After we decided that Kaori-san would stay the night, I sent a message to Illness-san to prepare a guest room. We spent the rest of the evening chatting and watching more movies, and when dinner time rolled around, I had the meal brought up to my room.
My quarters were about three times the size of a regular room, so there was more than enough space for the two of us to eat comfortably.
"Oh, it's not a formal course, but there are so many dishes—it’s quite a feast! Is this soup a potage? It looks delicious," Kaori-san remarked, admiring the spread.
"Sometimes they serve it as a formal course, but Aoi-chan, Hina-chan, and I aren't really used to that sort of thing. Because of that, they often prepare it like this, setting everything out at once. The Head Chef seems to put a lot of thought and effort into the variety."
"Heh. When you say 'Head Chef,' you mean the one from Lilia-san’s mansion, right? She wasn't directly involved in the cooking for the Shipboard Party, but she was so fascinated by Otherworld cuisine that we spent quite a while talking and swapping recipes."
"That explains a lot. Now that you mention it, since the Shipboard Party, I feel like our meals have started incorporating tastes and techniques from our world."
During the Shipboard Party, I had acted as the host, so the event was primarily handled by my own household staff and hired maids. Lilia-san’s mansion staff, including the Head Chef, hadn't been very involved.
However, the Head Chef was someone who was hungry to learn new techniques. She had apparently been so personally interested that she observed the menu creation process, which was how she and Kaori-san became acquainted.
"As expected of the Chef for a Ducal House, her skill is incredible... Mmm! This potage is perfectly strained. The texture is sublime."
"I’ve heard that she originally worked at the Royal Castle. Apparently, there’s a Court Chef Cooking Competition where they vie for technical dominance, and she once placed in the Best 4."
"Wow, I didn't know they held tournaments like that."
"I think it’s strictly an internal event for the Royal Castle staff."
Since I spoke with the Head Chef frequently, I had heard stories about her time at the castle before. It seemed those competitions were held as a way to encourage daily improvement.
Even within the Royal Castle, the number of cooks was massive. The staff ranged from those who prepared meals for the common servants to those entrusted with devising high-end menus for state parties.
...Well, given that the winner of that specific competition was apparently Beatrice-san, it seemed that maids were also eligible to participate alongside the professional chefs.
"This is delicious... Is the secret in the prep work? No, maybe this slightly acidic sauce is the deciding factor..."
As Kaori-san enjoyed her meal, she occasionally slipped into a "professional mode," her expression turning serious as if she were dissecting the flavors. She was likely thinking about how to replicate the seasonings she liked.
She spent a lot of time working on new recipes and experimenting at her shop, so her passion for cooking was clearly immense. In any case, I was just glad to see her enjoying herself.
After we finished dinner and took a short break, I decided to ask her something.
"By the way, Kaori-san, do you drink? Would you like a drink?"
"Alcohol?"
"Yeah. There’s a bar in the basement."
"I see, a bar in the basement... in the... Wait, why is there a bar in the basement of your house?"
"If you're asking me why, I can only say that Alice built it without permission... For what it's worth, the manager is the Head of the Death King's Subordinates."
"Ah... as expected, this boy lives completely outside the bounds of common sense. We-Well, I’m definitely interested. I haven't been to many bars, so I’d love to see it."
I had suggested it thinking that Iris-san was also a skilled cook and they might have plenty to talk about. Kaori-san, though puzzled, gave an enthusiastic reply.
The two of us left the room and headed down to the basement. We descended the stairs, and just as we were approaching the bar, Kaori-san noticed the path leading in the opposite direction and tilted her head—exactly the same way Amel-san had done before.
"...Kaito-kun, if that way leads to the bar, then what’s over here? A pantry?"
"Oh, no, that way is... a weapons shop."
"A weapons shop? Like... an actual weapons shop that sells swords and spears?"
"That’s the one."
"...Why is there a weapons shop in your house?"
"I can only tell you that Alice built it on a whim. Though lately, Aoi-chan and Hina-chan have been using it, so it isn't entirely a waste..."
"Ah, right. For adventurer work, you definitely need good weapons and armor. And if it’s the Phantasm King-sama's shop, I’m sure the quality is top-tier."
"Do you want to take a peek inside?"
"Honestly, I am a little curious. As long as it isn't a bother to the Phantasm King-sama..."
Kaori-san seemed slightly hesitant out of respect for the Phantasm King, but I knew it wouldn't be an issue. If anything, Alice was probably already prepared to try and sell her something.
With that in mind, I led Kaori-san to the shop. When we stepped inside, Alice greeted us, wearing her usual Lion Kigurumi.
"Welcome... Honestly, I feel like I get more traffic here than at my general store," Alice grumbled.
"That's because your general store is in a back alley. Plus, you close it whenever you feel like it, so nobody ever knows if you're actually open."
"E-Excuse me, Phantasm King-sama! That costume is incredibly cute again today."
"...You think it’s cute?"
"Eh? Of course it’s cute! That haughty expression on its face is great. The cat costume was nice, but I think the lion is adorable too..."
It had been apparent since the Founding Anniversary Festival, but Kaori-san was very receptive to Alice's costumes. Whether it just suited her personal tastes or not, she seemed to genuinely find them charming.
Alice seemed to nod with satisfaction. Perhaps it was because so many people—Kuro included—tended to give her low marks for her fashion choices. Then again, if you looked closely, the design did seem like something that would be popular with women...
"...But really, it's the person inside. When you factor that in, the final evaluation is just that she's annoying."
"Isn't that a bit cruel!?"
"Wow, Kaito-kun, you're merciless with the Phantasm King-sama. Is... Is that a sign of how close you two are?"
Serious-senpai: "Alice, here? Ho-How will this turn out? Kaori-san isn't the type to take weird things seriously like Isis, and since Kaito is by her side, I don't feel like the situation is one where Alice can stir things up..."