There are things that, even when you understand them, you can’t do anything about.
◯◯◯
The day after the simultaneous attack on four locations in the Arcana Kingdom. I wake up naturally early but carefully get up without disturbing the three of them (Sena, Sensei, and Mika). The cabin has enough space, but there are no separate rooms. Sena is sleeping snuggled up close to Sensei, who has a somewhat childlike expression on her face as she spreads her arms and legs, breathing 「snore… wheeze…」 in her sleep.
Thank you for your hard work as always, Sensei.
In about half an hour, Sena and Sensei will wake up and perform their daily routine (the spirit-calming dance). Until then, I want the two of them to sleep peacefully.
More importantly… I glance at Mika sleeping alone in the guest(?) bed that was prepared specially for her. When I saw her yesterday, her complexion was so sickly pale that she looked drained of blood. It’s not bright enough outside yet to see her face clearly. However, she seems to have a pained expression. I hope that’s just my imagination…
「Ah, what should I do?」
While quickly getting dressed, I start planning today’s schedule. Although I just finished a big job the other day, I need to properly welcome Sensei and Mika who have returned after a long time away. I hope that will help cheer Mika up…
Since both Sena and Sensei are meat lovers (literally), simply grilling meat extravagantly would definitely make them happy with reactions like 「I love meat!」 「I love meat too!」 「I love meat more!」 「No, no, I love meat more!」 But Mika, perhaps because she spent so long living at the church, preferred carefully prepared dishes using simple ingredients like vegetables rather than heavy dishes like MEAT FEAST! SAUCE EXPLOSION! FRIED FOOD BONANZA!! MAYONNAISE BLAST!
Hm? What about sweets, you ask? That’s a silly question. Sweets must be like spiritual nourishment for girls, different from regular meals.
While considering all this and planning the menu in my head—which is fine, but the problem is that I haven’t been able to talk to Mika. Even though we’ve been busy, I haven’t even asked how she’s feeling, let alone what happened to make her so lifeless.
「Ahhh, I’m such an idiot, idiot, IDIOT!!」
Judging from her expression and complexion since coming back, she probably hasn’t been eating properly lately. In that case, I…
「I just have to do what I can do.」
That’s right. There are no shortcuts. Especially when it comes to relationships. I just have to do what I can, one step at a time. So I should start preparing right away.
◯◯◯
If only I had a pressure cooker… if only I had a pressure cooker… There was no way I could suddenly activate a knowledge cheat event to recreate a pressure cooker when I didn’t even understand how one worked.
Since I couldn’t prepare anything yesterday, I had to make a quick-cooking version of pot-au-feu for Mika. Still, I was using slightly different ingredients, like ground meat instead of the usual cuts for pot-au-feu. Ground meat makes the soup ready faster. So strictly speaking, would it be more accurate to call it 「pot-au-feu style soup」 rather than actual 「pot-au-feu」? And while I’m at it, I could move half to another pot and add stuffed cabbage filling… While thinking about these things, checking on the pot, and simultaneously working on other dishes, I sense a presence behind me. When I turn around, as expected:
「Morning, Ichiro.」
「Good morning, Sena.」
We exchange greetings, but I struggle to say what I’ve been thinking about and try to hide it by continuing to cook.
「Ichiro, there’s something you want to say, isn’t there?」
I’m startled.
「…How did you know?」
Not understanding my question, Sena tilts her head.
「I can tell that much. You’re radiating an aura of ‘should I say it or not?’ Don’t worry about it. What do you want me to do? Just tell me clearly.」
「I’m sorry… and thank you.」
「It’s fine.」
「It’s still going to take a while to finish cooking. So please take Mika with you and Sensei to do the dance. And, if possible, I’d like you to keep an eye on Mika.」
When I ask this favor, I notice Sena letting out a small sigh.
「Ichiro.」
Sena calls my name.
「What is it?」
I brace myself.
「For dessert, I want not just apple pie but also sherbet.」
「Does that mean…?」
「I’ll settle for sherbet as a compromise.」
I feel a pang in my heart. This is bad. Her words fill my chest with a sudden rush of affection.
「Thank you, Sena.」
「You’re welcome, Ichiro.」
Sena responds with a slight smile.
If you enjoy it and wish to see more, please consider giving it a 5-star rating for the series on NU. Click Here.
Check out my Patreon for early access to upcoming updates. Patreon Link
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Chapter 298
◯◯◯
There are things that, even when you understand them, you can’t do anything about.
◯◯◯
The day after the simultaneous attack on four locations in the Arcana Kingdom.
I wake up naturally early but carefully get up without disturbing the three of them (Sena, Sensei, and Mika). The cabin has enough space, but there are no separate rooms. Sena is sleeping snuggled up close to Sensei, who has a somewhat childlike expression on her face as she spreads her arms and legs, breathing 「snore… wheeze…」 in her sleep.
Thank you for your hard work as always, Sensei.
In about half an hour, Sena and Sensei will wake up and perform their daily routine (the spirit-calming dance). Until then, I want the two of them to sleep peacefully.
More importantly…
I glance at Mika sleeping alone in the guest(?) bed that was prepared specially for her.
When I saw her yesterday, her complexion was so sickly pale that she looked drained of blood.
It’s not bright enough outside yet to see her face clearly. However, she seems to have a pained expression. I hope that’s just my imagination…
「Ah, what should I do?」
While quickly getting dressed, I start planning today’s schedule. Although I just finished a big job the other day, I need to properly welcome Sensei and Mika who have returned after a long time away.
I hope that will help cheer Mika up…
Since both Sena and Sensei are meat lovers (literally), simply grilling meat extravagantly would definitely make them happy with reactions like 「I love meat!」 「I love meat too!」 「I love meat more!」 「No, no, I love meat more!」 But Mika, perhaps because she spent so long living at the church, preferred carefully prepared dishes using simple ingredients like vegetables rather than heavy dishes like MEAT FEAST! SAUCE EXPLOSION! FRIED FOOD BONANZA!! MAYONNAISE BLAST!
Hm? What about sweets, you ask? That’s a silly question.
Sweets must be like spiritual nourishment for girls, different from regular meals.
While considering all this and planning the menu in my head—which is fine, but the problem is that I haven’t been able to talk to Mika.
Even though we’ve been busy, I haven’t even asked how she’s feeling, let alone what happened to make her so lifeless.
「Ahhh, I’m such an idiot, idiot, IDIOT!!」
Judging from her expression and complexion since coming back, she probably hasn’t been eating properly lately.
In that case, I…
「I just have to do what I can do.」
That’s right. There are no shortcuts.
Especially when it comes to relationships.
I just have to do what I can, one step at a time.
So I should start preparing right away.
◯◯◯
If only I had a pressure cooker… if only I had a pressure cooker…
There was no way I could suddenly activate a knowledge cheat event to recreate a pressure cooker when I didn’t even understand how one worked.
Since I couldn’t prepare anything yesterday, I had to make a quick-cooking version of pot-au-feu for Mika. Still, I was using slightly different ingredients, like ground meat instead of the usual cuts for pot-au-feu. Ground meat makes the soup ready faster. So strictly speaking, would it be more accurate to call it 「pot-au-feu style soup」 rather than actual 「pot-au-feu」? And while I’m at it, I could move half to another pot and add stuffed cabbage filling… While thinking about these things, checking on the pot, and simultaneously working on other dishes, I sense a presence behind me.
When I turn around, as expected:
「Morning, Ichiro.」
「Good morning, Sena.」
We exchange greetings, but I struggle to say what I’ve been thinking about and try to hide it by continuing to cook.
「Ichiro, there’s something you want to say, isn’t there?」
I’m startled.
「…How did you know?」
Not understanding my question, Sena tilts her head.
「I can tell that much. You’re radiating an aura of ‘should I say it or not?’ Don’t worry about it. What do you want me to do? Just tell me clearly.」
「I’m sorry… and thank you.」
「It’s fine.」
「It’s still going to take a while to finish cooking. So please take Mika with you and Sensei to do the dance. And, if possible, I’d like you to keep an eye on Mika.」
When I ask this favor, I notice Sena letting out a small sigh.
「Ichiro.」
Sena calls my name.
「What is it?」
I brace myself.
「For dessert, I want not just apple pie but also sherbet.」
「Does that mean…?」
「I’ll settle for sherbet as a compromise.」
I feel a pang in my heart. This is bad.
Her words fill my chest with a sudden rush of affection.
「Thank you, Sena.」
「You’re welcome, Ichiro.」
Sena responds with a slight smile.
If you enjoy it and wish to see more, please consider giving it a 5-star rating for the series on NU. Click Here.
Check out my Patreon for early access to upcoming updates. Patreon Link
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