Differences in values, tastes, and preferences are universal. Even on Earth, traveling abroad can leave you bewildered by such disparities.
Since that is true even within the same world, it is only natural for the differences to be massive for someone like me, who has been transported to an entirely different world.
Fortunately, this world has been heavily influenced by my own. I can sense a certain "Earth-likeness" within its unique culture, which has made it relatively easy to adapt.
Of course, things like magic and polygamy threw me for a loop at first, but I’ve mostly acclimated by now.
Unfortunately, right now, the weight of those "differing values" was hitting me like a ton of bricks. I could feel a definitive wall standing between me and the people of this world...
Specifically, I had one thing to say: Why is there a "Baby Castella Specialty Restaurant" open on the seventh day!?
It was weird, wasn't it? The seventh day was supposed to be reserved for the shops that were popular during the first six days. Which meant... what? This shop was popular? No, no matter how you looked at it, this place was the product of a prank!
I really couldn't imagine anyone but Kuro actually liking this shop, so why...
"It is a Six Kings Festival Sponsor Privilege."
"..."
Was this your doing again!?
This was that, wasn't it? The same pattern where I was forced to eat Baby Castella Dishes two days in a row? Honestly, just how much did the Baby Castella of this world want to traumatize me before it was satisfied?
"...I'll ask just in case, but is there an option to go to a different shop?"
"There is not."
"...I figured."
Personally, I wanted to go anywhere else, but Shiro-san, feeling competitive toward Kuro, wasn't about to pass up a shop I’d visited with Kuro the day before.
And so, I ended up tasting Baby Castella Dishes two days in a row... This was painful.
Upon entering the shop, we were shown to a VIP Seat just like the day before and handed a menu. Ugh, just looking at it made me feel like I was getting heartburn. The words "Baby Castella" appeared so many times I felt like I was experiencing Gestalt collapse, but I had to choose something...
While scanning the menu and realizing I had absolutely no appetite, I suddenly spotted a strange item.
『Special Menu (Please Thank the Cute and Attentive Transcendent Beautiful Girl)』
The sheer idiocy radiating from that text pointed directly to Alice. Was Alice the one cooking? Her skills were incredible, so I might actually be able to handle this even if it was my second day of Baby Castella Dishes.
With that logic, I decided to order the special menu.
"Um, what will you have, Shiro-san?"
"I will have the same thing as Kaito-san."
This was a clear departure from Kuro’s style. Kuro had ordered every single item on the list, after all...
"Kuro ordered every single item."
"Eh? Ah, yes. That's right."
"However, I ordered the same thing as Kaito-san."
"R-Right."
"In other words... I win."
"No, I don't understand the criteria for winning or losing here."
She was making that smug face again. I felt like Shiro-san was even more competitive toward Kuro today than usual. I wondered if something had happened.
Just as that question popped into my head, our order arrived with surprising speed.
The dish reminded me somewhat of French cuisine. A large Baby Castella sat in the center of the plate, surrounded by various sauces.
Was this the special menu? The sheer size of the Baby Castella made me hesitate, but if Alice made it, the taste was bound to be top-notch.
"Um, shall we eat?"
"Yes."
After a quick nod to Shiro-san, I picked up my fork and knife, cut into the large sponge cake, and brought it to my mouth. I felt like everything about this was wrong—eating Baby Castella with a knife and fork? But then—Wait, this is delicious!
Th-This was... it certainly looked like Baby Castella, but it was actually something else entirely! This was "meat"!
The texture was closer to a Hamburg Steak, making it easy to eat, and it paired perfectly with the surrounding sauce. I see, so the "Special Menu" wasn't a dish made using Baby Castella, but "a dish made to look like Baby Castella"...
Alice, thank you so much! I'm definitely treating you to Yakiniku next time!!
"Kaito-san."
"Eh? Ah, yes. What is it?"
"Aahn."
"...Huh?"
"Aahn."
While I was being moved by Alice's wonderful support, Shiro-san had poked a piece of her own food with a fork and was holding it out to me.
Her expression was as blank as ever and her voice was monotone, but she clearly wanted to feed me.
It was extremely embarrassing, but knowing Shiro-san, she wouldn't take no for an answer. With a feeling close to resignation, I opened my mouth.
"How is it?"
"Um, it's delicious."
"I see. I wonder what the food Kaito-san is eating tastes like?"
"N-No, it's the exact same dish, you know?"
"I wonder what the food Kaito-san is eating tastes like?"
"...Do you want a bite?"
"I will accept."
Finally understanding what Shiro-san was demanding, I obediently skewered a piece of my own food and fed it to her.
Even though we had ordered the same dish, she still went for this blatant display of affection... As expected of Shiro-san. Her brazenness and natural air were truly formidable.
"I feel embarrassed being praised so much."
I definitely wasn't praising you. It's important, so I'll say it again: I definitely wasn't praising you.
Dear Mother, Father—no, really, Shiro-san is being quite pushy today. It feels more troublesome than usual. But, how should I put it? I can tell she's having a lot of fun, so I just end up thinking... well, that's okay.
???: "As expected of Alice-chan. Such a devoted figure, supporting Kaito-san from both the shadows and the front lines. Isn't she undoubtedly the Top Heroine?"
Serious-senpai: "Nice sockpuppet."