「I’m back~. Thank you for scooping the scum for me!」
Kurtz-kun did a small laugh and grinned.
「It’s normal to help each other out! You don’t have to thank me.」
Yes, of course. He who does not work, neither shall he eat.
But…
「Even if it’s normal to do stuff like this, do you understand the appreciation of having something done for you? 」
Kurtz-kun nodded slightly.
「Do you think it’s normal to do stuff like this because you get to eat if you help out? Or, do you feel happy because you’ll get food made for you?」
「Well, I feel happy!」
「Mhm. That’s how you express your appreciation, by saying thank you. I don’t think it’s reasonable to only let you eat if you help out. Rather, I appreciate all the work you did for me. So, thank you.」
Kurtz-kun’s cheeks turned a little pink.
「T-then, thank you for letting me help you!」
Eh?
「You see, even though this is just a bunch of bird bones, it smells really good. I’m really excited to see that what I thought was garbage is turning into food!」
Ahh, I see. That’s what he meant.
Cooking is fun, after all.
「Fufu, I see. I’m glad you’re enjoying this. Thank you for having fun with helping.」
Kurtz-kun and I laughed because of how strange our conversation was, exchanging gratitude back and forth.
「Ahh, what, what? You two look like you’re having fun. Tell Kirika too.」
Kirika-chan walked into the hut with an armful of potions.
The front door was left wide open so that she could walk back and forth easily while holding the potions.
「Um, Kirika-chan, you’ll get to eat something delicious tonight, since Kurtz-kun is working so hard, I guess?」
「Kurtz-oniichan is?」
Kirika-chan said, with a bit of surprise in her voice.
「Eh? Me?」
Kurtz-kun said while flustered.
「Yes, because cooking with feelings of joy makes the food taste better.」
I patted Kurtz-kun’s head.
「Is cooking a lot of fun? Kirika wants to do it too!」