The day after that night, I gathered information about Bell's team and my current situation.
It seems the guild give them a mission to capture me.
So, I'm really become criminal just because I don't pay taxes?
Anyway, after getting tricked, cornered, and chased around like a rare monster drop by three or four different familias.
I finally made a new decision.
"I need to lay low."
Enough with adventurer thing.
"Let's become a chef."
Not a merhant, not a thieft, not a harmless guy selling cabbage. But a chef, because nobody will suspect a chef who grills meat and makes omelete for a living, right?
Not suspicious. Totally not suspicious.
Besides, I also have 'cook' skill so there will no problem in becoming chef.
Just when I thought about it while wandering around.
I found it. A poster stuck on the door.
'Now Hiring : Kitchen staff – The hostess of Fertility.'
There is it.
My luck hasn't abandon me.
Thank you, Eris-sama.
***
The moment I walked in, all eyes turned to me.
Female eyes. And not the 'Oh wow, he's hot' kind instead 'What is this creepy guy doing?' kind.
The elf women looked cynical at me as she said. "We aren't open yet."
I gulped at her pressure.
It's obvious that this is a place where getting pervert will get you executed.
No Aqua to take a blame.
No Megumin to just blow up my problem.
No Darkness to… Wait, what is her good use? Oh yeah, that badge of her family is indeed useful.
I nodded to her words.
"I came here for the kitchen position."
The stares intensified. The silence grew.
The elf women crossed her arms. "We don't hire creepy guys who randomly show up with perverted eyes and suspicious aura."
Isn't she too harsh on me? Even I have limit for my patience. I admit that sometime I did some questionable things. But this time I am really innocent, you know.
What right does this women have to insult me?
"Oi, don't think just because you have nice face you can insult me all you want!" I started yelling at her.
"Are you the boss here? I come with peace and surely I haven't done anything yet to all of you, but this is how you treated me, shitty elf?!"
I raised my middle finger to her.
"If you want me to leave just say it, no need to insult me that bad–"
Buk!
A punch hit my back head.
"Ouch! Who dare to hit me?! Don't think I will let you off easily just because you are a woman! I am a true advocat of gender equality– Ah."
My words hung in the air when I looked at the one hit me.
"It's me, Mia. I'm the boss in this place and the woman who just hit you. Do you have anything to say?"
Big.
She is big, and also powerful.
"I-I would like to apply for the kitchen staff position, ma'am."
She looked me up and down.
Somehow I got the feeling that she might recognize my other identity.
Of course there is no way it's true.
"You sure, kid? I'm very strict about the taste of the food."
"It's fine, just give me a chance and I will accept your judge no matter what."
I'm very confidence in my cooking skill. After all I originally came from modern world where culinary has advanced a lot.
"Heh, you sure have guts, kid. Make anything you want in the kitchen. You have 30 minutes." She smirked and leave me in the kitchen.
"Fine."
Inside the kitchen, I quickly assessed the ingredients.
I can only be amazed by the completeness of the spices and even rare ingredients that this kitchen has.
That big Mia really surely put a lot of effort on this. Or is this normal thing in this world? I don't really know since this is my first time entering kitchen in this world.
Since I have all the ingredients, let's make various dishes.
First, fluffy omurice with a heart sauce on it.
Second, A bowl of miso soup with chopped scallions.
Third, Juicy grilled stick with garlic butter and a side of roasted potatoes.
Fourth, a simple pancake with strawberry on it.
And the last is, Virgin Lemon Basil Spritz.
I can't get Basil, but this world has a unique leaf that tastes like Basil, even though their form is different. I hope it's not gonna ruin the taste.
"You made all of this?" The big Mia asked.
"Nope, that elf girl is the one make it."
Silence.
The elf girl surprised by my words, hurriedly want to corret the things.
But the sound of the wall got slammed is faster.
Bam!
"Don't mess with me, kid!"
"O-Of course I'm the one who made it, can't you just see– I mean yeah, I made it."
The Big Mia tried the dishes one by one, then it's time for pancake.
"What is this?"
"It's called pancake, ma'am. Mixture of flour, egg, sugar, and butter."
"And the drink is Virgin Lemon Basil Spritz. It's safe to drink it in morning since there is no alcohol in it also the herb could make you feel more relaxed."
She nodded, tried the pancake and take a sip on the mocktail.
"You are hired. Stop smiling like that, and get to work."
Oopsie, looks like I 'accidentally' smiling.
I just can't hold it, okay?
The outcome is clear the moment she gives me a chance, as long as she judge fairly.
That's the power of modern culinary for you.
Also thanks to my 'cook' skill.
***
Just as Big Mia finished her test, walked to back store, a blur motion appeared beside me.
It was a cat girl.
A real one. Ears, tail, tiny fangs, and the excited look of some animal looks at their prey.
"It looks really delicious! C-can I try it, nya?" she asked, her eyes sparkling and—hold on, was that drool?
Actual, physical drool.
Oi, control yourself!
Technically, I made it for Big Mia as a test. Could I give it to other people?
Probably not.
But then again I'm a guy with emphaty, and soft spot for a girl who looked like they may start crying if you say no.
She is also a cat girl. A real cat girl who ended their sentences by 'nya'. It's just like some people said 'cat girl is a dream of mankind'.
I simply gave her a tiny nod.
"Yay! Thank you, nya~"
The cat girl looked very happy and eat the pancake immediately.
Suddenly, her eyes widened.
Her ears twitched.
She froze.
Fork in midair as if she'd just remembered a forgotten memory from a past life.
Then—
"MMMMMMMH–!!!"
A moan escaped her like she just achieved enlightenment. Her tail went poof like a dusted dandelion, and she started kicking her legs under the table like a kid who just got into the VIP room of a candy factory.
"D-Deliciousss!! What is this?! This is divine! No—this is criminal! You're trying to assassinate me with flavor, nya!!"
I stood there, awkwardly scratching my head, while everyone else in the tavern started peeking around the corner. One of them whispered:
"…Did he drug the food?"
No, lady. That's called culinary genius, thank you very much.