Lately, Yor has been coming home late. Neither of us dig deeply into the other's private life, so I don't usually ask questions.

Loid says as he sits on the sofa in the living room of his apartment, reading a book.

"Papa, is it dinner time yet?" Anya asks as she plays with Bond.

"Once Yor gets home" Loid says as he looks at Anya.

"Bond, tell me what we're having for dinner tonight!" Anya whispers in Bond's ear.

"I'm home" Yor says as she opens the door to the apartment, walking inside.

A gloomy, somber expression, and... several cuts all over her hands.

Loid says as he studies Yor's expression and figure.

"Welcome home, Mama!" Anya says as she runs over to Yor.

"Why, thank you, Miss Anya" Yor says as she looks at Anya.

"Welcome home" Loid says as he walks over, "should we start dinner?".

"Oh... I'm not hungry, so you two can go ahead and eat" Yor says with a smile.

"Alright" Loid says as Yor walks past him.

Yor, are you...

Loid asks as he watches Yor slip into her room. Anya looks up at Loid when Bond's ears flick, symbolising he's ready for Anya to read his mind. Anya looks at Bond as she reads his mind, seeing a vision of Yor crying in her mind.

Mama's going to cry? But why?

Anya asks as she looks at the door of Yor's room. Inside Yor's room, Yor doesn't even bother to turn the lights on as she puts her handbag down on the chair near her door, alongside her coat as she looks at her cut up hands. She puts her hands to her face as she takes a deep breath.

If I fail this, I... I might lose those two.

Yor says as she starts to cry.

--- the next day, at Eden College ---

"Great work today. That will be all for today's meeting" the headmaster says as he stands up from the desk, walking off.

"Thank you, sir!" the Imperial Scholars say together as they bow to the headmaster who shuts the door of the room.

"Hey, Isabelle. Do you want to go out for a meal after today?" Sophie, one of Isabelle's friends, asks as she walks over to Isabelle.

"Er... nah, I'm good" Isabelle says as she puts her coat on and throws her bag over her shoulder, "I'm studying with Demetrius after school today".

"You two are always hanging around each other. Are you sure you're not going to get together at some point?" Jasmine, another of Isabelle's friends asks as she nudges Isabelle's arm.

"As if. Demetrius is just a close friend of mine. Besides, there's someone else I like" Isabelle says as she walks away from the two of them.

"You can't just leave us in the dark!" Sophie says, offended that her friend won't share her secret crush.

Demetrius listens from the other side of the room as he looks down, saddened by the fact that Isabelle has another in her heart.

"Demetrius, are you ready to head to mine? Anya's getting the bus back today, so we can go quickly grab a coffee from that café you really like" Isabelle says as she walks over to Demetrius.

"Sure" Demetrius says with a small smile as the two of them leave the room.

--- in the apartment complex ---

Yor comes home from work, a paper bag full of food in her arms as she heads towards her apartment, when she suddenly makes a left, heading towards Isabelle's apartment. She stands in front of Isabelle's door, her expression dark, as she presses the doorbell, standing there, waiting for an answer.

"Are we really doing this again?" Isabelle says as she opens the door to the apartment.

Yor nods as the two of them look at each other, their expressions serious.

"Also..." Isabelle says as she looks at the paper bag in Yor's arms, "are those tomatoes?! They're clearly crushed! What's wrong with you!?".

"Oh no!" Yor says as she holds the bag away from her.

"Hey, Yor-san. You're really serious about this" Demetrius says as he walks over to the doorway.

"Thank you for having me over again, Isabelle. I'm sorry I'm taking time out of your studying time, Demetrius" Yor says as she bows her head.

"This is all your fault, by the way! If you hadn't of said what you did..." Isabelle says as she looks at Demetrius since she didn't really want to get involved further with Loid and Yor more than her sister being their daughter.

--- three days ago ---

"What? You want to learn how to cook?" Isabelle asks as she looks at Yor after the two went to go pick up Anya's uniform.

"Yes!" Yor says desperately, "Loid was stuck in the bathroom for a whole day the other day because of the breakfast I made the other day".

"Wow, that sucks" Demetrius says from behind the two of them.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Isabelle asks as she looks at Demetrius.

"I was bored at home and I saw you walking so I decided to follow you" Demetrius says as he shrugs his shoulders.

"At this rate, our marriage is in danger!" Yor says as she balls her fists.

Meaning my work is in danger!

Yor says in her head.

"Would either of you kindly be able to teach me? Even you, Demetrius, even though I've only just met you" Yor says as she looks at Demetrius.

"Well, our housekeeper make our food" Demetrius says, knowing fully that past a plate, he doesn't know anything about kitchen utensils or cooking.

"Why don't you go to a class or something?" Isabelle asks as she tilts her head.

"No, wait. I know how to open cans of things" Demetrius says proudly, "wait, why don't you just teach her, Isabelle? You're a great cook!".

"Hey!" Isabelle shouts as she looks at Demetrius.

"Please, Isabelle!" Yor says as she looks at Isabelle.

"Come on. Teach her" Demetrius says as he looks at Isabelle, "alright, let's meet up at her apartment".

"Uh, hello?!" Isabelle says, feeling like she's the only person in the entire room.

--- present day ---

"I look forward to learning even more from you today!" Yor says as she ties her hair back.

"This is literally the worst" Isabelle says as she holds her head.

"Don't be like that" Demetrius says as he looks at Isabelle.

"Just so you know, you get to taste all the food again!" Isabelle says as she points at Demetrius, "the responsibility is yours!".

"Oh, actually, about that... I invited someone over just for that!" Yor says as the doorbell rings, Yor opening the door.

"Woohoo, hey Sis!" Yuri shouts as he runs into the apartment.

"Yuri?!" Isabelle says shocked.

"Who?" Demetrius asks confused.

"Sis told me I was able to eat her cooking" Yuri says happily.

"Um..." Yor says shyly.

"It's nice to meet you, Yuri. My name is Demetrius Desmond. I'm in the same class as Isabelle at school" Demetrius says as he walks over to Yuri.

"It's nice to meet you, Demetrius" Yuri says as he holds out his hand to Demetrius.

Is this the guy Isabelle likes? He's not that great.

Demetrius says as he grabs Yuri's hand.

I shouldn't be here. Not after what happened between myself and Isabelle the other day. It's too fresh in my mind. Ah, I can't focus. Isabelle looks so pretty with her hair pulled back like that.

Yuri says as he turns bright red.

"Are you okay, Yuri?" Yor asks as she puts her hand to Yuri's forehead.

Ah, that's right. Sis is here. I should just focus on her.

Yuri says as he looks at Yor.

"I'm glad you could come over, Yuri. It's been a long time" Isabelle says with a smile.

You liar, it's been three days, five hours, forty eight minutes and twenty three seconds, you beautiful woman!

Yuri says as he falls to the ground.

"You must really be ill, Yuri. Maybe it's best you go home" Yor says worriedly.

"No way. I'm not missing out on your cooking, Sis" Yuri says as he pulls himself together, "anyways, are you having some kind of party today?".

"No, Yor wants to learn how to cook" Demetrius says as he looks at Yuri.

"Huh? A cooking class?" Yuri asks confused.

"Don't tell Loid and Miss Anya. I want to secretly get better!" Yor says as she puts a finger to her lips.

Curses! She wants to cook for Loidy! Now I'm conflicted!

Yuri says annoyed.

"Today, I thought I'd try cooking minestrone" Yor says as she puts the paper bag on the counter.

"Seriously, why do you keep buying things you don't need for this?" Isabelle asks as she walks over to the counter, "what are you even going to use this cactus for?".

"I'm sorry. I thought having a variety of ingredients would make it taste better" Yor says as she places everything down on the counter.

"Okay, first, peel your potatoes" Isabelle says as she passes Yor the potato peeler.

"Of course" Yor says as she gets to work, the board soon getting covered in potato peel and blood.

"How does this happen when you're just peeling potatoes?!" Isabelle asks as she passes the cutting board to Demetrius so he can clean it, "there was a whole sea of blood there, just now".

"This weapon is just so hard to use!" Yor says as she holds her arms out.

"The peeler is not a weapon!" Isabelle says as she looks at Yor.

"Sis, I brought you some bandages" Yuri says as he manages to find Isabelle's first aid kit from the other day.

"Oh, but I am handy with a knife!" Yor says as she finds a knife on the counter top, Demetrius placing the cutting board on the counter, putting a carrot on top of it.

"I keep telling you that you're cutting it too thin!" Isabelle says as she puts her arm out, "just cut it normally!".

"You're amazing, Sis!" Yuri says as he looks over Yor's shoulder.

"Hello?! Why'd you cut through the cutting board, too?" Isabelle says shocked, "that was one of my favourites!".

"I'm so sorry! I'll pay for it!" Yor says as she bows to Isabelle.

"You're amazing, Sis!" Yuri says proudly.

"Seriously, what's wrong with you?" Isabelle asks as Demetrius cleans away the mess.

If you were any other woman being rude to Sis, I would have executed you already. But I can't bare the thought of that!

Yuri says as he looks at Isabelle.

"Yeah, Yor, you're hopeless. Let's just give up" Isabelle says, giving up all hope.

"Please, Isabelle" Yor says as she looks down, "if Loid divorces me because of this, I... I...".

I'll have to worry about getting arrested again!

Yor says worriedly.

"Hurry up and get your ingredient simmering" Isabelle says as she gives in, "I'll show you how to season everything as we go along. Hurry up and make something so you can go home already.

"Isabelle can be prickly like this sometimes, despite how kind she is" Demetrius says as he walks over to Yor.

"I think we can all get like that sometimes, so it's no issue. I know Isabelle is a sweet girl" Yor says with a smile.

"Hey!" Isabelle shouts as she looks at Demetrius.

Isabelle helps Yor cook as Yor turns the heat off to her pot of food.

"Well, in any case... my first dish is complete" Yor says as she steps away from the hob.

"Hey, Yuri! You're up!" Demetrius says as he pushes Yuri over to the bowl Yor just served up.

"Yeah, make sure it's not poi- I mean, make sure it's delicious!" Isabelle says as she taps Yuri's arm.

"Really? I can? Well, I guess it's down the hatch" Yuri asks happily as he takes the spoon from the food, putting the spoonful into his mouth, "it's so good. This is really great, Sis!" he says as he throws up after every mouthful, "oh, this takes me back! It tastes just like your old cooking!".

"Oh my!" Yor says happily.

"Uh... you're throwing up, though. So which one is it?" Demetrius asks confused.

Demetrius and Isabelle look at each other as they both grab a spoon, taking a spoonful of the food, putting it in their mouths. Without even having to chew the food, the two of them collapse on the ground.

"Oh, god!" Yor says shocked.

"How could you possibly end up with that?" Isabelle asks as she uses the table to help herself get up from the ground, "did you listen to a word I said?".

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Yor says as she bows to Isabelle.

"Sis, is there any more?" Yuri asks as he shows Yor his empty bowl.

"You're weren't ready for minestrone yet" Isabelle says as she manages to stand up fully, "let's try something easier, like meatballs".

"Okay!" Yor says happily as she gets to work, soon getting the final result.

"Yum, yum, yum!" Yuri sings as he scoffs down the giant meatball, yes, singular meatball, that Yor managed to construct, "it's so good that I'm sweating for unknown reasons!" he says as he starts to throw up between mouthfuls again, "the more I savour each bite, the more I see my eyes flash before my eyes! Huh? Is that you over there, Mum?".

"Yuri, stop! You need to stop for a second!" Demetrius says panicked as Yuri starts to foam at the mouth.

That's right. Yor and Yuri grew up without their parents.

Isabelle says as she finally sees reason.

"I guess your sense of taste got so messed up because this train wreck was the only one eating your food" Isabelle says, casually insulting Yuri.

"Huh? Train wreck! Me?!" Yuri says as Isabelle covers Yuri's mouth.

"I figured it'd be fine as long as he was getting the right nutrients" Yor says as she looks at Yuri.

"Yuri, thank goodness you grew up healthy" Isabelle says as she uncovers Yuri's mouth, patting his head, "do you happen to remember anything that either of your parents made for you that tasted really good? Just curious".

"Hmm, do you remember anything, Yuri?" Yor asks as she tilts her head.

"Mum's cooking? Hmm, I only remember it vaguely" Yuri says as he imagines the past where their Mother would make food for them, "didn't she make something like stew often? That was really warm and yummy".

"Oh! The one that had the fried egg on top!" Yor says as she catches onto Yuri's thought trail.

"Okay, let's try making that" Isabelle says as she looks at Yor, "try really hard to remember the taste. It probably uses a simple Southern stew base" she says as she and Yor work together to cut the ingredients, "once it comes to a boil, turn off the heat" she says as she and Yor work on the broth, "I'm pretty sure it should have some paprika powder in it, too" she says as she adds some of that, "now, make sure it doesn't burn" she says as she watches Yor stir the broth, "use the right amount of salt and pepper".

"Hey, you know, this is the first time something you've made actually smells good" Demetrius says as he comes over to the two of them, "this one might be a success!".

The four of them gather around the hob as Isabelle brings out a spoon, dipping it into the broth. She takes a deep breath, putting the spoon into her mouth as she swallows the broth. She shuts her eyes and waits for the backlash, opening one eye as she realises she's still stood upright.

"Hey, it's not bad" Isabelle says surprised.

"It's really good!" Yuri says as he tries some, "but it also feels like something is missing".

"Where are you from, Yor?" Isabelle asks as she looks at Yor.

"Eastern Nielsberg" Yor says as she looks at Isabelle.

"I think people in that region might add sour cream to it" Isabelle says as she opens her fridge, grabbing the sour cream.

Isabelle walks back to the hob as she puts some sour cream in it, stirring it in. Isabelle and Yor look at each other as they nod, the two of them and Yuri all dipping their spoons in as they try it. Yor and Yuri gasp as they look at each other, memories of their childhood flooding back to them. After having a nice evening together, Isabelle sends everyone home. Demetrius goes back to the school dorms, Yuri leaves for work on the nightshift, and Yor turns the corner, returning to her apartment.

--- in the Forger apartment ---

"Wait" Loid says as he puts his hand up in front of Bond's face, "okay!" he says as Bond starts to eat his food.

Looks like he's naturally intelligent. I'll start defence training with him immediately.

Loid says as he watches Bond.

"Papa, Anya can't wait any longer. Too hungry" Anya says as she walks over to Loid.

"It is pretty late" Loid says as he looks at the clock hanging on the wall.

"I'm sorry I'm so late" Yor says as she comes into the apartment.

"Welcome home, Yor" Loid says as he looks at Yor, "hmm? What have you got in that bag?".

"Loid... tonight, I'll make dinner!" Yor says proudly.

Whilst Yor makes dinner, she explains why she's been coming back late.

"You were learning how to cook from Isabelle?" Loid asks as he looks at Yor.

"I'm sorry I kept it a secret" Yor says with a smile.

"This is Southern stew?" Loid asks as he looks at the pot boiling on the hob.

"Yes, my Mother often made it for us" Yor says as she passes Anya some glasses so she can set the table.

Soon, Yor is finished with making the stew.

"I'm finished!" Yor says as she comes over with the food, "the fried egg isn't quite fried, but... please enjoy!".

It's smells... like it's safe.

Loid says as he digs his spoon in.

My last supper.

Anya says as she looks at the food on her spoon. The two of them look at each other and nod as they take a bite, swallowing it, "it's delicious!".

"Really?!" Yor asks happily.

"Anya likes this" Anya says as she starts to eat some more.

"It has quite a soothing taste" Loid says as he looks at Yor who starts to cry, "huh, what's the matter, Yor?".

"I'm sorry. I just saw your faces, and I think... I was just so relieved" Yor says as she sighs.

I thought I needed to protect this life so I could keep on killing. But to think that having them acknowledge me... having them smile... would simply... make me this happy.

Yor says as she wipes her tears.

"I feel a little more confident now as the wife and Mother of the Forger family!" Yor says as she balls her fists.

"I'll continue to count on your from now on" Loid says happily.

"Oh, right. I actually made one more dish, if you'd like to try it" Yor says happily, going into the kitchen as she grabs the dessert, "this is an original dish that I came up with".

"I'll eat some!" Anya says happily as she and Loid try some, only for their bodies to give up as they slips off their chairs, onto the ground.

"Borf!".

"Surely it's not that bad. Right, Bond?" Yor asks as she puts some onto her finger allowing Bond to lick it off.

As he does, his little legs give in as he collapses on the ground.