Ayaka nodded obediently.
Although she felt this was unusual, but if big sis said so, then it must be so.
She would let us witness some flawless cooking, Ayaka naturally thought.
Because------
It was because big sis was someone amazing.
She was cute, no, beautiful, intelligent, and could do anything.
"Ayaka, could you get the plates? And the toast?"
"Yes, big sis."
"Ah, not over there. You want the small ones because it is for bacon and fried eggs. They are like the one you broke before. Also, you want the thin-sliced toast, not thick."
"Ah, yes, yes----"
See, it was the same in the kitchen.
Big sis was swift and very elegant.
Although big sis substituted for Father a few times before, but different from this time, it was just to prepare the necessary things. She was skillful and efficient.
However, unlike this time, she was quick like a cook, without the beauty of "mother" in stories.
It was different now.
It was hard to describe. Big sis was great then, but this time the meaning was different.
A difference in character?
You could tell by looking the number of utensils.
Before, they had bacon, egg, toast, salad, and milk.
Now there were bacon, eggs, toast, salad, milk, kidney pie, cod and chips, ham and cheese, porridge, scone, red tea, and sliced peach and plums for dessert.
The amount was so large they could not finish it!
No matter which one, big sis prepared it precisely and swiftly.
It was an awesome sight just to see her alabaster hands working with the knife.
She was only six years my senior.
How could she be so beautiful?
Although there were cute girls in elementary school, but big sis was different ------
"Thank you, Ayaka. Hehe, why are you absent-minded?"
"No, I..." She could not say "It was because you are beautiful".
"Is that so?"
Manaka was beautiful.
The kitchen was part of the grand hall of the castle, and big sis was the princess who danced and twirled there.
She cooked many dishes, and she seemed to be happy and having fun.
Ayaka could not remember what Mother looked like, but she must be like this too.
The sun shone through the window.
Big sis was dazzling.
She had always been like this, but this morning more so than usual.
Beautiful and radiant.
"The book says the people of the UK love to eat cod."
Although I am not sure if the British do ----
Big sis beamed while bathing in sunlight.
Pretty, so pretty.
Her smile was more beautiful than anything, far excelling pictures or princess dolls.
How long has it been since I saw big sis so happy?
The big sis who knew everything.
Be it studying, black magic, or math, big sis seemed to be able to do everything. Unlike me, who could not do anything right.
That's right, everything.
Doves.
Cats.
They would not stand there like I did.
I always thought big sis would not say something like "doing it for fun" or "happy I could do it".
But it seemed I was wrong.
Big sis is so happy right now. Smiling. Beautiful-----
"Ayaka, can you try this for me?"
"Yes, ok."
"Alright, open wide. "
I opened my mouth like big sis said. She picked a piece of fried fish with her slender fingers, and I took a bite. Although I do not really like fried food, but...
"How is it?"
"Delicious..."
It was really delicious.
Even though I did not like fried food, it was crisp and fluffy, not greasy at all.
"It seemed that the sour cream charm worked, if Ayaka doesn't mind♪"
"Charm?"
"The charm that makes dishes delicious. It is secret and much more powerful than magecraft~"
Father choked on his coffee and coughed.
Before big sis and I could say anything, Father said "It's nothing."
I felt Father was startled by what big sis said.
Magecraft. Curse.
I remembered too.
Magecraft existed.
Our----
"Well, something more powerful than magecraft, umm....
"What?"
"Father said before, there is one thing more powerful than magecraft in the world."
"So I used it."
Big sis.
Her face seemed to say, what are you saying, you should know.
She was radiant in the morning light.
From the cherry blossom coloured lips.
The voiced seemed to say----
"It was the magic of love~~"
Like the real Magic?
I thought, not knowing what it is.
"Love?"
"Hehe, Ayaka doesn't know. It's the magic of love ~ ~ ~"
Big sis whispered to me, but it seemed as if she was talking to someone behind me.
"It is more powerful than any mystery a magus has."
END ACT 1