“She sat alone on the rooftop terrace until very late last night before returning to her room, you know.”
Chen Mian paused.
“Louise lives right next door to you.” Flora didn’t turn around, her voice remaining light. “She’s a Mythic Rank powerhouse, after all. How could she not know what’s going on with the three of us? If things keep going like this, she’s going to be heartbroken! You’re wonderful in every way, Mr. Chen Mian, but you’re always so slow when it comes to things like this.”
Chen Mian leaned against the counter, watching her profile. After a moment of silence, he said, “Flora.”
“Hmm?”
“Are you helping me here?”
Flora finally turned around, spatula still in hand, and said with a smile, “What else would I be doing? We agreed on this the day I confessed to you. If your Flora wanted to keep you all to herself, she wouldn't have gone back to her room last night.”
After saying this, Flora turned back to stir the porridge, her voice cheerful. “Anyway, as long as you like them, I will too. Louise and Loviki are both people you care about, and they’re very important friends of mine as well. However...”
Flora paused, turning her head to glance at him. “You’re not allowed to play favorites or ignore me. Otherwise, I’ll eat all the Moonlight Grass pastries myself.”
Looking at her cute attempt at a fierce expression, Chen Mian reached out and ruffled her hair. “Thank you, Flora.”
“You’re welcome~” Flora set the spatula down, turned off the stove, and picked up the bowl of cooked porridge. “Alright, go call Loviki back. We’re just waiting for her green onions.”
Chen Mian turned to walk toward the door. After two steps, he paused and looked back at Flora. “Flora.”
“Hmm?”
“Save four pieces of tomorrow morning’s pastries for me.”
Flora was taken aback for a moment, then a smile slowly spread across her face. She squinted her eyes and laughed. “Greedy~”
“Who told you to make them taste so good?” Chen Mian added, “Love you, my Flora.”
When Chen Mian pushed open the courtyard door, Loviki was squatting by the vegetable garden. She was holding a handful of green onions in one hand and a small tomato she had just picked in the other, preparing to pop it into her mouth.
Hearing Chen Mian's footsteps, she froze, the tomato suspended in mid-air. “I-I wasn't stealing a bite!”
“Well, since I saw you, it doesn't count as stealing.”
“Oh, right.” Loviki blinked, looking down at the tomato in her hand before popping it into her mouth. “Th-then I'm eating it fair and square.”
Chen Mian walked over and squatted down beside her. “Did you pick enough green onions?”
“Enough.” She pointed to the small bunch at her feet, then looked up at him. “Is the porridge ready?”
“Yeah, just waiting to toss your green onions in.”
Loviki stood up, patted the dirt off her hands, and turned to head inside.
But before she could take more than two steps, she stopped and turned back to look at him, a bit nervously. “Chen Mian.”
“Hmm?”
“Did Flora say anything?”
“About what?”
“Just...” Loviki’s gaze drifted before settling on the green onions in her hand. “About me staying in your room last night.”
“She did.”
Loviki’s body visibly tensed. “...So, what did she say?”
“Take a guess.”
“I'm not guessing!” Loviki’s voice rose slightly, but realizing she was overreacting, she lowered her tone. “Just tell me.”
“No. Given your relationship with Flora, you can just ask her directly. There’s no need for me to act as a messenger.” Chen Mian smiled and rubbed her head. “Go wash your hands. It’s time for breakfast.”
“...But I don’t dare to ask,” Loviki said, looking a bit dejected. “Flora was with you first, after all.”
Chen Mian walked back to her, using water magic to wash away the bits of dirt clinging to her fingers. “Are you worried Flora will dislike you?”
Loviki pursed her lips slightly and didn't answer.
“You’ve known her for so long. Has she ever gotten angry with you over anything?” Chen Mian asked, his voice calm.
“...No, but this time is different.”
“How is it different?”
“Flora likes you so much, and I...”
“But back in the Royal Capital, did you not already know Flora’s attitude?”
Loviki blinked, looking up to meet his gaze.
“Are you sure you want to stand out here guessing, instead of going inside and asking her directly?”
“Then... I’ll go ask Flora right now.” Loviki took a deep breath, clutching the green onions, and quickened her pace toward the apartment.
When she pushed open the apartment door, Flora was sitting at the dining table.
Loviki’s steps faltered slightly at the sight, and she spoke somewhat nervously, “Flora.”
“What is it, Loviki?”
Loviki walked over to her, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. “Um... I have something to tell you...” Her words trailed off there.
“Are you talking about sneaking over to knock on Chen Mian’s door in the middle of the night, or the fact that you stayed in his room all night?” Flora asked with a smile, propping her chin on one hand and tilting her head.
Loviki’s fingers tightened, and she nodded. “...Yes.”
“I know,” Flora said with a light chuckle.
“...You’re not angry?” Loviki asked softly, keeping her head down.
Hearing this, Flora stood up slightly, reaching out to pinch her cheek. “Of course not.”
Loviki’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she looked up to meet her eyes. “Really?”
“Really.” Flora retracted her hand, took the green onions from her, and went back to the stove to wash them. “It’s always been very obvious that Loviki likes Chen Mian.”
“...Is it... is it that obvious?”
“Yes! Super obvious.”
“It’s just that you keep everything bottled up and always say the opposite of what you mean, but your actions have already given you away.” Flora smiled slightly at this point. “At least now you’ve gone and knocked on his door. That’s a huge step forward.”
Loviki was taken aback, then her lips twitched slightly. “...Are you praising me?”
“Of course. You don’t need to feel guilty toward me about this, Loviki. We agreed to stay together forever, so no backing out.”
Loviki lowered her head, her voice much more certain than before. “I won’t back out.”
“That’s good.” Flora put the chopped green onions into a dish and glanced at her. “So, can you eat breakfast in peace now?”
“Yes! Flora... why are you so nice?”
“Because you’re nice too, Loviki. Even when you’re terrified of a powerful magical beast, you still stand in front of me.”
“Th-that’s because...” Loviki’s gaze drifted to the side. “Flora is my important companion. Besides, I’m a fencer, so it’s only right for me to stand in front.”
“Exactly.” Flora tossed the green onions into the pot, her tone light and breezy. “You’re good to me, and I’m good to you. Isn’t that fair? Stop feeling like you owe me anything.”
“...Okay.”
“So, can you eat breakfast in peace now?” Flora tilted her head, a gentle smile on her lips.
“Yes!”
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