Chapter 147 - Birds of a Feather, in a Way
Building the [Stone Kiln] became easy by the third time.
What was supposed to be just a size larger turned into two sizes larger.
Also, I might have made it a bit too elaborate...
"Alright, for a test run... shall I grill some [Flower Trout]?"
"Woof!"
"Oh, Lupi, welcome back. Perfect timing. Let's have a snack."
I stuffed in some scrap wood for fuel and lit it.
Once it's properly lit, not having to worry about it going out is truly easy.
"I wish we had a kitchen, or rather, a cooking counter."
"Yeah, I need to make that too, I guess. Ah, and plumbing..."
For now, there's nothing, so I crouch down and gut the [Flower Trout] on a stone cutting board placed on the ground.
I'll wash the clean fillets with water produced by [Purification] magic, and then later, I'll bury the removed guts with a shovel...
I skewer them with bamboo sticks, sprinkle a little salt, and put them in the [Stone Kiln].
Speaking of bamboo skewers and salt, during the 'one hour of gaming a day' period before exams, should I be doing more than just reading? Like stocking up on various small items?
"Is the cooking counter around here?"
"Won't it get in the way when coming from the back door?"
"I see..."
As Mion and I were arranging things on the dirt floor, all of a sudden,
"Woof!"
The [Flower Trout] seemed to be cooked, and Lupi's tail was wagging furiously.
I immediately placed one fish on Lupi's lunch plate and took a wild bite of my own.
"Hot!"
"...Next time you visit my place, please make fish dishes."
"Ah, okay."
But I feel like fish dishes aren't really meant to be lined up like Chinese food.
I don't think amberjack with daikon and simmered flounder should be served at the same time...
If it's various fish dishes... sashimi? Sushi... I can't really make sushi. Oh, hand-rolled sushi might work.
"Is it about 4 o'clock now?"
"Ah, yes. It's almost 4 o'clock."
"One more hour. Which should I start with?"
I want a cooking counter, a table, chairs, and a dish cabinet too. The lower section could be for stacking firewood.
Or perhaps the plumbing. Even if I drain the wastewater into the spring, I think it's better to create a small reservoir first.
"Shouldn't the stairs descending from the back door be first?"
"Ah, that's right. That should be first."
Right now, I have to jump down from the back door.
Instead of a straight path like the front, I'll make stone steps leading down to the dirt floor...
"Alright, time to make dinner. Huh? Aren't both of you playing IRO?"
Big Sis Mashiro and Miki were in the living room.
They were intently watching something on the air display, but...
"Something interesting happened, you see."
"Interesting? What...?! Big Sis Mashiro, did you do PvP with Leona-sama?"
"Hmph, well, yeah..."
Her evasive answer meant she lost.
Well, of course, she'd lose, but it's impressive that Leona-sama even fought her.
"Did Miki ask for it?"
"Nay, I said naught. 'Twas by chance that Leona-dono and her companions were here for that matter, and my sister happened upon them, and ere I knew it..."
She said, spreading her hands.
On the screen was Leona-sama and... is that Big Sis Mashiro's character?
A mannish short cut, completely different from her current low ponytail hairstyle. If it weren't for the blonde hair, she'd look like Big Sis Mashiro in middle school, but she's about the same height as Leona-sama.
Marie (Mashiro) Onee-san parrying Leona-sama's twin blades with her gauntlets, and Leona-sama dodging her punches and kicks in an evenly matched offense and defense.
That's amazing... Wait, was this live-streamed...?
"Here."
Big Sis Mashiro paused the playback.
It was the moment Leona-sama's right-hand thrust was deflected by Marie Onee-san's backhand...
"Even I couldn't see that coming."
As the video played frame by frame, Marie Onee-san threw a right straight, which Leona-sama narrowly dodged, and then a dagger from Leona-sama's left hand was placed at Marie Onee-san's throat, wrapping around her arm.
"Ah~! Damn it!"
"A splendid cross counter, indeed."
Big Sis Mashiro sprawled on the sofa, but her expression seemed rather refreshed.
Well, I guess if you fight a strong opponent fair and square and lose, that's fine.
"You didn't get into a fight afterwards, did you?"
"Nah, didn't happen."
"Brother is such a worrywart. They became proper friends, and spoke of a rematch sometime in the future."
Miki chuckled.
"Shota! Food! Make something I can win against!"
"Alright, alright..."
Well, I was planning to make katsudon, so that works out.
"...So that's what happened."
"Yes. I found out on the forum and watched the video too. It was amazing!"
"Yeah, well, I'm relieved the live stream's reception wasn't bad, but..."
In IRO's competitive PvP, if there's a difference in character levels, stats are adjusted to match the lower level.
In this case, it's adjusted to Marie (Mashiro) Onee-san's level, but this is only for stats; acquired skills and arts can still be used as they are.
Logically, Leona-sama should have an overwhelming advantage, but there were whispers that Marie (Mashiro) Onee-san's good fight was impressive.
"It's fine to have fun, but I'm worried she might become too famous and get provoked into PK-ing."
"I think it'll be fine. It's also widely known that she's Seth-chan's older sister."
"Hmm..."
I'm worried that might cause trouble for the [Silver Manor].
She's calmed down a bit since high school, but in middle school, she was a real firecracker.
"Hehe, Shou-kun, you're just like a mother."
"Ugh, I get told that quite often..."
For Miki, I guess it can't be helped when people say that, but when it includes Big Sis Mashiro, I just can't agree...
"Alright, done."
[Woodcraft skill level increased!]
The cooking counter was made of [Stone Wall], and the new table and chairs for outside were wooden.
I'd like to say the kitchen is complete now, but I still have to deal with the drainage.
"Congratulations. Could you [Appraise] the table and chairs for me?"
"Thanks. Uhm..."
[Quality Table]
"A very common wooden table. Good quality.
Woodcraft: Repairable"
[Quality Chair]
"A very common wooden chair. Good quality.
Woodcraft: Repairable"
"Does it really become a quality item if the skill level is 5 or higher?"
"In Shou-kun's case, your [Logging] is 6, and [Material Processing] is 7, so I don't think you're a good reference."
"Ah... yeah."
Come to think of it, when we were talking about Big Sis Mashiro, it turned into a PvP discussion, and I forgot to ask about the [Area Boss]'s—[Uruk], was it?—hide or horn.
"Woof."
"Oh, Lupi, what's wrong? You're going to the southwest forest with the [Fairies]..."
On Lupi's back was the usual 'high-ranking' [Fairy]. Behind her, ordinary [Fairies] were floating about, giggling and being playful.
"Shou-kun, why don't you go too? If you keep crafting things, your body will get dull."
"You might be right. Actually, I've been neglecting my bow practice, so I'll go get some exercise."
"Yes!"