A New Member

However, when she lowered her head and saw how frail she looked now, the light in her eyes dimmed again.

She knew that she was nowhere near worthy of Brother Allen right now. Only after she had fully matured would she dare reveal her feelings to him.

Seeing that Yamato refused to pay him any attention, Allen shrugged helplessly and changed the subject. Looking at Nana, who was still immersed in her fantasies, he asked with a smile, "Nana, I think I heard you say you wanted to enter the Culinary Competition. Is that true?"

Nana had been lost in her own beautiful fantasy world, and Allen's sudden interruption left her mind a little foggy. She wore a Blank Expression, clearly not having heard what he said.

Seeing Nana's adorably dazed look, Allen knew she had not heard him, so he patiently repeated his question.

This time, Nana heard him clearly. She nodded vigorously and immediately replied, "It's true!"

Allen's heart stirred. Worried that Nana might be another master of Dark Cuisine, he asked uncertainly, "Are you a chef?"

At that, a proud expression immediately appeared on Nana's face. She answered, "My father was the champion of the previous Culinary Competition. I started learning to cook from him when I was very young, and I've already mastered ninety percent of his skills!"

As she spoke of her father, Nana's eyes sparkled with deep love and admiration.

When Yamato heard Nana say that she was skilled at cooking, she immediately became interested. Excitedly grabbing Nana's hand, she said, "Little sister, teach me how to cook."

"Sure, Big Sister Yamato!" Nana readily agreed.

In truth, she had her own selfish motive. If she taught Yamato to cook, she would have a reason to stay by Allen's side.

At that moment, Allen chuckled softly and said to Nana, "Your Big Sister Yamato is entering the competition tomorrow too. Aren't you afraid that if you teach her, you won't be able to win the championship?"

Hearing Allen's deliberately provocative words, Yamato shouted unhappily, "Can't you shut up for once? No one will think you're mute if you say less!"

After hearing Allen's words, Nana's face immediately turned pale.

Her reason for entering the competition and winning was to help her father repay his debts. If teaching Yamato cost her the chance to win, what was she supposed to do?

In an instant, Nana was caught in a dilemma. Her brows were tightly furrowed, and her eyes were full of conflict.

Allen actually knew what Nana was thinking, so he immediately comforted her. "Those loan sharks seem to be dead!"

Allen's reminder jolted Nana awake as though from a dream. Her eyes lit up. "Oh, right, right! They're all dead, so I don't have to repay the debt anymore."

At that moment, her gratitude toward Allen deepened even further. Allen was like a lucky star in her life, helping her time and time again at crucial moments.

Looking at Nana's dazed appearance, Allen found it a little amusing and secretly sighed, Why do all the women I meet have this slightly silly kind of cuteness?

Seeing that Nana's concerns had been dispelled, Yamato immediately stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Nana's shoulders. She said brightly, "Then it's settled! You'll be my master and teach me how to cook!"

Nana nodded hard and replied with a smile, "Okay, Big Sister Yamato!"

Now that the matter of becoming master and apprentice had been settled, Allen turned his gaze back to Nana. His expression became serious as he asked, "You're alone now. What are you planning to do from here on?"

Before Nana could answer, Yamato cut in, "Obviously, she's coming with us! Do you even need to ask?"

Allen looked at Yamato speechlessly. "She has her own thoughts. Why do you always make decisions for other people?"

Then he shifted his gaze back to Nana and asked again, "What are you planning to do?"

Nana answered in a timid voice, "I want to go with you. Is that okay?"

Yamato immediately added loudly, "Of course it is!"

Allen ignored Yamato and continued speaking to Nana. "If you come with us, you might not return here for a long time, or perhaps ever, because we're heading out to sea for adventure!"

"Brother Allen, are you pirates?" Nana asked curiously.

Allen shook his head and replied, "No, but we've already been issued bounties, and they're pretty high!"

Upon hearing that, Yamato immediately shouted excitedly, "What? I have a bounty too? Hurry and show me how much it is!"

Yamato's noisy fussing made Allen a little Irritated. He said Annoyed, "Can you stop interrupting? I'll show you later!"

"Hmph, if you won't show me, then I don't want to see it!" Yamato said, turning her head away sulkily.

Seeing that Yamato had finally quieted down, Allen continued speaking to Nana. "So if you come with us, your life could be in danger."

"Brother Allen, even if my life is in danger, I still want to follow you!" Nana's eyes were filled with determination.

At that moment, Yamato interrupted again, saying to Allen, "Why are you being so serious? It's not like you can't protect her!"

Then she turned to Nana and said, "Don't be afraid. Even if that guy can't protect you, I will. I'm really strong!"

As she spoke, she deliberately flexed her biceps, looking utterly comical.

Seeing Yamato's antics, Nana could not help covering her mouth and laughing. "Then I'll be relying on you from now on, Sister!"

Seeing that Nana had made up her mind to go with him, Allen could only compromise. He said to her, "See if there's anything you need to bring, then go pack up."

Nana smiled sweetly and replied, "Okay, Brother Allen."

With that, she turned around and began packing her clothes.

At last, Nana's gaze fell upon a photograph hanging on the wall. She walked over, gently took it down, and held it tightly against her chest.

It was a posthumous photograph of her parents. It meant the world to her; carrying it with her made it feel as though her parents were still by her side.

Once Nana had finished packing, Allen used his ability to open a passage leading to Kamui Space.

Nana jumped in fright at the sudden appearance of the vortex.

Yamato quickly grabbed her arm and reassured her, "Don't be afraid. This is Allen's ability."

After Yamato explained it to her, Nana finally gathered her courage and carefully stepped into the vortex.

Allen followed her inside.

After entering Kamui Space, Nana was left dumbfounded by the sight before her.

A small villa appeared to float in midair, while the ground was a transparent barrier. Beneath that barrier lay a bottomless abyss that made one's blood run cold.

Seeing Nana's shocked expression, Yamato smiled and explained, "This is a space that guy created, and that villa was something he snatched back from those nobles!"