For a while, the three of us prepared lunch in silence.
But after a bit, Ryuu glanced over at me and said, "Bell..."
"Yeah?" I strained the first batch of noodles and prepped the second. "What is it, Ryuu."
Ryuu placed a lid over the sauce to let it simmer and then started browning the meat on a skillet. As she did, she said, "Tell me honestly... are you fine? Considering all the recent developments... and now with your responsibility as the captain of the Hestia Familia. Since you said you only came to Orario recently, I wanted to make sure that you are fine. If it is too much, I can help shoulder a bit of that burden."
I paused and said, "Well. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a lot. But." I placed the second batch of noodles to boil and smiled. "If it's for my family, I can do anything. And since my family's grown to become this big... that just means I have to step up more, doesn't it?"
Ryuu stared at me for a moment and then shook her head in exasperation. "I still cannot understand you... To think a man like you exists in a place like Orario- No, as an adventurer..."
"To be fair." I started making another batch of dough and said, "I'm only fifteen. Still bright-eyed and idealistic."
Ryuu froze and then looked at me with wide eyes. "What? Fifteen? Only?"
I blinked. "What? I thought I told you before...?" I stopped to think about it. "Oh yeah. Actually, I definitely didn't... Sorry?"
Artemis gasped. "Then that means you are still a child yourself, Bell! But I thought that... Since you are with Hestia and Freya..."
"Hey! I'm an adult! ...Legally, at least!"
Mentally too, but let's not bring up that sticky issue.
Ryuu groaned. "So you really are a little brother then. Of course... no wonder you get into so much trouble."
"I'll be better. Gotta set a good example for my daughters, don't I?"
Ryuu rolled her eyes. "So says the man who causes a ruckus every time he steps outside the house."
"...Okay, fair."
Ryuu hummed, focusing on searing the meat in the skillet. Then she paused and said, "Earlier, you said there were only two women in your heart... then is it safe to say that you decided to accept Syr, Bell?"
I nodded. "Yeah, since- Wait!" I pointed at Ryuu and said, "Since when did you know that Freya is Syr? No, how?!"
Ryuu smirked. "I had my suspicions for a while now... but thank you for confirming it for me."
I groaned. "Of course. Fell for the oldest trick in the book."
Artemis paused and said, "...Is it fine with Hestia?"
I started making more noodles and said, "It'll be fine. I'll talk with her about it."
Ryuu frowned. "Don't take this lightly. A woman's heart is delicate, Bell. Especially the heart of a pure maiden like Lady Hestia."
"Speaking from experience or-"
Ryuu narrowed her eyes and subtly glanced at the knife on the countertop.
"Right. Serious time." I nodded and said, "But I mean it. I'll have a proper talk with Tia. I want to make this work, after all."
At that time, the door opened and Tia walked in. She blinked and said, "A proper talk with me?" She huffed and said, "What did you do this time, Bell?"
I chuckled and said, "I didn't do anything yet, Tia. And I just wanted to talk about us."
Tia blushed and set down a stack of papers on the dining table. "U-Us? W-Well... that's... Wait." She paused and said, "What about us?"
I finished making the rest of the noodles and washed my hands. After that, I walked over and gave Tia a quick peck on the cheek before whispering, "Wait until the kids go to sleep first."
Tia turned a bright red and then swallowed. "O-Okay." She giggled and said, "T-Then... I'll get everything ready for tonight..."
"That'd be great."
Ryuu and Artemis shared a look.
I noticed and glanced at them. "What?"
Ryuu sighed and muttered, "Ladykiller."
Artemis nodded and said, "Bane of women..."
"Huh?"
Ryuu shook her head and said, "Let's just finish cooking... Ah, if you'd like to help, Lady Hestia, can you prepare the dining table?"