Story Reader / Festival Event Story / White Wishes / Story
A Bite of Warmth
I did it. Want to give it a try, Commandant?
Lucia hands you a bag of freshly popped popcorn.
The taste of black pepper spreads throughout your mouth, complementing the aroma of popcorn. Although it's different from the traditionally sweet taste, you still find it delicious.
After getting your approval, Lucia starts to try other flavor combinations.
Rather than mixing a large number of seasonings into the machine, she gradually mixes the flavors to taste.
Even then, some of the combinations are less than ideal...
Bang!
This time the popcorn has the sour tang of tomato.
Bang!
This time it's chocolate. Compared with just adding sugar, the addition of cocoa butter gives it a rich aroma.
Bang!
This time Lucia adds capsaicin.
Bang!
...
This should be enough.
Lucia stops making popcorn after confirming that she has enough, despite leaving several seasonings and flavor combinations untouched.
On the way back, you watch Lucia munching on the only bag of spicy popcorn and ask her a question that had been on your mind.
Because... it's my weakness.
The more people know themselves, the more difficult it is to tolerate their own insurmountable defects, especially in the eyes of others.
The reason why Lucia chose to make popcorn was that it would show her dedication to overcoming her greatest weakness.
But I'm very happy you like my popcorn, Commandant.
Yes. I've had a lot of people help me between missions.
Liv, Chrome, Bianca, Karenina...
Karenina is always looking for a showdown with Lucia. It's hard to imagine her teaching Lucia to cook.
Now that the festivities are starting to quiet down, you start to see the venue clear out.
You stuff another handful of popcorn in your mouth, releasing the subtle bitter-sweet flavor of chocolate.
Watching Lucia continue to eat her spicy popcorn, you make up your mind.
Commandant?
...
Yeah.
My pleasure.
As the night comes to an end, the two of you make plans for the future.
