Chapter 1353: Camping Under the Starry Sky ④

After a walk around the neighborhood with Isis-san, we decided to fish in the afternoon and cook lunch together. What we’re having for lunch is one of them stylish paellas.

……No, I chose it simply because it felt like something you’d eat when camping while I was browsing a recipe book……

[Errr…… First, devein the shrimp……]

[……Then, I will…… chop the vegetables.]

[Thank you.]

Looking at the recipe book, I proceeded with handling the ingredients. I can cook to some extent as I had been taught by Sieg-san, while Isis-san herself is good at cooking.

However, neither of us was at an extremely good level like Alice, but I think it’s nice to be able to cook while consulting each other like this.

While looking at the nearby Isis-san as she skillfully chopped the vegetables, I prepared the fish and shellfish. Removing the guts and cleaning them, I cut them into pieces that are easy to eat.

Then, putting the squid into the frying pan with the chopped vegetables that Isis-san chopped, I stir-fried them slowly.

[How long do I fry this……]

[……Errr…… It’s best to cook both sides of the squid carefully…… while not touching it too much…… until both sides of the squid are browned.]

[Ohh, Isis-san knows a lot about handling this. Have you made this before?]

[……No…… but I’ve read cookbooks before…… and I remember what was written…… to some extent.]

[I see, Isis-san cooks really well after all.]

[……I practiced…… so that I could feed Kaito.]

Come to think of it, the very first time I went to visit her house, Isis-san was still not that great of a cook. However, she had served me her home cooking several times since then, and I have never felt like she made anything like the one she made the first time.

Thinking that since it was Isis-san, she must have really worked hard and practiced, it warmed my heart.

[Ahh, it looks like it’s about time. Next is……]

[……Here…… Tomatoes.]

[Thank you.]

Adding the tomato paste that Isis-san passed to me, then let it boil down. Removing its moisture apparently softens the sourness, making it mellow.

After waiting for it to boil down, I added the remaining seafood, water, salt and saffron. Once the broth is simmering the seafood is removed to a separate dish, while the rice is added to the remaining broth and cooked.

[……It smells good…… and seems like…… you’ve cooked it well.]

[It does look good. I just have to be careful not to let it burn…… Finally, put the seafood back in and add lemon and parsley…… Okay, it’s done!]

[Well then, shall we start eating?]

[……Unnn…… Ahh…… I also made pot-au-feu…… Let’s eat it together.]

[Eh? When did you cook that?]

[……I was making it…… while Kaito was working hard on your paella.]

Surprisingly, Isis-san seems to have made pot-au-feu while helping me cook, and the pot-au-feu in the small pot looks incredibly delicious.

With the table and chairs for camping already taken out, we placed the pan of paella and pot of pot-au-feu in the center, and lining up the tableware, the preparations are complete.

[Well then, thank you for the food…… Unnn. Delicious.]

[……Thank you for the food…… Delicious…… You’re a good cook, Kaito.]

[No, no, that’s thanks to the recipe I followed. The pot-au-feu Isis-san made is also really delicious.]

[……If you’re pleased with it…… then I’m…… also happy.]

The food was well done and the smiling Isis-san was adorable, but just as I was thinking that it was a really wonderful lunch, Isis-san scooped up the paella with her own spoon and with her other hand underneath, she held out the spoon to me.

[……Kaito…… Ahhhn.]

[Eh? T- Thank you. Ahhhn.]

[……Delicious?]

[Yes, very much.]

As a happy smile appeared on Isis-san’s lips as she fed me the paella, I nodded my head while feeling a little embarrassed. W- Well, it’s just the two of us here, so there’s no problem with this……

Having such thoughts in mind, I also scooped up some paella with my own spoon and held it out to Isis-san in return.

[Isis-san too, here you go.]

[……Ahhhn…… Unnn…… Delicious…… Kaito feeding it to me…… makes it…… much tastier.]

[A- Ahaha…… I feel like it tastes better than usual when Isis-san feeds it to me too.]

[……I see…… That’s great…… Then…… have some more.]

Isis-san happily smiled and held out food with her spoon to me again. Of course, I had no reason to refuse, so I opened my mouth and let her feed me.

In return, I would also feed her with my spoon, and we both ate lunch peacefully.

Serious-senpai : [I- It hurts…… S- Somebody help me……]

Makina : [You called?]

Serious-senpai : [I didn’t call you. Seriously, I didn’t call you! In the first place, I’m asking for someone to help me! Not to make it worse!!!]