The Truth of the Gold Apple
"Mmm! This dish is absolutely delicious!"
Holding a steaming bowl, Filmera-san beams with delight.
"It's my first time making it, but it turned out surprisingly well."
What I made this time is a makeshift minestrone soup.
First, I sautéed several types of mushrooms Grey gathered in the irori nabe with salt fruit.
Then, I added finely chopped Pear Daikon and eggplant, stir-fried them, and poured in water from my water magic until the mushrooms and vegetables were submerged. After bringing it to a boil, I added three crushed Ketchup Tomatoes.
Zucchini would've been nice, but substituting cucumber felt wrong, so I simmered it as is, and the makeshift minestrone was complete.
The flavor was a bit light, but it seems to suit Filmera-san's taste. She's lifted her mask slightly, sipping the minestrone from the bowl with relish.
Her pink, plump lips, visible as she eats, are somehow alluring, making my heart skip a beat.
As expected, Filmera-san's face must be incredibly beautiful.
"Kyu, kyu!"
While I'm captivated by Filmera-san's profile, Grey tugs at my clothes.
"Oh, right. I haven't prepared Grey's meal yet."
Grey seems primarily carnivorous, showing little interest in the minestrone I made.
But there's one fruit Grey always leaps for, and I still have some left.
"Here, Grey. A gold apple."
"Kyu-kyu~!!"
As if determined not to waste a single drop of the juice that spills when I split it, Grey hops onto my hand.
Grey's frantic scurrying tickles, but seeing it up close, despite its size, it's still just a spider.
As I'm doing this, I suddenly feel an intense gaze from Filmera-san.
Turning, I see her frozen, eyes wide.
"T-T-T-That fruit…!"
"Hm? Oh, this is a gold apple from this forest. It's super sweet and delicious, right?"
"I-I know that, but how can you split that fruit…!?"
She sounds shocked, as if witnessing something impossible.
But when asked how I split it, all I can say is I just did it.
"That fruit is the fruit of the Divine King Tree—commonly called a 'gopple' It's a legendary fruit said to surge strength with a lick of its juice, fill your stomach with a bite, and cure all ailments if you eat half!" (T/N: Gold fruit will now be translated as gopple. Please take note!)
The fruit of the Divine King Tree, aka gopple.
Sounds like something from the final map of an RPG.
But as Filmera-san says, eating this gold apple—no, gopple—does make me feel energized, like my body's in top shape.
As I suspected, this gopple is a rare fruit.
"Hmm… I had no idea it was that incredible."
"Incredible doesn't cover it! It rarely bears fruit, and no amount of strength or magic can even scratch it. To split a gopple with your bare hands…!"
"What? Filmera-san, you can't split these?"
"Not normally! A mysterious force absorbs any power used against it. Even when they rarely appear at auctions, they're usually sold as ornamental items!"
Apparently, I've unknowingly achieved something extraordinary.
But I didn't do anything special.
I thought it was odd that a knife couldn't cut it and throwing it against rocks left no marks… Maybe it's related to some skill the god gave me.
Well, thinking about it won't solve anything. If I meet the god again, I'll just ask.
Whether that'll happen, I won't dwell on.
"Want to try some, Filmera-san?"
"Eh!? I-Is that okay!?"
Eagerly, Filmera-san grabs my hand.
Her slender, soft, smooth hand.
I'm savoring the sensation when Filmera-san suddenly snaps back to herself, lets go with an apologetic look, and touches her cheek, embarrassed.
"S-Sorry…! Are you feeling unwell? Nausea, headaches…? Please punish me for being so shameless…!"
"No, no, no! I don't think you're shameless at all!"
"R-Really…?"
Filmera-san looks at me with slightly teary, upturned eyes.
That look would make any man—not just me, but every man in the world—forgive anything.
Her teary, upturned gaze has devastating power.
"Really. I can't see your face, but your gestures, manners, polite speech, and slight lack of self-confidence all show you're a kind and wonderful person. So, please don't put yourself down so much."
"Y-Yukiya-sama…"
"Besides, since we've met like this, I'd love for us to get along."
It feels a bit cheesy, but this is my genuine feeling.
I don't know why Filmera-san belittles herself so much, but there must be a reason.
If I show through my actions that she should have confidence, maybe one day she'll believe in herself.
I hope that happens.
"…Yukiya-sama, thank you. Someday… Yes, someday, I want to show you my face. But for now, I lack the courage, and it's a bit scary…"
"That's okay. Whenever you're ready, just let me know. I won't force you."
"Yes, thank you…!"
Clasping her hands in front of her chest, Filmera-san beams brightly.
Her radiant smile makes me feel happy too.
In my previous life, I never imagined talking with someone so beautiful they could be a global celebrity.
As expected of an isekai.
"Here… This is for you, Filmera-san."
"Oh, thank you! I'll dig in."
I hand her a split gopple.
She takes it cautiously, examines the halved fruit, and gently brings it to her mouth.
"—!? I-It's so delicious…! Just one bite, and magical energy surges from deep within…!"
A faint green whirlwind envelops Filmera-san's body.
That must be magical energy, and with a dreamy expression, she eats the gopple carefully.
Glancing at her, I take a bite of my own gopple.
Yup. Even after eating various vegetables and meats in this world, the gopple is still the tastiest.
Then, Filmera-san, Grey, and I chat merrily, slowly enjoying lunch until the irori nabe is empty.