Chapter 26: A hint of nostalgia

It feels like sometimes I've been asleep for years and wake up.

Then I want to go back to sleep again.

Such were the thoughts as I beheld the sight of Elma strolling back through the front door.

Now, I was fine with her going out and working, that was never the issue.

No, the real problem was what my eyes were seeing in the shopping bags she had under her arms.

She didn't seem to even so much as registering my stare towards her as she just walked right past and towards the spare room that she had been allowed to sleep in.

Well, more of a shared room with herself and Tiamat.

Because I wasn't going to sleep in the same room as either of them.

It wasn't proper.

Back to the matter at hand, my brows furrowed and I found myself walking up behind her and looking right down just to make sure that I wasn't seeing things.

Turned out I wasn't.

But I sort of wished that I had.

"Ahem."

At the sound of my clearing through, Elma starts a little and turns around rather quickly to face me.

"Oh! Shirou-san. Did you need something?"

My eyes barely linger on her face before they are already dropping down to the back, I'm not quite able to fight the frown off my face.

"What?"

Elma, meanwhile, sounds confused and puzzled by my actions.

Do they look that weird?

Really, from my point of view, she's the one whose a little bit strange with all of this stuff.

I get dragons eat a lot but even then…should she be eating this sort of thing?

"...Is that healthy for you?"

"What?"

Now Elma sounds more puzzled, though she at least raises up the bag in her left hand.

One of the three bags she has in her left hand, I should say.

"Oh, I wasn't able to get as much as I wanted to. I needed to go to a couple other shops."

That's neat, but not quite what I asked.

"Elma…"

I rub my forehead as I try to think of a way to phrase this delicately.

"Aren't you worried about putting on weight?"

"...Eh?"

Well, that would be my main concern.

If a regular person ate all of this then they would definitely be on their way to a hospital.

Or sick.

I mean, I get she is a dragon and all but this is a bit much, isn't it?

Leaning forwards, I find myself cringing a little.

Maybe it's because of my experience as a home chef but most of this stuff is just sweets and chocolate cakes.

There's some cream puffs in there as well.

A lot of cream puffs.

Yeah, even if she is a dragon, none of that is healthy.

"If you were hungry, then I could have just put on some food."

"But I bought this food with my own money?"

Elma sounds a little uneasy with her own words and as I look up, I can't help but notice the way her eyes have already slid past me and towards the kitchen.

She says one thing and goes and does another, huh?

Honestly.

Talk about a lack of honesty.

"Well…"

I fold my arms and nod my head to myself.

"I guess if you can just use magic then it should be fine?"

It can't be helped.

I just thought it was something that girls often worried about when it came to their figure, but maybe dragons have different priorities?

Tohru is always proud of her tail and, come to think of it, there was a bit of girth about it…

…Maybe I was just thinking too hard about this and Elma had a sweet tooth?

"Just be careful with all of that. You'll gain weight much easier if you keeping eating like that. I say while gesturing to the bags and giving her a smile.

Hopefully she takes my warning to heart and-

Hey?

She's glaring at me now with a bright red face.

What?

Did I say something wrong or-?

"Insensitive!"

Why am I getting shouted at here?

And suddenly she's slamming doors?

…How did the door even survive being slammed in the first place?

This is too weird.

Maybe I need to ask someone who would know about this?


My first inclination that I had said something wrong was right about the time I asked Tohru.

And her first response was to throw her head back and burst into laughter.

Such a display continued for an uncomfortable length of time.

I was definitely feeling more and more ashamed of myself as the mirth continued, folding my arms and ducking down while heat crept up my cheeks.

Hey! I was just trying to look out for her!

"Alright already." I grumble. "You made your point."

Tohru either doesn't hear me or doesn't care, because she's still just howling with laughter and is now slapping her tail on the floor.

Each thud sends my chair jolting.

Should I move away from her?

It feels like she's going to drop right through the floor any second now.

"Hey. There are other people living here, you know?"

At least that spurs some response from her, the laughter fades away and she wiped her face.

Was it really worth laughing that hard about?

"It wasn't that funny." I mutter.

"It was." Is her quick denial with a rather beaming smirk. "Does she really look like she's been putting on weight? Is her tail all droopy?"

"I am not answering that."

Alright so I was insensitive.

My bad.

I'll need to apologise to her later.

"But how was I suppose to know about it? She eats loads of portions."

Tohru makes a strained expression before she sighs, then stands up. "That's just Elma. She's always been like that. She loves food."

From the way she worded that, it sounds like there is more going on that food.

Did I drag up an unpleasant memory?

I'd hope not.

"But if you're worried about us dragons, don't be!"

Turning back around, she thrust a thumb into her chest.

"We have incredible metabolism and can eat even the worst things out there. Some of us can eat rocks as well."

Rocks.

"...Can you-?"

"No."

Alright then.

So at least I don't need to worry about Elma getting unhealthy, but at the same time, it does bother me a little to see someone eating like that.

Dragon or not.

I'll cook her up something nice and healthy for when she comes back from work.

…Probably throw in some extra portions as well.


I was a little annoyed coming back to the apartment.

They didn't have any of the donuts I liked left, someone else had already beat me to them.

Overtime got more money for food.

But then the food was gone because I had been working overtime and missed it.

It was a curse, if ever there was one.

Perhaps someone had been seeing me selecting those donuts and weighted until I was away before striking?

It could have even been Tohru!

I wouldn't put it past her to-

"Welcome home, Elma."

Stopping at the door, my eyes snap up.

…Eh.

Shirou.

…He's in an apron?

And something smells…nice?

What's this?

"You got back late, but it worked out well enough."

He's already backing away without waiting for me to say anything?

Hang on, what's that smell?

I just sort of follow him through, tracking the scent.

"I hope work wasn't too rough?"

"Fine…" I mutter back, not really focusing on what he's saying and-

My heart stops and my stomach feels like it just sprung to life.

…There's…so much food…

Instantly, my eyes are on Shirou wide and surprised.

He's just rubbing the back of his head.

"I got told dragons eat a lot but I've never made this much food before…"

It's a bit small but it's perfect!

It all smells so good!

"Help yourself, I figure you probably need it."

Ah!

Is this an apology for that comment yesterday?

In that case, maybe he could insult her more often so she could get more food-

Ah, wait.

No.

That's terrible.

She still has to have some pride.

With a slight cough, I lean back and hurriedly nod my head.

"My thanks for this offering."

I can already feel the urge to lick my lips, the food is just on the tip of my tongue by now.

Can I really wait another second?

I'm not sure.

"I shall partake in this tribute."

And so I sit myself down, then glance across.

Shirou is still standing there and staring, is he not going to have anything?

And what of Great Mother?

Where is she?

"Ah, don't worry. I ate earlier."

…That's a bit disappointing.

Food is more delicious when enjoyed with friends.

But…well…

At least she gets the food, so that's fine.


AN: Uhm.

Happy new year.

Not sure why I came back here.

Doubt I'll stay.

But...well...enjoy.