My Blood Wizard System
**Haru (smiling):**
“Easy. Pinch, don’t stab.”
I show her the grip—thumb and forefinger on the top stick, middle finger guiding the bottom.
She mirrors me, a little clumsy at first, but gets an onigiri to her mouth on the third try.
**Mia (after the first bite, eyes closing):**
“Oh my gods. This is so good. The rice is perfect. And the sour plum in the middle—”
**Haru:**
“Umeboshi. Mom’s specialty.”
We eat in comfortable quiet for a minute, just the sound of chopsticks and the low roar of the cafeteria behind us.