Chapter 164 - Til The Moon Rises

At home, I prepared to start cooking. I haven’t made completely homemade pasta in quite a while, recently, I’ve only been using pre-made ingredients. But, since today was a special day, I wanted to use the best of the best.

Looking through the exchange, I picked out some good-looking C+ grade tomatoes. I remember when I used to grow these. With the knowledge I have now, it really makes me curious to know if they would taste as good as my strawberries. Maybe, I’ll try again when we move into the new house.

I also bought graded flour, eggs, and all the other ingredients I needed for pasta.

“I still don’t get how flour turns into pasta.” Luna commented from behind. Instead of playing games or doing something else while waiting to eat, she stayed beside me watching me cook to pass the time.

“You know what?” I said, “Me neither. I’m glad the people smarter than me figured this out beforehand.”

“That’s how I feel about your alchemy. I have no clue how that works.” Luna said.

“Well, alchemy is simpler.”

“Says the alchemist.” Luna rolled her eyes.

I giggled and started to knead the flour into a dough.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” She asked.

“Hm…” I thought for a moment before continuing, “The sauce is nice and simple.” I said, “You see those tomatoes? Put them in the pot and crush them with your hands.”

I explained step-by-step, going through the process slowly.

…

“Remember how to tell if the pasta is done?” I asked with a smile.

“…I still don’t believe this is how you do it, but…” She picked up a strand of spaghetti from the spoon and then tossed it at the wall.

It stuck to the cabinet like glue.

“Perfect!” I said, “Then, we just mix it with the sauce and we’re done!”

“Okay.” Luna nodded.

A little later, we were sitting at the table with two plates of spaghetti in front of us.

“It smells delicious.” Luna commented.

“Hehe, that’s because we made it together.” I smiled, “It’ll taste even better.”

“I just followed instructions.” Luna said.

“That’s still cooking, some people can’t do that.” I replied.

“Mm…” Luna shrugged and stabbed her fork into the spaghetti and twirled it around the fork.

She cutely bit into it. Her face turned to one of satisfaction as she swallowed, letting out a cute, “Mm!”

I took a quick photo of her before also digging into my plate. And, what can I say? Props to the chef…Chefs, with a ‘s’ actually. When I buy the guild building, I’m for sure having a huge farm in the back where we can use fresh ingredients I’ve helped grow. Maybe I’ll even have farm animals! I wonder how much a couple ekadyrus’ cost?

As we were eating, I had a sudden idea and picked a single, long strand of spaghetti, holding one end of it in my mouth.

“Mouse,” I said.

“Hm?” She glanced at me.

Instead of replying verbally, I just gestured to the other end of the noodle. She seemed to get the message as her face flushed a little and she shyly picked up the other end of the noodle and bit it.

“Hehe.” I giggled, slurping a little bit more of the spaghetti, getting closer to her.

Luna also slowly started closing it.

This chapter was copied without permission from where its author publishes it; the official posting supports the writer through readership.

And eventually, our noses were only centimeters away from each other.

Then, we kissed as the noodle disappeared.

After several seconds, we separated.

“Just like that movie, right?” I asked cheekily.

“…Except we’re not dogs.” She replied, still a little flushed.

“Hehe, I guess so.” I said, “The sauce came out really well.”

“I think so too.” Luna nodded, “Did you come up with the recipe yourself?” She asked.

“No,” I shook my head, “Well, I mean, I modified it. But, it was a recipe I learnt from my grandma. Hers usually takes somewhere from a few hours to overnight to make.”

“Really? How different is the taste?” She asked.

“Hers is way richer in flavor.” I said, “I’ll make it for you another day. That way you can compare the two.”

“If you don’t mind.” She said before continuing to eat.

…

Luna and I sat side-by-side in the living room, watching a Christmas movie. As the credits started to play, I stretched my arms and yawned.

It was getting late, the sun had long since set and there was only two more hours until midnight.

“Tired?” Luna asked.

“Not really,” I shook my head, “Just stretching.”

“That’s good.” She said.

“Oh?” I smiled mischievously, “Why’s that good?” I asked.

“Huh? Well, cause I want to spend more time with you.” She said cutely.

“Are you sure it’s just that?” I whispered in her ear.

“Just that?” She repeated, a little confused, “What other…?”

“Don’t you remember? It’s Christmas.” I said with a low whisper, “What’s going to happen this Christmas?”

After I said that, the gears in her head started to spin and her face turned a bright red,

“I-It’s…” She started, but I quickly continued,

“That’s right! It’s gift giving time!” I said cheerfully, “Hold on! I hid your present so you wouldn’t find it early, I’ll go get it!” I stood up, leaving an embarrassed Luna behind.

A few minutes later, I returned to the living room, holding a box wrapped with the same mouse wrapping paper that my mother-in-law had used.

Luna had calmed down, sadly no longer having a flushed face.

She looked at the box in my hand with intrigue as I approached,

“What is it?” She asked.

“Oh, it’s actually-” I started before laughing, “Like I’m just gonna tell you what it is, you goober!”

“It was worth a shot.” Luna chuckled.

“But, if I actually told you, it’d just ruin the surprise.” I said, “Isn’t it better to not risk it in the first place?”

“I don’t mind if there’s a surprise or not,” Luna said, “What actually matters is the fact that you thought of me when choosing what gift to get me.”

“Hehe, that’s cute.” I smiled, “That’s a nice mindset, but, I still prefer the surprise though.”

“Mhm, that’s just how I feel at least.” She shrugged.

I handed her the box and stepped back to let her inspect it.

“Hm…What could this be…” She mumbled to herself, shaking it, “Any hints?”

“A hint…Uh…” I thought about it for a moment, “Ah, it’s merchandise.” I said.

“Merchandise?” She repeated, “Limited edition?” She asked.

“Unreleased.” I said.

“What? Unreleased?” She sounded confused, “How’d you get unreleased merch?”

“Hehe,” I shrugged, “Just gotta open it to find out.”

“Alright, fine.” She carefully started to unwrap the box, “Did you get this from my mom by the way?” She asked.

“Mhm,” I nodded, “I had her send it through trade. I wanted to get custom wrapping paper, but, it was too late to order any.”

I mean, technically I probably could have sourced it through the exchange, but, why would I need graded wrapping paper? What’s even the point of that!? That just sounds like a huge waste of money!

“I see.” She nodded. Unwrapping it revealed a brown box, “I’m opening it.” She said.

She carefully lifted the box flaps. Inside was a plastic container with two figurines inside.

Luna’s eyes widened as she lifted the container out of the box.

One figurine was of me wearing a mouse shirt. The other was of Luna wearing a raccoon shirt. Our figurines were holding hands, snuggling.

“This is…” She slowly started to speak after looking at it from every single angle, “This is really cute, I love it. But, this is merch? Would anyone even buy it?”

“Ah, well, it’s not actually merchandise that’s going to be for sale. That’s just the best hint I could think of. I asked the people who make ALG Royale merch to make this for me.”

“Oh, is that why it looks so high quality?” She said, “…I kind of don’t want to open it. Can I just leave it in the box?” She asked.

“Pfft, of course, it’s yours, do whatever.” I chuckled.

“Thanks,” She smiled, “I’m gonna keep it on the desk, so I can look at it whenever I use the computer. It’s really cute.”

“Sounds good.” I nodded.

“Right, I got you something as well.” She said, getting up. But, she didn’t walk away, instead, she just went to the side of the couch and picked up a box from behind it.

“What!? Since when was that there!?” I asked, surprised.

“Haha, it’s been there for about a week.” She answered, “I knew you wouldn’t look behind the couch, so, I hid it there.”

“…Wow.” I said.

To be fair, when does anyone ever look behind the couch? That’s one of the spaces you forget about unless you have a pet!

The box was wrapped in some standard striped Christmas wrapping paper. She handed it to me and I immediately shook it.

“Hm…” I pondered what it could be for a moment before getting impatient, “I’m opening it!” I said.

“Not even a guess?” She asked.

“Nope!” I smiled and ripped the wrapping paper open. If it looked a little nicer, I probably would’ve been more careful, but! It wasn’t, so, I just went the fastest route!

As expected, a brown box was hidden underneath! These dastardly things are always hiding! Hehe.

Inside the box was a polished wooden box with a handle on the side of it. It looked like one of those jack in a boxes handles, it seemed like I could just crank it.

“Huh? What is this?” I asked, pulling out the box, “Is it a jack-in-a-box thingy where if I crank the handle, a fake spider is going to pop out or something? Just to let you know beforehand, I’m not scared of spiders, I quite like them.”

“Pfft,” Luna chuckled, “If you’re curious, just crank the handle.”

I looked at her suspiciously before starting to slowly crank the handle. But, to my surprise, instead of a spider popping out, a little tune started to play. It was then I realized, it wasn’t a prank gift at all, it was a music box!

I dropped my hesitation and began cranking the handle at a consistent speed. The top of the box opened, revealing a raccoon chasing a mouse, spinning in a circle, and a cute tune started to play. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.

After a minute or two, the music came to an end and the top closed.

“Wow! I love it so much!” I exclaimed, “It’s so cute!” I cranked the handle a little to open the top, “Hehe, a raccoon chasing a mouse. Did you custom order this?”

“Mhm,” She nodded, “I even had a custom tune made, that’s the jingle you’re hearing when you crank the handle.”

“Oh! That’s cute.” I nodded, “Thank you!”

“Of course.” Luna smiled.

We hugged for a long while before separating.

The moonlight peeked in from the windows, illuminating Luna’s pretty face.

“This is definitely my favorite Christmas ever.” I said, grabbing her hand and interlocking our fingers.

“Mine too.” She smiled, “…I love you.” She said.

“I love you too.” I returned the smile.

We stared into each others eyes for a moment.

I took a deep breath, my face slightly heating up.

“You know…” I started.

“…Yes?” She replied.

“…Do you remember?” I paused for a moment, “What I said…back then?”

“…When?”

“A few weeks ago…Before the gate.” I took another deep breath and slowly placed my thumb under her chin, “Does…This jog your memories?”

Luna flinched, swallowing a deep breath of air as her face started to change color.

“…A little more and then I’ll remember.” She said.

I leaned in and kissed her.

“Remember now?” I said quietly. I probably looked just as red as she did.

“…I do...” She said meekly.

“Then…?”

“S-Shower…I n-need to shower first…”

“Mm…” I nodded, retreating.

Luna quickly stood up and headed to the bathroom.

I inhaled a deep breath and pressed my palms to my face. It’s…really happening.

I closed my eyes, taking some time to mentally prepare myself before heading to the bedroom.