DanMachi: Cheat? What's a Cheat?

Chapter 12: Two Restless Hearts - Part 2

— POV Hestia (Continued)

I'm sitting on the couch, hugging a pillow.

"But... I have to be stronger."

As a goddess, I should be able to protect Kaen-kun. I should be able to support him. Not become a burden instead.

I need to find a way to help our familia.

I get up from the couch and walk to the corner of the church. There's a small box I've hidden behind a loose brick.

I pull out the box and open it.

Inside... there are a few valis coins. Not much. Maybe enough for three days of food. But this... this is my secret savings.

Money I've saved bit by bit from borrowing from friends, or picking up coins that fell on the street.

"Maybe... I could buy Kaen-kun something?"

I think for a moment. Armor? Too expensive. Weapons? He already has a sword. Potions? Maybe...

Or...

I could cook for him.

I could buy simple ingredients, then cook a delicious dinner for Kaen-kun. So he won't need to eat out anymore.

So he won't need to eat with other girls anymore.

I nod firmly. "That's a good idea!"

I put the money in a small pouch, then get ready to go out again.

With burning enthusiasm, I leave the church.

But... after a few steps, I stop again.

Wait. What if I cook and... fail?

What if my cooking sucks and Kaen-kun gets a stomachache?

What if... what if he ends up liking restaurant food better?

I bite my lower lip.

But... I have to try.

Didn't he like my cooking during the celebration night?

Yeah, the food I cook should be delicious.

Definitely delicious.

This is for Kaen-kun. For our familia.

I don't want him thinking I'm a useless goddess.

With new determination, I walk quickly toward the market.

Today, I'm gonna prove that I can be a useful goddess for Kaen-kun.

Even though... honestly... I don't know where to start.

---

Evening's approaching, and I'm still at the market.

I've been standing in front of the vegetable vendor for two hours, trying to decide what to buy.

"Green onions... carrots... potatoes..." I'm reading the vegetable names quietly.

The seller, a plump lady with a patient smile, has asked several times what I need.

"Miss, what do you want to buy? You've been standing here for a while."

"Um... I want to cook for... for someone important. But... I don't know what to buy."

The lady laughs warmly. "Oh, for your boyfriend? How cute. What do you want to cook?"

"Boyfriend!?" my face immediately turns red. "N-no! He's... he's a member of my familia!"

"Familia? Oh, you're a goddess? No wonder you're so pretty." The lady nods knowingly.

"If it's for a familia member, then he must be an adventurer. Adventurers need nutritious food. Buy meat, rice, and these vegetables."

She starts taking several vegetables and wrapping them up. "This is enough to make simple soup. It's easy."

"Really? It's not difficult?"

"No! Just chop everything up, put it in a pot, add water, and wait for it to cook. Easy!"

I nod enthusiastically. "Alright! I'll buy everything!"

After paying (almost all my savings are gone), I go to the meat shop.

Same process. I'm confused, the seller takes pity on me, and I end up with meat at a price that's... well, pretty wallet-draining.

---

When I get back to the church, the sun's already starting to set.

I put all the groceries on the small table, then look at them proudly.

"I did it! I bought all the ingredients!"

Now... just gotta cook.

I walk to our small kitchen. Actually, this isn't really a kitchen. It's just a corner of the church with a small stove and some basic cooking utensils.

I grab a pot, then wash the carrots and potatoes.

Chop them up, the vegetable seller said.

I start cutting the carrots. First cut... kinda big. Second cut... kinda small. Third cut... destroyed.

"Hmm... maybe the knife isn't sharp enough?"

I try again. More carefully this time.

After a few minutes, I manage to cut all the vegetables. The shapes are... uneven. But... at least they're cut.

Next, the meat.

I stare at the beef on the table. Its shape is... weird. There's still fat here and there. The seller said the meat needs to be cut into small pieces.

I start cutting.

CHOP. CHOP. CHOP.

First piece... too big.

CHOP. CHOP.

Second piece... too small.

CHOP. CHOP. CHOP.

Third piece... the knife gets stuck in the bone.

"Uhhhh... why is this so hard?"

I pull the knife hard. The knife comes loose suddenly, and...

SPLASH!

The meat flies into the air, then falls to the floor.

I stare at the meat lying on the dusty floor.

Five seconds later...

I pick up the meat, wash it clean, and continue cutting.

It's fine. Still edible.

After a few minutes of struggling, finally all the ingredients are ready.

I turn on the stove, put the pot filled with water on it, and wait for it to boil.

While waiting, I sit on the floor, looking at my handiwork.

Vegetables cut unevenly. Meat cut messily. But... at least they're cut.

I can definitely do this.

I'm a goddess. There's no way I'd fail at making simple soup.

When the water starts boiling, I put all the ingredients into the pot.

Wait for it to cook, the vegetable seller said.

I cover the pot and sit waiting.

Five minutes later, I open the pot lid to check.

The water is... murky. The meat and vegetables are... floating.

Seems... normal?

I cover it again and wait.

Ten minutes later, I try tasting it.

The taste is...

Bland.

No taste at all.

"Oh! I forgot salt!"

I add salt. Quite a lot.

I taste it again.

Now it's... salty.

Too salty.

"Uhhhh... what do I do?"

I add water. Taste again.

Now it's... bland again.

I add a little salt. Taste.

Still bland.

Add more salt. Taste.

Salty again.

After several attempts, I give up.

I turn off the stove and stare at the pot in despair.

"Why is making simple soup so hard?"

I sit on the floor, hugging my knees.

Maybe... I really am a useless goddess.

I can't cook. I can't help Kaen-kun. I can't do anything.

Meanwhile that pointy-eared girl... she can take Kaen-kun to eat at nice restaurants.

Tears start falling.

"I... I want to be a useful goddess for Kaen-kun..."

Right then, I hear footsteps from outside.

"Goddess, I'm home!"

Kaen-kun!

I quickly stand up and wipe my eyes.

"Welcome home, Kaen-kun!"

I hurriedly cover the pot and pretend to be busy cleaning up.

Kaen-kun enters with a tired smile. His clothes are a bit dirty, but he looks fine.

"Goddess, are you cooking?" he asks while sniffing the air. "It smells so good."

Good? Really?

I look toward the pot. There is an aroma... but I'm not sure if it's good or...

"I... I tried making soup for our dinner," I say quietly.

Kaen-kun's eyes immediately light up. "Really? Goddess cooked for me?"

He looks so happy. Happier than when I gave him his falna for the first time.

"I... I wanted to cook something delicious for you. But... but I'm not sure if it tastes good..."

Kaen-kun walks closer and gently pats my head.

"Whatever Goddess cooks will definitely be delicious. Because it's made with love."

I look at him. His brown eyes are sincere and warm.

"Really?"

"Of course. I can't wait to try it."

For the first time today, I smile.

Maybe... maybe I can't cook perfectly. But... Kaen-kun will eat it. Because I made it.

And that... is enough for me.

And I... I feel like a useful goddess.

At least for Kaen-kun.

"Then... let's have dinner, Kaen-kun."