Kays Translations

Chapter 30: The Villainous Aristocrat Does the Cooking

I decided to pick up the lonely Maria and bring her back to our base, even though I was unsure about what to do with her.

It seemed Maria had lost her supplies while fighting the monsters, and leaving her alone there would have likely made her their prey.

Well, I knew trouble was bound to happen.

After all, we were dealing with the victim of an attempted kidnapping and the sister of the perpetrator.

Frankly, expecting nothing to go wrong would be rather odd.

"I see, I understand the situation,"

"Uh, w-well..."

Having heard the explanation, Eleanor nodded with a serious expression.

Maria flinched, fidgeting while waiting for the next words.

Now, what will happen next?

"Well then, let's have a meal together!! We caught some splendid fish!!"

Eleanor said with a beaming smile.

Huh, I thought you would hesitate a bit more, but you're accepting it?

"Oh, um, well..."

In fact, Maria seemed more bewildered by the situation.

However, even if Maria was okay with it, there were others who might not be.

Viola voiced his opinion to Eleanor.

"Absolutely not, Your Highness. Her brother was the one who attacked you—"

"Yes, that's correct. It was all Kerbek's doing. She is her own person, after all."

Eleanor countered the opposing opinion with a sweet smile, showing her strength as a princess.

"If that's what you say, Your Highness, I won't say another word."

"Thank you, Viola."

"Hey, now that the conversation's over, let's eat!! I'm starving!!"

"Yeah. I've got the fire going. Just need to do the cooking. Leave it to me."

Sid and Kotori make noise from a distance.

"Let's go then. Please take a look at the fish I caught!!"

"Oh, y-yes!!"

"Hurry up!!"

Eleanor grabbed Maria's hand and entered the circle of Class S together.

At that moment, Maria whispered in Japanese, speaking softly.

"What is this, a princess? Like an angel."

Too bad, the slot for an angel is already filled by our cute Wendy. 

And the goddess slot is taken by Felsy, so find something else.

Thinking like that, Felsy, who had been watching the situation next to me, breathed a sigh of relief and patted me on the back.

"Phew, I'm relieved that everything turned out fine."

"I apologize for the trouble, sister."

I bowed my head to Felsy.

This whole situation was entirely my own decision, and it could have easily escalated into a problem. 

It could potentially affect Felsy’s evaluation as a student leader.

So, I decided to apologize to Fercy sincerely.

In response, Felsy smiled, a soft and happy expression on her face.

"Exactly. Hehe."

"Um, is something the matter?"

I was prepared for a bit of scolding, so her reaction was somewhat surprising.

"You couldn't just leave that girl alone, could you, Kunou-kun?"

"Well, that's true."

We're from the same hometown, so I wanted to take care of her a bit.

"I'm happy that you've grown up to be kind to girls, little brother."

"Well, it's not like I do it just because she's a girl."

"In that case, I'm even happier. Kunou-kun being a good and kind person to others is a wonderful thing."

I felt a bit awkward being praised so openly like this.

"...Sister, also..."

"I understand. I will talk to the teacher, and the student who neglected her duties as her mentor will receive a severe punishment."

The biggest issue this time was with the upperclassman who neglected her role as Maria's supervisor. 

Judging by Felsy’s cheerful smile, it seemed like a significant punishment was on its way.

With these thoughts in mind, I returned to the Class S circle. 

However, an unexpected and significant trouble arose at this moment.

"None of you have experience cooking for yourselves? Seriously?"

"........"

I sighed heavily as I looked at the Class S members and Maria.

"Well, it can't be helped. I'll do the cooking."

"Wha...?"

"What's with that reaction? I can cook, you know."

It seems like I was mistaken for someone who can't cook.

Feeling irritated, I decided to show them my skills.

"First, I'll prepare the game bird."

I had already removed the blood, so I inserted a knife between the bones to break it down.

I deliberately left the bones intact.

Bone-in meat looks more delicious, and it's definitely not a shortcut.

"I marinate the disassembled game bird in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sake. But since soy sauce isn't available, I'll use fish sauce as an alternative marinade."

Soy sauce doesn't exist in this world.

There are soybeans, so I might try making it someday, but it will take a long time.

For now, I have no choice but to use fish sauce, which has a distinct smell and taste, as a substitute.

"While the meat is marinating, I'll prepare the fish."

Eleanor and Kotori scaled the two large fish they caught.

Then, they made an incision along the belly and removed the internal organs.

"After that, sprinkle some salt, chop the nuts that Sid and Viola gathered, and wrap it all in large leaves. Then, we just need to steam it."

"””Wow..."””

"Now, it's time to cook the marinated meat."

I coat the meat with flour and prepare a pot with enough oil for the meat to submerge in.

Careful not to let the oil get too hot.

"Then, I'll drop the meat into the hot oil."

"Ahh!?"

Splattering oil hit Sid's face, but it was his fault for leaning over the pot of hot oil.

"When the meat floats to the surface, transfer it to a plate and let it rest."

"Yeah. Let's dig in—"

"Hey, it's still too early."

As Kotori reached for the fried meat—intending to eat it as tempura—I gave her a light tap on the hand and plunged the meat back into the oil.

"Wasn't it fried enough?"

Viola asked curiously.

"Ah, well, it's a cooking method called double frying. I don't really know why we do it, but it makes the tempura taste better."

"I-I see."

And thus, the bone-in fried chicken and steamed river fish were completed.

"Wow!! It looks delicious!!"

"Yes, indeed!!"

Eleanor and Maria, speaking in her ladylike tone, gazed at the finished dishes with sparkling eyes.

"Alright, dig in."

"””We'll enjoy this!!"””

It seemed like everyone was extremely hungry, as they all eagerly devoured the fried chicken and steamed fish.

I handed the portion I had set aside to Felsy.

"Please, sister."

"Oh, are you sure?"

"I'm not heartless enough to let my sister eat portable rations while everyone else enjoys a feast."

"Hehe, you're right. Thank you."

The food received rave reviews.

"This is amazing!! I love this fried chicken!!"

"Yeah. Kunou-kun has a knack for cooking."

"Well, I guess so."

"It's really delicious!!"

"Sigh, I really crave a super cold beer right now."

Hey, the last one who spoke Japanese. Weren't you supposed to be a high school girl in your past life? Absolutely no drinking for minors.

By the time the sun set, dinner was over, and nightfall arrived.

However, trouble struck again right here.

"We don't have enough tents, do we?"

Eleanor said with a troubled expression.

Yes, the unexpected addition of Maria meant there weren't enough tents for everyone.

"I-I don't mind sleeping outside—"

"In that case, Maria might catch a cold!!"

"But, I..."

In the chilly night, Eleanor shook her head at Maria's suggestion of sleeping outdoors.

Then, as if she had just realized something, Eleanor's expression changed.

"Maria, please use my tent."

"Eh? Th-then, Your Highness, what will you do?"

"I will intrude upon Kunou-sama's tent!!"

Huh? What's she saying?

"Um, Eleanor-sama?"

"I saw it briefly, but Kunou-sama's tent is quite spacious, isn't it?"

"Well, yes. But if that's the case, Sid and I, being men, could sleep together—"

"Ah!! I can't hear you!! Come on, Kunou-sama!! Let's sleep together!!"

Eleanor tried to push me into the tent.

Wait, she's strong!? Where is all this strength coming from such a slender body!?

As I struggled desperately, Felsy stepped in to mediate.

"Please wait, Princess Eleanor."

"Hmm, Felsy onee-sama..."

"Having males and females sleep in the same tent is not permissible as a supervisor."

"Oh no, please don't worry!! I don't mind at all!!"

"In this matter—"

At that moment, Kotori spoke up.

"Yeah. Then the three of you can sleep together."

Wait a minute.

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