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Mira is a support character from the Space Library. With thinking speeds that surpass the speed of light, she can read all phenomena, predict billions of possible futures, and take appropriate actions with the precision of a machine.

That said, she’s not a robot devoid of emotions. Mira possesses emotions similar to those of humans, offering thoughtful consideration and kind support that can empathize with others.

However, she is also strict and uncompromising. When it comes to work, she is reliable and thorough. To maintain her trustworthiness as a hunter, Mira is stringent with herself and others in her daily tasks.

━━━And right now, it was no exception.

“This braised pork belly is a failure. It’s inedible.” (Mira)

She held a piece of the pork belly with her chopsticks, and showed it to her companion before placing it back on the plate. Her expression was sharp and resolute.

This was the pork belly she eagerly anticipated after all. Mira-chan had every reason to be upset if it wasn’t prepared properly.

“Wait, isn’t that the dish made with pork skin attached? What’s it called? Oh, Dongpo Pork, right?” (Lanpeach)

The minor villain tilted his head, trying to recall but ultimately failing to engage in the topic.

“That’s where you should’ve chimed in, but I suppose it was too much to expect from you, minor villain-san. By the way, you’ve already had lunch, minor villain-san.” (Mira)

“Stop treating me like a senile old man. Why is it that you’re always so quick to roast me like this? And look, you said it was inedible, but you’ve cleared the pot. I was planning to share that with everyone.” (Lanpeach)

The large pot, meant for curry, was now only filled with the sweet-savory sauce, with no trace of the five kilograms of braised pork belly it originally held. The minor villain cast a narrow-eyed glance at Mira, who met his gaze without flinching.

“I left some. See, there’s about a millimeter of meat left on the plate? Weren’t you taught as a child never to leave even a grain of rice uneaten? Pork belly is no exception. By leaving just one morsel, it’s as if I haven’t eaten at all, don’t you think?” (Mira)

Perfectly armed with logic, Mira envisioned the minor villain-san apologizing to her, her lips curving into a triumphant smile.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, her cheeks were pinched and stretched.

“Wow, Mira’s cheeks are so soft. I didn’t think they’d stretch this much.” (Lanpeach)

“Stop it. Touching a maiden’s cheeks should be a paid privilege. First of all, more braised pork belly!” (Mira)

Her muffled protests elicited a chuckle from Pla-san, who likened her soft, squishy cheeks to mochi. Mira couldn’t help but smile slightly at the familiar pattern they have repeated for a long time now.

━━━This scene took place in the dining hall of the Lanpeach Complex. Once a reflection of slum life, the hall was now unrecognizably transformed. People chatted happily while enjoying their meals, and once-emaciated residents now laughed as they spoke of having gained some weight.

It was here that Pla-san had fulfilled his promise to make braised pork belly for Mira. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out as expected, so Mira had requested a redo.

“I think braised pork belly is tastier than Dongpo Pork. It’s sweeter, with more tender fat. Are you sure you want Dongpo Pork?” (Lanpeach)

Pla-san, reluctantly agreeing to make more, prompted Mira to ponder. She predicted countless possible futures and chose the one most beneficial to her.

After three seconds of rapid calculation, she opened her eyes wide.

“I’ll take both, please! For comparison, cook lots of rice too!” (Mira)

She didn’t fall for the trap of choosing only one. Mira, who has overcome countless battles, proudly puffed out her chest at her own answer…only to lean way too back and fall backwards, prompting Pla-san to hurriedly catch her.

“Alright, alright. Just wait a bit. I’ll make both.” (Lanpeach)

Pla-san just embraced a beautiful maiden, and yet, he showed no reaction as if he were holding a scarecrow, and then returned to the kitchen. It might have been endearing if he had pretended not to notice anything and his ears were red, but his ears didn’t change color in the slightest. Meanwhile, Mimi, who was perched skillfully on his head, let out a big yawn before mumbling and dozing off again.

When it came to Libra, however, he would stretch his nose with a goofy grin and casually cop a feel of her chest. Truly a breast man, she noted mentally, storing the observation in the Space Library: “Lanpeach Kouza is a breast man.”

“Just wait two more hours. Both of these take time.” (Lanpeach)

Pla-san soon returned, carrying something. A steamer, it seemed.

“Koume, Mei! It’s snack time!” (Lanpeach) 

Pla-san called out after setting down the steamer.

Once he did, a cardboard box placed against the wall wobbled and creaked before popping open, revealing two young girls who sprang out. They appear to have been playing hide-and-seek. Their giggles suggested they wanted to be found all along, with cheerful laughter bubbling up from inside the box.

“Yay! Is it Koume’s shnack? Is it a shnack? What’s today’s shnack~?” (Mei)

“Is it sweet, sweet-deshu deshu? What’s inside?” (Mei)

The girls approached the steamer, poking at it with their tiny, curious fingers. The steamer must have been a novelty to them, and the gentle warmth of it made them squeal with innocent delight.

“This is steamed pudding. Normally, you’d chill it in the fridge to finish it, but freshly made and warm is delicious too.” (Lanpeach)

Pla-san said, removing the steamer’s lid with a triumphant look.

A large cloud of steam billowed out, revealing bowls of custard pudding inside. They were served in unassuming containers, the kind used for ordinary chawanmushi. 

The yellow pudding within looked slightly overcooked, with small bubbles indicating a homemade touch. It is the pattern where he put a bit too much dedication on it and the production cost ends up more expensive than buying it from a store.

“Normally, you’d cool it in the fridge before serving. But I wanted to try it warm just this once.” (Lanpeach)

“Ah, I get that. I can totally relate. I’ve always wondered whether it is tasty if it is warm.” (Libra)

Libra peeked out with a small hop, nodding at Pla-san’s words. That’s certainly something Mira thought too. Sashimi needs to be fresh, and fried foods are best served hot. Yet, pudding is the one dish that must be chilled to taste right. Isn’t that an unnecessary extra step?

This is one of those eternal mysteries, unsolvable even by the Space Library, she pondered deeply, furrowing her brows. It felt more complicated than defeating Harkein and restoring this world’s elemental streams to normal.

“Does pudding-shan really have to be chilled?” (Koume)

“It looks delicious. Father, can I eat one?” (Mei)

“Sure, I made plenty. You can have one. If it doesn’t taste good, we can chill the rest in the fridge.” (Lanpeach)

“Ah, that makes sense. There seem to be twenty, so that’s four per person.” (Mira)

“No, no, don’t try to eat them all. We’ll share some, so it’s two per person.” (Lanpeach)

Mira thought she heard some phantom debate going on, but she automatically tuned it out and grabbed one. The bowl was still a little hot since it was freshly made. She decided to take charge of the remaining puddings and manage them responsibly.

When she scooped it with a spoon, the texture was firm. Maybe it was steamed for too long. Pla-san clearly needed to level up his cooking skills. But there’s something charming about an imperfectly made dish, isn’t there?

“Itadakima~shu. It’s sho shoft!” (Koume)

“I can’t wait to try Father’s homemade pudding-deshu. Ahhn~” (Mei)

“Mufufu, I wonder what it tastes like.” (Mira)

The little ones put the pudding into their mouths, chewing slowly and thoughtfully.

“Huh? It’s not sweet at all, Papa-shan!” (Koume)

“True-deshu. But it’s soft and kind of fun to eat-deshu.” (Mei) 

The two young girls tilted their heads in confusion. They must have been expecting a super sweet pudding. Mira felt the same. There was a faint sweetness, but it wasn’t the indulgent flavor she imagined. Honestly, it was a little disappointing.

“You adjusted the sweetness to your taste, didn’t you, Pla-san? Since you hate overly sweet things, it’s no wonder the sweetness is barely there. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of your remaining pudding for you.” (Mira)

Pudding should be light and wobbly, with a smooth blend of egg and sugar flavors.

“Don’t casually try to steal my pudding. But it’s strange. I followed the recipe exactly. I put in so much sugar that anyone on a diet would run screaming.” (Lanpeach)

Pla-san, with a spoon in his mouth, also looked puzzled. It was even more baffling to him since he made it himself. This was a crisis more dire than humanity’s extinction! We might need to gather the rabbits for research.

“Oh, I get it. It’s because it’s warm. When food is hot, sweetness isn’t as noticeable, just like saltiness or spiciness. Once it cools, the sweetness becomes more pronounced. Same principle.” (Libra)

Libra answered nonchalantly while munching on her pudding. 

“Pla-san, this is serious. Libra has been replaced! There’s no way she’s this clever. I didn’t even know the answer, and I was planning to eat pudding until I figured it out!” (Mira)

(We should detain her right away. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of Libra’s remaining pudding.) (Mira)

“Ah, that makes sense. So that’s why pudding needs to be chilled to taste good. I’ve learned something new. You want the rest, Mimi?” (Lanpeach)

Pla-san was convinced by the groundbreaking new discovery of Libra. It seems he was bored of eating, so he stopped.

“I do-usa desu! Ahhn~”  

Naturally, Mira opened her mouth like a baby bird, ready for feeding.

“I was talking to Mimi, not you, Mira! Why are you eating?” (Lanpeach)

“Today, I’ve decided to go by the name Mimi. Mira and Mimi sound similar enough, so it’s fine.” 

“Mimi wants shome, too. Feed me~”

“Mira wants some, too-deshu. Feed me~”

The Lazy Mimis opened their tiny mouths. Mira also joined in, chirping and flapping her mouth.

“Your gluttony is almost impressive. Good grief, can’t be helped.” (Lanpeach)

Pla-san still handed me pudding despite everything said.

Moments like these aren’t so bad, Mira thought with a smile.

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