Dungeon Refrigerator 262

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Dungeon Stampede 2.0 Supreme

"Mmm~! This is so delicious! How can you cook like this, Machi-chan? You're amazing!"

"Heh... I knew you'd say that if you tasted this, Ruu!"

"This is tasty too! You've got skills, Machi!"

Yep, Ruu and Nina-san are thrilled with the crab cheese gratin Serai-san made. Good thing she learned well from the master.

As I watched the three of them enjoying the gratin, I started reminiscing about when we first met.

All three have such feminine, beautiful hands.

But they keep their nails trimmed so they can wear their battle suits without trouble. Yeah, you could call them "hardworking beautiful hands."

It makes me happy to see that they care for their hands like that.

If, during our first training session, they had said something like, "Ehh?! My nail polish will chip!" or "Like, can't we get pretty with less effort??" I would have declined to coach them on the spot.

But instead, they showed me the most breathtaking, peach-colored splendor in my history.

Yes, that's when our long relationship began, so it's quite nostalgic for me...

"Hmm? What's wrong? Ah, I get it. You want some too, right, Egetsu-san? Here, say 'aah!'"

"Oh...? Haha, then I guess I'll have some. Aah..."

"Hey, that's not fair, Machi-chan! Here, coach, you say 'aah' too!"

"Thanks, Ruu. Aah... Mm, it's so creamy and delicious!"

The two of them feed me the crab cheese gratin while I'm busy cooking. Just that alone gives me a hundred times more energy! I'll keep pushing forward with the next dish!

Oh, and when I glanced over at Nina-san-san, she winked at me. Hehe...

[Sizzle, crackle, crackle...]

Next up, huge fried mussels, sizzling away in garlic-infused olive oil. This oil is leftover from earlier, but it's still good enough to use. Would be a waste otherwise, so I'm using it for the fry.

The garlic might be a bit overpowering, but this dish is mainly for me, so it's fine.

Nina-san-san loves sea urchins, but it's not really my thing. I do love fried oysters, though. So, I coated these giant mussels and fried them like I would for oysters.

Cooking at home can feel cramped, but the spacious kitchen at the provisions house makes things so much easier.

[Sizzle... chop chop...]

"Alright, the fried mussels are ready! But be warned, the garlic's strong, so be prepared!"

"Hehe... What are you talking about? None of us would mind that, right?"

"That's right! If it's Coach's cooking... mm, I love everything!"

"Oh... Serai-san, did Ruu drink?"

"Yeah, looks like it while we weren't paying attention..."

"Ah, it's fine, just this once. Right, Ruu-chan?"

[Crunch! Munch...]

"Mmh, it's delicious! Tastes just like Coach!"

So I'm garlic-flavored, huh?

Even so, the three of them reach for the garlic-heavy fried mussels without hesitation.

[Crunch! Munch...]

"Ohh, yeah! This is great! What would go well with this?"

"Right, someone gave me a rare black beer. Why don't you try it, Nina-san-san?"

"Ooh, that sounds perfect!"

[Crunch! Pop!]

"Mmm~! The crisp, juicy mussels with the bitter richness filling my mouth... yeah, this... it's so good!"

Seems like Serai-san tried to say something clever but gave up halfway. Maybe she's been reading too many gourmet manga?

[Crunch! (Sizzle~)]

(Mm, delicious...)

Out of nowhere, I realize: that I love honesty.

It means being "correct and straightforward," but it also means "truthful." Being true to your heart is priceless.

For instance, if someone fake-smiles and flatters a person they dislike, that's twisting the heart, leading to dishonesty. In today's world, just living a social life often requires us to "fake" our hearts.

And the extreme result of this dishonesty is anxiety and depression. That's obvious.

"This is so delicious, Machi-chan!"

"But tomorrow, our breath will smell terrible!"

"Who cares? If we all stink, it won't matter!"

That's why I can't help but wish for their hearts to remain free and honest. A man must have the capacity to embrace that, after all.