Chapter 870: Elffire’s Tradition at Pedrarruna Manor
Pedrarruna Forest Manor, Elffire City.
Sunday was a rest day for both Theo and Aurora. This was the only day of the week they didn’t wake up early to work out and train in martial arts. And as a good big brother, Theo liked to let Aurora sleep as much as she wanted on Sundays.
But the Sunday of the first day of Boom Week wasn’t a common day. This was an extremely important day for every Sakurean. This was the case for Theo and Aurora as well. This was the first Bloom Week since their financial condition improved, so they wanted to throw a big commemoration on this date to thank the gods for their blessings. Plus, as the two of them were genuine Elffirian citizens, born and raised in this city, they also had the tradition of having a family lunch on the first day of Bloom Week.
For the past years since their parents passed away, it has been only the two of them at these family lunches. And due to their poor financial conditions, it was only a simple meal that Theo could afford to pay for.
That’s why, now that their lives were much better, they wanted to throw the biggest family dinner. They called all their friends who didn’t have plans for that Sunday to come and dine with them. And because some of their friends weren’t from Elffire City, in other words, they didn’t have Elffire City’s tradition, they accepted the invitation for the siblings’ lunch.
Theo and Aurora woke up around 8 AM on that Sunday morning, April 25th. A fact that was unusual for the two of them. But they had to wake up early as Theo needed to cook the food for the Family Lunch, and Aurora wanted to decorate their home for the event. She wanted to make the guests feel like they were amid the Season of Blossoms!
Theo and Aurora sat across from each other at the kitchen table, a rare sight for them on a Sunday morning. The usual quiet and serene atmosphere of their breakfast routine was replaced with an excited buzz as they discussed the upcoming family lunch.
"So, little sister, any particular decorations you want me to help with after breakfast?" Theo asked, taking a sip of his tea. "I can hang those paper lanterns we bought yesterday and maybe help you arrange those blossom branches we collected last week when I’m not too busy cooking."
"Oh, such kindness, bro! But don’t worry, Shizu-nee will help me with the decorations. So, you and Ay-nee can cook lunch without worries." She laughed before continuing with sparkling eyes, "My idea is to have the family lunch in our backyard. Did you notice how beautiful the Pedrarruna Forest cherry trees have become? With our backyard lake and the stunning colors from the cherry trees, it is the perfect location for a Bloom Week meal. I want our guests to feel like they’ve stepped into a magical forest, like we’re bringing the Pedrarruna Forest Manor right into our home! And I think we should play some traditional Bloom Week music in the background, too. It will be so charming!"
Ayia and Shizuka enthusiastically offered to help Theo and Aurora organize their family lunch. The reason for their immediate willingness to assist stems from their close familial ties to the couple. Ayia is Theo’s girlfriend and also Aurora’s older sister. Shizuka, Aurora’s other older sister, is also Theo’s sister-in-law through her relationship with Ayia. In essence, because Ayia and Theo are dating, the four individuals—Ayia, Shizuka, Theo, and Aurora—are effectively a close-knit family unit. Learning about Elffire City’s family lunch tradition, and knowing Theo and Aurora were hosting one, Ayia and Shizuka instantly volunteered their assistance, their familial connection prompting their eagerness to participate.
"Charming, huh? Well then, I’ll do my best to help you create this enchanting forest-like atmosphere with my cooking. Maybe I can decorate the dishes to become even more blooming," Theo teased, a playful smile on his face. "Speaking of which, I’d better get started on that soon. The traditional Bloom Week dishes we planned are quite an undertaking!"
"Don’t worry, big brother, I have no doubt that the grand Head-Chef Theo will cook an amazing meal," Aurora laughed as she teased him.
The two of them were in the midst of their breakfast when they heard Sylph, the manor’s AI Butler, announcing that Ayia and Shizuka had arrived in front of the property.
"Let them in, Sylph," Theo asked.
"Yes, boss!" Sylph replied.
A few minutes later, Ayia and Shizuka arrived at the dining table where Theo and Aurora were having breakfast.
"Happy Blooms , guys!" Ayia said with a brilliant smile.
"Happy Blooms!" Shizuka wishes as well.
"Happy Blooms, girls!" Theo replied as he stood up and hugged his girlfriend, "A happy bloom for you, babe!" he whispered as he hugged her.
"Happy blooms for you too, babe!" Ayia whispered back.
The girls hugged and wished Aurora a Happy Bloom as well before Theo invited them to have breakfast together.
Just like that, Ayia and Shizuka sat down at the dining table and started talking with Theo and Aurora.
As they gathered around the table, the warm morning sun shining through the windows, the conversation flowed as smoothly as the tea in their cups. "So, Theo, any particular traditional dishes you plan to prepare for our feast?" Ayia asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and eagerness to know what she would be cooking later.
"I have to admit that on special occasions I’m a bit of a traditionalist, so I’m cooking some famous Bloom Week traditional dishes," Theo replied with a grin. "I was thinking of one of the appetizers to be a classic ’Welcome Spring’ salad, a mix of fresh greens and edible flowers, symbolizing the awakening of the season, and of course, we’ll have other appetizers with the Bloom Week theme. As one of the main courses, we’ll prepare ’Golden Sunfish,’ a delicate dish with a citrus twist, representing the vibrant sunshine. And of course, we can’t forget the ’Blossom Rice,’ a colorful dish with various vegetables and herbs, mirroring the explosion of colors in the Pedrarruna Forest. And for dessert, I let Aurora choose it."
Aurora’s eyes lit up at the mention of the forest, and she added, "Yes, and I think we should have something that represents the sweetness of life and the blessings we’ve received. Perhaps a ’Honeycomb Cake,’ with its golden layers and sweet glaze, will be the perfect conclusion to our meal."
"Excellent choices, Theo! I can already taste the delicious flavors," Ayia exclaimed, clapping her hands together, "I can’t wait to start cooking all these delicious dishes with you." She said as she looked at him with a loving gaze.
"Same," Theo replied with an equally loving gaze.
One of their favorite things to do was cooking together.
Aurora and Shizuka rolled their eyes as they saw the couple showing affection in front of them.
Shizuka suddenly said, "Don’t worry, Aurora, I’ll help you with the decorations after breakfast. We’ll transform our backyard into a magical forest wonderland, just like the Pedrarruna Forest Manor itself."
"Thank you, Shizu-nee!" Aurora replied with a big smile, "How do you think we should decorate the backyard for this occasion?"
Shizuka replied after thinking for a moment, "We can hang those paper lanterns and string lights to create a whimsical atmosphere. And perhaps we can find some fresh flowers to add a natural touch to the tablescape."
The four of them, bound by their shared love and excitement for the upcoming celebration, finished their breakfast with joyful hearts, eager to bring their vision of a memorable Bloom Week family lunch to life.