50.5 SS4: What is Needed to Improve
One day, at the dinning area.
As he ate his food, Ibris faced the table.
Anna stared at him, looking a little nervous.
She was holding her breath in anticipation.
“Umu! It tastes better than yesterday!”
“Really?”
“I’m not one to lie. All the words that come out of my mouth are facts.”
When Ibris confidently said that, Anna felt relieved from the bottom of her heart.
“Still, I’m surprised. Even though I eat every day, I never tire of said activity. Is cooking so profound?”
“If you’re interested, why not try your hands at cooking, Ibris?”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed.”
Ibris groaned at Anna’s suggestion. But he seemed to contemplate it. After a while, he answered.
“Nah, it’s unbefitting of me.”
“I, I see…”
“Umu, while I might be able to pull it off, I already have Anna. As long as you continue towards the path of deliciousness, there’s no need for me to do it myself.”
Before—Ibris said that he looked forward to her cooking.
As if the feelings were conveyed to Anna, she smiled happily.
“Cooking…”
A voice leaked from my mouth while watching the two of them.
It didn’t mean much, I just casually thought of it.
Grave, whom was listening beside me, asked.
“Can Liliana cook?”
“What…?”
Grave’s words seemed to have been overheard by Ibris and Anna.
The two of them turned towards us at once.
“What? Liliana can cook?”
“Really?”
“Eh, the truth is… I’m not good at cooking…”
“Mu? Is that so?”
“Yes, I made something once a long time ago, but after my master ate it…”
‘You don’t have to cook anymore.’
“—are the words he said to me.”
“T-that’s…”
“It’s alright, I understand.”
Anna was careful with her words, but I could already guess what my master meant by that.
…He thought that it was so bad, there was simply no room for improvement.
“Well, I’m surprised. Your blacksmithing skills are top notch, so I naturally thought you’d excel at cooking.”
“Blacksmithing and cooking are two different things.”
“Grave! Don’t be so blunt!”
“O-oh, right… forgive me…”
For some reason, Anna was angry at Grave. Grave seemed unsettled.
“Wasn’t that a long time ago?”
“Well, indeed…”
“If you practice, you might improve.”
“That’s right! Even I wasn’t good at it at first!”
“Training is important. After all, progress is everything. When I was just born, I was but a weakling.”
“That was thousands of years ago…”
Grave stared at him in astonishment.
“I want to eat Liliana’s food someday.”
“R-really?”
“Indeed.”
“Well, I will try to practice a little…”
“Really!? If so, I will teach you!”
“Okay…”
I casually replied and made such a promise.
At that time, I recalled other words that my master had said.
‘If you don’t feel like it, it’s useless to try and make it.’
At that time, I didn’t have the slightest intention of improving.
I wanted to be a full-fledged blacksmith. I was so desperate, I didn’t care about anything else.
As of the present, I began to feel interested in many other things.
When she was praised by Ibris, Anna looked truly happy.
“…I will do my best.”
Determination was necessary for improvement.
I thought that was definitely true.
***T/N: (As Ibris) “Bahahaha, hahaha! My chefs have increased! C’mon, cook for me, everyone (Persona’s ‘Specialist’ playing in the background)
When the bread cooked is strong as a holy sword. Not even a novelty weapon anymore.