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The days are getting warmer but it’s not spring yet.

The nyunyudapnes say it’s still winter which means it’s still winter.

Thus, I thought of making a nabe tonight.

It’s getting warmer but the nights are still cold.

There shouldn’t be any problem.

What shall I cook then?

Hahaha, actually, I’m not sure.

How about crab nabe?

The crab that Miyo sent me from Shashaato City via Village Five arrived a few days ago.

Of course, it was not those giant crabs but normal size crabs that are easy to eat.

Thank goodness.

I had already eaten all the crabs we ordered from the seakins.

I thought I would have to wait until next winter to eat crabs but I was sent with crabs.

Fufufufu.

I’m looking forward to tonight’s dinner.

-0-

Now, it is still winter but it’s almost spring.

Because of that, the villagers are already preparing various things.

Their main priority is the preparation for the spring parade.

The civil servant girls and the high elves are already discussing the route of the parade over a map.

……

I think as the year goes by, the distance that the parade travels seems to increase.

No, it’s not just what I think, that’s definitely what’s happening.

Well, there are a good number of residents who look forward to the parade so I don’t really want to reduce the scale of the parade.

However, if it gets too big to handle, I will stop it.

-0-

The mountain elves are holed up in their workshop, making parts for something.

They said they were also preparing for the parade.

What about those who were lying down in the corner of the workshop?

Ah, result of an all nighter.

They said they were having fun so I let them be.

I guess it’s the same fun you’ll feel when you’re preparing for a cultural festival.

I know how you feel but don’t overdo it.

-0-

In the kitchen, Flora and the oni maids were surrounding several small barrels.

The barrels were filled with miso, which are Flora’s handmade. She was presenting the result of her research to the oni maids.

「I tried changing the manufacturing process and even the places they take place when I feel like they’re going to give me a good result.」

I see.

She never stopped researching for the perfect miso.

That’s wonderful.

「It’s because village chief’s demand’s standard is too high.」

Is that so?

「That is so.」

I see.

However, there’s nothing wrong with miso tasting good.

The oni maids also commented……

「Given how much the flavor change, it is already a different dish so I think we shouldn’t call it miso.」

「I’m afraid that my taste will be different.」

「Right. I prefer this whitish miso.」

「I think this black miso seems to be easier to use.」

「Isn’t it more red than black?」

「I think the normal miso is good enough for me. I’m already used to its taste.」

The oni maids tasted some of the miso Flora brought and they seem to be using it in cooking dishes to try them out.

「Should we ask Ann-sama and Ramurias-sama for their opinions?」

「Not a good idea. I’ve heard that your sense of taste changes during pregnancy.」

「Ah, that’s true. However, it’s impossible not to consult them….」

「The kitchen is in our hands until Ann-sama and Ramurias-sama return. We must decide upon ourselves and serve it with pride.」

「I agree.」

Reliable.

Everything’s going to be okay even if Ann and Ramurias are not here.

「Fufu, leave it to us.」

Yeah, I’ll leave it to you.

By the way, about the miso….

「What about it?」

You can combine different kinds of miso to get even more flavor. It is called “combined miso”.

「………………….ehto, combine?」

Yeah, you are free to combine them as you wish.

「Free, are we?」

Taste and preferences differ for everyone.

There is no right answer.

Well, I think you should try 1:1 first.

When I said that, Flora made an indescribable expression.

「Fufufu. Even if Ann and Ramurias aren’t here, we can still leave them to you, right? The combined miso you’ll made, I’m looking forward to them.」

Hey hey, don’t pressure them that much.

It’s okay. Just do what you can.

Don’t force yourselves.

「Village chief, thank you for thinking of us. However, please leave it to us. We’ll come up with the formula ourselves and server you a dish that matches the miso.」

Oohhh, the “Leave it to us” aura is too dazzling.

Okay, I’ll leave it to you.

Do your best.

However, don’t overdo it because it will definitely take time.

There’s nno such thing as taste that everyone can agree on.

Don’t forget that.

The oni maids responded to me in unison and took the barrels of miso.

While seeing them off, I looked at Flora.

「Since Ann and Ramurias aren’t here, they seemed to be a little distracted. This will stimulate them.」

……I see.

「I’ll continue my miso research but for the time being, I’ll focus on soy sauce. We should be able to start selling miso we have on display there in summer.」

Summer?

That fast?

「I have prepared the miso this winter. We’ll have to wait for a few years before we can start selling them on a large scale given the production volume issues. The miso’s flavor changes slightly depending on the time of the year it is made which makes it very interesting.」

I see.

Also, isn’t there a miso factory in Village Five?

Not only in Village Five but in Shashaato City too.

It should be Mio that prepared the manufacturing plant in Shashaato City, right?

Ah, she leaked some information and Michael-san prepared it?

I see.

No, I’m not going to scold Miyo.

I’m sure she just foresaw the result of what we’ve been doing and made preparations ahead of time.

I’m grateful for that.

Of course, Flora awoke at the time she usually sleeps stimulated the oni maids.

「Loo-oneesama will scold me if I just directly talk to them.」

I guess you wouldn’t want that.

-0-

Flora went back to her laboratory to go back to sleep.

You change clothes and have your own bed in it but that doesn’t mean that place is your room.

I hope she’s resting well enough.

Don’t push yourself too hard.

Well, I guess that’s how a person that loves what she does acts.

As I looked away from Flora, I saw a group of suspicious looking people.

It was a group of civil servant girls and angels who were doing something strange in the hall.

What are you doing?

………

You’re digesting the fat that you’ve accumulated over the winter?

You are afraid of being marked by Fracia(who likes plump bellies)?

I see.

It’s not a good idea to stay here too long.

I’ll pretend I didn’t see them.

-0-

I heard a voice coming from one of the rooms.

It was Youko’s voice, who had hurriedly finished her work in Village Five and returned to Big Tree Village.

They look like…….

It seems like Youko is having an intense meeting with the spiderlings.

Ah, they are deciding on lines and locations?

Are they planning to have a play?

Can I watch?

「Village chief? You don’t have to be sneaky. Watch if you want. This is a matter of life or death.」

The spiderlings nodded at Youko’s serious words.

……

Ah, you’re practicing greeting Zabuton.

This was because I was targeted by the silver foxes that were invited by Youko for me to meet.

I wasn’t harmed but the spiderlings got angry at her for putting me in danger.

They said they would report it to Zabuton as soon as she wakes up.

No, I heard that even if she’s hibernating, she can still receive messages.

I don’t really know the details.

Maa, it was agreed that when Zabuton woke up, Youko would greet her in a cute outfit.

「It can’t be helped. I need to apologize properly.」

Really?

「A mistake is a mistake. Also, I don’t want the silver foxes to take the brunt of it.」

I see.

Is there anything I can do to help?

「I already thought of having village chief to cover for me but….even if I was forgiven at that moment, I’m afraid something will happen later. There’s a possibility of that making her angrier. I appreciate the sentiment but I’ll refrain from doing so.」

I see.

Sorry to hear that.

「Whoah, don’t be hasty! I’m not refusing you to come along with us and soothe Zabuton when the time comes!」

I guess the reason you didn’t say it clearly is because you don’t want me to be offended when I found out that I’m already included in that.

「That is….I’m grateful if village chief moves at the right moment.」

L-let’s think about it.

Also….aren’t the spiderlings angry at Youko?

Why are they practicing greeting and apologizing with you?

「Hahahaha, these little guys did something that will anger Zabuton.」

?

Ah, you mean that time one of them was seen by a Village Five resident?

「Yeah. Because of that, we had to deal with it with a reasonable expense.」

I don’t think that’s not enough expense though.

I think they were only cloths of the spiderlings, button I made, and Youko’s autograph, right?

They received those items and accepted the apology.

「They went out so I had to apologize for them. Now, there is nothing wrong with them apologizing with me.」

The laughing Youko aside, the spiderlings made a pose of remorse.

They were so excited and let their guard down because they wanted to speak with others about clothes.

Well, it doesn’t really matter since they were already satisfied with our apology.

Even so, I guess it’s true that they scared those people a lot.

「Alright, break is over. Let’s resume.」

Youko turns on her cute appearance and practices greetings.

Well, she’s cute.

But isn’t that a bit too cute?

「That’s a problem….I shouldn’t be. That’s a problem kon! I have to be naturally cute….」

Youko continued practicing diligently.

I quietly left the room, not wanting to disturb her.

-0-

Yeah, Youko is practicing seriously.

The way she practices makes others feel like they should work hard too.

I got to work hard too.

Ah, Hitoe.

Youko is busy.

Yeah, don’t watch her.

Why don’t you come with me and take care of the farming equipment?

Okay, I’m going to polish my AFT until dinner.

It will be a little while before I can use the hoe again but I’m sure it won’t be a bad idea to maintain it.

-0-

Dinner.

As per my request, crab nabe was served.

However, the broth was miso flavored.

It was not the taste I was looking for but it was good enough.