"Lu, it's already noon. Time for lunch."

After seeing Lu lying safely on my bed, I slowly walked over and spoke softly.

"Mmm... Huh? Is it already noon?"

Hearing my voice, Lu—who'd seemed deeply asleep—jolted awake. She nuzzled her head against my pillow for a moment before replying in a drowsy voice.

"Yeah, it's noon," I said, gently stroking her head and smoothing her slightly messy hair. "Come on, get up. I brought food back—I think you'll like it."

"Huh? Food from this world?"

Lu, still on the bed, froze with a hint of surprise. Then she shot upright.

"I want it! I want it!"

"Easy, no one's stealing it from you," I chuckled. "Up you go. Tidy yourself first—messy hair's fine while sleeping, but not after waking."

Seeing her leap up at the mention of food, I smiled and gently adjusted her hair.

Lu then jumped off the bed and dashed to the dining table faster than me, her face glowing with eager anticipation.

Honestly, it made sense—she'd been sealed for a thousand years.

Even if she'd mostly hibernated during that time, a kid's hunger never fades. Plus, she was probably curious—when she first fled here, she'd been too busy evading pursuers to explore. And a thousand years ago, this world was just barren wasteland.

"Wow... all foods I've never seen!"

Lu stared at the takeout containers, utterly astonished.

"Hehe, Lu—if our old world's cooking barely improved over a millennium, this world's food crushes it," I said. "This afternoon, we'll buy clothes. Tonight, I'll take you out for more. Sound good?"

"Really?" Lu raised her eyebrows, glancing at me.

"Really."

I nodded, pulling an egg tart from a box and placing it before her. "Try this?"

"Huh?"

Lu froze, stunned by the unfamiliar sight. She poked the exposed filling, then tilted her head cutely. "A-Amelia... how do you eat this thing?"