Accidentally become a father-Chapter 64: Instant Noodles After the Rain
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After the bath, the apartment felt warmer.
The sound of the rain outside could still be heard, but it was quieter now. Just scattered drops tapping against the window.
I stood in the small kitchen.
The water in the pot was starting to boil.
Yuna emerged from the bathroom a few seconds later.
Her hair was still slightly damp. She was wearing an oversized house shirt and shorts. A small towel still hung around her neck.
She stopped at the kitchen door.
Her nose twitched slightly.
"...Papa."
"Hm."
"It smells good."
"It’s hot water."
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She walked closer.
Standing right beside me.
Her eyes stared at the pot like she was observing an experiment.
"What is that?"
"Instant noodles."
She blinked.
"...noodles?"
"Yes."
"I’ve eaten noodles before."
"These are different."
She tilted her head slightly.
"What’s the difference?"
"They’re faster."
Yuna looked even more intrigued.
She stood on a small stool so she could see inside the pot.
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I dropped the block of dried noodles into the boiling water.
The noodles slowly sank.
Yuna watched with utmost seriousness.
"...they’re hard."
"Yes."
"Will they get soft?"
"Yes."
"Water can change noodles?"
"The heat changes them."
She looked impressed.
"...science."
I didn’t answer.
After a few seconds, she asked again.
"How long?"
"Three minutes."
She immediately looked at the wall clock.
Then looked back at the noodles.
Then the clock again.
Ten seconds passed.
"...is it done?"
"Not yet."
"How much longer?"
"Two minutes and fifty seconds."
She let out a small sigh.
"...that’s long."
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I added the seasoning from the sachet.
A warm, savory aroma immediately spread through the air.
Yuna took a deep breath.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"...it smells even better now."
"That is the seasoning."
She stared at the empty sachet in my hand.
"...magic powder."
I turned off the stove after three minutes.
The noodles were soft.
I poured them into two bowls.
Yuna was standing very close now.
Almost glued to the kitchen counter.
Her eyes followed every movement.
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I handed her one of the bowls.
She accepted it with both hands.
Hot steam immediately rose to her face.
"...hot."
"Yes."
She sat down on a chair.
I sat across from her.
Yuna picked up her chopsticks very carefully.
Then she tried to lift the noodles.
A few strands came up.
She blew on them.
Very seriously.
"...fuu..."
Then she tried to eat them.
Two seconds later—
"Ah!"
She covered her mouth.
Her eyes widened.
I said flatly,
"It’s hot."
She nodded quickly.
"...hot."
She blew on the noodles again.
For a bit longer this time.
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Then she tried again.
She chewed for a few seconds.
Then stopped.
Her expression changed.
She stared at her bowl.
Then stared at me.
"...Papa."
"Hm."
"...is this emergency food?"
"Yes."
She looked at the noodles again.
Then said with absolute seriousness,
"...why is it so good."
I picked up my chopsticks.
"Emergency food doesn’t have to be bad."
Yuna nodded.
Then she started eating with much more enthusiasm.
Several strands of noodles went into her mouth at once.
She stopped again.
"...hot."
"Wait."
"But it’s good."
She blew on them again.
Then ate some more.
A few minutes later, her bowl was almost empty.
She stared at the bottom of the bowl.
"...it’s gone."
"Yes."
She looked a little disappointed.
"...I thought instant noodles were small."
"That is one serving."
She thought about it for a moment.
Then she said very logically,
"...two servings might be safer."
I drank a little broth from my bowl.
"Not every day."
Yuna leaned back in her chair.
Her stomach looked slightly rounder.
She stared out the window.
The rain was still falling.
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"...Papa."
"Hm."
"...what are we doing after this?"
I stood up.
"Want something to drink?"
She immediately sat up straight.
"What kind of drink?"
"Milk or chocolate."
Her eyes immediately sparkled.
"...chocolate."
I opened the cupboard.
Meanwhile, Yuna was already walking toward the living room.
A few seconds later, her voice called out from there.
"Papa!"
"Hm?"
"...the kotatsu is warm!"
I poured some milk into a small pot.
Then I replied flatly,
"That is indeed its function."
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