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Volume 3 Sequel 2.4

Translator: Reflet
Editor: Weasalopes

Hiroshi and the others found themselves at a loss for words as Aearis continued to go on and on about how horrible it was of them to exclude her from their activities. There was no exclusion in the first place. Hiroshi had simply thought of something off the cuff with all the items he made and did not think to call anyone over.

「Even if ya say it’s unfair……」

「We barely began testing the items he just made.」

「We didn’t even have enough time to contact you, Elle……」

「I understand I am being selfish, but I still think this is just unfair……」

　Lately, Aries was not holding back in her assertions. Though it was easier this way, saying the group was being unfair for something that was out of the blue was rather troubling.

「Well, we still plan to play with the toys tomorrow in this area, so just come ‘n play with us when the time comes. Or are ya busy tomorrow？」

「……Please wait a moment.」

　Accepting Hiroshi’s proposal, Aries began using some sort of transmission device to consult someone. She spoke to them two or three times in a quiet voice before her face began to sparkle.

「I was able to get the day off！」

「Glad to hear it. So ya gonna stay the night？」

「Yes！ Let me just go back and get ready！」

　Aearis said, hurriedly returning to the temple with transportation magic. As they watched her go, Hiroshi’s group decided to go ahead and clean up.

「Now then, what’re we gonna do for dinner.」

「We have a bunch of sandshark fins left over, so maybe sharkfin soup？」

「Which means gyoza or shaomai on the steel plate, mate.」

「Then I’ll make sweet-and-sour rock boar pork and then stir-fried greens and mabo tofu. How’s that sound？」

「Sounds great. White rice or fried rice？」

「We have a lot of rich tasting foods in there, so how about we stick with white rice？」

　Hiroshi and Haruna took no hesitation in confirming the menu. From the perspective of the average housewife struggling to decide the menu day in day out, the quick wit and repertoire of these two individuals must be quite desirable.

「So we’re going Chinese today. That’s fine, right？」

「Yeah.」

「Sensei, Haru, I think everyone should wrap the gyoza.」

「Yup. Elle ‘n Lime would rejoice.」

　Wrapping gyoza was a typical family pastime. It was fun regardless of how much you messed up or made too much of.

「Then imma get some skin an gyoza stuffin’.」

「Then I’ll prepare the shaomai ahead of time.」

　If everyone were wrapping gyoza, skin would be a necessity. There also needed to be a good amount of stuffing or else the gyoza-making would end abruptly, so since several people would be working on this, it was best to get enough to run a business with on this occasion.

「Sensei, I’ll help get the skin.」

「Thanks mate.」

「I’ll head over there too once I finish the preparations.」

　Tatsuya watched Hiroshi and the others warmly as they showed more gusto than usual in their cooking. At times like these, elders like him were at their best when they said nothing.

「Now then, I guess I’ll just wait here for Elle to get back.」

　After thirty minutes of waiting, Tatsuya greeted the returning workshop craftsmen, lightly chatting with Makoto and Rayna before once again having nothing to do, when Aearis returned.

「Thank you for waiting.」

「We came over to play～」

「You came along too, huh. Well, I guess it’s fine.」

　Tatsuya smiled awkwardly as he looked at the octogals on Aearis’ head, soon guiding her to the room she always used. Sure, she could have walked there herself, but Aearis definitely wouldn’t do anything as bold as that.

「We’ll all be helping make dinner today, so you should wash your hands and wait downstairs.」

「Okay.」

「Can we do it too～？」

「Of course, since we already planned to feed a large number of people. But we do have a limit on ingredients, so keep it to just one more octogal, okay?」

「Ka～y」

　As soon as they said that, one more octogal appeared with a plop. They then flew down the stairs, lightly harassed Teres and Nora, and then went to wash their hands (?).

「I see they’re as crazy as ever.」

「But they seem to be having fun, so I don’t see why not.」

　Tatsuya commented, exasperated, while Aearis gave a cheerful response, truly enjoying this.

「I guess we’d better get going too.」

「Yes.」

　The gyoza seemed to be ready downstairs. If they waited too long, their share of the food might disappear. They quickly finished washing up and headed to the dining hall.

「This is unbelievably difficult.」

「Well, you have to get used to it.」

「Oi, there’s too much stuffin’.」

「Ah, right, right.」

　In the midst of this fantastical scene full of creatures from all sorts of races, the gyoza making proceeded in a harmonious environment.

「Flatten it, flatten it～」

「Flat-topped～、flat-topped～」

「Not boobs, the pectoralis major muscle～」

「Rayna-chan’s pectoralis major muscle～」

「Well SORRY for something I can’t help！」

　The octogals skillfully wrapped the gyoza as they continued their odd game of wordplay. Looking at these octopus things wrapping gyoza was akin to a nightmare depending on your perspective.

「But if we’re on the topic of pecs, Makoto isn’t all that different……」

「Oh, is that how you wanna go? I’ll fight you, kay? And you know what, at least I have more feminine appeal than you do.」

「Oho? Sorry, I’m a little unclear on what part of you has appeal. Could you perhaps enlighten me？」

「Hey, at least I’m better at wrapping gyoza than you are？」

「……Knights don’t need to have skill at wrapping things like this.」

「No, but we’re talking about feminine appeal right now. And didn’t you come here to learn anyway?」

　Makoto and Rayna industriously wrapped the gyoza as they badmouthed each other. Makoto was piling a pretty even amount of stuffing into the gyoza, making it beautiful, whereas Rayna’s was becoming a tragedy in the making. Rayna was probably used to whole roasting when camping, while Makoto had begun cooking taiyaki at the food stalls recently and probably had acquired cooking skills.

「Oi, I suck at this sorta work, dood……」

「Dat’s cuz ye hands’re big, Foeldan-sa. Ye can’t work with tiny things.」

　Goivejon skillfully wrapped the gyoza as he reassured Foeldan, who was struggling with the comparatively tiny skin due to his large palms. Ironically enough, he was better than Teres at this, who simply sucked at cooking.

「Boss Man～、I wrapped it pretty good～」

「Oh、Lime、good job mate!」

「Heehee.」

　Lime proudly held out her finished work of art. She not only surpassed Teres and Rayna, but also surpassed Nora by a long shot. The people unable to do this really did not seem to have an excuse now.