The sun had fully set by the time Reed closed the shop doors.
The shelves were half-empty, the fresh bread and vegetables nearly sold out, and even the dried meats had been bought in bulk.
By any normal standard…
The first day of business was a massive success.
But the only person not happy about it was the one who ran the store.
Reed slumped against the door, sighing.
"Finally. It's over."
Elise stretched her arms lazily. "Wow, what a great first day. Huge profits, happy customers, and Onii-chan suffering immensely."
"Thanks, Elise. Really needed that last part."
Yuna smiled sweetly, her tails flicking behind her.
"Oh my, Reedy~. You should be celebrating. Your shop is already the most popular place in the village."
"Because you turned it into a matchmaking shrine!"
Yuna tilted her head innocently. "Fufu~. But didn't everyone leave satisfied~?"
Reed groaned.
That was technically true.
But still.
"I just wanted a quiet food store!"
Elise patted his shoulder mockingly. "Onii-chan, you were the kingdom's strongest adventurer. You really thought life was gonna be quiet?"
Reed glared. "I HAD HOPE."
Elise smirked. "Well, that was your first mistake."
---
Dinner at home was warm and lively.
Despite Reed's exhaustion, the smell of home-cooked food helped soothe his mood.
Lilia had made a simple but delicious meal—a rich stew with soft bread, roasted vegetables, and fresh cheese.
Reed sighed as he took a bite.
"Okay. At least this is still the same."
Yuna took a sip of her tea gracefully. "Ara~? That's quite the nostalgic thing to say, Reedy~."
Reed raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Yuna smiled, looking at him knowingly.
"Fufu~. You always said the same thing when we were kids, didn't you?"
Reed paused.
And then… he remembered.
---
A long time ago.
A small boy with messy hair and bright eyes sat next to a little fox-eared girl under the large village oak tree.
Their hands were sticky from eating stolen berries, and the fox girl had crumbs all over her face.
"Yuna, you eat too much."
The fox girl puffed out her cheeks. "But it's good! And I'm still growing!"
Reed rolled his eyes. "You're already taller than me."
Yuna grinned. "Fufu~. That's because you're tiny, Reedy~."
Reed pouted. "I am NOT tiny!"
Yuna laughed, poking his cheek. "Ufufu~. You're just like a baby bird~."
"Am not!"
"Are too~!"
They argued playfully for a while, until Reed collapsed onto the grass, sighing.
"Ahh… but still. The food here is always the best."
Yuna tilted her head, lying next to him.
"Reedy likes simple things, huh?"
Reed grinned. "Of course! I don't need fancy noble food. Just good, warm stuff, like stew and bread!"
Yuna giggled, staring at the sky.
"That's just like you~."
Reed crossed his arms. "Yeah? Well, what about you?"
Yuna closed her eyes happily.
"Hmm~… As long as I'm with you, I'm happy~."
Reed stared.
"…That's weird."
Yuna pouted. "Mean!"
---
Reed snapped out of his memories, shaking his head.
"Ugh. I forgot how weird you were as a kid."
Yuna giggled. "Oh my, Reedy~. Calling me weird now, after everything?"
Reed groaned. "Yes. I stand by it."
Elise smirked. "So, Onii-chan, does this mean you were always stuck with her?"
Reed sighed. "Unfortunately."
Yuna leaned her cheek on her hand. "Fufu~. You were the one who proposed first, you know~."
"THAT WAS WHEN I WAS EIGHT."
Elise snorted. "And yet, look where we are now."
Reed gritted his teeth. "Anyway! Speaking of weird—"
He turned to Yuna, narrowing his eyes.
"What is this blessing scam you're running?"
Yuna blinked innocently. "Ara~? Scam?"
Reed crossed his arms. "Yes, scam! You've got the whole village believing you can bless their love lives! Where did that even come from?!"
Yuna sipped her tea elegantly.
"Fufu~. Who knows~?"
Reed groaned. "You're scamming people and they don't even realize it."
Lilia set down her cup gently. "Oh, Reed, dear."
Reed glanced at her. "Yeah?"
Lilia smiled warmly. "It's not a scam."
Reed blinked. "…What?"
Elise stifled a laugh. "Onii-chan, think about it. Why do you think everyone believes Yuna's blessings?"
Reed paused.
The villagers really did act like Yuna's words were magical.
Even though she wasn't doing anything special.
…Right?
Reed shook his head.
"Nah. It's just Yuna being Yuna. People fall for her nonsense all the time."
Elise stared at him like he was an idiot.
Lilia sighed, amused.
And Yuna?
Yuna smiled mysteriously, her green eyes shimmering in the candlelight.
"Oh my, Reedy~. You really haven't figured it out yet, have you~?"
Reed huffed. "Figure what out? That you're a professional scam artist?"
Yuna giggled. "Fufu~. Oh, nothing at all~."
Reed rolled his eyes.
"Good. Then stop blessing people. It's weird."
Yuna rested her chin on her hand, tails swaying.
"But Reedy~. If I did that, how could I take care of my dear villagers~?"
"THEY'RE NOT 'YOUR' VILLAGERS!"
Elise shook her head, grinning. "Onii-chan, you really are clueless."
Reed scowled. "Clueless about what?!"
Elise smirked. "You'll figure it out eventually."
Reed felt frustrated.
What was with everyone tonight?!
He sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Whatever. I'm going to bed."
Yuna smiled, tails flicking behind her.
"Goodnight, my dear Reedy~."
"STOP CALLING ME THAT."
---
As Reed stomped off, Elise and Lilia watched in amusement.
Yuna sipped her tea calmly.
Elise raised an eyebrow. "You're really never going to tell him?"
Yuna smiled playfully.
"Ufufu~. Where's the fun in that~?"
Lilia chuckled. "He'll realize it someday."
Elise grinned. "Yeah. Probably in the most dramatic way possible."
Yuna laughed softly.
"Fufu~. I can't wait~."
---