Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

---

It felt quite nostalgic to be back at the Gardener’s Garden after such a long time.

The reason I came here was none other than the reactions of the cook and Bell.

Apta, Zumiya, Fiore, Nutricha, and even Oko, whose appearance hadn’t even been revealed yet—all of them knew my name and were referred to in such a way.

The fact that I still hadn’t called the names of the divine beings I met early on with Fiore was something I thought would significantly hurt them, which is why I came here.

You might say, “Why not just call them right out with the horn?” but that’s not the problem.

Isn’t the situation a bit odd?

Calling out two people and saying ‘You are Paura, and you are… um, what’s your name?’ felt a bit strange.

So, ultimately, I had to meet and talk to them one by one, but who decided the order in which to do that?

Calling the cook first felt a bit off, and calling Bell first felt a bit strange as well.

But then again, is it really okay to keep stirring up trouble like this?

I recalled my grandfather’s words not to create dissatisfaction around me, but how was I supposed to handle the aftermath after everything was resolved?

Wow, past me.

Did I really believe that I could just leave all this crazy stuff for my future self to handle?

I was engaging in actions I would never dream of doing now without hesitation.

Sadly, whether it was my intention or not, I guess I have to take responsibility.

I suppose there’s no helping it.

At this point, I have no choice but to leave it to my future self.

First, I blew the horn.

Two phenomena of light materialized.

One took an elongated shape, and the other transformed into something resembling perky puppy ears.

The more the shapes transformed in detail, the more I felt like my heart would explode.

What kind of face should I face them with?

What should I say?

While I was lost in meaningless worries, I heard the light sound of two shapes gently landing on the ground.

The cook and Bell finally materialized.

Silence descended.

Even my mind, which usually buzzed with chitchat, was quiet.

It almost felt as if the Giant of the Snow Mountain had frozen the atmosphere, stopping all thoughts.

Just when I was trying to force a shy smile, the cook smiled softly and said, “Shall we at least have a meal?”

I was grateful for breaking the ice first, but that smile didn’t exactly seem warm to me, piercing my heart like a needle.

I was reminded of the old days.

When we gathered here after a long time to build camaraderie with the divine beings, I had called the cook first, and we had eaten her cooking.

Back then, I sat there with a contented heart, but now, in this painfully stiff atmosphere, all I could hear was Bell panting.

Hoping for some relief, I sneaked a glance at Bell, but contrary to the sounds I heard, her tail was also lying low.

Of course, there wasn’t the cold energy I sensed from the cook; rather, she looked as though the weight of the world’s misfortune rested entirely on her shoulders.

Sigh.

I didn’t do it out of fear of inconveniencing the knights.

If I’d known it’d turn out like this, I should have brought Bell out every time I needed to clear something away.

But what good is regret now?

It’s already too late.

The sound of cooking filled the air.

The sound of knives clashing against the cutting board rang out, sounding even more skilled than before.

She must have practiced a lot on her own.

The cook continued to wear a smile.

With each moment I watched that smile, my heart felt tighter and tighter.

“Um…”

I was about to speak up out of my uneasy silence, but—

“Please wait.”

The cook firmly interrupted me.

“I’ll let you know when the food is ready.”

Saying that, she turned to me.

“I want to put only affection into my cooking.”

Ahem.

Since the cook said that, I had no right to interject, so I had to obediently accept her words.

I wondered how long I would have to endure the thick, uncomfortable silence.

Two dishes of food finally arrived in front of Bell and me.

Though made with such a bitter heart, the dish that landed in front of me was remarkably perfect.

It was a unique form of rice ball wrapped in soft, blanched cabbage.

“Please take a bite.”

Following the cook’s directive, I lifted my spoon with a reluctant feeling and put it to my mouth.

It was delicious.

“I’ve been researching for a long time on what dishes you would like. I thought about what ingredients and what flavors would satisfy you. This dish is one of those.”

The cook finally started to speak.

The scenes I had just witnessed were enough to prove how hard she had been working.

“Perhaps my greed was too great. I simply wanted to serve you a modest meal and see you smile. Maybe I thought it would be even better if there were some deeper feelings mixed in.”

“Um…”

“No, please don’t force yourself. I don’t want the jealousy that slipped out unconsciously to become a burden for you. I don’t want to push my desires on you, watching you struggle.”

In that brief moment, did she manage to organize all her thoughts?

The cook spoke with a sad smile.

She looked ready to burst into tears at any moment.

I glanced at Bell.

In stark contrast to the cook’s words, Bell wore an anxious expression, stealing glances at me as if wary.

It felt as if she was afraid that the situation she feared might actually unfold.

What on earth am I saying that my future self will handle everything?

Did I really come here with such a carefree attitude?

“No, that’s not it.”

Chastising myself internally, I interrupted the cook.

Is it just me, or did I see a hint of relief cross the cook’s face at that moment?

“I’ve always been grateful for your feelings and have felt thankful to you, and I don’t dislike you at all.”

“No, Tanton. Please don’t force yourself…”

I stood up.

In my hurry, the chair fell backward, making a loud noise.

As a result, Bell shrank down and trembled.

“Alright, I’m going to be honest with you.”

“Uh?”

“I have feelings for you all that are quite similar to what you might be feeling.”

I unleashed my pent-up emotions, which I had been trying to ignore in my anger.

The cook stared blankly at me for a moment, then blushed as her shoulders gradually lifted.

“W-what does that mean…?”

“But I thought of you as too much of a treasure, so perhaps I had been avoiding it.”

With a sad heart, I sighed.

“Thank you for cooking for me. The fact that you made this dish with me in mind has made me feel overwhelmed with joy. And it fits my taste perfectly.”

The more I conveyed my feelings, the more the suppressed emotions on the cook’s face revealed themselves, and I could see Bell’s expression transforming into one of joy as well.

She might have been responding to the cook’s sadness with her own sympathy.

Indeed, she had all the traits of a dog.

The cook came rushing from the kitchen to where I was.

I couldn’t quite understand the expression on her face.

Embrace.

But the cook said nothing and just hugged me tightly.

I quietly accepted what the cook was doing.

I didn’t even mention the slight sniffles I could hear.

Had she calmed down?

The cook carefully looked up at me as she detached herself.

“Was that sincere?”

“Yes.”

“Thank goodness. Then all the dishes I researched won’t be for nothing.”

Looking at the cook with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face reminded me of when Fiore had pleaded her emotions to me, and I felt rather uneasy.

At the same time, I was just relieved that I could ease her emotional burden with nothing more than a few insignificant words.

The cook then glanced away, slightly reddening her face.

“Um, well then…”

What could possibly be so embarrassing?

She even bit her lip lightly, then took on a determined expression.

“Would you… would you do it for me?”

She didn’t specify exactly what she wanted me to do.

But considering why the cook had been so upset, it was strange not to know.

I placed my hands on the cook’s shoulders.

Perhaps startled by the sudden touch, she shivered and glanced between my hands and my face.

With that shocked expression, I couldn’t imagine how long this timid divine being had been internally suffering.

So, with the biggest smile I could manage, I spoke the name aloud.

“Paura.”

And then.

The moment Paura heard her name, her eyes widened and she eventually couldn’t hold back her tears.

But the smile that followed was so filled with happiness.

“Yes, Leydan.”

I didn’t know what would happen later, but for now, I felt relieved.

 

---