After the initial awkwardness, I found myself chatting and bickering with Amber like any normal siblings would. Saying shitty insults and making dumb jokes.
She would tell me little story snippets that she had heard at the magic tower between her colleagues.
Who would have thought a place built as a temple of knowledge would have so much tea passing by just in the corridor?
Who am I kidding? Academic settings are the perfect breeding ground for some tomfoolery to lurk in its darkest corner.
My old high school seems to prioritize maintaining its shiny appearance on the outside while violating every ethical code in existence. The amount of debauchery I witness alone is enough for many individuals to get criminal charges with life sentences.
The sheer amount of hush money exchanged behind closed doors is said to be so abundant that when you convert it into gold, you could live with your feet always on shining yellow.
Hehe. Shiny:3.
...
Moving on from that, it was strange to feel myself get comfortable so easily just after a few exchanges with her. Amber seems to have had a pretty good relationship with Amelia before... I showed up here.
In a way, I truly don't understand why I was brought into this world. I might be in financial trouble, with only a... ahem, modest social circle.
But I wasn't unhappy, even though I phrased it a bit harshly in the beginning, I was still living my dream, though my physical health is a bit closeted, but my health check has seldom shown any problem other than insomnia, fatigue, and migraines.
I was as healthy as or maybe just a little weaker than the average college student. All of my internal organs are working very well without any problems, no possible tumor, heart failure, or hidden genetic conditions. I just lack exercise and sunlight, just like the average office worker.
And I know all of this, how?
Well, I was included in my family's annual well-being check insurance or something, the name is really long...
Anyway, they still keep my name in the family register after I left, and they signed up for some kind of family health insurance package, since I remember my siblings have had a few health scares in the past. Anyway, not the point.
I am sure that they didn't put my name in there, slip the note under my door about it, and have a guaranteed way to check on my health or something through their doctor.
Right?
They did, didn't they?
...
In hindsight, I might have equated too many things with mere coincidences. That is on me; I am stupid.
I mean... that would explain the side dishes spawning in front of my door, snack baskets similar to the ones of my family posted on social media.
Even when my family kicked me out and doesn't support me financially in any way, shape, or form, we still keep in touch, though minimally. Awkward phone calls, frequent texts, and invitations to family events that I rejected with polite excuses.
There weren't any apologies, no reconciliation, but it was better than indifferent silence.
...
I wonder how they would react if I suddenly disappeared like this? If they search the apartment, would they find me sleeping on my bed peacefully asleep?
But... What if I had actually died in my apartment that night?
Let's not go there right now...
I was still laughing and joking around with Amber, but why must my mind go down this rabbit hole... ugh.
"Good morning, everyone," A joyful call snapped me out of my silent spiral.
Multiple footsteps approached us as the long-awaited guest arrived, along with a few servants who soon retreated after they had escorted the visitor to their destinations.
The sunlight brushes wrap over their form, long hazelnut hair cascading along her back, swaying gently with the autumn wind. The smell of freshly baked apple pie accompanied her arrival.
"Dawn, come sit down. Let me introduce our youngest to you." Amber was quick on her feet, quickly guided her friend to sit down. The basket in her hand was taken by the maids, who quickly brought out two freshly baked pies. They quickly cut it into 8 equal pieces and set one piece in front of each of us.
Before I knew it, my senses were completely enveloped by a comforting scent of baked goods and cinnamon. It felt like I had returned to those cold winter nights at my grandparents' house, humming to odd songs on the radio and gazing at the stars with them by our makeshift bonfire, drinking hot cocoa and eating warm apple pie in their arms.
Somehow, I was already holding a fork in my hand as the fork broke through the top-patterned crust, letting the amber syrup ooz out slightly onto the plate.
The golden crust is perfectly flaky with that soothing nutty butter taste, accompanied by that burst of cozy sweetness of the tarty yet soft apples and the syrupy sauce that coated your tongue with that warm ichor of the baked apples.
The flavor alone is enough to make a grown man cry. Damn:'3.
" Do you like the pie, my lady?" A soft whisper echoed next to my ear, followed by an amused chuckle, snapping me back to reality. Warm breath lingers on the back of my neck before pulling away, giving me comfort yet sending a chill down my spine.
" Huh?"
Before I could register who was speaking, I realized that I had instantly devoured almost half of the first pie without even introducing myself or speaking to one that brought this delicacy in a moment of nostalgia.
A handkerchief gently wipes my lip, cleaning off the smeared syrup on my mouth and the remnant of buttery crust on my cheek. Their somber emerald eyes reflect a certain satisfaction with my gluttony as they laugh heartily. Strands of brown hair slightly curled at their ends tickled my face as they bounced with each huff of joy. Damn.
That is blindingly beautiful. It is like sunlight is blasting me with the incarnation of delight.
My bi heart is punching my diaphragm nonstop.
" Lost in the light, kiddo?" My head immediately turned toward Amber's voice, who had that shit eating grin on her face.
" Come on now, Amber." Dawn nudged her friend, who still couldn't hide the smile on her lips.
" I'm sorry for wolfing the pie without saying anything to you; that was rude of me."
How could I forget the most basic of common courtesy, the moment food appears in front of my face? Nostalgia be damn, especially when I am now a member of the Laurel family, prided for their bona fide etiquette and elegance.
Letting myself slip up on the very first meeting is baffling even by my standards, and my standard for this transmigration conundrum is already plummeting beyond the floor.
I am not built for the high life. Not one bit.
" Why are you so stiff for? Did lying in bed for a few months make some strings disconnect or something? " Amber ruffled my hair.
"... You are not mad?"
" Why would we be? Dawn went out of her way to harvest Alba fruits to bake you those pies. I don't see a reason for us to be mad when the target of the maker's effort is achieved." Amber explained, sneaking two slices for herself while no one paid attention.
" That's right. I am delighted that you find it delicious. It took me a long time to discuss with your family's doctor to find the best choices for your recovery."
Alba fruit? No wonder I suddenly feel so incredibly alive right now.
All of the strange aches and body fatigue that refused to go away even after resting for weeks in this body seem to melt away with the thick syrup.
An extremely rare fruit harvestable only in a clearing blessed by fairies, and lived near the protruding roots of the world tree on the surface. Its shape is similar to that of a peach with a bright patch in the center of the skin. The taste as described in the novel reminds you of a juicy apple with a refreshing crunch, bringing with it the nectar-like and fruity smell of ripe peaches.
This fruit is only harvested through the hands of the elves alone; its distribution is limited to only a small circle of trusted individuals who have earned the trust of nature and its caretakers. Among them, the Laurel family is one such instance.
By gaming standards, it is ranked as a B-class all-natural recovery item on its own, without any processing needed. And as my mouth has evaluated....
------
A Slice Of Freshly Baked Alba Pie
Rank: A+
Duration: 8 hours
The Alba fruit is a delicacy that many could never chance to taste in their lifetime. The Elves sing praises at the sight of this fruit, yet this pastry has made many Elven chefs cry in joy at tasting its flavor. If you ask with your whole heart, maybe you could get the maker of this masterpiece to bless you with another amazing dessert.
Effect: [Pain, Pain go away] - Natural recovery rates increase by 32%, make your aches and pains wash away with the tide of syrupy goodness and warm baked apple.
[My sugar rush is just my motivation up] - Boost the user's mood, increase drive and motivation greatly just in a single bite.
[Productive Duck] - Status growth for physical attributes increases by 18% through diligent training. Pull up your pants, then run and jump.
{Effects do not stack}
------
Absolute cinema.
This is compensation for torturing me as soon as I arrived in this world.
Thank you, Laurel's diamond spoon buff.
" Sister Dawn! " I clasped my hands over hers, my eyes now shining with rejuvenation.
" The pie is absolutely, undoubtably, wonderfully, amazingly, miraculously delicious. The decadent aroma of crumbly buttery crust, warm aromatic cinnamon, and sweet fruity goodness. The golden, flaky crust is a delight with its nutty butter flavor! It pairs so well with the cozy sweetness of the tart, tender apples and a delicious syrupy sauce that wraps your taste buds in the warm goodness of baked apples. It is the most magical thing I have ever tasted. I feel like I could run around this entire estate and back. My body is in the best condition I have ever felt in months.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Tho it is shameless for me to say this...
If you can! Please! Can you please one day bake it for me again?"
I could hear Amber burst out in laughter again, accompanied by Dawn's delighted crackle.
They ruffle my hair as they tease and jest. Sharing food and tea with the maids and staff who happen to pass by. Of course, they still save the untouched second pie for me. Thank you, Dawn. You, Amber, and the maids will be the ones I first repay when I finally achieve something important in this world. I swear on my life.
If my eyes could shoot light, they would right now. I could kneel to her with my head on the floor.
Moreover, having the apple-like fruit is one thing, but for someone to be trusted enough to process it and handle such rare items means they are not only well acquainted with each party but skilled enough to cater even the item's description to praise you.
I am either really good at reading between the lines, or this system just has that description for any Alba pie ever made.
...
Whatever, what's important is that I get to one day taste this again. In this turbulent world and danger-riddled future, I need to get my hands on any resource that can help me survive this dead-end fate.
If a single slice can give me this much of a boost, my chances of passing the original Amelia in growth are slightly higher with Dawn around. Which means my chances of survival could increase. But...
Why do I not remember any character with the name Dawn in the later part of the story? Shouldn't such a trusted connection with the protagonist's close allies and ability to create high-tier food items mean she at least appeared at least once in the later story?
I can't recall a single instance of her name being mentioned.
I need to brainstorm later to figure this out.
For now, though...
The delicious pie is waiting for me to finish it:D.