Many appliances were positioned in a row across the kitchen. On top of the gas stove were pots, pans and many things alike.
On the drying rack were utensils used for cooking and eating, such as forks, spoons and ladle.
Aria's eyes crossed over the entire room, filled with normal looking everyday items.
She had thought that maybe it'll look different compared to normal, seeing as to how the person using them are blind.
There don't seem to be any safety feature used by the visually disabled, nor does it seem like it ever does.
Which means that Rachel had been living like her disabilities doesn't exist.
...absolutely ridiculous.
Even if Rachel thought of this as normal, Aria couldn't.
She tried to walk around while having her eyes closed and guess what? Not even 3 seconds in and she had already stubbed her toe on the counter.
It was super painful, even if she doesn't describe it in detail.
A sigh escaped her lips.
"Is there something wrong in the kitchen, Aria?" A distanced voice of Rachel asked in concern.
"Nothing, I was just searching for the cutting board." She replied back.
"The cutting board should be on the drying rack, I used it yesterday."
"Ah, I found it. Thanks."
"Hm."
Since it was already nighttime, she figured something light should be good enough. Maybe fried rice?
Looking around, she saw a small pot covered with a lid.
Inside was some old rice.
A smile tugged at her lips.
"Well, we are quite fortunate today. I'm practically a master at making fried rice."
Opening up the fridge, she noticed the small gem at the back, constantly emitting cold air.
As she noticed this small detail, Aria looked around again. Now she could see them.
Magic stones all around her, hidden in plain sight. One was on the stove, another on the ceiling stuck on the fan.
Many of them scattered around the room, existing alongside the resident at all time.
So they don't use normal generator in this world?
...Hm. Well, she could ask Rachel about it but it's probably common knowledge. No need to waste time asking, just accept it.
—
"Alright, eat up!" Aria served a plate of fried rice on the table.
Rachel moved her head down, smelling the aroma of the vegetables and seasonings.
But she didn't eat the dish immediately, instead she asked, "What about yours?"
"Mine? It's in the kitchen. I just wanted to know your opinion on it first before I indulge in them myself."
Nodding her head, Rachel picked up the spoon and scooped out some rice.
Putting them in her mouth, Aria waited for her review.
Not to brag, but she's very confident in her fried-rice-making skills. Since her parents were almost never home, she had to learn cooking herself just so her and her sister don't have to eat plain food everyday.
Fried rice was of course the first thing she learnt, as it was the easiest.
"..."
"So? How was it?" Aria waited patiently with starry eyes.
"...Delicious."
"Yes! I knew you'd like it!" She punched the air in excitement.
With light steps, Aria skipped to the kitchen to get her own share of fried rice since she had left them in the wok.
"Hehe..." She smiled to herself as she brought her own plate to the dining table.
—
A few hours back.
"Rachel?"
Knocking on her door, I thought of just pushing through them. Although I've done them many times before, I hesitated.
To be honest, I am feeling quite anxious. After all, a couple of days ago, I tricked her into taking my savings.
Was she grateful? Angry? Perhaps, envious?
There would be many reasons for her to be. Even if she did blame me, I have no doubt I would still pick the same choice if given the chance.
Clenching harder onto the book I was holding on my chest, I turned back.
Either she's not home, or she's not willing to see me.
Knowing her, it would most probably be the former.
No matter how deep of a grudge she held, she'd never expressed them. Even if she wished to strangle someone until death got a guest, she couldn't.
After all, she's the saint.
Arriving back at the inn, I climbed the stairs and entered the door leading to my room.
These past few days, I've worked hard. Working on multiple commissions at once while simultaneously keeping track of my health.
Fortunately, I've made enough to cover the pay for the month.
Even so, I need rejuvenation. My health has been deteriorating at a rapid rate.
Working to get enough money to cover a whole month's worth of expense in just a couple of days required massive reserves of stamina.
For a girl like me, losing consciousness would be the least of my concern. What if someone took advantage of my body while I fainted in the forest?
Even worse, if monsters arrived.
"...I need to take a shower."
Pushing my thoughts aside, I took a few sets of clothing to bring with me.
There's a public hot spring that's available until the sun sets. Though, the catch is that you need to pay to enter. Typical stuff.
Since I've already subscribed to the membership, I get a discount anytime I want to enter.
While preparing to go out again, I take another glance towards the small shelves next to the bed.
The book was out in the open.
"..."
Walking towards it, my hand met the leather exterior. Pushing my hand across the cover, my heart calmed down.
It's been a while since I've read the contents. Could anything have changed?
As I was contemplating on whether to open it or not, time passed.
Without me realizing, the sun was already about to set.
'Ah… my shower…!'
Deciding to open the book at another time, I rushed towards the public hot spring, wishing that it hadn't closed yet.
—
As the door closes, an inexplicable phenomenon occurs.
The book, which had been left unopened on the tiny shelf, flipped the pages on itself.
Slowly, it reached an empty page.
As a new sentence started to write itself, the cogs of time were also starting to turn.