❝Oh, darling, just dive right in and follow my lead❞
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Lili's sweaty palm made it difficult to cook. She has been experiencing this symptom for some time now, and it is frequently associated with a strange feeling.
From being notorious and getting into silly fights, Lili thought she'd live a quiet life if things continued that way as she drained the water from the cooked noodles.
"Noodles?" She repeated.
It was Suo's favorite meal. "Perhaps I should invite him," she thought. After all, he has dealt with her bickering and cooked her favorite meal often.
It's not that Lili didn't return the favor. She prepared meals and baked treats using the worn recipe book she discovered tucked away in a cupboard many years ago.
Whenever Lili cooks, her landlady arrives at the door within the next 3 minutes. She contemplated whether there was a profound telepathic bond between her and the landlady during those moments.
"You stopped burning things, finally." The lady patted her head affectionately.
"Was that supposed to be a compliment?" Lili pouted as the lady messed up her hair affectionately.
Lili noticed the white hair that fell on her eyes. She's been seeing her for a while now, and each time they meet, it seems like she ages a little.
Her feeble eyes held hope and love, and Lili loved looking at her.
"Where is the young man?" The rather stern voice rang, and Lili immediately recognized who her landlady meant.
"He's a good match for you," she added.
"H-huh?"
Perhaps this was why Suo found Sakura to be similar to Lili. She turns crimson red at the slightest teasing and pretends she's not affected by it.
"I am quite old. Perhaps my sense of smell is betraying me, but I smell something burning, Lili." The old lady sniffed, looking behind Lili.
"THE NOODLES!" She screamed.
"Call the young man for help," she shook her head, looking at Lili running towards the kitchen. She enjoyed visiting Lili, who was a bundle of joy to her.
The visits she paid weren't just to warn her about burning the kitchen.
"I'm growing old to keep up the tough act," she chuckled, watching Lili sulk at the burnt vessel.
.ᐟ
"I told you. I can make noodles for you," Lili said quietly, staring at her lap intently. "Perhaps inviting him after giving a lame excuse and running away yesterday wasn't a good idea," she thought.
"I'll help you," Suo replied. Lili could see from her peripheral vision that he stood up, and he seemed to be approaching her.
Lili jumped on her feet and rushed to the kitchen.
Suo was left confused in the living room, but he followed her to the kitchen and picked up the apron hanging near the fridge.
"Now, shall we?" His sweet voice brought Lili back to earth.
"S-Sure. Yeah, let's do that." She replied monotonously, looking flustered.
It was weird for her to hear her heart thumping as loudly as his whenever they were alone. She assumed it wasn't a big deal and picked up the cutting board and fetched the knife.
"Lili, the noodles are cooked," Suo said, amused at her flustered state. Lili was about to boil water once again, and she paused.
"Yeah," she said, shaking her head.
Every time she looks at him, she's drawn to his pretty eyelashes and perfect nose... and her gaze falls on his cherry lips.
"Is this happening?" She muttered inaudibly, remembering what happened the other day. She thought he'd be nervous around her, at least a bit after what happened.
"Lili."
Lili paused when she felt a warm pair of hands on her shoulder. Suo squeezed it in assurance.
"Let me cook the rest." He said gently.
"H-huh, but I haven't done anything."
He leaned forward and pushed her red hair behind her ears. "Let this be my treat." He said. Lili was caught off guard, standing still as she processed the surprising twist. She had planned to surprise him, but her overcooked side dishes had thrown her off schedule.
She nodded slowly, retreating. "I am just troubling him," she thought. She sat on the sofa and watched Suo's back as he cooked.
Lili completely missed the slight pink tint on his ears and the way his hands trembled. Suo's cheeks matched his ears, both a deep shade of red.
Just as Suo wrapped up, his breath hitched when he felt a pair of arms around his waist. He felt a little lightheaded as he struggled to take a deep breath.
"Lili." He muttered softly, and yet his voice sounded very strained.
The feelings he buried deep in his chest seem to be rising.
"Did you fall or hurt yourself?" His voice was hoarse, and his palm was over his mouth.
"I'll haunt you if you ignore me," Lili said as she released him, only to be taken aback by the sight of his neck, which was bright red from behind.
"Suo." She reached out and winced in surprise as he turned back and grabbed her hand. "Does it look like that?" He asked as he finally met her eyes.
"Got ya." She flicked his forehead.
"Oh, the noodles are ready!" Lili gushed, looking at the breathtaking sight behind him. Yummy food.
The cold winter day passed quickly, and Suo listened to Lili talk about dragonflies till evening, his eyes glued to her expression.
She was undeniably the most stunning person he had ever seen.
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