Prototype
---In the Reception Room.
"Well then, could you give us your report?"
Mother quickly got to the point.
"Yes, then I... excuse me. I will report. We are currently in the process of making prototypes for the hand mixer and blender. Since the hand mixer is manual, it seems feasible to complete, but the blender requires magic stones, making it a magic tool, so we are still considering our options. Additionally, I have brought prototypes of the cocktail shaker and cookie cutters today, so could you check them?"
Saying that, Steve took out the cocktail shaker and cookie cutters from his storage.
The cocktail shaker was almost identical to the one Joan used in her previous life. As for the cookie cutters, they were exactly what she had requested—heart, star, diamond, flower, and a life preserver shape that was twice the size of the others.
"Wow, amazing!! They are exactly as I described! Mr. Steve, thank you so much."
I never expected them to be recreated so faithfully, so I was genuinely surprised.
"Really? Ahh, that’s a relief."
Steve was so relieved that he even dropped his formal speech. After all, he had to make something he had never seen before based only on a description, which must have been nerve-wracking.
"Then, it's my turn next. Um, I have brought prototypes of the katsuobushi shaver, chopsticks, and bento box from the list you gave me."
Saying that, Daniel also retrieved his prototypes from storage.
Not just Steve, but Daniel also has a Storage skill, huh?
A convenient storage ability must be a blessing for craftsmen.
As I was thinking about that, the prototypes were lined up on the table in front of me.
"Let's see... The katsuobushi shaver is based on a woodworking tool called a kanna (plane). The bento box is made by bending thin wooden boards. The chopsticks are made from the same wood as the bento box."
This... is definitely magewappa.
I did briefly mention it when explaining, but... being able to reproduce it so perfectly, craftsmen are amazing!! Moreover, the color and sheen of the bento box and chopsticks…
"Mr. Daniel, is this lacquer, by any chance?"
"What!? Young lady Joan, you know about lacquer?"
"Ah, yes... from a book. But wow! It's perfect!! Thank you so much!!"
"Ahh, I’m so glad. It was worth the effort. Oh, and I also made a longer version of the chopsticks as a trial, but they might be too hard to use..."
What he pulled out was unmistakably a pair of cooking chopsticks.
"Wow! I really wanted these!!"
Seeing Joan happily holding the cooking chopsticks, Daniel muttered that he was glad he made them.
"So, Joan, were they as you hoped?"
"Yes! They exceeded my expectations!!"
"I see, that’s good to hear. Both of you, sorry for making such difficult requests. But truly, thank you."
"Not at all. We also learned a lot from this. Once the prototype for the hand mixer is complete, I will bring it over."
"I’ll be looking forward to it."
"Um, Madam, Young lady Joan. We have one request..."
Daniel spoke hesitantly and exchanged a glance with Steve.
As we looked at them, wondering what was going on…
“"Please show us how to use the prototypes!!"”
The two of them bowed their heads.
"We made the prototypes, but we don’t really know how they’re supposed to be used. Also, we’d like to see if there are any areas that need improvement…"
Steve explained.
"Hehe, well, that makes sense. Even I wouldn’t know. So, Joan, could you make something to show them?"
"Yes! I’d be happy to~"
I was so eager to try out the prototypes that I ended up responding in a casual, tavern-style tone.
"Then, please wait about 20 minutes. I’ll go prepare."
I bowed and headed to the kitchen.
For the bento box, I’ll pack a sandwich from my storage, make a tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), and cut out some carrojin to make glacé.
As for the katsuobushi, I can shave it on the spot. Then, if I add meso and hot water, I can make a simple meso soup. And for the cocktail shaker, I can just make a cocktail with it~
＊＊＊＊＊
Tap, tap, tap… Bam!
"Hey, I’m coming in~"
"... That’s such an old-man way to greet people."
Ben muttered under his breath.
I heard that, you know.
Besides, if you’re going for that style, you should follow up with a comedic line like ‘If you’re gonna be a bother, just leave~’
"Little Joan, what’s up? Weren’t you in the middle of a business discussion?"
"Yeah, I was. But since the prototypes are done, they asked me to show them how to use them."
"Oh, I wanna see too!!"
"Okay, so first, the bento box. I’m planning to put in a sandwich, tamagoyaki, sautéed sausages, and carrojin glacé."
I took out a BLT sandwich and dashi made from katsuobushi from my storage.
"Little Joan... what exactly is inside your storage?"
Arthur asked with a bewildered look.
"Eh? Mostly food?"
"Haha, you’re such a foodie."
"Hey, you never know when you might get stranded somewhere!"
"Little Joan... what kind of situation are you imagining?"
Even Anny looked exasperated.
"… Anyway, I’m making tamagoyaki! Oh, Anny, can you peel the carrojin, slice them into 1cm rounds, and cut them out with this?"
I handed Anny the cookie cutters.
"Wow, so cute!"
Anny was also a fan of the cookie cutters.
"They’re actually for cutting cookie dough, but you can use them to make vegetables look cute too, right?"
Saying that, I started preparing the egg mixture.
Nico liked sweet tamagoyaki. I do crave it sometimes, but today, I’ll go with a dashi-maki tamago instead.
Ah, I should ask them to make a square frying pan too.
I packed the bento box with the BLT sandwich, tamagoyaki, sautéed sausages, and glacé.
Then, I wrapped it in a large handkerchief and placed it inside a lunch bag.
"Alright, done! Thanks, everyone."
Now, I just need to make a cocktail in front of them…
Since I have a shaker now, I can finally make drinks beyond just stirring or building them—this is exciting!!
Though, the fact that I can only make them and not drink them is a little frustrating... Oh well, as long as everyone enjoys them~
What do you think about this chapter?
