The recipes for... | Track 3: Chocolate Ganache

[lumidescence]

TW: fire and injuries related to fire

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You know, back when I was a kid, even I—

“liked” everything in this world.

In the house’s kitchen, where I lived as a kid.

My mother was making curry when I went up to her rounded back.

I made my face look crumpled like I was about to cry.

“Mamaaaa! Big sis is bullying meeee!”

“Eh?”

My mother turned around, a troubled smile on her face.

“Oh come on big sister, you shouldn't be bullying your little brother.”

And then, at the kitchen’s entrance, my sister pouted and complained.

“Well, that's because Ushio wants my candy. Ushio already ate his! This one is mine!”

“Mamaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Big sis isssssssss!”

“Don’t cry, Ushio! Geez, it can't be helped, then. I'll go buy you cookies later.”

“Really!?”

“Aa~ah, you're spoiling Ushio way too much, Mom. I think it's okay to let Ushio cry… This guy is not gonna be a proper adult at this point.”

“Mamaaaaaaa! Big sis is saying mean things to meeeeeee…!”

“Don't talk to your brother like that, big sister.”

My current personality might have inherited some things from my older sister; I won't say the whole thing though.

My older sister is strong-willed, has a sharp tongue, and would always be mean to me, but even so…

“Oi, Ushio, come here.”

“Whaat…?”

“I'll share some with you. It's a bother when you cry after all.”

I actually liked my kind older sister, which is why—

I think I might be a little bit similar to her.

“Isn't it a bit too early to be cooking dinner right now?”

My dad enters the kitchen.

While tilting his head at the savory and spicy scent of curry.

“That’s because today is archery practice day. Take Ushio out with you once I'm done with the curry, okay?”

“Got it… But today's super spicy, huh? Papa’s been worried about his stomach’s condition lately.”

“Sorry. But a curry that isn't spicy isn't curry.”

My father laughed as soon as he heard that. My mother laughed as well.

I liked my father who's carefree, kind, and laughs easily.

“And, done. Alright, Ushio, let's go! I'll let you play with Muneuji-kun while mom’s doing her lesson today too!”

I also liked the archery class that my mother would take me to when I was a baby.

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Mu-chan’s home had an archery range that would hold classes for the general public once a week.

My mother was a trainee there, and it seemed like she improved to the point that if she trained a bit more, she would be able to participate in a tournament.

The one who was teaching her was Mu-chan's mother, and since she and my mother were both mothers and were close in age, they seemed to be on very good terms, even in a child's eyes.

“Hello! I'll be in your care today.”

“I look forward to working with you, Kurama-san.”

“Um, have this. It's super spicy curry again, but… I made way too much as usual, so do take some of it…”

“Thank you very much~! I really love Kurama-sanchi’s super spicy curry~ Ah, I'll share with you our super sweet stew next time.”

“Wow, I'm honored, yay!”

“Fufu, well then, let's begin practice.”

I also liked the cool sound of the arrow hitting the target while I waited for my mother’s practice to end.

“U-chan.”

“Ah! Hi Mu-chan!”

“Hello. Let's go wrestle today.”

“Yeah, let's!”

Wrestling with Mu-chan while waiting was so much fun that I also liked it.

But, the one that I liked the most is—

“Thanks for waiting, Ushio~! I’m done now, so let's go home.”

“Mama!”

“Ahaha, I might not be able to breathe if you hug me that tight… There, there.”

Being hugged by my mother's plump, soft, and marshmallow-like body, and tightly

hugging back and forth.

“See you again, U-chan.”

“See you, Mu-chan!”

Shaking hands with Mu-chan as we promise to play next time.

“Good work, Kurama-san. See you again, Ushio-kun.”

Being patted on the head by people.

Being touched. To touch. All of that.

Was something I really liked yet…

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On that very same night.

I couldn't sleep, I couldn’t breathe, and it was hot. When I opened my eyes, everything around me was burning.

I tried to call my mother, my father, and my sister; however, no one answered.

When I was about to lose consciousness, a member of the rescue team found me.

“Protecting a child estimated to be five years old! Consciousness level 2 due to the burns all over his body…! Please secure an emergency transport destination!”

The searing pain all over my body tortured me.

“This is terrible… His whole body needs to be skin grafted.”

I could hear the conversations of the rescue team workers from far away.

“How are the parents’ and the older sister’s conditions!?”

I want to see my father, my mother, and my older sister, but…

“Unfortunately… They can’t be saved.”

But that was when I knew that I would never see them again.

—End of Track 3

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