Senka was still humming when Mina stormed into the kitchen.
That same smug hum. That same tail, swaying behind her with every step like she was dancing through Mina's life uninvited.
Mina slammed the cupboard door a little too hard and tried to ignore how Senka had made herself completely at home in the past few hours. As if nearly giving her a heart attack this morning wasn't enough, the fox spirit had spent the afternoon lounging by the window, her ears flicking lazily as she watched the garden like it belonged to her.
Which it most certainly did not.
But Mina was tired. Her head throbbed faintly from the sleepless night, and her bones ached from hauling supplies to restock the back of the flower shop. The scent of dried herbs lingered on her apron. She didn't have the energy to argue anymore.
So, she brewed tea.
The kettle bubbled gently as she reached for a small box tucked behind her other jars—one of her old blends, made from wild camellia, red lemon balm, and a handful of soft-green spiritroot buds. It was an old family recipe her grandmother had taught her, for headaches and heavy hearts. She hadn't used it in a while.
She didn't notice Senka enter the kitchen until the tea had already steeped.
"Oh?" came the low purr of a voice behind her. "What's that smell?"
Mina nearly jumped. "You need to stop doing that."
"I feel like watching you work. You move with purpose." Senka's voice was soft, almost appreciative.
"Flatter someone else," Mina muttered, pouring two cups. "I made tea."
Senka drifted closer, her golden eyes fixed on the delicate porcelain cups. Her expression changed—just slightly—as the scent reached her.
She blinked. "That's… familiar."
Mina set the cups on the table. "It's calming. Spirit-soothing, actually. My grandma used to give it to me when I couldn't sleep."
Senka's ears twitched.
"Spirit-soothing?" she repeated, gaze flicking to the steam curling up from her cup.
"Don't worry, it won't kill you," Mina said dryly. "Unless fox spirits have a citrus allergy."
Senka laughed quietly. "No. But… this blend. It has spiritroot. You shouldn't be able to grow that so easily."
Mina blinked. "Why not? It grows in my garden just fine."
The fox spirit tilted her head, eyes narrowing with thoughtful curiosity. "That plant only thrives near places of strong spiritual energy… or people attuned to it. Most mortals can't cultivate it intentionally."
Mina looked down at her tea.
"Well, I just grow what I like," she said at last.
Senka sipped from her cup, ears twitching slightly.
A slow, contented exhale left her lips. "Mmm… You really don't know what this does to a spirit, do you?"
Mina crossed her arms. "You said it wouldn't hurt you."
"It doesn't." Senka's golden eyes gleamed over the rim of her cup. "Quite the opposite. This is… comforting. Hugging warmth. Like curling up by an old hearth under thick blankets. It makes the restless energy settle."
She sighed. Her tail twitched once, then slowly stilled.
"…You're dangerous, Mina."
Mina raised an eyebrow. "Because I made you tea?"
Senka smiled. "Because I don't want to leave anymore."
The words settled between them like a stone dropped into a still pond.
Mina glanced away, heart beating a little faster for reasons she refused to name. "You said you were only staying for a day."
"I changed my mind."
"You can't do that."
"I just did."
Mina groaned and slouched into her chair, picking up her own cup. The warmth soothed her fingers, and the familiar aroma settled deep into her chest. She watched Senka over the rim of her cup. The fox spirit looked... relaxed. Softer, somehow. Her usual sharp grin had gentled, her expression distant but not aloof.
Like she was remembering something.
"You don't have to keep acting like everything's a joke, you know," Mina said quietly.
Senka blinked.
"You were hurt," Mina continued. "You're still recovering. You don't need to pretend you're fine."
For a long time, Senka said nothing.
Then her gaze lowered. "…Most people only see what they want to see. It's easier to be what they expect."
"And what do I expect?"
Senka looked at her. Really looked.
For once, there was no teasing in her smile.
"I'm not sure yet," she murmured.
The silence between them turned soft, like velvet. Outside, the sun peeked through the clouds, washing the shop in gold. The air smelled of flowers and tea and warm rain on stone.
After a long moment, Mina stood.
"I'll make dinner," she said. "You can… help. If you want."
Senka stood too, her eyes brightening. "What are we making?"
"Vegetable stew."
"Boring."
"You're getting fed, not entertained."
"But I'm injured," Senka said with an exaggerated pout, trailing behind Mina like a very dramatic cat. "Shouldn't I be spoiled?"
Mina paused, turned, and smirked. "You already were."
Senka froze. Then grinned. "Oh? So you do care."
"Don't push your luck, fox."
---
Note:
I post early updates (for free!) over on Ko-Fi, including my own writing and GL translation. 💕
Currently at chapter 12 (free) on Ko-Fi
https://ko-fi.com/ rabi08