Hana smiled warmly at Yuna."Thanks, that's sweet of you, but dinner will be ready in three minutes."
Yuna walked over to Hana, who was standing by the stove, and shortly after, began gently running her fingers through Hana's hair.
Hana ducked reflexively at first, but Yuna didn't stop and continued patting her head.
"You'd make an amazing wife, you know that,mouse?" Yuna said with a smile, ruffling Hana's hair.
Wife? Does she really mean that? Am I supposed to be a good wife? Hana thought, looking at Yuna, embarrassed.
"Uh, you asked what I made for dinner, Yuna," Hana said nervously. "I made rice with sautéed turkey. The sauce is a tomato cream sauce with bell peppers, onions, carrots, cherry tomatoes, and turkey strips. I hope you like it."
"Of course I like that!" Yuna replied instantly. "Your food looks amazing—and I bet it tastes just as good!"
Hana blushed lightly and looked away shyly.
"Thank you for appreciating my cooking," she murmured softly, barely audible, with a small smile.A few minutes later, Hana and Yuna were sitting together at the dining table in the living room.
They ate leisurely, but didn't talk much.The only one who occasionally broke the silence was Yuna.She complimented Hana's cooking and tried to make small talk, but Hana wasn't very talkative.
After they finished eating, Hana was about to clear the empty plates."Stop, darling I'll do it," Yuna said firmly.
"You've done enough today. I'll wash the dishes and the cutlery."Yuna took the dishes from Hana's hands.
"It's fine, I can wash them, Yuna.
Really it's no big deal," Hana said.
"I don't care if it's no big deal to you, mouse. If I say I'm doing it, then I'm doing it," Yuna said, smiling slightly."By the way do you want some ice cream? I saw you looking at it while we were putting away the groceries. Do you love ice cream?"
What? I can have ice cream? Does she really mean that?The last time I had ice cream was when I was a kid… Hana thought, unsure if Yuna was serious. She'd assumed Yuna had bought it for herself.
Hana tried to hide her excitement.
"Do you really mean that, Yuna? I can actually have ice cream? I thought it was yours that you bought it for yourself," she asked carefully, a little sparkle in her eyes.
"Of course I mean it," Yuna said with a smile.
"I bought the ice cream for you because I thought you might want a treat every now and then. Don't you like ice cream?"
"Yes, I do," Hana replied, slightly embarrassed."Then… I'd like one, if that's okay with you, Yuna."
She's so cute when she's happy, Yuna thought, smiling softly.She's grown up, but she still gets that childlike joy from something as simple as ice cream.
Then her expression grew a little wistful.
It's kind of sad… She probably hasn't experienced much joy in her life if something so small makes her this happy.
Yuna sighed softly, remembering what Hana had told her that she hadn't been treated very well in the past. The thought made Yuna feel a pang of sadness.
"Of course it's okay what kind of question is that?" Yuna said with a grin.
"I bought the ice cream for you, after all. I'm not really into sweets… except for you, darling."Yuna winked at Hana.
"I'll wash our dishes and cutlery, and you, mouse, can grab an ice cream of your choice from the freezer."
Yuna walked toward the kitchen with the dishes, and Hana followed with a smile.
But as she walked behind her, her eyes briefly lingered on Yuna's beautiful butt.
Hana immediately looked away.
What am I doing? Am I stupid? She's my fiancée, but… that's inappropriate! I hope she didn't notice, Hana thought nervously.
Once in the kitchen, Hana opened the freezer and took out the pack of ice cream.
Which flavor should I pick? she wondered. I think… strawberry.She glanced briefly at Yuna.
"Am I really allowed to have one? Are you sure?"Yuna raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I'm sure. Now go ahead and pick one."
"Okay… then strawberry, right?" Hana said hesitantly.
"Now go get your ice cream, mouse," Yuna replied with a smirk."You don't need to announce what you've picked every time."
Hana looked down."Sorry for being annoying… I just wanted to be sure I could have strawberry. I thought maybe you wanted it."
"I bought it for you, not me, silly. Now eat your ice cream, love," Yuna said gently.
Hana smiled at Yuna and thanked her quietly.
She took the strawberry ice cream from the pack, closed the freezer, and sat at the small kitchen table.She began eating it leisurely, feeling almost like she was dreaming finally able to have ice cream again after all these years.
Yuna had just finished washing and drying the few dishes when she looked over at Hana.
A slight smile crossed her face, and she couldn't resist a teasing comment.
"Wow, you really are a little glutton, darling look at how fast you're eating that ice cream!" she said grinning."But it must have tasted good, right?"
Hana blushed like a tomato and looked down shyly, making Yuna grin even wider.
"I can't help it…" Hana whispered, nervously playing with her spoon."The ice cream was just too good."
"I'm glad you liked it," Yuna said with a smile.
"But hey, darling want to keep me company in my room for a bit? We could watch a series or a movie if you like."
Hana looked at Yuna in disbelief.
She wants to watch a movie or series with me?Should I say yes? Or no? I'd really like to watch… but what if I annoy her? I don't want to bother her.If I had ever dared to enter my stepsister's room back then while she was watching something she would have beaten me up and kicked me out.What if Yuna is just as annoyed? What if she finds me bothersome?She's a mage, after all…
Lost in her thoughts, Hana didn't notice how close Yuna had gotten.
Yuna looked at Hana carefully.What's taking her so long to decide? Yes or no it can't be that hard, she thought.Then Yuna poked her lightly in the ribs.
Hana jumped, letting out a giggling, "Hiii!"
Startled and because it was extremely ticklish.
"Hey, what was that?" Hana whispered, taking a few steps back."What was that?" Yuna repeated, this time with a teasing grin.
"I want an answer, mouse. You were so lost in thought, I thought I'd tease you a bit."
"I… I don't like being teased. Please don't do that again. You really startled me," Hana grumbled.
Yuna chuckled softly."Oh, so you can be a little sassy, love. But tell me are you going to watch with me or not?"
"I'm not being sassy, but I'd like to watch a movie or series in your room with you. Is that really okay, Yuna, if I watch?"
"Of course it's okay. Why wouldn't it be? I asked you," Yuna said with a smile.
"Okay, then I'll watch with you, Yuna. Thanks for letting me and for being so nice to me."
"Good, that's settled," Yuna said firmly.
When they entered Yuna's room, Hana was met with a mess.She had been warned that Yuna's room wasn't exactly tidy, but the sight still surprised her. Clothes were scattered everywhere: underwear, bras, pants, t-shirts, sweaters, along with plastic bottles and books.
"Stop staring! I know my room isn't exactly neat.
"Yuna… may I please tidy up your room? I don't mind. I could clean it now instead of watching a movie with you," Hana replied confidently, though she was usually shy.
Her inner cleaning bug had been triggered by the disorder.