AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA
The door chimed again. That soft, cheerful sound that meant the cafe was about to get noisy. I glanced up and nearly dropped my ladle. There he was again. The silver haired boy from yesterday. Bell Cranel. Behind him came the rest of his Familia, Goddess Hestia practically glowing with energy, Lili peering curiously from behind her, Welf with that easy, skeptical grin, and Mikoto looking as though she were ready to bow to the nearest polite surface. Bell smiled, bright and almost sheepish.
"Uh… morning, Isabella! We, uh, couldn't help it. That curry yesterday, it was amazing, so we thought maybe-"Bell begun.
"-maybe we could mooch off your kindness again!" Hestia finished, laughing. "He wouldn't stop talking about your food all night, you know."
Bell flushed instantly.
"G-Goddess!"He said.
Syr stifled a giggle behind the counter, while Mama Mia raised an eyebrow, unimpressed but clearly amused.
"System ping. Target proximity detected - Hestia Familia. Bell Cranel - Relationship level: 5%. Hestia - Relationship level: 3%. Welf Crozzo - 2%. Mikoto Yamato - 4%. Syr Flova - 10%. Mama Mia - 8%"System said.
I cleared my throat, trying to stay composed.
"You came at a good time. I just finished a new dish, something called Serpent Kabayaki."I said.
Hestia blinked.
"Serpent… what?"She asked.
"Monster fish." Mama Mia explained, tone flat but approving. "An adventurer brought it in this morning. The girl decided to turn it into a meal instead of screaming and tossing it out."
"Hey-" I laughed softly. "I did clean it first."
Bell looked curious, stepping closer.
"So you can even cook monsters?"He asked.
I shrugged modestly.
"Some are edible if you know how to prepare them. This one's safe and… well, kind of delicious."I explained.
Syr's smile turned sly.
"Oh, it's much more than that. Wait until you taste it."She grinned.
I plated a steaming bowl of rice and placed the glistening kabayaki on top. The sweet, smoky aroma filled the air. Bell's eyes widened, his hands twitching slightly, like he was fighting the urge to grab a spoon immediately.
"Go ahead." I said with a small nod.
He took one bite and froze. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face.
"Wow… that's… incredible. I didn't even know monster meat could taste this good."Bell said.
Hestia leaned over, stealing a piece right off his plate. "Mmm! Oh, this is unfair! You're too good, Isabella! You'll steal all my Bell's attention at this rate!"Hestia whined.
Bell nearly choked.
"G-Goddess! I just, It's food! She's just really good at it!"Bell groaned.
"System ping. Emotional signatures detected - delight, embarrassment. Relationship adjustments: Bell Cranel - +2% (now 7%) Hestia - +1% (now 4%) Syr - +0% (still 10%) Mama Mia - +0% (still 8%).System said.
I turned away to hide my smile.
"I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure anyone would want to eat it at first."I said.
Welf, who had been silently observing, finally spoke.
"You've got guts, cooking monster meat. Not bad, chef."He said.
"Thank you." I said, feeling warmth creep up my neck.
"Welf Crozzo - +1% (now 3%)."System said.
Mama Mia crossed her arms, smirking faintly.
"Seems the girl's cooking can charm even hard-nosed adventurers now. Not bad for someone who hasn't stepped foot in a dungeon."She said.
Syr leaned toward me, whispering quietly.
"You're getting noticed, Isabella. Bit by bit."Syr said.
"That's not… necessarily a good thing, right?"I whispered.
She only smiled, mysterious as ever. Bell finished the rest of his plate, sighing contentedly.
"You really have a gift, Isabella. I, I'd love to see what else you make sometime."Bell said.
My heart did a tiny, stupid flip.
"I'll… do my best." I said softly.
"System note. Bond formation progress - early stage. Overall relationship network, low, stable, growing steadily."System said.
As the Hestia Familia laughed and teased each other over dessert and tea, I leaned against the counter for a moment, wiping my hands. This was new. Warm. Familiar. And even if it was only 5%, 7%, or 8%… It still felt like the beginning of something real.
I spent the better part of the afternoon in a warm, sauce-spattered haze. The kitchen had become a kind of refuge chopping, stirring, tasting, plating, until my arms ached and my mind felt pleasantly dull from focus. Mama Mia supervised like a hawk but let me take the reins on simpler dishes, and Syr floated around with tea and the occasional conspiratorial grin.
By the time the last lunch crowd thinned, I'd prepped a week's worth of base sauces, rested the rice for dinner, and sneaked a tiny taste from practically every pot. The smell of caramelised glaze and simmered stock stuck to my hair like proof I'd earned the day. I was stacking bowls when Hestia bounced through the kitchen doorway, ribbon tails flying as if she'd been swept on a current of excitement.
"You look exhausted." She said, eyes bright. "You did so well today, Isabella! Everyone was talking about the Serpent Kabayaki."
My shoulders loosened.
"Thanks. It wasn't just me. Syr and Mama Mia helped a lot." I brushed my palms down my apron and tried to look casual. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something."
Hestia's smile immediately turned conspiratorial.
"Ooh - a secret? Tell Hestia!"She asked.
I swallowed. The request felt stupid and small compared to the dishes and the new Familia mark on my back, but it mattered to me in a way I didn't expect.
"I was wondering… would it be okay if I paid Welf to get a throwing dagger made? Not a huge sword or anything, just a small, reliable thrower I can carry. I don't have a Familia weapon, and I… I want something light. I can pay from the café earnings." I tried to keep my voice steady.
Hestia's eyes tilted.
"A weapon? For you?" Her face softened into that earnest, eager look she has when she thinks of something adorable. "Isabella… you don't have to-"
"It's fine." I said quickly. "I'm offering. I'm not asking for charity. I just want something to help me feel safer in the Dungeon if I ever-" I paused. "If I ever need to go again."
She blinked, then nodded, voice small but sincere.
"Protecting yourself is smart. I'll talk to Welf. He's stubborn but he's good. He won't take advantage of you."Hestia said.
Before I could answer, Welf appeared at the kitchen door like he'd been waiting in the next room the whole time which, knowing his schedule, he probably had. He crossed his arms and cocked an eyebrow at me.
"Huh? Weapon?" He asked, tone more curious than annoyed. His ever present hammer hung at his hip, and the muscle in his jaw twitched. "You gonna be tossing knives now?"
I felt heat rise in my cheeks.
"Not tossing knives at people." I said. "Just something small. Throwing daggers are good for, for distracting monsters, creating openings. I know how to cook, not tank a Minotaur. I can pay you. How much would you want for one made properly?"I asked.
Welf rubbed his chin, thinking.
"Depends on materials. Steel's not cheap. If you want something balanced with a weighted tip and good grip, that's-" He hesitated, then gave me a number that made my stomach do a tiny flip. "Take it as a quote. If you can pay that, I'll make it. Might even temper the edge so it's not just for show."
Hestia reached out and squeezed my hand.
"You can use the money from today. Mama Mia okayed your menu - that should cover it, right?" She asked.
Her eyes flicked to Mama Mia, who was passing through carrying a tray. Mama Mia glanced over, expression neutral until Hestia said the word "pay," then she gave a curt nod.
"Fine." Mama Mia said, setting the tray down. "If she's willing to pay, and it keeps her from doing anything stupid, I don't see a reason to stop it. But you better not try to fight anything you can't handle, girl."
I laughed, half nervous, half relieved.
"I won't. Promise."I said.
"Bring me the coin, and I'll need a few specifics. How heavy do you want it? Throwing daggers are personal - balance is everything. Try to be here when I temper it. I'll want feedback."He said.
"Okay." I said, already picturing the slim blade resting in a small sheath at my waist. "I'll be here."
Hestia hopped excitedly, then lowered her voice so only I could hear.
"I'm proud of you. Getting your own weapon is big."Hestia said.
The System nudged me in a soft, clinical voice only I could hear.
"SYSTEM. Relationship update: small increases recorded. Bell Cranel: +0% (remains low) Hestia: +1% (supportive bond) Welf Crozzo: +1% (professional respect)."System said.
I blinked at the ping and almost snorted. Of course even the system kept score, useful, but unnervingly honest.
Welf pointed at me with a grease stained finger.
"Don't go buying the cheapest steel, Vale. If you're gonna carry it, it should be something you trust. I'll work to a price and level. No freebies."He said.
I pulled out the small stack of valis I'd tucked away from the day's tips and set them on the counter. It wasn't a fortune, but it would cover materials and his work for a basic, well made dagger. Welf counted them with military efficiency and gave a short nod.
"Good enough. Leave it with me. Two days. You come by after the morning market to test the balance. If you like it, we're done. If not, we tweak." He jabbed at my shoulder once, like an old friend. "And don't go thinking this makes you a warrior."
"I won't." I said, but my voice was small and stubborn all at once.
"When it's ready, we'll practice in the plaza. I'll make sure Bell keeps his distance while you throw."Hestia said.
I snorted.
"Very funny."I said.
Syr waved a hand.
"You're doing practical things. I like that. Just... don't start a duel club." Her eyes twinkled.
Mama Mia rumbled a rare chuckle and clapped me on the shoulder.
"Keep learning. Be useful. And if you ever want to try your hand at some kitchen tools tell Welf to make you a proper cleaver next."She said.
I grinned, feeling both ridiculous and oddly brave. The dagger was small, a practical step toward independence. I didn't expect it to change anything dramatic overnight. It felt right. Like another tiny piece of Orario that I could hold steady.
"SYSTEM. Objective added - acquire and test custom throwing dagger. Progress - initiated. Emotional state: determined + cautious optimism."System said.
I went back to wiping counters, but for the first time in a long time, the idea of being able to defend myself, even a little, didn't feel terrifying. It felt possible. And that possibility tasted almost as good as the food I'd been making all day.