Kage felt profoundly awkward in this gathering.
'When did I last share a meal with another person?'
The last time was the day before his eighteenth birthday in his past life, where they'd all prepared a meal together—his mother, Taro, even Shinro who feared the kitchen more than battle.
Things had moved quickly since he regressed, so quickly he hadn't even remembered to have a proper meal with his mother.
'It's been almost two weeks since I regressed…'
And so much had changed in that time. Though certain things still remained the same.
It would take him a whole year to return to Middlepass and see his mother again. Sitting here as his elder brother's beautiful wife served their meal, Kage couldn't help feeling wistful, aching for his mother's presence.
As she placed a bowl of gently braised lamb before him, Kage lowered his head with an awkward smile, glancing at her eyes.
