kscans

Chapter 239 - Takopa

Nanapon and I went to the supermarket, bought ingredients and alcohol, then returned home. When we did, we found two children from another world playing video games in the living room.

"Hmm? I get Arc, but Lydia-chan came too?"

"Pardon the intrusion. I heard you were having something called a Takoyaki Party. Thank you for the invitation."

I’m pretty sure this isn’t the kind of party she’s imagining. Also, I have absolutely no memory of inviting her. What a unique kid.

I put the things we bought in the refrigerator, changed into Eleanor-san, and went back to the living room.

"Arc, what was that summons about?"

"Oh, right, that. I'll tell you later. I'm a little busy right now."

So the game comes first.

"Well, whatever. Kaede-chan, let's have a drink."

"In the middle of the day?"

"Day and night don't matter. Let's enjoy ourselves while watching Arc get his butt kicked."

Arc is going to lose anyway. He sucks at video games.

"Hey, I'm gonna win this time."

We started drinking while watching Arc and Lydia-chan play their game. They were playing a racing game, and as expected, Lydia-chan was dominant. But after playing several rounds, Arc would sometimes get lucky and win, and every time he did, a dark aura would emanate from Lydia-chan. The funny part was that the Natural Delinquent Princess was completely oblivious to it.

"I bet these two are going to get a gray divorce in the future..."

"Hey, you damn witch! What are you talking about?!"

Arc snapped.

"You're just so thoughtless..."

"Huh? To think you'd be the one to say that to me..."

Why does he look so shocked.

"Why don't you play a different game? That one over there would be good for studying about Japan."

I pointed to a game case sitting next to the TV.

"Is it fun?"

"It's fun. It's a game where you travel all over Japan, buy up properties, and become rich."

It’s fun, but it’s a friendship-destroying game that once nearly cracked the ironclad bond between me and Kaede-chan.

"Hmm... Lydia, want to give it a try?"

"If you recommend it, let's play."

Cry, Arc.

"Kaede-chan, should we start getting ready for the Takopa?"

Since Arc and Lydia-chan had started setting up the new game, we went to the kitchen to prepare for the Takoyaki Party.

"Senpai, isn't that a little light on the octopus? There are five of us, you know?"

Kaede-chan asked as she took the octopus out of the fridge.

"I thought since we're doing this, we might as well try some other things. I bought some squid and shrimp too."

"I see. That's a good idea. Shall we try adding a bunch of things?"

Yeah. I also bought some Tabasco and Frisk mints just for Arc.

"Eleanor-saaan, is this about right?"

Nanapon called out as she mixed the batter.

"I wouldn't know, but if the measurements are correct, it should be fine, right? Besides, you're the only one here with any experience."

"My mom did everything, so I don't know how."

Well, I guess parents usually make it. Kids would probably just make a mess.

"It'll be fine even if we mess up a little. More importantly, I bought some penalty game ingredients. Should we call the slob-san?"

"You think she'll come?"

"If she can't, she can't. I want to give her a souvenir anyway, so could you give her a call?"

"Got it."

Nanapon took out her smartphone and started tapping away.

"She really understands when you call her 'the slob-san,' huh..."

Kaede-chan, who had been listening to our exchange, sounded exasperated.

"But you know who I'm talking about, don't you, Kaede-chan?"

There’s only one person it could be.

"Well..."

See.

"Eleanor-san, Yoshino-san says she can come. It seems she wants Arc-chan to come pick her up."

Nanapon informed me, looking at her phone.

"I understand. Let's slice up some apples for her."

That woman loves apple juice, so this should be perfect.

"Hasn't the number of weird ingredients increased? It's going to put a damper on our fun party."

"You have a point. Let's stop here and get serious. Aaaarc, go get Yoshino-san."

I called out to Arc from the kitchen.

"Got it. Hey, where's Hakata?"

Starting with a faraway place, I see.

"It's over to the left. Just follow the arrow."

"Got it."

We continued our preparations, and once we were done, we returned to the living room. There, we found Yoshino-san sitting on the sofa, watching the game screen.

"Welcome."

"Hey. It's been a while. How was your trip?"

"It was fun. But I realized it would have been better to spread it out over a few months instead of doing it all at once."

"Well, of course."

Something about the phrase 'Japan Round Trip' just appealed to me.

"Anyway, Yoshino-san, please take the souvenirs on that table when you leave. And while you're at it, give the special souvenir in the fridge to Satsuki-san."

"Souvenirs, huh... there's a lot here."

Yoshino-san looked at the table piled high with souvenirs.

"Well, money is the one thing I have."

"I guess so. Still, to have all that money and throw a Takopa..."

"Have you ever done it?"

"I have. I did it with my old crew a long time ago."

Oh, we have an expert here.

"Then, please."

I took the bowl of gooey liquid from Nanapon and handed it to Yoshino-san.

"You just cook it normally."

As she spoke, Yoshino-san began pouring the batter into the hot plate full of round molds.

"You're good at that."

"You think? So, are you putting that in?"

Yoshino-san looked at the ingredients on the low table with an exasperated expression.

"Yep, yep. Let's see, first I have to make Arc's portion. The prince gets priority."

"So the damn witch has finally learned the meaning of respect."

Arc was engrossed in his game and didn't look our way.

"Of course. He's the next king, isn't he?"

As I said that, I put a piece of octopus in one of the molds and shook some Tabasco sauce over it.

"Let's see, for my adorable Kaede-chan, I'll put in this grilled diced steak. Oh, and I'll have shrimp."

"I want squid, please."

Nanapon put in her request too.

"I'll just put things in randomly. Besides, wouldn't this diced steak be better on its own?"

I absolutely think so. I snuck a piece earlier, and it was delicious.

Yoshino-san added the various ingredients and skillfully formed the takoyaki into perfect spheres.

"You're very skilled."

"You must be used to this... what a normie."

Kaede-chan and Nanapon praised her.

"This much is nothing. I think they're about ready."

Since Yoshino-san said so, I speared my target takoyaki with a toothpick, placed it on a plate, and set it in front of Arc.

"Here you go, Your Highness."

"Thanks."

We all took our own desired takoyaki and started eating. But Arc was just munching away on his takoyaki like nothing was wrong.

"Huh? Hmm?"

Mine was supposed to be shrimp, but the filling was a chewy octopus. What's more, my mouth was starting to feel hot.

"...Spicy!"

This is incredibly spicy. Hey!

"You damn witch! Did you think I'd fall for that! You will know the terror of my teleportation!"

That brat, he used teleportation to swap his portion with mine!

I frantically pulled a Healing Potion from my bag and chugged it down. The pain vanished almost immediately.

"What does this brat think he's doing to his master's goodwill!"

"It was too much for me, so I just returned your goodwill. The shrimp is delicious."

My shrimp...

"Stop your pointless bickering and eat..."

Yoshino-san sighed, exasperated.

"Oi, you two runts, stop playing games and come over here. It's time to eat."

"We're at a good part, but I guess we have to."

"So what is takoyaki, anyway?"

Arc and Lydia-chan put down their controllers and came to the table.

"Um, which one is which?"

"This one is the Frisk mints."

Nanapon, the one with Clairvoyance, informed us.

"Arc."

"You eat it, damn witch."

"Alright, rock-paper-scissors it is."

"Fine. Things like this are decided by one's daily conduct. I've already won."

What a little brat. I'll teach you the terror of an adult.

"They get along so well..."

"Let's just leave them be. Lydia-chan, which one do you want to eat?"

"I'd like a sweet one."

"I think that might be a landmine..."

Ignoring the peanut gallery, Arc and I played rock-paper-scissors. And the look on Arc's face, a product of his poor daily conduct, as he stared blankly at his own paper with a pale expression was absolutely priceless.