They crossed the border with the Seiho party and stepped into their own territory.
It lasted but an instant to feel that peculiar sensation as they passed through the barrier.
“Welcome back.”
As if she had been waiting for the perfect moment, it was Lora the maid who greeted them.
One might wonder if she simply possessed a sixth sense.
I replied, “I’m home,” as she bowed, her cream-colored hair swaying.
“Mm, good work on the welcome.”
Sena gave a gracious nod.
Micron was heading toward the roof of Fenrir’s shack, while Highlow turned his neck left and right, scanning the area as if searching for someone.
“Aren’t you back? Welcome home—!”
The one who burst out through the entrance was Shoako, the cheerful gyaru.
Perhaps feeling stifled, she had undone several buttons on her uniform; it was a poison to the eyes of any man.
Even though I had grown close enough to her to see the fair skin hidden beneath her clothes, my heart still pounded like crazy.
“Woof! Ahaha, good work, Highlow~”
Highlow trotted over to Shoako and rubbed his cheek against hers.
I see, so you wanted to meet with the Master.
“Welcome home. Is everyone safe?”
“Maa!”
Out came Mr. Luminous with a worried expression and Juna acting exactly as usual.
“Yes, Sensei. Everyone returned safely.”
“Juna, don’t you dare shorten ‘welcome home’ when speaking to me.”
Miyuki and Yona each replied in turn.
“S-Si-ne is…?”
Genchu mentioned the head chef who wasn’t present at this moment.
The one who answered was Loha.
“Miss Shi-no is awaiting the Master’s return.”
Could it be that there was something necessary for cooking?
“Got it. May I take a look in the kitchen?”
“Please do.”
“Understood.”
Stepping inside the house, I headed toward the living room.
From behind the counter of the kitchen, Shi-no noticed me.
「Ah, Sousuke! Welcome home.」
Shion ties her hair back while cooking, but it has its own unique charm.
「I’m home. I heard Shion was looking for me.」 「Yeah.
But before that—」
Shaking her hair like a horse’s tail, she came to me and threw herself into my arms.
“Shi… Shiine?”
「I’m glad you’re safe.
Are everyone else okay too?」 「Yeah, everyone’s fine.」
I’ll tell them about Momo’s situation later; this is good enough for now.
I know it’s the right person for the right job, but I hate that I can’t be there to support Soosuke when he needs me most.
Shion’s voice sounded lonely.
「I’ve been pushing myself hard looking forward to your cooking. I’m being supported just fine.」
My heart pounding at her embrace, I gently held her back.
「Heh. In that case, I suppose I have to fulfill my own role too.」
After giving one final tight squeeze, Shion pulled away with a snap, so I followed suit.
「Oh, by the way, if you’re working this afternoon, how about we go all out for lunch?
Like, steak or something?」 「That sounds great!」
Now that I can finally get my hands on some beef, I’m going to eat my fill.
A nice yakiniku grill would be great, but a steak sounds just as good.
“Huh, glad you asked. Since there’s the whole issue of doneness and everything, I was actually planning to fire it up after everyone gets back.”
“What can I do?”
“I was thinking we’d cook outside, so could you help set that up? Also, since I’ve got the salad, soup, and side dishes ready, would you mind helping me carry them over?” “I see.
You’ve got it.”
“Hehe, thanks as always.”
“Don’t mention it.”
With that said, we stowed away all the gear prepped in the kitchen and headed outside with Shion.
“Everyone, good work today. Lunch is steak!”
As soon as Shion joined the group, she announced the menu.
“Yatta!”
Meoko was particularly thrilled.
While Shion chatted with everyone else, I finished setting up the equipment.
In addition to everything needed for cooking, I set up the table and chairs for the meal.
On a whim, I conjured up a tablecloth using Asanbo and draped it over the table.
“Huh, Sōsuke, that’s awesome! It looks like a real restaurant!”
Meoko came over to my side and praised me.
“Mm. Since we’re going all out, how about you take on the role of chef, Shi-chan?”
Chiyu’s suggestion struck me as a brilliant idea.
“Well, that sounds good. Assuming Shiin doesn’t mind, of course.”
“Huh? Heh, then I guess I’ll take you up on that offer.”
So, I generated a chef’s hat and placed it on Shiin’s head.
She offered a shy smile.
“It suits you, really suits you. I could whip up some clothes for you, too, but dealing with changing would be a hassle.”
“Mm. And besides, I have the apron Soosuke gave me, so I’m covered.”
I had made it for her and given it to her before.
It’s an apron embroidered with a cat on it.
“Hey there, Chef Shiine~”
Mimimi called out to her.
“Chef, I’m at your service.”
“Aha ha, nice to meet you, Roa-chan.”
Shiin and Roa were in charge of the cooking.
After confirming everyone else was seated, I placed the salad and soup on the table, just as I’d been asked to do earlier.
“Everyone, how would you like your grilling done?”
Responding to the chef’s query, each person stated their preference.
I wondered if he could keep track of that many orders, but Roa answered with “Understood,” so I figured it was no problem.
“The soup is potato potage!”
“And the salad is cabbage… what was it called? French style?”
The gal duo, Moko and Junme, explained.
They didn’t know about the steak but knew about the soup, so did they peek at the cooking process?
Imagining the image of that gal duo made me feel fond of them.
The main courses, the soup and salad, were both extremely delicious.
By the way, the cabbage and salad had been taken back from the “Bonus Area” and increased using Nagahata’s “Plant Magic.”
Speaking of “Plant Magic”…
“Teacher, shall I serve you some beer?”
He had also taken back “Barley.” “Huh? Ah, well…”
It felt a bit too late for such concerns, but he still seemed hesitant about drinking alcohol in front of the students.
“Yep yep! I want some sparkling water!”
“I get it, I really want that bubbly feeling.”
The gyaru pair are genuinely energetic and brighten up the whole atmosphere.
“Haha, of course, feel free to name anything you like. I’ll get it ready right away.”
As I was taking everyone’s orders, Sensei Luminas murmured in a small voice, “Sparkling wine…”
Since I heard it perfectly clearly, I went ahead and prepared some.
“Wah… Ugh, thank you so much, Kuno-kun…”
Watching Sensei sip the drink delicately, looking overjoyed while treating it like a treasure.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, but hasn’t Sensei Luminas’s dietary life actually become richer since we came to this desert island?
Judging by how grateful Shiin is for the cooking and how moved I am by alcohol, it’s the only conclusion that makes sense.
I just wish that when we go back to Earth, they’d be able to enjoy pleasant meals like this again.
But then again, since our relationship will revert to student and teacher, it’ll probably be tough to eat together.
No wait, what if I founded a club activity and had them serve as the faculty advisor?
I guess I can just figure it out as things happen.
As I was lost in those thoughts, the main course arrived.
Shion and Rora came serving it, accompanied by the wonderful aroma of grilling meat.
They seemed to have adjusted the cooking so that despite the different levels of doneness, everything would be served at exactly the same time.
Shion had always been a good cook, but it felt like her skills had really leveled up during our stay on this desert island.
“I hope you didn’t have to wait too long.”
“Please enjoy your meal, everyone.”
Everyone took their seats and dug into the steak.
”…!!”
It was so incredibly delicious that it completely wiped away the fatigue from our battle against the Treant and the Slimes.
Seeing our reactions, Shion and Rora smiled with satisfaction.
With this energy boost, we should be able to handle the afternoon fight against the ‘Crimson Black Arvanc’.
This is my 4/25 update!
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