And so, a week has passed, marking the day of our promise.
Gathered here are not only Schnei-san and Tomoe-san but also their drinking companions—Berde-san, Lila-san, and Novium-san.
Accompanying me are Karen and Chocola.
「I’ve already made the same one at home, so Karen doesn’t really need to try it today.」
「Sui, what are you talking about? What’s made at home is one thing, and this is another. I was there for both preparations, so I have the responsibility to see them through to the end.」
Karen scolded me with a serious expression. Well… as long as she’s okay with it, I guess it’s fine…
「I’m sorry you can’t eat any, though.」
「Bark!」
It’s too sweet for dogs, and more importantly, the raisins inside are a no-go. However, Chocola understands this—rather, he fully realizes that at Skylark Pavilion, he gets to enjoy milk, which has him wagging his tail enthusiastically.
「I wonder if they add some secret ingredient to that milk… Your enthusiasm is on a whole different level.」
「Bark! Bark bark!」
‘Do you get it? Do you?’ Chocola seems to bounce around me playfully. I’ve been meaning to ask for a while, but today I’ll definitely find out from Tomoe-san…
Anyway, after all that, we arrived at the restaurant and were guided to the second floor. Just like a week ago, today is their day off.
「Hey, Sui, Karen-chan! Thanks for coming all the way here.」
「Bark!」
「Oh, and of course, Chocola, you too!」
Berde-san, who had arrived earlier, waved cheerfully. Next to him, Schnei-san looked somewhat awkward, merely nodding in silence.
Then Lila-san and Novium-san arrived, and once everyone was gathered, we all took our seats around the round table.
This group understands all the circumstances surrounding us. However, it seems that the situation between Schnei-san and Tomoe-san has never been mentioned in such a gathering. As a result, a unique tension filled the air, different from our usual comfortable atmosphere.
Chocola, too, seemed to read the atmosphere, licking the milk that was set before him rather than devouring it… although he was enjoying it, wasn’t he?
「Thank you for your patience. Here is the cake called ‘Stollen,’ made by Sui-san.」
And at last, Tomoe-san placed the dish on the table after pouring tea for everyone.
As she carefully removed the tightly wrapped oil paper, there it was—a week-old, oval-shaped mass coated in a generous layer of powdered sugar, unchanged from what we had seen before.
「This cake was made a week ago. However, it hasn’t spoiled, nor is there any mold on it.」
「A week? Is it some kind of hardtack?」
「No, it’s definitely a cake.」
I replied to Berde-san’s question.
「By the way, the week was the time needed for the flavors to meld, but there’s still plenty of shelf life left. If stored properly in a cool place, it can last well over a month. If refrigerated, it can last twice that. As time passes, the flavor only gets better.」
「…I see.」
「Well, shall we try it?」
Tomoe-san sliced the cake with a knife, distributing a piece to each of us.
「This is my first time too. I’ll join you in tasting it.」
She said as she took her seat, and everyone picked up their forks.
As we brought the cake to our mouths,
「Hmm, it’s a success.」
I felt a wave of relief inside.
It was perfectly preserved, and the flavor had matured. It might even be better than what I made back in Japan. Perhaps it was due to the slight differences in the ingredients I used here. The unique flavors and characteristics intertwined unexpectedly, creating a rich taste.
After a moment, everyone began to share their thoughts.
「Wow, this is delicious.」 said Berde-san.
「Yeah. It’s got a heavy taste to it.」 Lila-san added.
「This slice is quite filling.」 Schnei-san noted.
「The aroma of the rum is wonderful. I bet it would pair well with drinks.」 said Novium-san.
「This is delicious. The butter, nuts, and dried fruits blend together beautifully.」 Karen offered her usual food commentary.
The cake itself had the rich and moist texture of a buttery cake. The sugar-coated surface was slightly hard, with a crunchy bite, and then the sugar, infused with flavors, melted in my mouth.
However, the sweetness wasn’t overpowering. The strength of the other ingredients overshadowed the sugar’s sweetness.
This was due to the generous amounts of nuts and dried fruits mixed into the batter. With each bite, they added texture and depth, enveloped by the aroma of rum, creating a complex flavor harmony.
So, Karen’s impression was quite accurate, at least in essence.
Once everyone finished their slice, Tomoe-san stood up.
「According to Sui-san, just one piece has the nutritional value equivalent to about three times that of regular bread. In Japan, they don’t use the term ‘nutrients’ for it.」
「It’s referred to as calories. In essence, it represents energy… the power necessary to live and move.」
「……I see, so that’s what it is.」
「Yes, you’ve got it, Berde-san.」
Tomoe-san replied with a sly smile.
It wasn’t the refined smile she usually wore for formal occasions; it was a cheeky grin that revealed her true charm.
「It’s a sweet that’s great for long-term storage and packed with nutrients. Eating just one piece a day should keep you energized in the forest.」
「Sweet foods really do boost your spirits. Plus, it can serve as emergency rations if the need arises.」
Originally, Stollen is meant to be eaten slowly during the cold season, which indicates it is a highly energy-efficient food.
The fat from the butter is stored in the body, serving as a long-term energy reserve. Sugar provides short-term vitality, while the nuts supply energy for daily activities. The dried fruits are rich in vitamins, and the rum raises body temperature.
Not only Berde-san but also Lila-san recognized the cake’s value, and a serious expression crossed her face.
For adventurers entering the forest, this was an incredibly useful treat.
On the other hand, it held significance for those waiting for them as well.
「…Schnei-san.」
Tomoe-san finally faced her lover directly.
She shrugged her shoulders and gently squinted her eyes.
With a seemingly mischievous yet fleeting expression, she spoke.
「I’ve decided to enter into an exclusive contract with Sui-san. When distributing this Stollen in the market, our shop will act as the middleman. …To be blunt, if successful, it will bring in a steady stream of income.」
It was a twisted statement.
Yet, no one present was oblivious to its true meaning.
「This Stollen comes at a considerable price. It isn’t necessary for day trips or short stays, but for those diligent scouts who regularly spend extended periods, it could be quite an expense, don’t you think? So I’ll generously share the ones I bake myself.」
The feelings hidden in her trembling voice, the emotions reflected in her glistening eyes.
「We’ll split it. I’ll cut it in half and give you one piece.」
No one in the room was unaware of the sentiment behind those words.
「You get half, and I get half. Please eat one piece each day. I’ll do the same. And please return before it’s all gone. As I eat my piece each day, I’ll count down the days until you come back.」
Tomoe-san clenched her fists in front of her chest.
With a gaze that was both fierce and longing, she looked at Schnei-san.
「…I’m fine with that. I want to live like this. Even while you’re away, I’ll… I’ll eat cake with you. We’ll always be eating cake together. So… so…」
「Tomoe.」
Schnei-san interrupted her words.
Then he stood up and walked around the table.
With a sullen expression, as if he viewed the world askew, he addressed Tomoe-san.
「I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have something to say as well.」
-0-
AN: In the setting, Chocola is a different creature from the dogs of Earth and there is nothing he can’t eat.
However, Sui doesn’t currently feed him ‘things that dogs are not allowed to eat’ because he ‘doesn’t want to take the risk’.
Also, for meta reasons, I don’t think it’s my intention to make the people who read this work that dogs can eat it because the one in the novel did.
For this reason, I will continue to do things like basically not letting Chocola eat anything that dogs shouldn’t eat(unless it becomes necessary for the story)…..
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