Chapter 691

Like a Mom, Maybe?
After reporting everything to Otousama and Okaasama, we returned to the Academy.
That evening, we invited Oniisama to join us and ate the dinner the head chef had packed up for us in the dining hall of the Special Dormitory.

According to the head chef: “It would be troublesome to start cooking after returning to the dorm, wouldn’t it?”
And also: “You’ve had your fill of Japanese meals back in the domain, haven’t you? Just as I managed to get some excellent Big Horn Bull meat, I gave it my all—so please enjoy.”

On top of that, he sent us back with all sorts of extra ingredients and supplies.
… Head chef, are you my mom or something?
Well, we’ll gladly take it!

Honestly, I feel more of a “home” vibe from him than from my actual parents.

I pulled the food out from my inventory:

A fresh salad, chilled corn soup, Big Horn Bull sirloin steak grilled to absolute perfection by the head chef himself, and freshly baked baguettes.

And for those who preferred rice instead of bread, he even packed multiple tubs of freshly cooked rice.
You can never have too much rice, so I gratefully accepted.

Thanks to the inventory, hot food stays piping hot and cold food stays properly chilled. Truly, all hail the inventory!

"Well then—itadakimasu."

With that, dinner began in a cheerful atmosphere.

It had been a while since everyone gathered together to eat.
Even Kaguya came out of the room—probably because it was Big Horn Bull meat.

Normally she avoids joining us, since if Suzaku-sama gets ahold of her she’ll be treated like a dress-up doll.
But when I sent her a thought message saying, “We’re having Big Horn Bull steak tonight~”, she hurried down right away.

At the café, we’d had it in gyudon, but that’s basically all stewing cuts.

A steak cut from Big Horn Bull—the few tasty bits you can get—would normally be way beyond the reach of students like us.

… Well, unless you’re born into the Duke Ellisfeed family, in which case… ta-dah, you get it handed to you like this.
Hahaha, hooray for connections! So glad I was born a duke’s daughter!

"Cristea-san, when do you think the shaved ice machine will be ready?"

Mariel-chan asked, chewing her steak.

"Eh? Hmm… well, if we’re talking about just the simple shaved ice machine Galvano Ojisama is making, it shouldn’t take very long."

He had already started on the design, after all.
I never thought he’d speed up so much once he had a concrete image to work with.

… Just how bad was my drawing, though, that it threw Galvano Ojisama into such confusion?

Nope, let’s not think about it.
I know I’m utterly hopeless when it comes to art.
I’ve accepted it. I’m not crying. Nope.

Even if you’re born a duke’s daughter, congenital lack of artistic talent can’t be fixed!
Ugh, I’m spiraling into darkness again—back to the topic.

"R-right, right. As for Owen-san’s idea of an automatic shaved ice machine, that’ll definitely take more time."

No matter how much of a magic tool maniac he is, something that complicated and compact isn’t going to come together easily.

In fact, when I warned him that I wouldn’t want it if it ended up as a big clunky machine, he only got more fired up.
That’s so… Owen-san.

"True. If you think simply, it’d be something like creating ice with ice magic and then shaving it with a small wind cutter. And if you wanted different textures of shaved ice, it’d get even more complex. Quite high difficulty, I’d say."

"I don’t know what kind of combination of magic circles or circuits it’ll take either, but for now, I think it’d be fine just to have the simple version Galvano Ojisama is making."

Meanwhile, Tirie-san will have to keep watch to make sure Owen-san doesn’t overwork himself into inhuman territory.
When I go to pick up the machine next time, I’ll have to bring an extra treat along as well.

"Anyway, while we wait for the shaved ice machine, we should come up with syrups and toppings."

"Ah, that sounds great! I’ll help too…! Mostly with ingredient gathering and brainstorming ideas, though!"

Oh-ho? So you mean you’re not joining in the cooking?
That’s fine. I’ll make sure Mariel-chan helps out within her abilities.

What do you think about this chapter?