Chiyono O's POV
"W-Wow… seeing it all laid out like this, it looks even more incredible up close," I stammered, my mouth watering. "Rice-san, do you really get to eat like this twice a week?"
"Oh, no, Onii-sama's never made anything this fancy before," Rice replied. "Like he said, I think this is just for the camp. A special reward."
"Still, making this for five people… plus enough for seconds? That's ten portions in total," Yaeno noted, her voice full of respect. "Trainer-dono is quite the capable man. I'm truly impressed."
"The execution is flawless as well," Ardan added, leaning in to inspect the spread. "It looks as good as anything served in the main academy halls. No… honestly, it looks even better."
"Onii-sama's cooking is the best!" Rice declared with a proud puff of her chest. "I eat it every week, so I'm the ultimate witness!"
"...If Rice-san says so, it must be true," Cafe whispered. "I can hardly wait to try it. My 'friend' is quite eager as well."
Wait… did she mean us? Or… someone else?
"Well then," Ardan said, bringing her hands together. "Let's dig in before it gets cold."
"Right! Everyone, together now," Yaeno led.
"""Itadakimasu!"""
I stared at my tray, paralyzed by indecision. Where do I even start?! The Ginger Pork looks so savory… but the Pot-au-Feu smells so comforting. Or maybe the salad? Or the chilled tofu? I don't think I've ever been this conflicted about what to eat first in my entire life!
"Mmm~♪ Onii-sama's rice is always the best," Rice hummed happily. "I love how he adds just a tiny pinch of salt to it. The way the saltiness brings out the sweetness of the grain is perfect."
"This Pot-au-Feu broth… it's such a gentle flavor," Ardan murmured, a wistful look in her eyes. "The sweetness of the vegetables creates such a lovely harmony. I don't know why, but it makes me think of home… of my parents."
"...Yes, this is wonderful," Cafe said, her eyes half-closed. "The tofu is delicious on its own… but with the scallions and bonito flakes, it's even better. Don't you think so too?"
"It must be the quality of the ingredients!" Yaeno exclaimed, her chopsticks a blur. "Every bite makes me want the next immediately! I want to savor the other dishes, but I can't stop! This is the true power of meat!"
Waaaah! Stop it, everyone! You're making it even harder for me to choose!
— A Few Dozen Minutes Later —
"Hafuuuu…" I let out a long, satisfied sigh.
"Hehe," Ardan giggled, dabbing her mouth with a napkin. "For someone who was so worried about where to start, Chiyono-san, you certainly didn't hesitate once you began."
"Ehh?! Y-You were watching me?!"
"I was. It was quite charming to see."
"Uuuu… how embarrassing…" I hid my face in my hands.
"Well, I certainly ate my fill," Yaeno said, sounding revitalized. "So, what's the plan? Are we doing seconds? Because I, for one, am absolutely having seconds!!"
"Agreed," Cafe said. "I want to savor it more. My appetite is much stronger than usual today."
"I'll have more too!" I chirped. "And this time, I won't spend five minutes deciding what to eat first!"
"Rice would like a little more too. Ardan-san, what about you?"
"In that case, let's go ask Brother together," Ardan suggested. "Actually, I'll go. You all wait here."
It was so thoughtful of him to prepare extra. Even though the portions were generous for a human, we Uma Musume have much higher caloric needs, so a single serving can sometimes feel like just an appetizer. He must have accounted for that when he made the "seconds" policy.
"So, which one was your favorite?" I asked the group. "Was it the Ginger Pork?"
"I thought so," Yaeno said. "The seasoning was masterful. Truly a dish for a warrior."
"The chilled tofu was my favorite," Cafe countered. "The taste of the tofu itself, the change when the soy sauce is added, and then the combination with the scallions… three distinct experiences in one dish."
"Rice liked the rice best!" Rice said. "The main dishes were great, but that salty rice is special."
"For me, it was the Pot-au-Feu," Ardan said softly. "That gentle, nostalgic warmth was the highlight."
"Everyone has a different answer…" I laughed. "I think the shrimp salad was the best!"
The fact that we were all debating which dish was "the best" just proved how incredible the whole meal was.
"Alright, alright. Seconds coming through."
Hachiman appeared with the cart, looking a bit worse for wear.
"Ah! Thank you!" I cheered.
"I need to eat my own portion soon," Hachiman muttered, glancing over his shoulder. "If I wait any longer, those three are going to stage a coup. I can already hear them breathing down my neck. 'Are there no leftovers?' 'Hand over the meat.' It's like being hunted."
"Do you mean… Oguri Cap-san and Special Week-san?" Rice asked.
"Yeah. And the carnivore-in-chief, Narita Brian."
"I can hear you, Trainer," a sharp voice rang out from the shadows.
Narita Brian stepped into the light, followed by two very hungry-looking companions.
"Trainer, is there truly no more?" Oguri Cap asked, her eyes locked on the cart.
"Trainer-san! I'd like some too, please!" Special Week pleaded.
Hachiman gave them a long, deadpan stare. "You three… I already gave you some earlier. And more importantly, didn't you already finish your regular dinner before you even came over here?"
"That meat was a separate matter," Brian stated flatly.
"I'm just a few bites away from total satisfaction!" Oguri added.
"The regular dinner just wasn't enough!" Special Week cried.
Hachiman sighed, a long, weary sound that seemed to come from his soul. "When did you all become so shameless? Fine, fine. I'll give you what's left. Just don't complain if it's cold!"
Watching him handle the "glutton trio" made me smile. He acts like it's a huge chore, but he's the one everyone calls "Big Brother" for a reason. In the end, he just can't say no to someone in need.
He's actually a lot like my own brother… and that makes me like him even more!
Behold: The Three Gluttonous Musketeers have arrived!
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