Ashrik didn't take long to finish cooking. Once he was done, he called the three ladies to the backyard. The kitchen's dining table couldn't accommodate all four of them if they wanted to have lunch together.
Soft sunlight bathed the wooden table in the yard, the rays filtered through the swaying leaves and branches above. The air was cool, the rustle of the leaves blending with the stream bubbling not far away.
Lucille had just moved to pick one of the plates in the kitchen when Regina lightly smacked her hand.
"No need. We'll handle this." The defense esper smiled. "Leave them to us."
Lucille was startled. "But—"
Ashrik interrupted, "Go and sit."
"Oh... okay."
After shooing Lucille to her seat, Hazel and Regina contributed some help by putting the dishes on the table. Ashrik carried a steaming bowl of lotus root soup and placed it in the middle.
