Chapter 70: The Boy Prepares to Set Out
After the girls finished watching the fireworks and felt satisfied, they pulled Shirou along as they descended the mountain.
Afterward, in order to fulfill her promise to Ibaraki-Douji, Yuigahama bought a massive amount of sweets.
Aside from what she picked up at the street stalls, she even made a special trip to the convenience store and bought all kinds of candies—so many that it made people worry whether all her teeth might rot away.
After coming out of the store, Yuigahama began distributing the candy to everyone.
"Mash, thank you for all your hard work today. This is your reward," Yuigahama said, handing Mash a cotton candy.
"Thank you, Yuigahama-senpai. I'll treasure it and eat it slowly," Mash replied with a happy smile, noticing the Fō print on the packaging.
"This one's for Komachi! I know banana is your favorite!" Yuigahama said, handing over a chocolate banana.
"Thanks, Yuigahama-senpai! You really get me!" Komachi accepted it with a bright smile. Somehow, it felt like if she used bananas as a medium to summon a certain girl high schooler known as a "god," she'd probably be strong enough...
"Asuna, this one's for you!" Yuigahama handed Asuna a candy, then stuck out her tongue.
For a second, it looked like sharp demon horns popped out of her head—and then she darted off quickly.
"Eh? Durian candy?" Asuna looked at the candy in her palm and thought with confusion, Was I singled out for some reason?
"Shirou! Here." Yuigahama suddenly stuffed a candied hawthorn skewer into Shirou's mouth.
"Thanks... but aren't you afraid of getting cavities with how much candy you bought?" Shirou asked, the skewer still in his mouth as he looked at her.
"Geez, Shirou, you nag too much. It's fine! It's not like I'll eat them all in one day. Plus, I brush my teeth twice a day! Here, help me hold these!" Without a care, Yuigahama shoved the bags big and small into Shirou's arms, then ran ahead and suddenly hugged Yukinoshita.
"Yukino, want to split this candy apple with me?" Yuigahama offered the bitten half of the candy apple to her.
"No, thanks. I can't really handle sweet stuff," Yukinoshita said, turning her head away as she was hugged.
"Eh? But didn't you say sweets were delicious when we went out before?" Yuigahama asked in confusion.
"Exactly. Because they're so good, I can't eat too much of them. I'm more of an indoor type. If I eat too much, my weight goes up alarmingly fast.
Especially since we're having Shirou's cooking for dinner later... if I'm not careful, I'll overeat again..." Yukinoshita's tone started to become a bit gloomy.
"Ehh?! I completely forgot! What do I do?!" Yuigahama looked panicked.
"No, if it's you, Yuigahama, the fat will only go there anyway, so it's totally fine..." Yukinoshita looked even more dejected.
"That's not true, Yukino! I work out every day, okay? I'm the one who takes Sabre out for walks!" Yuigahama protested indignantly.
Everyone returned to the Hikigaya household for a celebratory dinner for Komachi's acceptance into an international high school.
By the time they got home, it was already close to 7:30 PM. As the designated chef, Shirou had to quickly get into the kitchen and get to work.
"I'll help," Yukinoshita Yukino said as she stepped in. The girl tied her long hair behind her head. On the back of the door hung two aprons—one small and cute pink one suited for a young girl, and one plain and modest, like a certain someone. She picked the larger one and tied it on.
"Thanks. Then I'll leave the salad to you," Shirou replied.
In addition to the pre-prepared Japanese dishes—steamed radish meatballs, thick-skinned dumplings, and thin-skinned shumai—tonight's meal at the Hikigaya home featured ancient Roman-style cuisine as the main highlight.
As one of the two great ancient empires that bridged East and West, Rome shared the traits of inclusiveness and exchange.
At its height, Rome's borders stretched west to Spain and the British Isles, east to Mesopotamia, south to North Africa, and north to the Danube, spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa, making the Mediterranean its inner sea.
Roman nobles wore silk and used porcelain from China, adorned themselves with various gold ornaments, loved bright red colors, and enjoyed gladiator fights, sports, and opera.
When it came to food, they were indiscriminate omnivores.
One of their famous dishes involved stuffing dormice with pork, herbs, pine nuts, and chili, then roasting them.
The dishes Shirou served, such as "Devil Chicken" and grilled steak, were made using authentic ancient Roman recipes, but completed with modern kitchen tools.
The result was a fusion that better suited modern palates while still retaining traditional Roman flavor—different from contemporary Italian cuisine.
Unfortunately, in Japan, it was difficult to procure free-range peacock meat; otherwise, he would've tried roasting one. Roasted parrots or flamingo tongues were already impossible to attempt.
On his last visit to Chaldea, Shirou had promised to come back and cook again.
Caesar had said that once Chaldea's Rayshift system was stabilized, he would send someone to hunt and bring back a few exotic creatures—even if from another world. And if Shirou visited Chaldea again, he certainly had his ways of bringing back such biological "souvenirs."
"Onii-chan, let's use these for drinks~!" Komachi excitedly brought out a pile of red wine glasses.
Since they were all underage, of course wine was out of the question. Shirou, like a professional bartender, poured grape juice into Komachi's glass. While de-alcoholized wine was an option, for a kid who wanted to use wine glasses to drink, juice was still the more appropriate choice.
The pizzas in the oven were done baking. With roasted eggplant, fresh cheese, ham, and salmon fillings, each slice had its own distinct flavor.
Wearing her apron, Yukinoshita brought out the vegetable salad.
Shirou took out the cake he had pre-ordered. Once all the dishes were laid out, thanks to Yuigahama's excessive candy shopping, dessert was already covered. The boys and girls gathered around the table.
Komachi gave a theatrical cough and began her speech:
"Um... thank you all for coming to this humble one's—Komachi's—celebration. From now on, please get along well with Komachi and her useless brother, Shirou."
"Who are you? Some kind of student council president at university?" Shirou couldn't help but retort.
"Hey hey, can we start eating now~?" Yuigahama, practically drooling, hurried them. Neither she nor the Ibaraki-Douji inside her could hold back anymore.
Mash said nothing but stared straight at the food, gulping. Ever since she met Shirou-senpai, her appetite had definitely grown.
"Well then... cheers~!" Komachi raised her drink.
"Cheers~!" Everyone else lifted their glasses and clinked them together.
That night in the Hikigaya home, the silver-bell-like laughter of the girls echoed again and again as they ate with joy.
There was a gluttonous girl possessed by an oni, a bottomless sweet-tooth like Komachi, and a Knight of the Round Table.
It was said that members of the Round Table were all heavy eaters. They would gather around a fire and roast dragons, demonic boars, Sphinxes, or even alien creatures, slicing them up and devouring them together.
So even with the table fully covered in dishes, the boys and girls still managed to eat every last bite.
"Waaah, I really can't eat another bite," Komachi cried out, patting her now bulging belly as she slumped in her chair, totally satisfied.
"Shirou, this is all your fault! Why did you have to make everything taste so good?!" Yuigahama clutched her stomach and grumbled.
The other girls also shot glares at the boy.
"Why is it my fault?... don't blame me..." Shirou turned his head, muttering in protest.