I Woke Up In A Completely Different World! 25 Comfor

Ms. Layne: "Alright cla.s.s, remember to finish the rest of your a.s.signments when you reach home!"

It's another end to the school day.

I may as well enjoy the rest of the day in bed, I don't have to work at the bakery today!

Cynthia: "Hey, Jesse! Could I ask you for a favor?"

Just as I was packing my bag and getting ready to head out, Cynthia stops me in my seat. She's always asking for favors and gets everyone in trouble when she feels like paying us back. I already don't like what she might have in mind.

Jesse: "I'm sorry, Cynthia, but I'm pretty busy."

Cynthia: "Oh come on! Its…"

She leans in and whispers.

Cynthia: "It's for Kanna."

Jesse: "Kanna?"

Cynthia: "Please? I know she's a Nekomata and all but I really need your help."

I don't really have anything against Nekomatas, they're actually really peaceful folk. Even better than some people I know.

Jesse: "Well, fine, what did you need help with?"

Cynthia: "I'll explain as we head out."

Heading out the Academy gates, which were badly damaged from the battle a month ago along with most of the courtyard, we head south towards Kanna's home. Apparently, Cynthia believes that her friend, Kanna, would feel a little better if she has something Steven would make.

It didn't seem like too much of a ha.s.sle for me, though I work at a bakery, not a restaurant. I cook basic meals for myself instead of something extravagant a n.o.ble would want.

When we arrived, I noted that the sign reads "Yuuna's Elixirs". I almost instantly remembered that my sister shopped here once and was impressed with their selection despite their high price.

Jesse: "She lives in a shop? I thought she was considered n.o.bility?"

Cynthia: "She's minor n.o.bility in Ostroven, but in Feles Isle, it's a different story. Besides, the rest of her home is in the back."

The smell of fresh herbs and plants filled the air of the shop when we entered. Everything was labeled, organized neatly, and fully stocked. It was a very professional shop, far more than I was expecting.

While I was looking around the shop, another Elven man appears from the curtains separating the shop from the rest of the home

Elven Man: "Lady Cynthia, welcome back."

Cynthia: "I brought Jesse like I said I would."

Esmond: "I'm Captain Lawrence Esmond, from Toku Village."

He had an entire n.o.ble-guard aura surrounding him, like most veterans from the Royal Knights tend to have.

Esmond: "You are Jesse, right? Cynthia said you could at least lift the mood here."

Jesse: "I'll… do the best I can, sir."

Esmond: "Well, come in through the back. It's just my village Elder and his sister, Lady Hisakawa."

The living room was lively. A couple more new faces were here. Apart from Esmond and Cynthia, there was a really old Nekomata man that was resting by the fireplace and a beautiful mature Nekomata woman sitting with an ice pack on her head.

Elder: "I see it was only a fever, but the way he wrote it made me think you were dying. Well, either way, he was worried about you when the letter was posted."

Yuuna: "He's such a worry wart, brother. G.o.ds, I hope he's alright."

Elder: "I never took you to be religious, sister. I heard in the market district that they have the best guards looking for him."

Yuuna: "Please, they won't get far. They let anyone through the gate nowadays."

They were all relaxing on the couches by the fireplace, it'd be a really warm and relaxing place if it weren't for the heavy depressed air in here.

Esmond: "I apologize for interrupting, Lady Hisakawa, but Cynthia is here with a friend."

Yuuna: "h.e.l.lo, I'm Yuuna Hisakawa. You're Jesse, the one Cynthia mentioned?"

She smiles sweetly.

That must be Kanna's mother.

Jesse: "Yes, I am. Though, I'm not sure how much use I'll be."

Yuuna: "My daughter is depressed, Cynthia believes you could cook?"

Jesse: "I'll do what I can, ma'am."

Yuuna: "I believe in you, the kitchen is in the back. Go ahead and do your best."

She points to the back of the house, where the kitchen is.

Elder: "Are all youth so well-mannered?"

Yuuna: "They are. Do you remember how worried I was about raising Kanna here in Everhand at first? I wanted to keep her safe back home, but Takeo insisted on moving. I never loved him, but I miss him."

Elder: "You loved him in a different way."

I was being guided to the kitchen by Cynthia. Who aided me by grabbing all the utensils I would need. She moved with precision as if she were familiar with the kitchen itself.

Jesse: "Do you know the kitchen so well?"

Cynthia: "I've been friends with Kanna since we were little."

This kitchen isn't too different from mine and it's really stocked up, so I shouldn't have any trouble.

Jesse: "So, ehh, what do I cook?"

Cynthia: "There's a cookbook behind you."

I turned around and find several cookbooks, not just one. All t.i.tled and uniquely themed. From Feles Isle all the way to Etherfore, a multicultural city in the northeast.

Are these all his cookbooks?

Jesse: "This doesn't help, Cynthia. I don't know what to choose from here."

Cynthia: "d.a.m.nit Jesse, just do something random."

Going through a cookbook, I randomly landed on "Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic & Chive Aioli".

I don't even know what Aioli is…

Flipping the pages a second time, I now end up on a recipe called "Garlic Noodles".

Jesse: "How about this?"

She leans in for a better look.

Cynthia: "Oh, that! I remember him making that before. It should do it!"

Jesse: "Is it good?"

Cynthia: "You have no idea."

Alright, this looks like it'll do, and the recipe itself is easy to follow.

I should make sure that all the ingredients are available before continuing.

Jesse: "So, err, we need 8 ounces of spaghetti, 12 ounces of peeled and deveined shrimp, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms, a red bell pepper, 2 diced zucchinis, a grated carrot, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro leaves."

Cynthia: "Alright, one at a time, we got this. Anything else?"

Jesse: "Uhh, it says for the sauce, a third cup of soy sauce…"

This is already sounding expensive, but soy sauce? My sister will have my head if I made this.

Jesse: "3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of packed brown sugar, a tablespoon of sambal oelek, oyster sauce, and a teaspoon of sesame oil."

Cynthia: "Here you go, but we have to make do without shrimp… and you're measuring everything."

Of course I am.

Jesse: "Did he ever cook it with shrimp before?"

Cynthia: "Hmm, I don't think so… Aunt Yuuna hates shrimp."

After Cynthia grabbed all the ingredients from the pantry, I got to work on the sauce first.

In a small bowl and with a whisk in hand, I mixed together the soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, the sambal oelek, oyster sauce, and sesame oil before setting it aside.

I just realized that this isn't too different from baking.

Grabbing a large pot and filling it with water, Cynthia used her hands and fire magic to get the water boiling to continue cooking the noodles and then draining it well.

Now, if only there was a stove top Cynthia wouldn't be doing this.

Using another, but smaller pot, Cynthia heated the olive oil as I continued to add in 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce mixture, and continued to cook it, stirring occasionally, until pink, for 3 minutes. Then adding in the mushrooms, bell pepper, zucchinis, and the carrot to the pot, frequently stirring until it became tender.

Then finally adding the spaghetti, and remaining soy sauce mixture until well combined for another 2 minutes.

Jesse: "And that should be it. It also says to serve immediately."

Cynthia: "Finally, my hands are really hot. I'll go get Kanna."

She hurriedly heads out of the kitchen.

Alright, this is at least 4 servings worth of noodles.

I set out a plate just for Kanna on the counter and garnished it with cilantro.

Feelings of pride fill me as it was my first time cooking for someone else, and it was easy!

This has to make Kanna feel better and I know it!

As I waited for Cynthia and Kanna, I prepared 3 other plates, just in case anyone wanted some.

A couple of minutes had pa.s.sed as I nervously shuffled around the kitchen, hoping the dish did come out good when Kanna came out.

It's only been a month since and she looks different!

Her eyes are red, has dark circles under them, and completely lost her usual smile. She had to have lost weight too because the Kanna I knew had some meat on her.

Jesse: "I, uh, h.e.l.lo."

She doesn't reply.

Cynthia: "Right, uhm, we made you something to eat, Kanna."

Cynthia places the plate in front of her and hands a fork to her. Unenthusiastically, Kanna stirs the noodles and slowly proceeds to eat a small forkful.

Unexpected to us, she starts to silently sob as she continues to eat.

Cynthia: "K-Kanna?"

Well, f.u.c.k, we might've made it worse for her…

Jesse: "Uh, well, uhm, I… should get going now… my, uh, my sister wanted me home today."

I decided to leave, unable to bear the sight of Kanna, and the heavy, depressed air of the townhouse.

Cynthia: "Ask Esmond to show you out, I'll stay with Kanna."

I grab my bag and continue back out into the living room.

Elder: "Well, the Captain and I aren't going anywhere until Steven does come back."

Yuuna: "When will that be?"

She sighs.

Yuuna: "I might also keep the shop closed for now."

Esmond: "Ah, how did everything go?"

Esmond notices me as I walk in.

Jesse: "It... could've gone better."

Yuuna: "Uu, she's going to kill me with worry."

She holds her ice pack in place and leans on the side of the couch.

Jesse: "And, um, Cynthia said Esmond could show me out."

Esmond: "Let me take you to the door."

I continued on my way home in silence.

All I know is that I won't be cooking for anyone again anytime soon…