When I asked Anima if I could have the evening meal with her, she replied with two words of approval. Anima is currently grilling a fish fillet.
　It's a late night snack and I don't feel like eating a full meal, but I'd still like to have some soup to go with it. Maybe I'll make some miso soup.

"Well, Anima. I'll make miso soup........er, soup.
'What?　No, no, no, we can't let our master get away with this....
'I don't care, I don't care, I originally came here with the intention of making it myself.

　While chuckling at Anima's reaction, which was as expected, I quickly prepare what I need and start cooking. For an anima opponent, it's just right to be a little pushy.
　And while making miso soup, I call out to Anima who is grilling the fish next to me.

'....Do you cook a lot, Anima?
"Not often, but when I'm out of time for a meal, I make it myself. The only thing I can do is to bake and fry, for example...


　I do cook while learning from Zeke, the head chef, and occasionally Illness, but I don't have much of a repertoire yet.
　Well, I don't do it often enough to be able to call it a hobby, so the only things I can make are the easy ones.

'Anima worked late today, didn't she?　Aren't you tired?
'Thank you for your concern. My character takes care of a lot of things for me, so I often take breaks... although for me, I would like to work some more.
Ha-ha, that's just like you, Anima.

　It's really just a trivial chat, but it makes me feel strangely calm. The reason for this is probably the atmosphere that Anima wears.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're in the marketplace.

''Do you often go out with Caraway-san?''
"...I think the expression 'taken by a character' fits. Cara, who is basically my assistant, has the same schedule of holidays as I do, so we have many opportunities to go out together. The other day, he took me fishing.
Oh, fishing.....I've only done it a few times, but I like it a lot, too.
Oh, yeah?　 It's nothing.

　When I said I like fishing too, Anima looked at me with a puffy, happy expression on her face, but then immediately returned to cooking in a panic.
　It's been like that for a long time, but Anima basically never invites me out for anything on her own. It's like that's the first thing that comes to mind, as if she feels bad about having me use her time as the master.
　That's why I decided to make a suggestion with a bitter smile.


"...Master........yes, sir!　Unworthy Anima, I'll show you how to support your master with all my might when you do!

　I chuckled again as I looked at Anima, who looked so happy that a tail-wagging puppy could almost be a visionary. How adorable, really.








　Not long after, the food was finished and I moved with Anima to the dining room to start eating with her.

''Speaking of which, Master. I heard that Akari-dono and Kazuya-dono will begin to learn how to make magic tools at the Sedić magic tool trade association in five days, do you have anything to prepare in advance?　If there are any, I'll make arrangements as soon as possible?
'Hmmm, what do you think?　The Chamber of Commerce seems to prepare the basic things for me, so I guess I'll just need some writing materials.
If that's the case, there's no need to panic. However, I'm sure the two of you are probably nervous, and it would be better to have a system in place to follow up on any problems that may arise.
'Yeah, I'd appreciate it if you would. Anima seems to be paying a lot of attention to my mom and dad, and that helps a lot.
'No, no!　It is my duty as a squire to support my master's family!

　It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with them.
　Then, Anima suddenly changed into some kind of thinking expression and opened her mouth with a slightly apologetic expression.


'Mr. Caraway's?　Yeah, what's going on?

'What?　Really!

　

''Yes, I hired her on my own accord, and I think it's rude to ask such a request, but... if it's possible, I hope you'll treat her the same as you and Eta Theta, if you can...''
'Uh-huh. Okay... but, I see, you didn't act like that in front of me, but you cared about it... thanks for telling me, it's nice to know early on.
'Thank you.

　I see, Anima depends on whether or not you include the Black Bear Era, but even if you do, she's not that old as me. Eta and Theta are both 72 years old... yeah, even at 72 years old, it's kind of awesome to be the younger one among the people I know, but it seems to be pretty young in terms of the demon race.

'It's good to know that part of you.......or rather, since this is your chance to get to know them, do you mind if I ask you some other questions?　I'm sure there are things about Eta and Theta, and things that are hard to say directly to me because of my position...
'Yes, as far as I can tell...'

　They say they are squires, but I consider Anima, Eta, and Theta to be like family, and I would like to know more about them if possible.
　I'll talk about Caraway-san in the same tone of voice as Anima and the others, with his permission... Other than that, if we get a chance, maybe we can all go out somewhere to deepen our friendship.
　Since everyone has helped me in so many ways, I'll try to think of something to do to repay them.