Buckwheat

“You’re awake?”

The uncle raised his head and saw Allen coming down the varnished wooden stairs.

“Ah, yes… I ended up sleeping until now.”

Allen smiled apologetically to ease the awkwardness.

She had slept from the afternoon of the first day all the way to the next morning.

Eugene and Luna had already gone out long ago.

She could only respond with a smile.

“Hungry? I just made some buckwheat pancakes using flour that’s been stored for a while. Want some?”

He smiled as he busied himself, taking out thin pancakes from the stove.

After being roasted over high heat, they had turned into fragrant, tempting treats.

“Of course!”

The moment she came downstairs, her stomach had already started growling.

Perhaps the uncle had heard it—that’s why he asked.

He took a plate from the cabinet, wiped it with a damp cloth, then put on gloves and reached into the hot stove.

One by one, he placed the pancakes neatly on the plate and brought it to her.

“Here, eat slowly.”

He smiled warmly.

He was already nearing old age.

His brown hair was streaked with silver, like flowers among leaves—

A reminder of time passing like an arrow.

“Grr…”

A faint sound echoed in the quiet room.

The uncle paused, then understood—and said nothing.

So embarrassing… useless stomach…

Allen blushed, trying to stay calm as she took the plate.

As someone once said—when scholars are hungry, it shouldn’t be called hunger, but “ravenous longing.”

The uncle tactfully didn’t comment.

“Give it a try. My wife used to say it was the best thing.”

He looked at her with a hint of anticipation.

Allen carefully picked up a pancake.

She held it gently with both hands, as if it were something precious.

Then she took a small bite.

Like a little rodent nibbling on food.

“Crack.”

The pancake broke crisply—perfectly baked.

“Crunch, crunch…”

The sound echoed in her mouth.

“…?”

Silence filled the room.

The uncle watched her quietly.

“Gulp—”

She swallowed it whole.

Delicious!! Delicious!! Delicious!!

Her mind was filled with just those words.

It was magical.

The pancake had just the right texture, slightly sweet as she chewed.

“Feels different, doesn’t it?”

The uncle smiled knowingly.

“Uncle, did you add sugar?!”

Allen asked immediately.

Sugar, for ordinary people, was a luxury.

Even the church praised it as a blessing from the goddess.

It symbolized love and kindness.

In fact, it was so rare it was almost treated like medicine.

“Yes~ surprised?”

He smiled.

Most people only tasted sugar during church festivals.

A small piece would be given as a sacred blessing.

Production was rare, extracted by alchemists from magical materials.

“Crunch crunch crunch—”

Allen started eating eagerly.

She loved sweet things.

Just like pineapple buns soaked in syrup—

This pancake had a similar charm.

“Hoho, if you like it, eat slowly. There’s more.”

He laughed like a child.

He had lived alone for a long time.

After his partner passed away, he finally understood loneliness.

But by then—it was too late.

Ten years alone had aged him deeply.

Sometimes, recalling the past brought tears to his eyes.

His partner had been the elite guard from long ago.

They met in prison, fell in love, and escaped together.

Time passed like light.

Everything, no matter how strong, was worn down by time.

Even his once fierce nature had been smoothed away.

“Uncle… are you thinking about something?”

Allen asked softly.

“It’s nothing. Just some old memories.”

He replied casually.

But behind that tone lay something heavy—

A burden he would carry to his grave.

“Eat… don’t just stare at me…”

He said quietly.

Allen looked into his eyes in silence.

Then she lowered her head and took another bite.

Even with her low emotional awareness, she understood—

Some wounds shouldn’t be touched.

Just like how he didn’t mention her growling stomach.

Silence filled the room again.

“Um… uncle, where did you get the sugar?”

She tried to change the topic.

“From festival mass. I saved it for two years and used it all together.”

He answered calmly.

The atmosphere froze again.

“You look just right in those clothes.”

He suddenly said.

“They’re yours?” Allen asked.

“Sort of. Old clothes from long ago. Didn’t expect them to fit so well.”

He smiled faintly.

They were from forty years ago.

Though slightly yellowed, they suited her perfectly.

Like someone out of an old painting.

“I’m full…”

Allen said.

She wasn’t that hungry anymore.

She had originally just wanted to go outside, feel the sunlight, and breathe fresh air.

But the pancakes and conversation had delayed her.

And brought back memories for the uncle.

Now, it was time to go.

Just a few days ago, she had been trapped, desperately trying to carve a tiny hole to see outside.

Now, she was peacefully resting in a small town.

Even in despair, as long as there was hope, things could change.

She could have stayed in bed all day.

But she didn’t want to waste time.

It felt like something was pushing her forward.

Perhaps that was weakness—

Driving her to move ahead.

She needed strength.

Not to dominate—just to survive.

Relying on others only led to disappointment.

Luna could save her once—but not forever.

Weakness, in this world, was a sin.

She had to grow stronger.

The uncle didn’t respond when she said she would leave.

He just sat there, staring blankly.

“Wait.”

He suddenly spoke.

“Your hair is messy. Go fix it by the cabinet.”

He said, still staring upward.

Indeed, her hair was disheveled from sleep.

She hadn’t noticed it.

She took a wooden comb and began tidying it.

After some effort, it became neat again.

“I’ll go now?”

She asked.

“Wait a bit.”

He stood up for the first time.

Walking behind her—

“Don’t move.”

He said softly.

She was confused.

Then she understood.

He gathered her long hair and began braiding it.

“Do you know? With this outfit, loose hair looks strange.”

After finishing, he took something from a drawer.

Click.

“It’s done. Go ahead.”

“…?”

Allen was left puzzled.