Al, what do you think?　Can we negotiate around here?　I think it's still good enough for you.

But then you'll be tasting souvenirs, right?　I think it's best if Sheila puts the food in her mouth and then enters into negotiations. If she refuses, we can collect the food, which should force Sheila, who loves food, to shake her head.

''.........The demon. I can't believe you're going to let Al have just one bite of his delicious food before collecting it....... There's no way my sister could endure that kind of thing.......!

　Asmo is listening to my plan and ranting.

　My brother, who understands his sister, says so much. This will work.

And if you give him a reason to do it, he won't feel so guilty about keeping his mouth shut, Sheila-san.

　People are creatures that need a reason.

　Even if it's a bad thing, if there is a clear reason for the person to do something, they will act. That's why it's an equivalent exchange.

''You're very good at covering even Sheila's sorrow!

'Well, I don't think my sister should be so distressed.

　I knew that Sheila's character didn't need to be taken that seriously, but just in case. It shouldn't be a bad idea to do it.

''All right, then, let's open the souvenir!　Thor, let me borrow your kitchen.

Oh, yeah!

　After getting permission from Thor properly, I psychically float the crate and move to the kitchen.

　Thor and Asmo, who are curious about the exotic seasoning, follow me with a curious look on their faces.

''What what?''　A souvenir from Master Alfried?　Food?

　Maybe Sheila sensed our conversation and the way we were talking, or maybe she was happy to see us coming over.

　It's just like Asmo when he suddenly asks for food.

It's a spice from a country called Kagura. I'm going to cook with it now.

'Really?　I want to cook too!

　Of course it is better to cook with a flowery woman than with three bastards.

　From our strategy, Sheila-san is the one to be entertained, but she herself strongly wishes to join the cooking. I don't mind this much.

　I tell Thor with a glance, "It's okay," and we nod at each other before replying.

'Okay.'

'Thank you!　What kind of seasoning is that in the outside world?

　When I look at Sheila's mouth, it's like she's drooling slightly.

''........Sis, you're drooling.

No, no!　This is because you were pressing your cheekbones against the table earlier!

　What does that say about you as a woman, too?　

　I can't tell if that one's real or if I drooled when I heard it was condiments.

　Trying not to see Sheila wipe her drool off, I start to open the crate.

'Thor, pull out a small plate of food for me to taste, at random.

Okay!　....Huh?　I ain't got no little plate in my usual place, huh?

　Thor replied and fished out a small plate from the cupboard, but he couldn't seem to find the small plate.

'Didn't Murat shout yesterday that he was going to put one of the lower bins in position?

'Whoa!　It's true!　d*mn it, I've got it all figured out in my usual spot, so don't change your position. You won't be able to tell.

　Thor, found from the bottom step, mumbles and complains.

'I mean, I guess Asmo can understand all those details of the situation.

'It was just a coincidence. I heard Mr. Murat shouting so many times so that Thor and Emma wouldn't get in trouble.

'There's something amusing about the fact that the one I end up remembering is the Asmo I was listening to at the house next door.

　I'm sure Mr. Murat would have warned Thor many times to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen. I feel a little sorry for Mr. Murat.

　As Thor lays out the small plates on the stand, I take out a jar of soy sauce and a jar of miso and lay them out.

　This time it's regular dark soy sauce that I'm giving to Thor and Asmo's house.

　I think this is the easiest to use, so I've chosen only one type of soy sauce.

　Even if you brought tamari shoyu all of a sudden, it would be difficult to use.

Is this the seasoning?　They both smell awesome.

It's too rich.

　Thor and Asmo said, frowning at the strong smell of soy sauce and miso.

　The smell is many times stronger than salt, pepper and sugar, so it's not unreasonable.

''What's it called?''

　Sheila seems unconcerned about the smell of soy sauce and miso.

'It's soy sauce. Let's have a little taste first, shall we?

　Then I scooped up the soy sauce using the long, thin ladle I had brought with the soy sauce pot.

　Then I slowly dripped it into a small plate and poured the dark soy sauce over it.

''........This is really a condiment, right?　You're not making fun of us by bringing us something inedible, are you?

Why would I do that?

　It's just that people have gone out of their way to bring you a souvenir, and what a way to say it.

　...But that's an interesting idea, so if I ever get a chance to bring a souvenir to someone, I'll definitely do it.

'A taste test, is it okay to drink this?'

Don't drink soy sauce because it's too strong. Just dab it on your fingertips and lick it just right.

　When I replied that, Asmo froze as he stared at the soy sauce.

　Maybe it's because Thor said something unnecessary earlier, or maybe he is hesitant to taste it.

''Well, I'll have a quick taste~''

　As I was thinking about this, Sheila-san was the first to extend her arm without fear.

　She stretched out her white arm and chomped soy sauce on her fingertips.

　Then she took her fingertips to her mouth and snapped them into her mouth.

'Oh, really!　The flavor is so strong!　Is it salty, but slightly sweet?

　Seeing Sheila-san who seems unconcerned, Asmo and Thor also fearfully reach out their hands.

　I have a feeling that I've seen this scene in the mansion just recently.

　I watch Thor and Asmo as they dip their fingers in the soy sauce and bring it to their mouths.

'Whoa!　It's true. That's sour and sweet!

Pouring it over a thin dish will bring out the flavor.

　Thor and Asmo are surprised at the richness of the soy sauce flavor.

'I think it's going to make a nice soup when it's cooked with sugar~'

'Yes. A little more diluted and softer flavor would make it better.

　Asmo and Sheila, who can cook, seem to be thinking about how to use the soy sauce as soon as possible.

　They have yet to taste the soy sauce, so their reactions are vague, but I'm relieved to see that they don't seem to mind it.

''So, next time we'll have miso.

　Relieved to see the three of them, I place them from the miso jar to a small plate as well.

　As soon as I see them, Thor gets a straight face.

Hey, Al.

I know, but you can't tell me that, okay?　If you say something like dirt or that thing, I'll hit you, okay?

　It's about Thor. I'll nail it down early, as I might say something vulgar that would diminish my appetite from the start. Then Thor let out a short groan and closed his mouth.

'You don't dare to taste it now that Thor's going to say something weird.

I don't have a choice. It's what it looked like!

What did you see?

..........

　Thor can't help but fall silent at Sheila's genuine question.

　A troubled Thor turns his gaze to Asmo as if to call for help, but Asmo ignores him, pretending to be interested in the miso.

'Let's have a taste for now. This one's a little stronger too, but you can taste the flavor and it's delicious.''

Really?

　I handed him a spoon to taste as I said this, and he was able to distract me brilliantly.

　Thor let out a breath of relief and thanked me with a look.

　Well, let's just call it one small favor to Thor.

　Picking up a spoon, Sheila scooped up some of the small serving of miso and brought it to her mouth.

''This one has a lot of flavor too, but it's delicious!

It's true. It's a nice touch for a looker.

　Thor, who then tasted it with his own spoon, muttered a small word.

　I think the word "for looks" is an afterthought, but for someone who isn't used to it, I guess I can't blame them for thinking so.

''This is going to taste just as good as the soy sauce.

　Asmo, who had tasted the same thing, let out that impression as well.

''That's right~. I can't wait to see the new tastes!

　All right, if Sheila isn't too bad at it, there's no problem.

　I'll try to soften Sheila's spirits with a simple dish of soy sauce and miso.