In a foreign space in the gap between worlds, Alice stood over a cutting board, expertly slicing through chicken with practiced ease. Machina peeked over her shoulder, watching the process with interest.
"Are you sure you shouldn't have used high-grade meat?"
"Highest quality isn't always the best choice for everything. What's the point of using super-premium meat for yakitori? I mean, I'm sure it would taste fine, but that slightly cheap, casual flavor has a charm of its own."
"Ah, I suppose I can see that. High-quality meat is delicious, but there's something satisfying about meat with a bit of a chew, drenched in heavy sauce or salt. Oh, Alice! I want karaage too!"
"...Why don't you just make it yourself?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... I want your cooking, Alice. If I just wanted the food itself, I could create the finished product in an instant. I want something with... you know, sincerity. Something made with love and affection."
"Maybe for Kaito-san, sure. But I seriously doubt any 'affection' is going into the food I make for you, Machina."
"Oh, come on, don't be like that. It doesn't have to be as much as you'd give My Beloved Child, just a little bit? Besides, I'm the one providing the space and the ingredients, aren't I?"
Alice gave the demanding Machina a flat, exasperated look. Letting out a heavy sigh, she began skewering the cut chicken and placing the sticks over the heat.
The charcoal fire crackled, and the chicken slowly began to brown. As the savory aroma filled the air, Alice spoke again.
"Fine. Just get a pot of oil to the right temperature. You wanted karaage, right?"
"Coming right up! How’s this?"
"I really feel like cooking for someone who can create anything at will is a colossal waste of effort..."
"Ow! What was that for? Why did you flick my forehead?"
"Just felt like it."
"That's so unfair!"
Despite her biting remarks, Alice's attitude was a sign of their easy familiarity. As best friends, the atmosphere between them remained relaxed and pleasant.
"So, why did you suddenly suggest having a meal together today?"
"I did want to eat with you, Alice, but I also wanted your opinion regarding My Beloved Child's birthday party."
"Ah... Since the world for the venue is finally complete, you're about to start the real preparations by briefing the people involved. Sounds like a plan. Even if you ignore the venue and the entertainment, we still have to handle the birthday presents for Kaito-san. It’s better to give everyone a heads-up early. My only concern was whether he’d catch on... but knowing Kaito-san, he could sniff out a surprise from the most unlikely angle. The fact that he hasn't yet must mean you or Shallow Vernal-sama took countermeasures."
"As sharp as ever. You read ahead so far that I barely have to explain anything. Well, if you think it's fine, I'll proceed as planned. Mmm, that smells wonderful!"
Alice's keen mind had parsed the entire situation from Machina's brief opening, and she gave her approval for the current stage of the birthday party planning.
Nodding in satisfaction, Machina produced a bottle of Japanese sake and a sake cup from thin air and set them on the table. Just as she did, Alice finished the cooking, placing the yakitori and karaage before them.
"Japanese sake? It’s been a while."
"We drank it together at that inn, remember? We had sashimi back then, but it goes just as well with karaage and yakitori. Here, help yourself."
"Thanks... That aside, my real concern is whether some lunatics from other worlds are going to try and crash the party. We already saw what happened with the shipboard party."
"Munch, munch... Mmm, your cooking really is the best, Alice! Oh, right, about your concern... well, you hit the nail on the head. We've been flooded with requests. My Beloved Child is incredibly popular."
"Seriously, how does that man manage to drive gods he’s never even met into such a frenzy?"
Alice watched Machina happily devouring a skewer of yakitori seasoned with salt. She let out a faint, weary sigh and tilted her cup to sip the Japanese sake.
"Well, defeating Shallow Vernal was a massive event in itself, but being the catalyst for Nebula's resurrection was even bigger. The title of Ultimate God at the absolute apex of all divinity isn't just for show. There are countless gods who adore Nebula. According to what Canaris—the Flowing God—told me, there are already fan clubs for My Beloved Child among the various World Creators. As his mother, it makes me proud to see his charm recognized so widely, but it does create problems. There are far too many of them to allow everyone to attend, and even if we only permit them to send presents, the sheer volume would be astronomical. Do you have any ideas?"
"Hmm. Why not just let Kaito-san choose via a lottery? Decide on a set number, say five or ten, and have Kaito-san draw the winners. Then you only accept gifts from those specific gods. You could also set some ground rules for the gifts so they don't send anything too insane. Kaito-san’s luck is basically a cheat; if he draws them himself, he'll probably end up picking the most convenient options anyway."
"I see. That actually sounds perfect. If the results come from My Beloved Child’s own hand, the other World Creators can hardly complain. I’ll propose that format to Shallow Vernal."
With the issue of the otherworld gods settled and one more concern off her mind, Machina relaxed and began to focus entirely on her food.
"Alice! I want more karaage!"
"Then eat it. It’s right there..."
"Aahn."
"..."
"Aaaaaahn!"
"Good grief."
Looking at Machina, who was holding her mouth open and demanding to be fed, Alice sighed once more. Then, with a wry smile, she picked up a piece of karaage with her chopsticks and popped it into Machina's mouth.
Serious-senpai: "Machina acts like a doting mother around Kaito, but she’s nothing but a spoiled brat when she’s with Alice."