Chapter 263.1

Chapter 263.1. Hamburg Steak With Sunny-Side-Up Eggs

-Miu’s Mom POV-

Takano Marquisate’s residence. The entire Takano family was having dinner in the cozy tatami-floored living room where the family had gathered,

On the table, a jumbo-sized hamburger steak was topped with a semi-soft sunny-side-up egg. The iron plate on which the hamburger steak rested made sizzling sounds, and the aroma of the meat juices cooking tantalized the appetite.

“Let’s dig in!”

With a beaming smile, my daughter began to eat the hamburger steak, holding a knife and fork.

Excitement sparkled in her eyes as she smoothly cut into the hamburger steak. When a generous amount of gravy and meat juices spilled out from the cut, my daughter’s face lit up with astonishment.

“Wow, there’s so much meat juice, mama!”

“Hehe, be careful, it’s hot.”

I was comforted by my adorable daughter’s constant amazement at each bite. So I offered a word of caution.

“Yeah! I equipped my heat-resistant ring, so I can even eat in magma!”

“Eating in magma is prohibited. Remember our promise?”

“Yes.”

She nodded obediently and continued to savor the hamburger steak with enthusiasm.

I’m Takano Mirei, and this is my beloved daughter, Takano Miu. She has a captivating shade of gray hair that sometimes looks silver, deep ice-blue eyes and a face that suits the description “cute” more than “beautiful.” She doesn’t look like a middle school student due to her petite stature, but her overflowing energy makes her appear one or two sizes larger.

“Mi-nee, mye want some too!”

“Mye too, mye too! Aaahn.”

Sitting on either side of Miu, Sora and Mai tugged at her dress, pleading for a share.

Sora and Mai, who were still only 2 years olds, had the height of 5 year olds. Their growth seemed a bit accelerated, but their lively antics, as they drooled while gazing at the hamburger steak, were endearing.

“Kyaa! They’re begging! Mii-chan will give you some! Here, aaahn.”

“Oh dear, be careful not to burn them.”

“Yeah, huff huff.”

Miu playfully blew on the hamburger steak pierced on her fork, her lips puckered, which was nothing short of innocent and cute.

“Mye want some too! Huff huff.”

“Us too! Huff huff.”

Imitating Miu, Sora, and Mai leaned over their forks, extending their faces to blow on their food.

“Oh my, this is a moment to capture in a photo.”

“You’re right. Sharing a meal as a family brings a sense of security.”

My husband, Yoshiyuki, smiled as he held a glass of beer. He’s been incredibly busy lately, so I hoped he could take a break and relax.

“Delicious!”

“Yummy!”

“Plis call the shef.”

The three of them put their hands on their cheeks and did some somersaults in delight after finishing their hamburger steak.

All three of them rolled on the tatami mat. There’s something undeniably cute about their joyous expressions as they roll around like puppies.

But, it would be troublesome if their expression of joy became somersaults every time.

“No somersaults during meals.”

“Yes.”

“And somersaults are for activities and such. When you’re happy, you can do a high-five or laugh. During meals. Just smile and say it’s delicious.”

“Alright, got it! Sora, Mai, I’ll show you how it’s done!”

Miu raised her hand and cleared her throat. Then, she took a bite of the hamburger steak, closed her eyes, and chewed it thoughtfully.

When she swallowed with a gulp, her eyes widened.

“This is a mixture, right? It seems like it’s made with a 7:3 ratio. The golden ratio.”

“Hehe, that’s right, it’s a mixture.”

“Wow, Mii-chan, you’re amazing!”

We chuckled at her mimicry of a gourmet, and my husband, sipping on his beer, had a relaxed expression as he watched.

“Gyu, no, this is 70% Hornbear Cow meat.”

Ding dong

I praised her for the correct answer, and Miu proudly nodded, sniffing and continuing her review.

“The remaining 30% is from a pig to bring out the meat juices!”

“Well, too bad. It’s from a Niwatonaton.”

Miu’s smile froze when I responded with a teasing tone. She seemed so confident. Maybe I went a bit too far.

“…Niwatonaton?”

“Yes, it’s hardly ever available. This is my first time handling it too.”

“Uh, huh… Is it chicken? A reindeer? A pig?”

“Niwatonaton is Niwatonaton, Mii-chan.”

“There are still mystery ingredients out there…”

Her enthusiasm seemed to wane slightly, but Miu continued to enjoy her hamburger steak.

“It was obtained from a dungeon that recently appeared in Lake Biwa. It’s a new ingredient.”

“Is it safe!?”

When I told her it was a new ingredient, Miu looked shocked and asked with a worried expression. Lately, she had been rumored to be as wise as a sage, so I found comfort in her childlike face.

“It’s fine. A great magician used the [Ingredient Appraisal] magic on it. Multiple magicians with licenses performed the magic for the ingredient appraisal.”

They checked for poison, diseases, parasites, and toxins. Monster meat goes through multiple ingredient appraisals before it hits the market.

“It’s been safely appraised by magic for a long time. That’s why there’s a lot of monster meat available.”

Otherwise, people would never consume monster meats due to their dangers.

“Magic is incredible… Without using scientific tests, it’s both easily discernible and reassuring.”

“Magic has evolved alongside human aspirations. [Ingredient Appraisal] is said to be one of the first magic created by humans.”

As my knowledgeable husband explained to Miu, she nodded in understanding.

“So, it wasn’t magic that generates fire, but [Ingredient Appraisal] was the first. That makes sense. Hunting in dungeons is much easier than hunting outside, after all.”

She murmured a bit too pragmatic and lacking romance, then resumed eating her hamburger steak.