted to set up a plan of action for a month’s time so that they can participate in the next event.
‘I need to recover the use of mana and divine energy along with waking Nimue, Iziuel and Attie.’ Shiro thought to herself since she hasn’t been able to access her mana realm at all.
She guessed that her mana realm will probably unlock once her use of mana returns.
“If you’re worried about your use of mana it might be good to ask Aarim about it. We still need to tell everyone else about your recovery so this might be a good chance to call for a party meeting.” Nan Tian smiled but Shiro shook her head.
“It’s fine, there’s no need for a meeting. They’re all busy so we’ll just visit them one by one. Let’s go to Madison first though, she looked like she wanted to say something earlier when I managed to get a glimpse of her.” Shiro smiled as she stretched her body lightly.
“Alright I finished washing up the dishes. I will request for my hug now.” Yin smiled as she held out her arms in a position perfect for receiving a hug.
Hearing this, Shiro smiled and stood up. Letting go of Nan Tian’s sleeve for a moment, she hugged Yin.
“Sorry for making you worry.” Shiro muttered.
“What is there to be sorry about? You always make us worry. In fact, I’ll be more concerned if you didn’t make us worry.” Yin replied as her voice started to become shaky.
“But don’t ever make us worry like that ever again.”
Hearing this, Shiro paused for a moment before nodding.
“Mn, I won’t.” Staying in silence, Shiro hugged Yin.
After a long moment, they separated as Yin wiped her face.
“First of all mum, you are filthy.” Yin said cheekily as Shiro’s smile twitched.
“Excuse me what?” Shiro asked, feeling as though a vein was about to burst.
“You haven’t changed your clothes today have you? I just came back not too long ago after all and it stinks like sweat. You should really change or get a shower after finally getting out.” Yin smiled as Shiro paused.
“Wait does it… smell that bad?” Shiro asked hesitantly as she had been holding onto Nan Tian this entire time.
“Don’t listen to her mum. Yin’s only saying that since she wants to dress you up. She’s bought a bunch of clothes from the tailors around the city. They’ve been coming out with new designs and Yin figured that you might look good in them.” Lisandra called out as Yin coughed.
“Stop spoiling the surprise.” Yin pouted.
“Yeah but like… you’re embarrassing mum.” Lisandra furrowed her brows.
Shrugging her shoulders, Yin jogged towards the main doors.
“I’ll send the clothes to your room mum.”
Seeing that Yin has already ran off, Shiro sighed helplessly before glancing at Nan Tian.
“You don’t stink.” Nan Tian immediately said out loud just in case Shiro was concerned about that.
“. . . .I wasn’t about to say anything about that. I’m going to go for a quick shower and get changed. Will you erm… Wait in the room?” Shiro asked, feeling embarrassed.
“Of course.” Nan Tian nodded.
“Don’t look ok?” Shiro warned.
Nodding his head, he knew that he might not be able to sit down if he did. But more than that, it’ll be betraying her trust in him.
“I’ll go help sis bring the clothes over then.” Lisandra said as Shiro nodded her head.
###
Making their back to her room, Shiro grabbed a spare change of clothes along with a few towels before glancing back to see Nan Tian sitting in the corner working on the tablet.
‘It’s just a few minutes, what am I being scared for?’ Shiro thought to herself as she locked the door behind her and took off her clothes.
As she had a quick shower, she felt as though a shadow flickered in the corner of her peripherals.
Immediately turning around, she saw that there was nothing and sighed.
Quickly finishing her shower, she got changed and glanced in the mirror.
For a split moment, Shiro thought the watchman was standing besides her as her breathing hastened.
Punching towards where the watchman would have been, Shiro’s fist cracked against the wall as she frowned before brushing her hair out of her face.
Sighing heavily, she grabbed her towel and exited the bathroom.
Seeing Nan Tian sitting in the same place with a concerned face, Shiro didn’t say anything and just sat down before clutching his sleeve.
“Did something happen?” Nan Tian asked as Shiro nodded her head.
“Just… hallucinating.” Shiro replied softly as she laid down and closed her eyes.
Hearing a knock on the door, Shiro sat up since she knew that it was probably Yin and Lisandra.
“Do you want to rest for a bit first?” Nan Tian asked as Shiro shook her head.
“It’s fine. I just needed a moment to calm down.” Shiro smiled.
It was good to take her mind off this as well.
Just as she called Yin to enter, she saw Lisandra check the space before unloading outfit after outfit from her inventory.
Shiro had to admit, it was a little intimidating.
