I did not realize how late it had become until the sun dipped below the horizon. I had spent the entire day working on the scarf and had not gone hunting at all.
After quickly packing away my tools, I leapt into the lake and caught a fish nearly the size of my calf. With my bow, arrows, and the fox fur in my left hand, and the fish in my right, I hurried back home.
As expected, Mikasa was already waiting outside the small house. She wore a plaid dress, and the last rays of sunlight rested gently on her face, softening her features. For a brief moment, I simply looked at her.
Mikasa is truly beautiful.
"Jax."
She spotted me climbing up from the foot of the hill and immediately ran down the slope toward me. A bright smile spread across her face as she stopped in front of me, tilting her head slightly.
"What are we eating today?" she asked with open anticipation. Then she frowned faintly. "Jax, why are you so wet?"
"I jumped into the lake to catch this," I replied, lifting the fish. "We are having fish tonight. It depends on how Auntie wants to prepare it."
"Fish?" Her shoulders drooped. "Jax, I wanted roast suckling pig. Even a musk deer would have been fine."
"Fish can be delicious," I said calmly, giving the fish a small shake. "It can be stewed, grilled, smoked, or braised."
Mikasa swallowed before quickly composing herself. "Stop describing it. We are eating fish tonight."
I chuckled and walked home beside her.
Inside, I hung my bow on its rack and placed the quiver neatly beside it. After taking a bath and changing into dry clothes, I felt completely refreshed. Life like this was almost unreal. No immediate danger, no urgent responsibilities, just peaceful days within the Walls. It was easy to grow attached to this kind of calm.
"Jax."
Mikasa suddenly threw herself into my arms again, pressing close with a playful expression. "The fish."
"Alright," I said, gently rubbing her head. "I will make braised fish."
She hummed softly, resting her forehead against my chest. "I always feel comfortable when I am with you, Jax. Being around you makes me feel… close."
Her words caught me off guard.
I did not believe in absurd fantasies where women were drawn to someone because of fate or destiny. That kind of shallow reasoning belonged in poorly written stories. Yet I could not deny that I also felt a subtle sense of familiarity with her, something quiet but persistent.
There had to be a reason.
I searched my memory, but nothing in the known course of events explained it. For a moment, a possibility crossed my mind, one that made my eyes widen slightly, but I dismissed it just as quickly. It had never appeared in the original storyline.
"Alright," I said again, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Let me cook."
"Hurry up," she replied, giving me a small push toward the kitchen. "I am hungry."
Inside, Yato was already preparing other dishes. She glanced back at us with a knowing smile. "Mikasa and Jax are very close."
I washed my hands and began scaling the fish. To be honest, culinary standards within the Walls were fairly simple. Limited resources meant few people specialized in refining food. With a bit of seasoning and careful preparation, it was easy to elevate a dish beyond what most were accustomed to.
I had eaten braised fish many times before. Even if I did not remember every precise step, experience alone was enough. And if necessary, I could always rely on magic to enhance the final result.
The dish came together quickly. The fish simmered until the sauce thickened and coated the flesh evenly. Its rich aroma filled the small kitchen, far more refined than what was typically served at the table. In the end, I used a subtle touch of magic to deepen the flavor and perfect the texture.
When it was ready, we gathered at the table and ate with knives and forks, as was customary.
Mikasa took her first bite and her eyes brightened immediately.
That reaction alone made the effort worthwhile.