Under Seraphilia's expectant and gentle gaze, Robin couldn't refuse. She finally took the pile of new clothes, smelling of sunshine and soap, back into the simple shack to change.
In the clearing, Seraphilia had already skillfully built a more stable stove and set up a simple cutting board with stones.
She rolled up her sleeves, revealing the white bandages still wrapped around her forearm, and began preparing the ingredients.
Her movements were practiced, clearly showing she had trained enough during her time in Navy logistics or living alone.
When Robin emerged after changing, Seraphilia was scaling and gutting a sea fish.
Hearing the faint footsteps behind her, she looked up, her hands instantly freezing. A flicker of undisguised astonishment crossed her ice-blue eyes.
The warm apricot cotton dress made Robin's complexion look as fair as jade. The cut was perfect, outlining the slender silhouette of a girl just beginning to mature.
The white lace trim added a touch of softness and elegance, greatly diminishing the alienation and vigilance that years of fleeing had imposed upon her.
Her long black hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, revealing a clear forehead and delicate eyebrows. The new boots also fit well.
The entire person looked... bright, clean, like an iris quietly blooming in the morning light, finally possessing some of the appearance a girl her age should have.
"...How is it?" Robin tugged self-consciously at the hem of her skirt. The feel of the soft cotton fabric was unfamiliar; this was the first time she had worn such a proper dress since leaving Ohara.
Seraphilia put down the fish she was holding, carefully wiped her hands on her apron, and walked up to Robin.
She examined her closely, her gaze moving from Robin's slightly flushed cheeks to the delicate lace collar. Her ice-blue eyes were full of gentle amusement.
"You look very beautiful," she said sincerely, then reached out a hand, not to ruffle her hair, but to very gently adjust the slightly crooked lace collar.
Her fingertips brushed against Robin's collarbone, causing a faint tremor.
"Very beautiful," she repeated, her voice softer and more certain than before.
Robin's cheeks turned completely red. She lowered her eyelashes, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help curving upward into a small, genuine smile.
Seraphilia returned to the stove to continue her work. Robin also came over to help, taking charge of washing the vegetables.
The two worked together smoothly, speaking little, yet sharing a natural harmony.
AI Model: mistral-large
Tanaka curiously hovered near the stove, the emoticons on the screen changing with the aroma wafting from the pot: (⊙ˍ⊙) Smells so good! (๑´ڡ`๑) Want to eat!
Seraphilia was ready to show off her culinary skills.
She started by stewing a pot of fragrant pork soup with pork knuckles, potatoes, and carrots, letting it simmer over low heat. The aroma boldly dispelled the dampness of the forest. Next, she pan-fried a few sea fish in butter until the skin was golden and crispy, while the snow-white flesh inside was tender and smooth. She finished it with a simple drizzle of lemon juice and herbs. The chicken legs were pan-fried and then stewed with diced tomatoes and herbs, resulting in a tangy and appetizing dish. The vegetables were prepared in two ways: stir-fried and as a salad. The main dish was a bread with a crispy exterior and soft interior, perfect for dipping in the pork soup.
The aroma of the food grew stronger, filling the entire forest clearing and even overpowering the scent of the grass, trees, and streams.
Tanaka's emoticons had turned into impatient ones: (¯﹃¯*) Hungry! Food!
Robin quietly watched Seraphilia's busy figure by the stove, observing her skillfully stir-frying, seasoning, and controlling the heat. She saw Seraphilia's cheeks flushed from the steam and her focused expression. These long-lost, homey scenes and meticulous care warmed her heart, which had been cold for too long. In her memories, her mother would occasionally be busy like this in the kitchen of Ohara, but that memory was too distant and too blurry, already faded.
But what Seraphilia brought was the real, tangible warmth of the present moment.
When all the dishes were laid out on the clean oilcloth-covered stone, it looked like a small feast.
The sight, smell, and taste were all superior to any meal Robin had eaten in recent years.
'Try it,' Seraphilia handed Robin a new set of wooden utensils, her eyes eager like a child waiting for praise.
Robin picked up a piece of golden fish fillet and took a careful bite.
The crispy exterior and the tender fish meat burst with flavor in her mouth. The buttery aroma, the refreshing lemon, and the fragrance of the herbs blended perfectly.
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