Ever since Makoto gained the ability to enhance dishes with magical energy, his cooking skills had improved significantly.
Before long, he emerged from the kitchen, carrying steaming hot breakfast, which he placed on the dining table.
He had prepared a simple breakfast: a large plate of spicy meat wo wo tou and a large plate of chicken bean curd.
Considering that Little Ayaka had grown up in Inazuma and likely hadn't tasted Liyue's unique dishes, Makoto specifically prepared meals that best represented Liyue.
Perhaps Little One would like them?
Indeed, after Kamisato Ayaka smelled the aroma, her attention was completely drawn to the dishes.
Looking at the vibrant, mouth-watering food, Little Ayaka subconsciously swallowed her saliva.
Truth be told, she hadn't eaten anything since fleeing her home, and her stomach had already growled several times, but she had quietly covered it up by holding her belly.
Now, upon smelling the aroma, the feeling of hunger was reawakened.
These dishes were completely different from Inazuma's style.
They looked so delicious!
She really wanted to try them~ Little Ayaka's eyes sparkled with light.
ヾ(o･ω･)ﾉ
Although she was starving and wanted to start eating immediately, her upbringing as Kamisato Ayaka did not allow her to do such a thing.
Her teachers at home had always reminded her that as the Demoiselle of the Kamisato Family, she was the future face of the Kamisato Family, and her every word and action would represent them.
Therefore, she should always maintain a dignified demeanor and elegant temperament, never losing her composure.
So, every time she ate, Little Ayaka had to sit exceptionally straight and upright, with her hands on her lap, slowly picking up food and chewing it meticulously.
Despite being incredibly hungry, she still had to maintain her grace.
Sometimes, maintaining grace was an exhausting task.
In contrast, Beidou, Ningguang, and Shenhe, the three Little One next to her, were not bound by any rules.
They ate whatever they wanted and picked up whatever they wanted.
Eating the same food, Little Ayaka felt that Ningguang and the others were enjoying their meal more.
While eating slowly and meticulously was elegant and proper, it also diminished the enjoyment of the food in the process.
Perhaps it was only by eating freely that one could truly experience the joy that food brought.
She also wanted to do as Ningguang did, but she was a little hesitant.
After all, she had never tried it before.
Makoto noticed Kamisato Ayaka's longing for freedom, yet her slight timidity.
In response, he directly picked up a wo wo tou with his hand in front of Kamisato Ayaka and began to eat it heartily.
At the same time, he said to Little Ayaka, "Little One, you might be new here and still getting used to things."
"Actually, in our home, there are no strict rules."
"Eat when you're hungry, sleep when you're tired."
"Simply put, do whatever makes you happy, whatever makes you comfortable."
"Eating is the same. Eat in whatever way you think makes the food taste best."
Makoto's casual words stirred deep emotions within Little Ayaka.
All this time, her teachers at home had always told her what she should and shouldn't do, but it seemed no one had ever cared whether she was happy or comfortable.
As the future of the Kamisato Family, she bore a heavy responsibility, and that couldn't be denied.
But now, she wanted to temporarily cast aside the identity of the Kamisato Family's Demoiselle.
She just wanted to be an ordinary person, a free-spirited Kamisato Ayaka.
She also learned from Makoto, picking up a wo wo tou with her hand and eating it.
Little Ayaka suddenly felt that eating wo wo tou with her hand was much more delicious than eating it slowly and meticulously.
Actually, the food was still the same; its taste shouldn't have changed.
Ultimately, the Little One was experiencing the feeling of freedom, a different experience brought about by a happy mood.
Kamisato Ayaka looked up at Makoto and then softly said, "Brother Makoto, your words have greatly benefited me. I am truly grateful."
Just then, Makoto heard the system's voice in his mind.
"Detected that Kamisato Ayaka's friendship has increased from Level 0 to Level 1. Congratulations, Host, you have received an intertwined fate!"
Her friendship increased because he helped Kamisato Ayaka break free from her rigid constraints.
Makoto was not in a hurry to draw. Nothing was more important than eating.
A person who eats, a soul who eats.
As breakfast concluded, Yae stretched lazily, saying she was going back for her beauty sleep and naturally entrusted Kamisato Ayaka to Makoto's care.
Ningguang and Shenhe, as usual, took on the task of washing the dishes.
The two Little One entered the kitchen to clean up.
Kamisato Ayaka sat on the chair, gently wiggling her feet, enjoying a rare moment of freedom.
If she were in the Kamisato Family, her teachers would certainly not allow her to make such a movement.
But fortunately, now she was not a Demoiselle, but just an ordinary Damselette.
At this moment, Kamisato Ayaka's gaze was drawn to Qiqi.
She saw Qiqi holding a birdcage with two Little Sparrows inside.
Under Qiqi's meticulous care, the two Little Sparrows looked very plump.
Presumably, fearing that Yae might have designs on the Little Sparrows, Qiqi always waited until Yae left before daring to bring them out.
Kamisato Ayaka was quite interested in small animals, finding them very cute.
She had always wanted to keep some animals at home, including Little Sparrows and small goldfish.
However, her family said that keeping animals would distract Little Ayaka from her studies and that she should focus on grace.
Knowing her family's good intentions, Little Ayaka was frustrated for a long time but could only accept it.
Therefore, upon seeing the Little Sparrows now, Ayaka showed great interest.
Qiqi blinked his big eyes, looking at Kamisato Ayaka, who was staring intently at the Little Sparrows.
"Breadcrumbs... for you..."
Qiqi could tell that Kamisato Ayaka probably liked small animals a lot too.
So, with a blank expression, he handed the food for the Little Sparrows to Kamisato Ayaka.
Looking at the breadcrumbs Qiqi offered, Ayaka paused for a moment and then said, "Oh, are you letting me feed the Little Sparrows? Is it really okay?"
Ayaka had wanted to feed small animals for a long time, and now she finally had the chance.
She tore the breadcrumbs into very small pieces and then threw them into the birdcage.
Watching the Little Sparrows lower their heads to eat the breadcrumbs and chirp, Little Ayaka felt very amused, a joyous smile on her face.
In the past, this was something the Demoiselle of the Kamisato Family would never do.
She was starting to like Liyue, to like it here.
If only she could stay here a little longer.
Because here, she could do many things she usually wanted to do but didn't dare to.
Here, she was no longer the Demoiselle of the Kamisato Family, but Kamisato Ayaka herself.
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