The week flew by faster than either of them expected.
Classes.
Training.
Assignments.
Endless lectures.
And Maki's daily mission to test the limits of Keith's patience. Before either of them realized it, the weekend had arrived. Morning sunlight streamed through the dorm window, bathing the room in a warm golden glow, Keith had already been awake for nearly an hour. The aroma of breakfast drifted from the small kitchen, filling the dorm with the comforting scent of freshly cooked food.
Meanwhile...
Maki remained completely unconscious, it was already ten o'clock. Keith walked back into the bedroom, wiping his hands on a towel, his gaze naturally drifted toward the upper bunk.
"...Still asleep."
He couldn't help but chuckle. Maki was sprawled across the bed in the most unbelievable sleeping position imaginable.
Half of her blanket had fallen onto the floor, one leg dangled over the edge of the bunk, her silver hair was a complete mess, one arm hugged her pillow while the other hung limply toward the floor.
"...This reminds me of the first day I moved in."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"...I really caught her lacking back then."
He stepped closer to the bunk.
"Hey, Maki."
No response.
"Maki."
Still nothing, he sighed.
"...Wake up."
Maki mumbled something incoherent before turning over.
"...Nooo..."
A quiet snore escaped her lips, Keith blinked.
"...She's really gone."
Then she spoke again.
"Don't take away the... sexy ladies..."
Keith froze.
"...What?"
He stared at the sleeping girl in complete confusion, a few seconds later she continued mumbling.
"...Miss Demon King, your cleavage is so big it should be illegal..."
Keith's eyes widened.
"...Excuse me?"
"...But I don't mind... if you have me... for dinner..."
Silence, complete silence. Keith stood there with the most bewildered expression imaginable.
"...Have... her for dinner?"
He scratched his head.
"What kind of dream are you even having...?"
Another sleepy mumble escaped her lips.
"...Five more minutes..."
Keith immediately shook his head.
"...Nope I should wake her up before I hear something even crazier."
He folded his arms.
"Maki."
No response. He raised his voice slightly.
"Maki!"
Still asleep. Keith took a deep breath.
"...Alright i'm eating breakfast without you."
The effect was immediate, Maki shot upright like a startled cat.
"NO WAY!"
Her messy silver hair bounced in every direction as she looked around frantically.
"Not without me!"
She rubbed her sleepy eyes and let out a huge yawn.
"Yaaawn..."
A few seconds later she finally focused on Keith.
"...Keith?"
She blinked lazily.
"Why are you waking me up so early...?"
Keith stared at her.
"...Early? It's ten in the morning."
Maki nodded seriously.
"Exactly, early."
Keith pinched the bridge of his nose.
"...Most people have already eaten breakfast."
"They're weird."
"No you are."
Maki simply shrugged.
"Agree to disagree."
Keith sighed, though there was a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"...Just what kind of dream were you having?"
Maki blinked several times, her silver hair sticking up in every possible direction. She rubbed one eye lazily before staring at Keith with the expression of someone whose soul was still asleep.
"...A dream."
Keith folded his arms.
"I figured that much."
Maki yawned loudly.
"It was a really good one too."
"I'm beginning to question that."
She stretched until a few satisfying pops echoed from her back.
"I was at this huge banquet."
Keith raised an eyebrow.
"Okay..."
"There were mountains of food."
"Sounds normal enough."
"And a Demon King."
"..."
Keith stared.
"A Demon King."
"Yep."
"The same one with the... illegal cleavage?"
Maki nodded seriously.
"Exactly."
Keith slowly pinched the bridge of his nose.
"...I'm almost afraid to ask."
"She was actually really nice."
"Of course she was."
"She kept feeding me roasted wyvern."
"I don't think that's the strange part."
"And every time I finished a plate she'd clap proudly."
"...Naturally."
Maki's stomach suddenly growled.
"...Actually now I'm hungry again."
"You just woke up from a banquet."
"I used a lot of energy sleeping."
Keith sighed.
"...That's not how sleeping works."
"It is for professionals."
"Professional... sleeping?"
"I've had years of practice."
Keith couldn't even argue with that, then Maki suddenly froze.
"...Wait."
Keith looked up.
"What?"
She slowly turned toward him.
"...Did I say anything weird while I was asleep?"
Keith's expression became oddly blank.
"..."
"..."
"...Depends on your definition of weird."
Maki narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"...Keith."
"What?"
"What did I say?"
Keith looked away.
"...Nothing important."
"...Keith."
"...Nothing."
She climbed off the bunk and walked closer.
"...Keith."
He took one step backward.
"...Why are you backing away?"
"No reason."
"Keith."
"..."
"... The Demon King."
"..."
"You complimented her."
"..."
"You mentioned something about 'sexy ladies'..."
Maki's eyes widened.
"...I did?"
"..."
"...Did I say anything else?"
"The Demon king, you also suggested she..."
He coughed awkwardly.
"...Have you for dinner."
Silence, complete silence. Maki stood perfectly still, her brain slowly processed the information.
Then—
"..."
"..."
"...I said WHAT?!"
Her face instantly turned bright red.
"No way!"
Keith nodded once.
"I'm afraid so."
"I actually said that out loud?!"
"You even sounded happy."
"I TAKE IT BACK!"
"You were asleep."
"I DON'T CARE!"
She buried her face in both hands.
"Why does my subconscious betray me like this. Forget you ever heard that."
Keith couldn't hold back a laugh.
"So there really was context."
"There is no context!"
"There definitely is."
"There absolutely isn't!"
A laugh escaped him, a genuine one. Maki immediately pointed at him.
"Don't laugh!"
"I'm trying not to."
"You're failing miserably!"
Keith laughed even harder.
"I really am."
Maki puffed out her cheeks.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"It's the first time I've ever seen you embarrassed."
"I'm not embarrassed."
"You turned red."
"I'm... strategically red."
"...Strategically?"
"It helps with... morning circulation."
Keith laughed again.
"That's the worst excuse I've ever heard."
"It sounded better in my head."
"I somehow doubt that."
Maki groaned dramatically before walking toward the bathroom.
"I'm taking a shower."
Keith smirked.
"Try not to dream about Demon Kings again."
She stopped in the doorway, without turning around she raised one finger.
"No promises."
Keith blinked.
"...You're unbelievable."
Maki grinned over her shoulder.
"I know."
She disappeared into the bathroom, humming happily as if nothing embarrassing had happened. Keith shook his head with a smile.
"...Every single weekend is going to be chaos, isn't it?"
From inside the bathroom came her cheerful reply.
"Probably!"
"...I heard that."
"I know!"
Keith chuckled to himself as he set the breakfast plates on the table. Moments later
the two sat across from each other at the small dining table. As usual Maki was practically glowing.
"...This is amazing."
She took another bite before pointing her fork dramatically at Keith.
"No."
She shook her head.
"This isn't just breakfast, this is an experience."
Keith smiled awkwardly.
"...You're exaggerating."
"I am not."
She stuffed another mouthful into her mouth, her eyes sparkling with delight.
"I swear the gods themselves blessed your cooking."
Keith chuckled.
"I think you're just easy to please."
Maki immediately swallowed and shook her head.
"Wrong, i've eaten food prepared by the best chefs in the kingdom."
She pointed at him again.
"And this is still better."
Keith laughed.
"If my mom heard that she'd never let me hear the end of it."
"She deserves the credit."
"And my dad, he taught me a few recipes too."
Maki's smile softened.
"...You really like your parents, don't you?"
Keith didn't hesitate.
"Yeah, they've always been there for me. They're probably the biggest reason I worked so hard to get into Azure Academy."
Maki smiled warmly before taking another bite.
"...They're lucky."
Keith looked at her.
"...Lucky?"
"They have a son who appreciates them."
Keith scratched his cheek sheepishly.
"...I think I'm the lucky one."
"Like wise, I'm really lucky to grow up in a noble home that actually has a normal family, other noble houses are more strict than where I come from."
"And that explains your noblesless character."
The conversation settled into a comfortable silence, only the sound of cutlery and Maki's obvious enjoyment of breakfast filled the room.
After a while Maki noticed something.
Keith wore a neat casual outfit with a light jacket over it.
"...Hey, Keith."
"Hm?"
"You look like you're heading somewhere."
Keith nodded while taking another bite.
"Weekend's finally here, might as well make use of it."
"So where are you going?"
Maki leaned forward curiously.
"A date perhaps?"
Keith nearly choked on his tea.
"Absolutely not."
He coughed a few times before recovering.
"I'm just going home."
"Home?"
"Yeah."
He smiled.
"I'm going to visit my parents, it's been a week since I enrolled so figured I'd tell them how everything's been going."
Maki nodded.
"That's actually pretty nice."
A brief silence followed, then—
"Cool."
She smiled brightly.
"Can I come with you?"
Keith answered before she even finished.
"Absolutely not."
"..."
"...That was fast."
"It was meant to be."
Maki puffed out her cheeks.
"C'mon, why not?"
Keith sighed.
"...Why are you even interested?"
Maki rested her chin on her hand.
"For starters..."
She counted on her fingers.
"I want to meet the people who taught you enchanting, secondly..."
She pointed at him.
"It wouldn't hurt for them to find out you've actually made a friend."
Keith blinked.
"...Friend, huh?"
"Yep."
She grinned.
"Your very first."
"My first?"
"I refuse to believe you had any with how grumpy you are."
"I'm not grumpy."
"You absolutely are."
"I'm realistic."
"Grumpy."
"Realistic."
"Grumpy."
Keith sighed.
"...You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
He looked out the window for a moment, genuinely considering it.
"My parents would probably be happy to meet you."
Maki's eyes lit up.
"See?"
"But..."
He looked back at her.
"You're Lady Maki Eldridge."
"So?"
"My parents are commoners."
"So?"
"They'd probably panic."
"So?"
Keith stared.
"Do you only know one response?"
"So?"
He sighed again.
"You really don't care about social status, do you?"
Maki answered without a second's hesitation.
"No."
She leaned back in her chair.
"I care whether people are good, not whether they're nobles or commoners."
Keith looked at her quietly, she said it so naturally as though it wasn't even something worth thinking about.
"..."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"...You really are strange."
Maki grinned triumphantly.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"...You always do."
"So..."
She leaned forward again, resting both elbows on the table.
"Does that mean I can come?"
Keith remained silent for several seconds before letting out a defeated sigh.
"..."
"...Fine."
Maki shot to her feet.
"YES!"
She pumped her fist into the air.
"I get to meet your parents!"
Keith couldn't help laughing at her excitement.
"Just promise me one thing."
"What?"
"...Please."
He looked at her with complete seriousness.
"Don't say anything weird."
Maki placed a hand over her heart.
"You have my word."
Keith narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"...That somehow makes me even more nervous."
About thirty minutes later the dorm door clicked shut behind them. Keith carried a small paper bag containing a few books he'd borrowed from the academy library and some leftover pastries for his parents. Maki walked beside him with an unusual spring in her step, she looked excited, far more excited for someone going to visit a person she'd never met. Keith glanced sideways.
"...You're smiling a lot."
"I am?"
"You've been smiling since I said yes."
"Oh."
She shrugged.
"Your parents sound nice."
Keith smiled faintly.
"They are, but they're also embarrassing."
"Every parent is."
"They're going to fuss over me."
"They haven't seen you in a week."
"Exactly."
Maki chuckled.
"They sound like good parents."
As they left the academy gates, Keith led the way toward the capital's bustling streets.
Weekend markets were in full swing, children laughed as they ran between stalls, merchants called out their latest bargains, the smell of grilled meat, fresh bread, and sweet pastries filled the air. Maki looked around with sparkling eyes.
"So this is what the capital looks like on weekends."
"You've never walked around before?"
"Not really, my family usually travels by carriage and whenever I leave the estate, I'm surrounded by attendants."
Keith looked surprised.
"So... this is your first normal outing?"
"I guess."
She smiled.
"It's kinda fun."
Keith slowed his pace.
"Then let's take our time."
Maki looked at him.
"...Really?"
"We're not in a hurry."
"You wanted to see the city, so..."
He scratched his cheek.
"...We can walk around a little."
Her smile widened.
"...Thanks."
For the next several minutes they wandered through the lively streets. Maki stopped at almost every interesting stall.
"Ooh."
She picked up a tiny wooden bird.
"Look at this."
Keith glanced over.
"...It's carved pretty well."
She put it back carefully, then another stall caught her eye.
"Dude."
Keith sighed.
"You're calling me 'dude' again."
"Look."
She pointed excitedly.
"They're selling enchanted candy."
Keith blinked.
"...Enchanted candy?"
A merchant overheard them and laughed.
"First time seeing it, young miss?"
He proudly held up a brightly colored sweet.
"Eat one and your breath sparkles for a few minutes."
Maki stared.
"...That's completely useless."
"It is."
"I want one."
Keith laughed.
"I knew you were going to say that."
Moments later she happily walked away munching on the candy. Tiny blue sparkles escaped her mouth every time she spoke.
"Dude..."
Sparkle.
"This is awesome."
Keith burst into laughter.
"You look ridiculous."
"You're just jealous."
Sparkle.
"I'm really not."
Eventually, the busy streets gave way to quieter neighborhoods. The houses became smaller, gardens appeared in front of nearly every home, children played outside while neighbors chatted over fences. Maki slowed down.
"...It's peaceful."
Keith nodded.
"I grew up here. It isn't fancybut I like it."
He pointed toward a modest two-story house with flower boxes beneath the windows.
"There, that's my home."
Maki looked at it quietly. It wasn't a mansion it wasn't extravagant, it wasn't filled with servants, yet flowers bloomed along the walkway. The windows were polished, the garden was well cared for, it felt, warm.
"...It's beautiful."
Keith smiled.
"My mom spends half her free time taking care of those flowers and my dad keeps pretending he isn't helping."
Maki giggled.
"They sound adorable."
Keith walked up to the front door.
"...Ready?"
Maki nodded enthusiastically.
"As I'll ever be."
Keith took a deep breath then knocked.
Knock.
A voice immediately came from inside.
"Coming!"
Rapid footsteps echoed through the house, the door swung open and his mother stood there. Before Keith could even say a word—
"My baby!"
She threw her arms around him.
"Mom!"
She hugged him so tightly his feet nearly left the ground.
"I missed you so much!"
"It's only been a week!"
"A whole week!"
Keith laughed helplessly as his father appeared behind her with a warm smile.
"...Welcome home, son."
Then his father noticed the silver-haired girl standing politely beside Keith, he blinked, his mother slowly turned as well. The couple stared at Maki, then back at Keith, then back at Maki. A long silence followed, Keith immediately recognized that look.
"...Mom, Dad It's not what you're thinking."
His parents exchanged a glance before both of them smiled at exactly the same time. His mother clasped both hands over her mouth.
"Keith."
His father folded his arms, trying and failing to hide the smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"...Son."
Keith immediately began waving his hands frantically.
"No don't It's not like that."
His mother tilted her head innocently.
"...Not like what?"
Keith froze.
"...You know exactly what."
His father chuckled.
"We haven't said anything."
"You were about to."
"We were thinking."
"That's even worse!"
Maki watched the exchange in complete fascination.
"..."
Then she leaned toward Keith and whispered just loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"I think I know where you get your personality from."
Keith looked at her in disbelief.
"You're not helping."
His mother suddenly stepped in front of Maki.
For a moment, neither spoke. Maki instinctively straightened her posture.
"Good morning."
She gave a small, polite bow.
"My name is Maki Eldridge, it's a pleasure to finally meet Keith's parents."
The moment the surname left her mouth Keith's parents froze.
"...E-Eldridge?"
His father blinked.
"...As in..the Duke Eldridge family?"
Maki nodded.
"Yes."
Keith closed his eyes.
"...Here it comes."
His mother immediately became flustered.
"L-Lady Eldridge! I-I'm terribly sorry! We should've welcomed you properly!"
She began bowing repeatedly.
"P-Please forgive us!"
His father quickly bowed as well.
"Our humble home isn't worthy of receiving someone of your status."
Maki stared at them for a second, then...
"...Huh?"
She looked completely confused.
"Why are you bowing?"
The couple looked at her.
"...Because you're Lady Maki, a noble..."
Maki scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"Oh? Right."
"She forgot?" Keith muttered under his breath in shock.
She walked over to Keith's mother and gently helped her straighten up.
"Please don't."
"...Eh?"
"I didn't come here as Lady Maki."
She smiled warmly.
"I came here as Keith's friend."
Silence.
Keith looked at her. His parents looked at her, the tension that had filled the doorway seemed to melt away, then his father slowly smiled.
"...Friend..."
His mother looked between the two of them before smiling just as brightly.
"So our son really made a friend."
Keith sighed dramatically.
"Can everyone stop making such a big deal out of that?"
"No."
His mother answered instantly.
"You were always so busy helping at the shop that you hardly spent time with children your age."
His father nodded.
"And whenever you did they usually ended up asking you to fix something."
Keith scratched the back of his head.
"...I didn't mind."
"We did."
His mother smiled lovingly.
"We wanted you to have someone you could laugh with."
She looked at Maki.
"...Thank you."
Maki blinked.
"...For what?"
"For becoming Keith's friend."
Keith immediately protested.
"Mom..."
"I'm serious."
She wiped a tiny tear from the corner of her eye.
"I was beginning to think he'd grow into one of those lonely craftsmen who only talks to customers."
"Mom!"
His father laughed heartily.
"I was thinking the exact same thing."
Keith covered his face.
"...Can I go back to the academy?"
"No."
Both parents answered together. Maki couldn't hold it anymore, she burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
She pointed at Keith.
"So this is what it feels like when someone else bullies you."
Keith looked utterly betrayed.
"You're enjoying this."
"A little, okay."
She grinned.
"A lot."
His mother laughed along with her.
"...Come inside, both of you, you've been standing at the door this whole time."
Keith let out one final defeated sigh.
"Guess I don't have a choice."
"You never did," his father said with a chuckle.
The four of them stepped into the cozy house, the scent of freshly baked bread and herbs lingered in the air. The living room was modest but welcoming, with wooden furniture polished from years of care, family photographs lined one shelf, and a stone fireplace sat quietly in the corner. Maki looked around with genuine admiration.
"...It's really cozy."
His mother smiled proudly.
"It isn't much."
Maki shook her head.
"I like it. It feels..."
She searched for the right word.
"...Warm."
Keith noticed the way her eyes wandered across the family pictures, there was something almost wistful in her expression.
For just a brief moment, ahe wasn't Lady Maki, she was simply someone quietly wondering what it would have been like to grow up in a home like this. Keith smiled softly.
"...Welcome to my home."
The four settled into the cozy living room.
Keith's mother soon returned from the kitchen carrying a tray with steaming tea and a plate of freshly baked biscuits.
"Here you are."
"Thank you," Maki replied politely.
"I'm Helen Nova, and this is my husband Rowan Nova, sorry for the late introduction."
"It's fine Mr and Mrs Nova."
She picked up a biscuit and took a bite.
Crunch.
"..."
Her eyes lit up.
"...This is amazing."
Keith smiled knowingly.
"Told you."
His mother laughed warmly.
"I'm happy you like them."
"They're incredible."
Maki immediately reached for another one.
"I can definitely tell where Keith got his cooking from."
She looked at Keith's parents with genuine admiration.
"Seriously... thank you for teaching him. I've eaten meals prepared by the best chefs in the Eldridge household..."
She smiled sheepishly.
"...And I'd still pick Keith's cooking."
His mother's eyes widened.
"...Really?"
Maki nodded enthusiastically.
"Every meal he makes tastes..."
She searched for the right word.
"...Comforting, it doesn't feel like food someone made because it's their job. It feels like food someone made because they wanted the person eating it to smile."
Keith looked down, slightly embarrassed. His father smiled proudly.
"...That's exactly what we tried to teach him."
His mother couldn't hide how happy she looked.
"I'm so glad he remembered."
Maki grinned.
"Then both of you deserve half the credit."
Keith rubbed the back of his neck.
"...You're making me embarrassed."
His mother leaned closer to her husband and whispered quietly enough that Keith couldn't hear.
"...She's wonderful."
His father chuckled.
"Our boy's going to get a big head if you keep praising him."
Keith rubbed the back of his neck.
"...Please don't."
His mother giggled.
"So? Tell us. How has your first week been?"
Keith sighed.
"...Eventful, very eventful."
"Go on."
"Well, the entrance exam went well. I made it into the Elite Class."
His parents smiled proudly.
"We heard there was a commoner who made Elite."
His father nodded.
"I had a feeling it was you."
Keith smiled modestly.
"It caused more attention than I wanted."
"And after that?" his mother asked.
"I got assigned a dorm."
"Oh?"
"...Apparently all the normal dorms were already occupied. So..."
He pointed toward Maki.
"...They put me with her."
Silence.
"..."
"..."
His parents slowly turned toward Maki, then back to Keith. His mother blinked.
"...Wait? You two share a dorm?"
Keith nodded.
"...Yeah."
His father leaned forward.
"...Just the two of you?"
"...Yes."
His mother looked toward Maki, Maki nodded casually.
"Pretty much, we sleep in the same dorm."
Keith's soul almost left his body.
"MAKI!"
She looked at him, confused.
"...What?"
His mother and father slowly looked at one another, then smiled. Keith recognized that smile immediately.
"...Mom, Dad, no."
His mother innocently tilted her head.
"I hope you two haven't been..."
Keith shot upright.
"MOM! Don't finish that sentence!"
"What? I'm just asking."
His father coughed into his fist, trying and failing to hide his grin. Keith sighed dramatically.
"I know exactly where this is going."
His mother turned to Maki instead.
"...Lady Maki."
"Hm?"
"...You two haven't slept together... have you?"
Maki answered immediately.
"We do sleep together."
Keith practically jumped out of his seat.
"MAKIII!"
She blinked.
"...What? We sleep in the same room."
She paused.
"...Just not on the same bed."
Silence.
"We understand, it's not like you'd tell us upright now would ya?" Said the father.
Maki looked from Keith to his parents, then back to Keith. Suddenly...
"..."
"..."
"...Oh."
Her face froze. The meaning finally registered, a faint blush appeared across her cheeks.
"...Wait? That's..."
She covered her mouth.
"That's not what I meant."
Keith buried his face in both hands.
"I know you didn't..."
His parents were trying so hard not to laugh that their shoulders were shaking. Maki's face only became redder.
"N-no, I meant...W-we literally just..."
She started awkwardly waving both hands.
"We sleep! I mean...In the room!" She stuttered.
"...Not, not like..."
Her words tangled together into complete nonsense. Keith looked over.
"...You're actually flustered."
"I am not!"
"You absolutely are."
"I'm... just..."
She hid half her face behind her teacup.
"...Bad at explaining things."
His father finally laughed out loud.
"I've never seen someone accidentally confess and then immediately panic."
"I DIDN'T CONFESS!"
Maki squeaked.
"I-I was just answering the question!"
His mother smiled warmly.
"You're adorable."
Maki's face turned an even deeper shade of crimson.
"P-please don't say that..."
Keith stared at her in disbelief.
"...I didn't know you could get embarrassed."
She shot him an indignant glare.
"Y-you're not helping!"
Keith chuckled.
"...Sorry."
"...No you're not."
"...Nope, I'm really not."
Everyone laughed. After the laughter settled, Keith continued.
"The first morning was... interesting."
His father raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"I woke up, opened my eyes and found Maki hanging upside down from the top bunk staring directly at me."
His parents blinked.
"...What?"
Maki raised a finger proudly.
"Aha! I woke up first that time. I got bored so, I watched him sleep."
Keith pointed at her.
"See? This is what I've been dealing with."
His mother couldn't stop smiling.
"And after that?"
Keith sighed.
"She asks impossible questions every morning, steals my food, nearly falls off the bunk and somehow keeps dragging me into embarrassing situations."
Maki folded her arms.
"I also compliment your cooking."
"...That's true."
"I encourage you."
"...Sometimes."
"I call you my friend."
Keith smiled faintly.
"...Yeah, you do."
His mother noticed the smile instantly.
"There."
Keith blinked.
"What?"
"That smile. We haven't seen it in years."
Keith looked surprised.
"...Really?"
His father nodded.
"You laugh a lot more now."
His mother smiled at Maki.
"...Thank you."
Maki's blush softened.
"...For what?"
"For bringing that smile back."
Maki blinked, then looked away awkwardly.
"...I..."
"...I didn't really do anything."
"You did."
His mother smiled.
"You became his friend."
Maki rubbed the back of her neck.
"...Well, he's fun to be around."
Keith looked at her.
"...Thanks."
She immediately became embarrassed again.
"D-don't make it sound so serious."
His father leaned back with a satisfied smile.
"You know? I've seen plenty of young couples."
Keith immediately groaned.
"...Dad."
"It's only a matter of months before the wedding."
Keith nearly dropped his teacup.
"WHAT?!"
Maki's eyes went completely blank.
"...W-w..Wedding?"
Steam practically rose from her face.
"Y-you're kidding, right?!"
She pointed frantically between herself and Keith.
"W-we're just friends! T-that's all!"
Her voice cracked from panic, Keith nodded just as frantically.
"Exactly!"
His parents exchanged another knowing smile.
"...That's exactly what young couples always say."
Maki covered her burning face with both hands.
"N-no-not helping, I-I can't..."
She slowly slid lower into her chair in pure embarrassment, Keith looked at her.
"...You okay?"
A muffled voice came from behind her hands.
"...Please tell your parents to stop..."
Keith sighed.
"...I've been trying to get them to stop for seventeen years."
His mother laughed happily.
"...She's absolutely precious."
Maki made a tiny defeated noise.
"...I'm never living this down, am I?"
The day went by fast, Keith showed Maki the shop, he cooked with his mother while Maki a bit of what she knew until they finally decided to head back to the academy. Helen watched the two of them disappear down the street until they were no more than distant figures, only then did she fold her arms with the biggest smile on her face.
"Hun..."
She nudged Rowan gently with her elbow.
"I can bet all the equipment we have that those two will come back one day and tell us they're together."
Rowan chuckled, shaking his head.
"You're already making bets?"
"I'm serious."
She pointed in the direction they had left.
"Did you see them?"
Rowan nodded.
"I did."
"They argue every five minutes."
"They do."
"They tease each other nonstop."
"They certainly do."
"They smile more when they're together than when they're apart."
"...That's also true."
Helen clasped her hands together dreamily.
"And did you notice how naturally they moved around each other?"
Rowan raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"They never once thought about where the other person was standing."
She smiled knowingly.
"They just... knew."
Rowan thought back, Keith instinctively pulling out a chair for Maki, Maki naturally taking the plate Keith handed her without even looking, their effortless banter and the way Keith sighed every time she said something ridiculous yet never stopped smiling.
"...Huh."
Helen grinned triumphantly.
"See? You noticed too."
Rowan scratched his cheek.
"I'll admit they're surprisingly comfortable together."
Elena laughed.
"Comfortable? They already act like an old married couple."
"They do not."
"They absolutely do."
Rowan couldn't help smiling.
"...Maybe a little."
"A little?"
Helen pointed dramatically at him.
"That boy cooked for her."
"He cooks for everyone."
"He made extra because he knew she wanted seconds."
"..."
"He smiled every time she praised his food."
"..."
"And she praised him like he'd invented cooking."
Rowan sighed.
"...She really did."
"'Mr. Rowan! Mrs. Helen! Keith's cooking is amazing! Thank you for teaching him!'"
Helen covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"I've never seen anyone compliment our son so enthusiastically."
Rowan smiled warmly.
"...It was nice."
"It was adorable."
She rested her head against his shoulder.
"Our little boy's growing up."
Rowan chuckled.
"He's still fourteen though."
"...Fair enough."
Helen looked toward the road once more.
"You know, i don't even think they realize what's happening."
Rowan folded his arms.
"What do you mean?"
"They're acting completely naturally, they aren't trying to impress each other, they're just... being themselves."
She smiled softly.
"And somehow that's the cutest part."
Rowan nodded in agreement.
"...They're good for each other."
Elena beamed.
"So you admit it!"
"I said they're good for each other."
"You also think they'd make a cute couple."
"I didn't say that."
"You thought it."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
Rowan sighed dramatically.
"Living with you is exhausting."
Helen giggled.
"But you love me."
"I do."
She smiled victoriously.
"I win."
Rowan laughed.
"You always find a way to."
The two stood together for another moment, watching the now-empty road. Helen suddenly smiled to herself.
"...Still."
"Hm?"
"I hope Keith keeps that girl close."
Rowan looked at her curiously.
"Why?"
"Because..."
She remembered the sparkle in Maki's eyes as she talked about Keith, the genuine smile on Keith's face whenever Maki made him laugh.
"That kind of happiness is a bit unnatural for just friends."
Rowan's expression softened.
"...Neither have I."
The couple shared a quiet smile before heading back inside their little shop, both secretly wondering if fate had already begun weaving a story neither Keith nor Maki had yet realized they were part of.