"I'm not a kid…"
In my past life, I had an accident during my growth spurt and ended up in the hospital, so I was short.
"Eh~ Aren't you supposed to be 14? Besides, just looking at your height, you seem younger than that, so you're definitely a kid."
Well… in this crazy world, even 10-year-olds can become adventurers, but by this world's standards, 14 is still considered young.
'That's true. But it's frustrating!!'
"Nyahaha! Look at that face, nya!!"
"Totally pouting, nya~"
'I'm already annoyed about being shorter!!'
Perhaps due to issues with the materials the administrator used during reassembly, even at 13 years old, my height was 149… no, 150cm, which is a bit short for my age.
'In my past life, I was around 155cm at this age… Is it because this is a Japanese manga?'
Anyway, the reason I'm having these thoughts is simple.
"Ugh… Anyway, I'm not a kid!!"
"Geez… For such a cute face, you only act like an old man, nya…"
Whenever Runoar, Anya, and Chloe meet me, they tease and treat me like a child.
"If you're smaller and younger than me, you're a kid, nya~"
"Most of all, this skin! Only little kids have skin like this, nya!!"
"From our perspective, you are a kid, so just accept the cuteness quietly!"
That kind of thing.
"...Have you ever thought that casually saying such things could hurt someone?"
I already have a complex about my height, so being treated like a kid because of it stresses me out, but here they openly treat me like a child and even poke fun, driving me crazy.
"Anyway! I'm in charge of Familia cooking for the next week, so I'm busy—please don't kidnap me in the middle of it!"
As I said that and tried to leave the shop with Bell, who didn't understand what was happening,
"...Huh? Lord Miach?"
"...God? And Senpai too?"
Suddenly, God and Naza entered the shop.
"Why are both of you here?"
"See… I told you I'd be here, right?"
"I was worried you might be running late, so I came to check, and it seems I was right."
The moment God and Naza entered the shop, I felt a piercing gaze from behind and reflexively turned around.
"Nyah~"
"Perfect timing for you to come, isn't it~"
"Now there's no reason to go back, nya~"
Sure enough, the trio were looking at me with expressions of pure delight, as if they were about to go crazy.
"Shhhh!!!"
"Kai turned into a cat-like state."
"Hmm… This isn't bad in its own way…"
"Ahaha… What in the world is going on here…"
.
.
.
After a bit of commotion, I explained to Lord Miach that Hestia had collapsed from overwork and was urgently looking for a place to lie down, which is why we came here. Upon hearing this, Lord Miach immediately left with Bell to examine Hestia.
"By the time they finish the examination and return, it'll be dinner time, so let's just eat here…"
"Ehehe, got him…"
Persuaded by Naza, I ended up making dinner at the Hostess of Fertility. Using the spices I bought along with the ones Auntie Mia used, I decided to make a dish I hadn't made in a while.
"Hoo… Those are quite rare items. Do you know how to use them?"
The spices I chose from Auntie Mia were three in total: garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika powder. It was a bit surprising that they were readily available here, even though I couldn't find them anywhere in the market.
"Ah, yes. I couldn't find them in the market no matter how much I looked, so I had almost given up… I was a bit surprised to see them right here."
"Garlic, onion, and paprika made into powder are hard to find in the market. In my case, I make and use them myself."
So, there was a reason I couldn't find them even after scouring the entire market.
"So, they just don't sell them… No wonder I couldn't see them…"
"Hmm~ If you want, I could share some with you?"
Frankly, I could make them myself, but it would save time on preparation and drying, so I asked what she wanted in return.
"...What do you want?"
"It's nothing strange, so loosen up your expression. Just come to the shop occasionally when you have time and make meals for my daughters, especially those cat girls."
"...If it's just that, then fine."
It wasn't a bad condition, so I agreed.
"Haha! Deal settled, then! But… what kind of food are you making that uses so many spices?"
"Ah, before starting the cooking, there's something I need to make first."
It was Cajun seasoning, made by mixing garlic powder, onion powder, paprika powder, along with salt, chili powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, pepper, and chili seeds—nine spices and herbs in total. Some say it doesn't suit Korean food, but it's essential for certain Western dishes.
"With this alone, you can make various types of dishes."
"Hmm… There are many ingredients involved, but the combination itself isn't that difficult."
"Then… I should start cooking now."
For reference, the dish I'm making is called Jambalaya, an American-style fried rice.
'Shrimp, which is almost essential, is missing… but so what? Jambalaya itself is a heavily modified version of paella in their own way.'
The most important thing when making Jambalaya is a large, spacious pot.
'Thud!'
Even though I set it down gently, the sound was a bit loud.
'Whoosh!!'
"Start with high heat."
As I added bacon and sausage cut into bite-sized pieces to the quickly heating pot, the unique aroma of smoking meat began to fill the shop.
"Once enough oil comes out from the bacon and sausage, set them aside for a moment and sauté finely chopped celery, onion, and bell pepper in the meat oil."
The oil from the bacon and sausage was enough to sauté all these ingredients, so there was no need to add extra oil.
"Mix everything together, and when the vegetables have softened a bit, add minced garlic, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes."
Once the tomato paste and tomatoes blend with the vegetables and thicken, evenly sprinkle the Cajun seasoning I made earlier.
"Now, when the color starts to darken slightly, add back the bacon and sausage, pour in chicken broth, simmer briefly, add rice, and wait… and it's done, but…"
"Already need broth at this timing? There's no problem using it now, but if you want proper broth, you need to simmer it for about 5 more minutes."
The chicken broth wasn't ready yet, so I decided to wait a bit.
"Ugh… Is it because there are so many people? The quantity is large, so it's hard to stir…"
While taking a short break and stretching before Auntie Mia returned, I glanced around and
"...What are you all doing there?"
I discovered that all the members, including Hestia who should be lying in bed, were gathered at the kitchen entrance, watching in a huddle.
"...Goddess, weren't you collapsed just a moment ago?"
"Well~ I was sleeping, but the smell that stimulates appetite woke me up."
"...Goddess aside, Bell, why are you there doing the same?"
"Ahaha… I couldn't have a proper meal during the festival, so I was hungry… By the way, Kai, you're incredibly good at cooking, aren't you?"
Right… for now, I'll let these two pass since it makes sense.
"Hey, when will it be done, nya?"
"Just smelling it tells me, nya! This is definitely going to be delicious, nya!!"
"I knew forcing him to stay was the right choice!"
'...Gulp'
Was it Runoar? Although she was a bit apart, swallowing saliva while watching this, I think it's better to just give up on thinking about it.
"Then, why are Senpai and God there doing the same?"
"It's a shame it's not curry, but… this looks tasty too…"
"Haha. I was just watching since there's nothing to do while waiting."
In a way… overall, it's a mess, but not exactly a mess—it became that kind of scene.
"Kid! The thing I asked for is done… what in the world is this situation?"
"Indeed, what is going on?"
There was a bit of commotion, but anyway, I resumed cooking.
"Now, add the finished chicken broth and rice, stir-fry while simmering thoroughly… and done!"
Just hearing the description, it might seem quick, but it had been almost 40 minutes since I started cooking.
"Ouch, my back… It's all done, so serve yourselves as much as you wa…"
'Clatter!'
"...Go ahead."
Despite rushing over, everyone served themselves just enough and sat in their respective seats, starting to inhale the food.
"Huh!!? It's delicious, nya!"
"I suffered just smelling it, nya!!"
"It's quite salty and oily, but the acidity from the tomatoes balances it out nicely, making it very tasty."
"Plus, a spicy kick hits at the end, making it a flavor that keeps you coming back for more."
"Hmm~ It's been a while since I had food like this!"
"Wow… It's super delicious, Kai!"
"As expected of our Familia's cooking representative's skills…"
"Another very exotic yet delicious dish, Kai."
Considering the amount and cost of spices used, it's only natural it's delicious, but seeing such positive reactions right in front of me felt good.
"Hmm! Spices are the best after all."
"...Is that something a cook should say?"
As Auntie Mia said, it's not a typical thing for someone who loves cooking to say, but
'Even if it's fusion, since the era is medieval, then spices are the best.'
Thinking it's not exactly wrong, I enjoyed the Jambalaya I made.
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