Chapter 22

When I recall that expression, it seems we truly connected.

I smiled inwardly in triumph.

Didn’t they say that in order to firmly hold onto someone, you must first capture their heart?

To be precise, it’s not exactly my person but my lover, yet one of the best ways to get closer is to cook for them directly.

If I can capture their taste, there’s nothing easier to bond over.

And I know exactly what foods Stella likes.

After spending thousands of hours playing the game, it was clear that if I raised my cooking skills, I could have incredibly overpowered performances, so I couldn’t help but bring her along to clear the game easily.

Moreover, considering that one of the best ways to raise favorability is by cooking for someone, this was the best option.

‘Her food preferences were indeed unique.’

In the game, Stella liked Eastern cuisine.

She would eat Western food if it was offered, but it wasn’t her favorite.

Among Eastern dishes, she especially enjoyed home-cooked meals, which are easy to make, don’t take long, and have inexpensive ingredients, making it truly perfect.

She liked all Eastern food, but soup dishes raised favorability the most…

The food I made this time was akin to a masterpiece that included all the know-how from my time living alone.

At first, I wondered if this would really work, but as I blankly watched her dig in with abandon, all doubts vanished.

Indeed, while information from the game may not be entirely reliable, it seems somewhat believable.

Moreover, for some unknown reason, she appeared to feel apologetic towards me, which suggested things were going well.

Usually, the sheer shamelessness derived from that laziness wouldn’t easily peel away, but I had stripped it away with just one meal, so how could I not feel good about that?

After finishing the meal and washing the dishes, I focused on the thoughts directed towards Stella.

“…”

[What should I do… Should I help her even now…?]

Looking at her thoughts, it seemed a bit too much to have stripped her so thoroughly.

Well, what does it matter?

After all, with Evan also feeling guilty and being somewhat forced to get closer, there was no problem in doing the same to Stella.

I hadn’t intended it, but perhaps she felt some self-reproach or guilt for the fact that I, someone with a disability, had cleaned the room and even cooked.

The former might be acceptable, but the latter seems unlikely.

Even though I might appear lazy on the outside, I’m still a prideful piece of the Red Magic Tower, so it’s hard to believe that something like this would make her feel guilty.

Even if that were true, then if I cooked a lot of delicious food, wouldn’t that be enough?

I was confident.

[But I’ve already cleaned and prepared the meal… I already did the dishes instead of what I was supposed to do, so what can I really help with? There must be something I can do to aid her…?]

Reflecting on that, I felt a little like flicking her forehead.

But she was cute, so I restrained myself.

*

In the end, Stella didn’t help me at all.

Well, I wasn’t particularly hoping for help, so it didn’t really matter.

“Phew…”

Coming out of the bathroom, I exhaled contentedly.

One of the hobbies I took up after becoming a saint was bathing.

During my time in the Realm, I realized how enjoyable and happy it was to wash, as compared to how poorly I could clean myself when I was in the modern world or even staying at a church.

Above all, as someone who cannot see or hear, enjoying a comforting activity through touch and warmth should be something to love.

I had already spent two years living like this, and even if I were to receive a high rating, I wouldn’t resemble an adolescent high school student anymore.

From the very beginning, 3D modeling needs to look like a person to be interesting, yet it hasn’t been rendered properly; it merely shows a shape, so it wouldn’t spark curiosity.

I feel less of a sense of beauty in people, whether they are pretty or handsome. It was only after becoming a saint that I began to notice the beautiful professor from last time.

As for Stella, she was one of my favorite characters from the game, so I liked her, but if she were a stranger, I wouldn’t have gone this far.

Even if I had to act as a saint, I absolutely wouldn’t have done this for her.

I did this because it was Stella.

As much as I cherish Stella…

‘This I can’t put up with…’

How is it possible that even with a roommate living together, she doesn’t even think of taking a bath?

Despite having problems with my eyes and ears, I can still smell quite well.

Naturally, if she doesn’t wash, there’s bound to be an odor.

“[Stella? Aren’t you going to take a bath…?]”

“Ugh… It’s a hassle…”

[After all, if you’re found out for making me do chores, you’ll be in the same trouble, so why not go wash… I haven’t made you do anything…]

On the surface, she claimed it was too troublesome to go, but looking at the hidden thoughts within, it was even worse.

Normally, you wouldn’t uncover hidden sentiments in thoughts unless they were incredibly intense, yet…

That’s a level of life abandonment.

More than that, this person…

She’s realized I’m a saint.

No wonder her reaction was so excessive.

If she felt guilty about commanding someone who has difficulty seeing and hearing, she must be unable to ignore it when she realizes the one she’s been commanding is the saint herself.

The power of the Holy Kingdom was so formidable that it could make even Stella, who usually brushes off everything, give up entirely.

Truly impressive in its own right.

I let out a sigh.

It would be best to clear up that misunderstanding somehow.

“[Is it because I’ve done housework for you?]”

“… It’s not that.”

“[Hehe… Stella, you’re not very good at lying.]”

Truly.

When she’s trembling her eyes, unable to manage her gaze properly and attempting to pull away from me, who wouldn’t notice?

The way I perceive the surrounding space makes it exceptionally easier to catch suspicious expressions like this.

Eventually, Stella let out a deep sigh at my words, which were akin to a half-hearted admonishment about lying.

“I can’t help it… If I had known you were the saint of the Holy Kingdom, I would have stopped…”

Just as I thought.

Thoughts don’t lie.

Of course, one should be cautious about believing someone who can manage such thoughts easily, but Stella isn’t that competent.

I chuckled softly.

“[You don’t have to be so anxious. I have no intention of causing any harm regarding this matter, so please don’t worry.]”

“…”

“[I did what I wanted to do.]”

Of course, if the people of the Holy Kingdom saw me cleaning the room and preparing meals, I wouldn’t know how that would turn out.

Those people are incredibly sensitive and zealous concerning matters about me, so I couldn’t predict how they’d react.

Naturally, I swallowed my words.

Hearing my confirmation, Stella’s expression eased a bit, and she gave a relieved smile.

I was at least relieved that she believed me.

I was worried that we would continue living uncomfortably together, but thankfully, it seems she believed I did this because I wanted to.

Who else would clean up that garbage and even prepare meals simply because they wanted to?

However, it seems she thinks that unless I wanted to do it for some reason beyond just wanting to, there wouldn’t be a reason for someone like a saint of the Holy Kingdom to come all the way to do such chores and cook.

“[Then, I’ll be counting on you from now on, Stella.]”

“Uh, um…”

I’m glad I managed to dispel the misunderstanding somehow…

But there’s still something left.

“[So, when are you planning to take a bath?]”

“… Can’t I not go…? It’s really a hassle…”

Wait, no…

What kind of thought process is it to not take a bath the day before having to go to the Academy?

That said, I couldn’t forcibly tell her to go wash right now either.

I let out a sigh and briefly pondered how I should handle this woman.

…

It seems there’s only one method left.

If I help her this once, she will probably keep asking for my help in the future, but I can’t stand having the source of the odor remain in the room.

“[… Just this once.]”

Saying that, I used my Divine Power towards Stella.

It was absurd that I used the saint’s purification, capable of lifting even the Demon King’s curse, merely to clean a filthy body…

“Oh…”

Seeing Stella’s eyes sparkle as she noticed her body becoming clean without needing to bathe was rather cute.

I had a feeling this was going to lead to more trouble.

Sigh…

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The day broke.

And the long-anticipated events approached before my eyes.

The momentous Academy entrance ceremony, and…

the first attack of the Demons.