Emily stands in the sunlit kitchen, her hands gripping the countertop as she opens a worn cooking recipe book to the page on pancakes. It's her first time, and she's nervous but determined. Every ingredient is laid out, each step pondered, and her utmost concentration is devoted to the hot griddle before her.
She carefully measures the flour, spilling a little on the counter, and cracks the eggs, accidentally dropping a shell into the bowl. Her hand trembles as she fishes it out, leaving a trail of egg white behind. The batter seems thick and stubborn, resisting her whisk. She follows the recipe but perhaps adds a bit too much milk.
Pouring the lumpy batter onto the pan, she watches with growing despair as it doesn't spread; it doesn't bubble. Everything is wrong. She tries to flip it, but it sticks and tears, turning into a mess of uncooked dough and overcooked edges. Her heart sinks, and she scrapes the failed attempt into the trash, her face flushed with frustration.
Emily doesn't give up. She washes the pan, turns back to the recipe book, reading and rereading the instructions, realizing the magnitude of her mistake. The batter was completely wrong; she must start all over again. Her hands leave floury prints as she wipes them on her apron.
With renewed determination, Emily carefully remakes the batter, following the recipe meticulously this time. She watches the new pancake as it cooks, her eyes wide with hope as it turns golden-brown and perfect. The flip is flawless, the utensil firm in her now steady hand. A triumphant smile spreads across her face, reaching her eyes, as the comforting aroma fills the kitchen.
She plates the pancake, garnishing it with a pat of butter, and allows herself a moment to admire her work. Their golden-brown surfaces reflect the soft kitchen light, perfectly round and fluffy. The faint aroma of vanilla and butter lingers in the air, and a sense of accomplishment fills her as she reaches for the syrup.
Emily smiles with satisfaction as she makes her way upstairs, walking up the stairs with a smile on her face, thinking about how today she did something for the house.
She never gets a chance to do anything. Evelyn makes the food, and with just a touch of magic, Evelyn can clean the house in seconds, same for washing dishes and clothes.
Left with nothing to do other than lying on the sofa and watching random shows, Emily wants to cook, but she doesn't know why Evelyn never lets her.
"Today I made a tasty-looking pancake. If Devin tells Evelyn, then she might let me cook," Emily says to herself. Happily, she knocks at the door.
She sees Devin, who opens the door, and inside is Yumi with many books around. Emily tilts her head, thinking, 'Why are children's books lying around?'
"You made pancakes for us!" Devin's happy voice makes Emily look at him, and she sees his joyful smile as she hands him the pancake.
"Of course," Emily nods. She wants to say, "Of course, it's your favorite, so I made it for you," but she can't bring herself to say it, fearing that Devin might not care.
She's trying to do her best to bond with Devin. Earlier, she said that he bunked class to go out with a girl, thinking that was one way to bond with him, but the reaction she got wasn't what she expected. Now, she feels happy that Devin smiles because of her, because she made pancakes.
After she hands him a pancake, she wants to see his reaction but doesn't have any excuse to stay in his room.
"Devin... what are those books?" Emily asks. She felt that she might help him in his study, she is also a former student of Harmony Academy, and she was in A-Class.
"Oh, that... I'm teaching Yumi how to read," Devin says as he places the pancake on the small table he has in his room.
"Reading?" Emily feels confused. Teaching how to read? Isn't it something everyone in the academy knows?
"Yeah, she's from a village where people aren't educated, so she didn't learn reading, and my teacher directly put her in S Class, so now I'm teaching her to read," Devin explains.
Emily looks at Yumi and sees that the girl doesn't speak and avoids eye contact.
'Is she shy around new people just like me?' Emily thinks, understanding the feeling. If it were some other occasion, she might leave Yumi alone. People like her are often more comfortable alone than around new people.
But today she made pancakes for the first time. She made something for Devin for the first time, and she wants to see his reaction, so she must find a way to stay in the room.
"How about I also help her? Do you mind if I help you?" Emily walks into the room and says to Yumi.
Emily looks at Yumi, and she knows that Yumi is going to say okay. People like her usually can't say no to anyone, as long as things don't touch the bottom line.
"Um... okay," Yumi nods.
Just as Emily expected, now she can watch Devin's reaction when he eats the pancake she made.
"But how about you eat pancakes first before continuing the study?" Emily suggests, looking at Devin.
She can't really help Yumi with her studies; Emily never taught anyone before and doesn't have confidence that she can teach her. She's using this as an excuse to see Devin's reaction.
"Yumi, here, take this. Let's eat before we continue," Devin says, handing a plate of pancakes to Yumi, and keeping the other.
"Aunt Emily, let me get a dish for you so the three of us can eat together," Devin says as he rises to get a dish, but Emily stops him.
"Nah, I already ate something before you two came, so..."
"Really? Well," Devin sits back down, taking his dish. Using a fork, he brings a pancake to his mouth and bites into it.
Emily gulps, her hands getting sweaty from nervousness, as she watches him take a bite. She sees Devin's face change. This change isn't a good one.
He grabs the water bottle and drinks a lot, taking a deep breath.
"Aunt Emily, you used a lot of salt," Devin sighs.
"Sorry, I made a mistake. I don't cook much, and it's my first time, so... a mistake happened," Emily forces a smile and says.
"Well, it happens—" Devin stops speaking and looks at something.
Emily follows his gaze to Yumi, who is eating her pancake without any problem.
"Yumi... you don't have to force yourself to eat that," Emily says.
"Why? It's good," Yumi says, continuing to eat.