"So comfortable, if only there were no war, I could relax and soak in the bath like this forever!"
Kokomi stretched in the hot spring, her soft form reflected in the clear water. She closed her eyes, quietly savoring this moment of peace.
How she wished she could just keep soaking like this.
"Kokomi? Kokomi? Are you alright? If you're okay, just say something!"
The hot spring was so incredibly comfortable that Kokomi fell asleep with her eyes closed.
Suddenly, Fuyumi's shout from outside the wall startled Kokomi, leaving her bewildered.
"Fuyumi? What is it? Is something wrong?"
Kokomi replied to Fuyumi through the wall.
"Kokomi, it's so good that you're alright! You've been soaking for hours. I was worried something had happened. If you hadn't answered me, I was about to break in to check on you!"
Fuyumi's response sent a shock through Kokomi. She hadn't realized that this brief nap had lasted for several hours.
It felt like a fleeting dream. Indeed, are happy and joyful times always so short?
"No need to worry, I'm fine."
Kokomi's heart warmed at Fuyumi's concern.
After speaking, Kokomi realized that if she hadn't woken up, and Fuyumi had broken in, she would have been seen completely naked!
The thought sent a wave of heat through her body.
This was different from the warmth of the hot spring; this heat originated from within, spreading from her rapidly beating heart to her entire body.
Kokomi quickly shook her head. Why was she harboring a faint sense of anticipation?
Could it be that she had fallen for him after Fuyumi saved her from the Electro Cicin Mage?
Impossible!
She was the strategist of the Watatsumi Island resistance. Her mind had always been extremely rational. Acting impulsively was something only lovesick girls did.
But then again, Fuyumi was handsome, humble, polite, and skilled in martial arts. He had almost no flaws.
To face such a young man and feel completely unmoved would be a lie.
Kokomi felt she had some affection for Fuyumi, but it hadn't reached the stage of reckless infatuation.
Fuyumi, outside the hot spring pool, had no idea of the wild imaginings Kokomi was indulging in. However, even if he did, he wouldn't have cared.
After all, when girls start imagining, they can churn out an 800-episode long drama in minutes.
"Kokomi, I've prepared a roasted rabbit for you. Come out quickly and eat it while it's hot!"
"Okay."
Upon receiving Kokomi's definite reply, Fuyumi left.
Ever since Yuanbao went into seclusion for cultivation, the rabbits raised in the Serenitea Pot, without predators, had begun to breed uncontrollably.
When Fuyumi went to check today, good heavens, their numbers were already over a thousand.
Walking on the grasslands, stepping down might land you in a rabbit burrow.
To be precise, it could no longer be called grassland, but a wasteland.
Wherever the rabbit herd passed, not a blade of grass remained. Even the roots had been dug up and eaten.
In the spirit of protecting the Serenitea Pot, Fuyumi ate over a dozen large, fat rabbits in one go.
He tried various cooking methods – frying, stir-frying, braising, boiling – and ate his fill.
But compared to the army of over a thousand rabbits, this loss was negligible.
"Fuyumi, you've been too much trouble..."
Kokomi took the food Fuyumi had carefully prepared, saying with some embarrassment.
"It's nothing, nothing. Eat quickly. If you're still hungry, I'll roast another one for you!"
Fuyumi sat on the grass, watching Kokomi, dressed in a bathrobe, take small bites of the roasted rabbit. It was also a form of enjoyment.
Her wet hair draped behind her, exuding a faint fragrance that made Fuyumi feel refreshed.
Kokomi's favorite dish was tamagoyaki sushi because its ingredients were common and the preparation was simple, making it suitable for widespread adoption in the army.
The roasted rabbit, however, was a novel experience for Kokomi. The crispy, fragrant, and visually appealing roasted rabbit made her eyes light up, opening a new window for her in the culinary world.
'The meat of this ingredient is tender and delicate, leaving a lingering aroma on the lips and teeth. There are only a few in Inazuma that can compare. It's a shame I can only enjoy it alone. How wonderful it would be if all the soldiers of the resistance could taste this delicacy...'
Kokomi's heart was always with the soldiers of the Watatsumi Island resistance.
Some of them, who had never tasted such a delicacy in their lives, had perished in the war against the Vision Hunt Decree. It was truly a regret.
However, rabbits with such tender and delicate meat must be quite precious, right?
To have the fortune to taste one was already a great blessing.
To ask for more would be an impolite request.
Even Kokomi herself felt it was a bit excessive.
"Thank you for the meal. I'm finished."
Kokomi finished the last bite of roasted rabbit, thanking Fuyumi for his hospitality with a satisfied expression.
"Are you full? If not, I'll go roast another one for you!"
Fuyumi noticed that Kokomi ate very meticulously, even licking the remaining meat from the bones clean with her delicate tongue.
She must have been truly hungry.
"No, no, it's best to savor delicacies in moderation. I've felt your sincerity."
Kokomi smiled at Fuyumi.
She was considerate and always liked to put herself in others' shoes. As a guest, she couldn't let the host incur excessive expenses.
Fuyumi had already treated her very well. To leave a good impression on Fuyumi, she couldn't be too demanding.
"Kokomi, I heard you like to read military texts?"
Fuyumi smiled, not minding. He could invite her to eat again another day.
"Yes, the resistance lacks resources. Compared to the Shogunate army, which surpasses the resistance in both weaponry and soldier numbers, I, who am unable to even lift a chicken, can only compensate for the lack of innate advantages in other ways. The wisdom found in military strategy is most suitable..."
Kokomi smiled faintly, openly admitting the resistance's shortcomings.
Upon hearing this, Fuyumi couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for this strong young woman. The burden heavy enough to crush giants rested entirely on Kokomi's slender shoulders.
Yet, Kokomi gritted her teeth and bore it all.
Fuyumi realized that Kokomi didn't truly enjoy reading military books; she was simply unable to forget about the war even in her free time, finding solace and distraction in military texts.
Handling the myriad of political affairs of Watatsumi Island and the resistance already consumed most of Kokomi's time. Reading military books had become her last resort for stress relief.
"In my hometown, there was a very famous master of military strategy who authored a book called 'The Art of War,' which is widely circulated and hailed by the world as a 'sacred scripture of warfare.' Kokomi, would you like to engage in some theoretical discussion or perhaps a game of Go?"
"With pleasure!"
Seeing Fuyumi's desire to discuss military strategy, Kokomi's eyes lit up, and she became incredibly excited.