The moment Kael's lips brushed her forehead, Kamisato Ayaka's eyes filled again, tears shimmering like crystals.
Those tears didn't dull her gaze. They made her look alive again.
It was as if a dead tree had sprouted new buds.
She was still weak, still fragile, but life had finally returned to her features.
When Kamisato Ayato appeared at the door, Ayaka fully understood—it wasn't a dream.
Her Kael had really come back.
Ayaka leaned against Kael's chest, trembling slightly. "Kael… I'm so happy right now… Do I really deserve something this wonderful?"
Kael's voice was soft but steady. "I'll make you even happier. I promise."
This time, he wouldn't leave regrets behind.
From the moment Kael returned, Ayaka's recovery was visible to the naked eye.
Her body was still too thin, but her spirit—her spirit had returned in full.
When the physician checked her pulse, his eyes widened in disbelief.
Ayaka's improvement was far beyond anything he expected.
He'd been certain that after all the damage she'd done to herself, even if she rediscovered her will to live, it would take months of care to stabilize her body, and she'd never be as healthy as before.
But he was wrong.
"The young lady is recovering incredibly well. It shouldn't be long before she's just as healthy as before."
Kamisato Ayato and Kael finally exhaled.
The physician had served the Kamisato Clan for years. He'd watched Ayato, Ayaka, and Kael grow up; he cared for them the way an elder would.
He looked at Ayaka with gentle reproach. "No matter what happens, your health is the most important. You must never treat your body like this again."
Ayaka gave a polite nod. "I'm sorry for troubling you."
Her expression was obedient, but her thoughts were entirely different.
Ayato had already told her how Kael returned to the world.
Kael couldn't rest in peace because he worried for her, which was why his spirit lingered.
And she had been so close to death that it created the only chance for them to meet again.
If she lived well and let go…
If she recovered too soon…
Would she lose him forever?
Ayaka didn't regret a single thing she'd done. She was even grateful.
Kael looked at her calm, almost innocent expression and easily saw the truth she tried to hide.
He sighed.
He wanted so badly to tell her the same thing as the physician—to treasure her body, to value her life.
But she had fallen this low because of him.
He had no right to lecture her.
All he could do was gently pat her head.
He was alive now.
He'd never let her suffer like that again.
"What do you want to eat today?" he asked.
In this life simulation, Kael's new talents were copies of his previous traits.
There was no carrying "Head Chef" into reality.
But he still remembered every recipe he'd made in the real world.
He hadn't regained his old mastery, but making a good meal was no problem at all.
---
Recently, he'd been cooking simple medicinal dishes for Ayaka.
Every time she ate something he made, her appetite improved dramatically.
From then on, he'd been responsible for all her meals.
Ayaka looked at him with a soft smile.
"I want Bamboo Shoot Soup."
"Alright, I'll make it right away."
Kael left the room and headed toward the kitchen.
As soon as he was gone, Kamisato Ayato glanced at his sister.
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
He'd tasted Kael's cooking before. It was good—truly good.
But compared to the Kamisato Clan's professional chefs, it still fell a little short.
So why did Ayaka look so dissatisfied when the chefs cooked, yet so delighted when Kael did?
She clearly just wanted Kael to cook for her every day.
"Hehe."
For the first time in a long while, the usually elegant Ayaka let a mischievous smile slip.
"I just want to eat Kael's cooking. And you're not allowed to tell him."
---
In the kitchen, Kael gathered the ingredients and started preparing the Bamboo Shoot Soup.
The stew bubbled over low heat, filling the kitchen with a warm, fragrant aroma.
"Wow, that smells amazing."
A silver-haired figure drifted into the kitchen, practically drooling as she stared at the bubbling pot.
Kael nearly jumped before realizing it was Paimon and the Traveler.
"Lumine, Paimon, what brings you two here? Did you come to check on Ayaka?"
Ever since Kael revived in the puppet's body, whatever distance existed between Lumine and the Kamisato siblings had vanished.
The puppet she brought back had saved Kael's life and Ayaka's as well.
The Yashiro Commission already regarded her as a great benefactor.
Lumine shot a helpless look at Paimon, who was close to sticking her head in the pot. "Paimon, we're here to talk business with Mr. Kael."
"Right! Business!"
Paimon jolted upright and turned to Kael. "The Raiden Shogun heard about your situation and is really interested. Are you willing to go meet her?"
Kael froze.
He had died to the Raiden Shogun in this simulation.
Why would she want to see him now?
His existence clearly went against her pursuit of eternity…
Seeing his hesitation, Paimon hurried to explain.
"The Raiden Shogun said that when she created the puppet, she never imagined something like your case could happen."
"She wants to help you adjust the puppet so you can use it better."
So that was it…
And the Traveler had already changed Ei's perspective. She shouldn't harm him anymore.
Kael nodded. "Alright. I'll go with you."
Paimon beamed. "Great! Then let's set off!"
"Hold on." Kael lifted the pot off the stove.
"I want to eat with Ayaka first. Once she rests, I'll go with you."
Right now, nothing mattered more to him than Ayaka.
Paimon and Lumine watched quietly as he plated the soup with careful precision, every movement filled with tenderness.
Paimon floated closer to Lumine and whispered, "Wow… no wonder Mr. Kael managed to revive in a puppet. He really loves Ayaka."
Lumine nodded in agreement.