...
New Year was approaching.
Amid reluctant farewells, the horse girls boarded the trains heading home.
Lucian turned to the only figure remaining beside him and asked knowingly, "Little Ai, you're not leaving?"
"My home is right here—what else would you have me do, Trainer?" Ines Fujin adjusted the brim of her hat, hands clasped behind her back. "Trainer, about what you promised me—can we start now?"
"Now? You're that impatient?" Lucian pointed toward the crowd still going through security. "It's almost like you're deliberately avoiding their eyes and ears."
Ines Fujin smiled faintly. "If little brother is willing to call me 'Big Sis Ai' right in front of them, of course I wouldn't mind."
Lucian lost the first round and quickly changed the subject. "Ahem, Big Sis Ai, where are we heading now?"
"Let's head home first. Hanakami and Tsukigami miss you a lot." Her two little sisters had been so considerate for her happiness—Ines Fujin naturally wanted to repay their kindness.
"Alright, let's go."
...
"Onii-chan!!!"
"Onii-chan—!"
The sound of the door opening at Ines Fujin's house seemed to act like a spell. The moment it rang out, two little horse girls were summoned, flying straight toward Lucian.
One hugged his left leg, the other his right.
Lucian bent down and rubbed the heads of the two tiny ones. "Long time no see, Hanakami, Tsukigami. Have you been good at home lately?"
"Yes~"
"Yes!"
The two little horse girls answered sweetly in unison.
Ines Fujin set the slippers aside. "Alright, let go now. It's rude to keep a guest standing at the door."
Hearing this, Ines Hanakami and Ines Tsukigami finally released him. After Lucian put on his slippers, they each took one of his hands and led him into the living room.
...
This time, Ines Fujin didn't trouble Lucian to cook. She went into the kitchen alone and prepared everything carefully by herself.
Lucian had originally been on the sofa watching TV with the two little ones. Seeing Ines Fujin head to the kitchen, he set Ines Hanakami down beside him. "Hanakami, want to eat food made by big brother?"
Ines Hanakami hesitated for a moment, swallowed, and finally nodded vigorously. "Yes!!! Big brother, before you came, big sister said not to trouble big brother this time."
"If Hanakami wants to eat it, big brother will make it for you. What's there to trouble about?"
"Big brother is the best~ Reward kiss!" Ines Hanakami puckered her lips and planted a loud "mwah" on Lucian's cheek. "Big brother, you should let big sister give you a kiss as a reward too."
Lucian treated it as childish innocence. "Big brother is happy with just Hanakami's reward."
He stood up from the sofa and walked toward the kitchen.
...
Ines Fujin had just started preparing and was focused on chopping vegetables, not noticing the figure that suddenly appeared at the doorway.
Lucian knocked lightly twice. "Can I help you?"
The knife came down again, producing a lighter, more cheerful "tok tok" sound.
"Taught by El Condor Pasa, or by Taiki Shuttle?" Ines Fujin laughed. Those two horse girls had a habit of occasionally bursting into English, which made her think of them.
"You taught me." Lucian stepped into the kitchen. "What are you making today, Big Sis Ai?"
Since he'd promised Ines Fujin, Lucian naturally didn't play coy.
"Mm..... Just some home-style dishes. Little brother, don't mind them being simple."
"I make home-style food all the time—what's there to mind?" Lucian rolled up his sleeves to his forearms. "Let me help out."
"No need. Today you just be a proper guest." Ines Fujin refused. "Last time you complained, and now that I'm not letting you into the kitchen, you're unhappy again."
"But aren't big sister and little brother family?" Lucian feigned sudden realization after deep thought. "Oh~ Contract terminated early?"
"In your dreams!" Ines Fujin pursed her lips and shot Lucian a charmingly exasperated glare—blending the playful mischief of a girl-next-door with the helpless indulgence of an older sister.
Lucian froze for a moment, then coughed lightly to cover his momentary daze. "Then let's not say anything more."
He started cleaning the pre-cut ingredients she'd prepared, then moved on to handling the large fish. "Big Sis Ai, actually, I've noticed we're quite similar."
"Hm? How so?"
"We both started working early and became independent early. But back then I could only support myself, so I really admire how you were already able to help ease the family's burden at that time."
"If it weren't out of necessity, who would want to work so young?" Ines Fujin's lowered eyes carried a trace of weariness. "Back then the economy was bad, Darby's prize money wasn't much, and what there was went to post-race treatments."
"I didn't mean to steer the conversation that way..." Lucian said apologetically. "I just wanted to say, Big Sis Ai is amazing. From the first time I saw you, one phrase has always lingered in my mind."
"What phrase?" Ines Fujin asked curiously.
"The warmth of everyday life."
Ines Fujin paused, then lowered her head again, placing the freshly chopped yellow bell peppers into a dish. "So you're saying I'm very ordinary, very poor."
"No er... Why do you always misunderstand me?" Lucian grew a little anxious.
"What 'you'? Call me Big Sis Ai!"
He pursed his lips and sighed. "Big Sis Ai."
Ines Fujin watched Lucian's frustrated expression and, while he wasn't looking, covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, revealing shallow dimples. "Alright, alright, I was joking."
She handed him a few scallions. "Wash these, then cut them into chunks for me. Today little brother has to suffer and be my assistant."
"It's my honor to assist Big Sis Ai-sama."
Once all the seasonings were ready, the fresh fish Lucian had prepared was tossed into the wok by Ines Fujin. It sizzled loudly.
The scorching oil instantly exploded around the fish, turning into a golden mist that rose with a rich aroma blending oil, ginger, and the sharp bite of garlic.
Ines Fujin flicked her wrist, pouring a circle of clear cooking wine along the edge of the wok. The fragrance seemed to ascend to another level.
When the sauce evenly coated the crisped golden fish skin, glossy and shining, the sound gradually calmed.
In the silence, Lucian finished cooking the dish called "the warmth of everyday life." He added softly, "It's a feeling of reassurance, solidity, beauty... and at the same time, hardship."
"... It's ready to plate, Big Sis Ai. You've worked hard."
"Mm." Ines Fujin nodded, unsure which of his words she was responding to.
But she understood that falling for Lucian wasn't by chance, nor a fleeting whim—he had been walking straight toward the path to her heart from the very beginning.
"Just trouble you to carry the fish out first." Ines Fujin said.
"No problem."
After Lucian left the kitchen, Ines Fujin quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and murmured in a voice only she could hear, "You've worked so hard..."
...