A Promise Over Stew
After that, my days with Cristelle remained much the same.
Cristelle complained that she'd tell Haydee on me, but she still trained diligently during the day. After training, she worked through her backlog before finally calling it a day.
Finally, I'm done. Training by day, working late by night... My body can't take much more.
It sounded like a complaint, but Cristelle seemed more alive now than when we first met.
So I wanted to encourage her, as long as she didn't push herself too far.
Once her revenge was over, she would have to return to her role as President of the Morrel Ocean Traders.
You've put in a long day.
I already had more than enough on my plate... and thanks to you, the NOA branch is now under my direct supervision!
Should we skip training tomorrow, then?
Cristelle immediately rejected my teasing suggestion.
Absolutely not! Didn't we agree I'd pursue my revenge and keep filling my life with things I cherish?
And the time I spend talking with you like this will be one of those precious memories.
Her warm smile vanished, and her face quickly fell.
...The only problem is that I haven't eaten anything since lunch.
She must've had more work than usual, because it was already late. Every shop was closed.
Haydee, save me. Your President is starving far from home.
I chuckled at Cristelle's exaggerated lament and made a suggestion.
Want to come to my quarters?
I can at least make us some dinner.
Cristelle's eyes sparkled with mischief at my invitation.
Oh? Bold of you to invite a woman over at this hour.
This clearly isn't your first time. Just how many women have you sweet-talked into coming home with you?!
Save the jokes and let's go. I'm hungry too.
You haven't eaten dinner either?
I can't eat while one of my Journey members goes hungry.
Besides, I'm partly responsible for you having to work this hard.
Mm. Now that's how a responsible man should act.
Then I trust you'll take responsibility if things get heated tonight!
...Let's just go.
A sudden unease came over me as I cooked.
Cristelle was the President of a major trading company. What if she had a refined palate?
My cooking was decent enough, but hardly exceptional.
The ingredients weren't anything special, either. What if she got angry after tasting my cooking?
But Cristelle devoured the stew so eagerly that my worries soon seemed ridiculous.
Mmf... Mmf... *Slurp*
I was glad she liked it, but...
How was it?
Before I knew it, Cristelle had polished off an entire pot of stew. She wiped her mouth and smiled.
Delicious. Quite impressive. You'd make a fine husband for some lucky woman.
No wonder you were so confident inviting a woman over.
Thankfully, it seemed to suit the President's tastes.
Glad you liked it. See you tomorrow, then.
We had another grueling day of training ahead of us tomorrow.
Now that she had eaten, it was probably best for her to get some rest and recover.
But Cristelle only stared at me, showing no sign of leaving.
Uh, Cristelle?
How heartless of you, Captain!
Huh?
You invited a lady over at this late hour. I allowed myself certain expectations and even prepared myself...!
And you truly mean to send me home after nothing but dinner?
What else?
What else?! You invited me over for "stew and chill," and now you're playing innocent?!
What?! Don't tell me you prefer Haydee to a mature woman like me! Come to your senses! That would be a crime!
That's not it!
When I bristled, Cristelle laughed mischievously.
Oh? Then you mean to have both Cristelle de Montua and Haydee for yourself?
I should've known when you told me to pursue revenge and still build a life afterward.
As the old Eastern saying goes, a real man must feast on both oysters and dark chocolate!
You have my support. Now go win Haydee's heart.
I had never heard of any such bizarre proverb from the Eastern Continent.
Stop joking and go home already.
It was already late. If she whined about being tired at training tomorrow, I still wasn't going easy on her.
How heartless! Because of you, I train by day and work late into the night. I'm on the verge of collapse!
Despite her complaints, she looked remarkably at ease now that she'd sorted out her feelings.
Whenever you miss a meal, come find me.
As your Captain, I can at least make sure you're fed.
Heh. That doesn't sound half bad.
If it means I can have this stew again... perhaps NOA wouldn't be such a bad place to come back to.
It was that good? I wish I'd tried some.
Hm? Then have some.
You ate my share too.
Cristelle blinked in surprise, then looked sheepish.
Ah, well... Your cooking was simply too good to resist...!
I wanted some too...
You're petty about the strangest things. A real man would let it slide!
I skipped dinner too...
*Sigh...* Very well. Dinner is on me next time. What would you like?
Stew.
No wonder you make such good stew. You're a stew fanatic, aren't you?
Very well. At the finest restaurant in NOA... no, all of Lavistar—
Then make me some stew yourself when this Journey is over.
That'll be enough.
Cristelle looked at me, caught off guard.
It was the first time since the Journey began that I'd seen her look so genuinely surprised.
After looking at me for a moment, Cristelle averted her gaze and murmured.
...You truly are a strange man.