You always felt peaceful when Yakumo was cooking. It wasn't even the cooking process itself that calmed you down, but the smell. You enjoyed the way he carefully cuts vegetables and cooks meat with ease.

It's amazing how someone as humble and shy as Yakumo can become such an open and charming chef. It was as if he had blossomed in a new way, like a delicate and fastidious flower that, without proper care, would not be able to reveal all its beauty.

But that's not the point now.

You have watched the snake enthusiastically working. You were curious about what he was cooking.

Sadness settled in your soul when you remembered Yakumo's words about his past. He was surrounded by hatred and suffering, he was despised and hurt. Because of his curse, he was afraid of people too. And although he took on human form, his fears remained with him. But now this snake has finally found the happiness he has been looking for for so long.

And then his brown eyes with an orange tint and a narrow pupil noticed you. He wasn't scared because he didn't perceive you as something scary or capable of harming him for no reason. Tucking a dark lock of hair behind his ear, he smiled at you without interrupting the cooking process.

— I'm sorry if you're hungry, but the food isn't ready yet.

Yakumo replied with the same warm smile. His voice was gentle and calm, like a snake whispering in your ear.