Brownie Cake She Likes

Rosia noticed that Kiana had fallen asleep, so she got up from her chair and helped tuck the blanket around her.

With temperatures dropping lately, it was easy to catch a cold from taking an afternoon nap without a blanket.

Though for Valkyries, catching a cold was admittedly highly unlikely.

After sitting back down, Rosia looked at the letter on the table, which she had rewritten over and over yet still found unsatisfactory. Resting her chin on her hand, she felt deeply troubled.

"You care too much about her. You're writing this again..."

"Rosia" appeared behind her, sounding utterly puzzled.

"There's no need to pass something like this on..."

"No..."

Rosia kept her head lowered and corrected her seriously.

"It has to be passed on."

"Fine, do whatever you want."

Seeing the earnest expression on Rosia's little face, "Rosia" could only speak helplessly.

"I know. You... don't want to be forgotten, do you?"

It was the first time "Rosia" had guessed her thoughts with such startling accuracy that Rosia froze.

"...That's right... Maybe it's more of a blessing..."

Rosia did not avoid the matter, instead smiling as she spoke.

"At the very least, Mother Bronya will know that we're still here someday..."

"It's not like you're really dead. Why are you being so gloomy?"

"Rosia" gave a soft snort.

"There's still plenty of time. Three months is enough for you and your Mother Bronya to be all lovey-dovey."

Hearing "Rosia," Rosia could not help laughing.

"Alright, alright. How about I hug you with her next time?"

"Hmph. You think I care?"

"I... overslept again..."

When Kiana woke up again, she found that it was already dark outside.

"But I really sleep so well at Rosia's place..."

Kiana was surprised to discover that she had slept so soundly.

"Rosia, what are you still writing?"

Kiana had not been especially curious at first, but after watching Rosia write all day, she was now a little curious.

"Is it for Bronya? I remember Bronya's birthday is August 18th. Isn't it a little early to write it now?"

Kiana only glanced over it twice before figuring out what Rosia was writing. There was simply too much of it for her to read all of it, so she only picked out a few obvious keywords.

Rosia did not mind Kiana looking and merely nodded her little head.

"Kiana, keep it a secret for me, okay?"

"No problem."

Kiana agreed.

Though she was somewhat puzzled as to why Rosia was writing a birthday letter now when she could write it in August, she did not think much of it.

"Hmm..."

Kiana took another look. The specific contents were a little strange, but still normal enough. Rosia was still young, after all, so it was normal for her expressions to be a little odd. It was just that...

"Rosia, you wrote this date wrong."

Kiana found the problem and confidently pointed it out.

"This year is 2015, not 2017."

"Ha... Kiana, shall we go play some games?"

Faced with Kiana's correction, Rosia did not argue. Instead, she put away the letter, then smiled and took Kiana's hand.

"Remember to change it."

"Got it. I won't forget."

Chapter 31: Brownie Cake She Likes

March

"Mother Bronya, let's go."

The carefully dressed blue-haired girl took her hand, her cute little face full of happy smiles.

As the weather gradually warmed up, the girl had changed out of her thick down jacket and into a pretty, lightweight coat.

"Mei, Rosia and I are heading out first."

Bronya straightened Rosia's collar. Though it was already perfectly neat, she did it instinctively anyway.

"Alright, I'll wait for Kiana for a while. She still needs to get ready."

Raiden Mei's helpless voice came from inside the room.

They were going out to watch a movie, yet Kiana insisted on making herself look prettier. In the end, she did not know how to use any cosmetics at all...

The final result left Raiden Mei at a loss for words.

Since the movie was at three in the afternoon, they still had about an hour.

Once they reached the street, they found it crowded with people. The Far East region was relatively small, so the streets were always busy.

"Mm, Mother Bronya, do you want to eat something first? There are lots of delicious desserts here."

"Sure. Which place does Rosia like?"

Bronya did not refuse.

"This one. Their desserts are especially delicious. I'll treat you, Mother Bronya."

Rosia pulled Bronya by the hand and brought her into a warmly decorated, sweet-looking shop.

"Rosia, you're here again?"

When the waitress saw Rosia enter, she greeted her with a smile.

"Is this your friend?"

"No, she's my mother."

Rosia shook her little head and corrected her seriously.

"Ah... I see..."

The waitress looked at Bronya with some surprise.

Though Bronya was more than twenty centimeters taller than Rosia, their faces made them look more like sisters, especially their eyes.

Bronya had nearly grown accustomed to the strange looks from others, so she did not particularly care.

"Miss, may I have a menu?"

Rosia adorably held out her little hand.

"Here you go, Rosia. Whatever you want to eat today, I'll give you twenty percent off."

The waitress handed Rosia a menu.

"Thank you, Miss."

After taking the menu, Rosia handed it to Bronya.

"Mother Bronya, all the desserts on this menu are delicious."

Rosia sat in her seat, looking at Bronya happily.

"Mm..."

Bronya looked at the menu, then casually glanced at the shop's decor before closing it.

"Rosia, let's go somewhere else. Or I can treat you instead."

Bronya gently shook her head.

The interior design of this shop did not look like that of an inexpensive place. Even with the discount, the cheapest dessert on the menu cost more than desserts at ordinary shops.

"That would be too troublesome, Mother Bronya. It's fine. You can have whatever you like. I come here often."

Rosia puffed out her cheeks and refused.

"...Alright."

Seeing the earnest look on Rosia's face, Bronya glanced at the menu again, chose a moderately priced dessert, and set the menu aside.

"Rosia, does the academy give you an allowance too?"

Under normal circumstances, Bronya and the others received considerable subsidies every time they went on missions. Even though they were only C-rank Valkyries right now, the amount was still not small.

Since Rosia came here often, Bronya assumed Theresa had given her some spending money as well.

"Mm... yes."

Rosia's gaze shifted evasively for a moment before she promptly answered.

"I see..."

Hearing that, Bronya felt a little more at ease.

"Mm, Mother Bronya will have this one. I'll have my usual."

Rosia handed the menu to the waitress and adorably pointed at the items.

"Mm..."

The waitress took back the menu, then gave Bronya a hesitant look. Finally, she turned around and let out a faint sigh.

However, Bronya's attention was entirely on Rosia, so she did not notice the waitress's unusual behavior.

Before long, the desserts were prepared and brought over.

"Please enjoy."

When the waitress set down Bronya's portion, the sweet scent of sugar wafted all around it. The warm vapor was even visible to the naked eye. Yet in contrast, the expression on the waitress's face was far from pleasant, and her smile looked forced.

Rosia noticed this as well, so she began urging Bronya, trying to draw her attention away.

"Mother Bronya, try it. If you like it, we can come again next time."

No matter when it was, Rosia's smile never left her face whenever she saw Bronya.

"Mm, alright."

Bronya took a small bite.

It really did taste good. It was very sweet, especially with Rosia looking at her so expectantly. That made it even sweeter.

"Your Brownie Cake. Please enjoy."

As she brought over Rosia's portion, the waitress's movements and tone were noticeably gentler.

But compared to Bronya's portion, Rosia's looked somewhat less appetizing. It was cold, and there was not much of it.

"So little?"