After returning from Ghost Valley to [Grand Bahamut], where Anya promptly made dinner.
“Wil-sama, the pot-au-feu (french beef stew) with pink truffles is ready. Please, enjoy it to your heart’s content.” (Anya)
Tired of waiting at the table, I enthusiastically helped to assist in carrying the dishes.
I glance at the pot-au-feu Anya served in a deep dish.
It contains plenty of beef, vegetables, and pink truffles brought from Ghost Valley. Amidst the spices, the sweet aroma of the pink truffles wafts through.
It was an indescribable scent. Indeed, it lived up to its reputation as a delicacy. The scent is similar to a fruit… No, maybe even sweeter.
By the way, these were the leftover pink truffles that weren’t used for throat medicine. Frankie-san suggested trying them since they were delicious, so I decided to give them a taste.
“I’m looking forward to trying this. It’s my first time having pink truffles.” (Wilhelm)
“Sodane! It smells sweet like candy mew.” (Mew-chan)
“Ah, that’s what I thought. It does have a sweet scent like a high-quality candy. Apparently, if this was served in a fancy restaurant, it would become a luxury dish worth tens of thousands of gold. Let’s savor it.” (Wilhelm)
Anya took off her apron and sat opposite me.
Now, itadakimasu. Let’s start by trying the pink truffles.
“Hmm…? It doesn’t really taste like anything.” (Wilhelm)
“It seems to have no taste, but you can feel the sweet scent spreading through your mouth.” (Anya)
“That’s true. It’s fun feeling the sweet scent escape through your nose.” (Wilhelm)
“Sodane!” (Mew-chan)
Oh, this might be addictive. I can’t stop munching on it. It goes really well with the potatoes and beef in the pot-au-feu.
It seems like it would have an even deeper flavor when paired with a spicy grape wine.
“Come to think of it, Frankie-san mentioned something about there being a ‘hit’ with pink truffles. What could that be?” (Wilhelm)
“A hit? Is there alcohol or chocolate inside mew?” (Mew-chan)
“I couldn’t get detailed information. He just kept grinning.” (Wilhelm)
Anya suddenly burst out laughing for some reason.
“Hehe. Ahahaha!” (Anya)
Both Mew-chan and I looked at Anya in confusion.
Anya had a bright smile on her face. She’s so cute. But why did she laugh?
I popped a pink truffle into my mouth. As expected, it didn’t have any taste.
A sweet scent flowed out smoothly through my nose. It’s such a delightful sensation. I quite like it.
“Is it really okay for a shut-in like me to eat something so luxurious?” (Wilhelm)
“Hehehe. Teeheehee.” (Anya)
Anya covered her mouth, giggling cutely.
What was she laughing at? Mew–chan tilted his head in confusion.
“Ojou, was the neet’s remark really that amusing to you mew? It was probably the best thing his empty brain could come up with.” (Mew-chan)
Hey, that’s a bit too much. I do have a brain. It’s just that maybe it’s gone moldy from all the shut-in time.
“Kyahaha-ahaha! Mew-chan is saying ‘mew mew mew’! Hehehe!” (Anya)
Anya doubled over, holding her stomach as she laughed. She seemed embarrassed and hid her face while looking down.
She laughed with her shoulders shaking. Cute.
Finally, when she calmed down, Anya lifted her face. She looked a little embarrassed as she took a sip of water.
“Hey, Anya, is there any more pot-au-feu left?” (Wilhelm)
“Bwahahaha! Ahahaha! Ahahaha! Ahahahaha!” (Anya)
Anya burst out laughing again, spraying water everywhere.
“Wil-Wil-samaaa, please don’t make me laugh anymore! I can’t take it anymore!” (Anya)
Eeeeeeeeeeeh.
“What’s so funny about what I just said…” (Wilhelm)
“It’s 100% hilarious!” (Anya)
“No, it isn’t mew. It’s not funny at all mew. Oh, forget it, I need a cloth.” (Mew-chan)
“Why not use your own arm?” (Wilhelm)
“Are you calling my arm a cloth?!” (Mew-chan)
“Hahaha! Ahahaha, ahahaha, my stomach hurts. Please, stop it. If I laugh anymore, I think I’ll go crazy.” (Anya)
Anya looked genuinely in pain from laughing so much. But since she’s still smiling, I guess it’s not that big of a problem.
Mew-chan stood up to get the cloth. In doing so, her fluffy arms accidentally brushed against the fork.
The fork fell onto the table with a clatter.
“Bwahahaha! Ahahaha! Hahaha! Hahahaha! Haha, *cough, cough, cough*.” (Anya)
Anya laughed so much that she started choking.
Mew-chan looked concerned as he put the fork back on the plate. But then, he accidentally moved the plate, causing the spoon to fall this time.
“Ahhhhahaha! *cough, cough, cough* Ahahaha! *cough* Hehehe.” (Anya)
Laughing, choking, laughing, choking.
“You sure are having fun, Anya…” (Wilhelm)
“Sodane. What’s going on mew…? She was always a lovely girl with a beautiful smile, but she wasn’t usually this giggly.” (Mew-chan)
“Mew-chan, there’s only one reason that I can think of.” (Wilhelm)
“Sodane. I’m sure I’m thinking the same thing mew.” (Mew-chan)
Anya fell from her chair, clutching her stomach. She tried to get back up but ended up laughing again as soon as she put her hands on the chair. It was adorable.
“So basically, this is what he meant by getting a ‘hit’ with the pink truffles, right?” (Wilhelm)
It means you get a side effect similar to eating waraitake (laughing mushroom). It makes you burst into laughter like crazy.
“Sodane! Let’s test it mew!” (Mew-chan)
“Alright! Hey, Anya, our futon flew away!” (Wilhelm)
“Ahhahahaha! Ahhhhahahahaha! Ahhahahahahahaha! *cough, cough, cough* Wi-Wil-sama, please, I beg you, stop with the jokes that are trying too hard to be funny, it’s a matter of life and death!” (Anya)
“Huh… but that was such a lame joke…” (Wilhelm)
“Ahhhahahahahahaha!” (Anya)
This is hopeless. Well, she’ll eventually tire herself out.
Oh, someone is at the back door. This presence… must be Sofia-san.
As expected of Sofia-san, the door was opened energetically.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen Sofia-san, and her chest is as large as ever. As soon as she appeared, they bounced. She never fails to entertain my eyes.
Her large ponytail is also bouncing energetically.
“Good evening, everyone! Looks like you’re having fun. What have you been up to? Oh, Wil-kun!” (Sofia)
Anya’s laughter must have been audible outside. Sofia-san came in with a lively expression on her face.
“Ahahaha! Welcome! Hehehe.” (Anya)
“Wow, Anya-chan seems to be having fun! Hey, what’s going on?” (Sofia)
Sofia-san handed the paper bag she brought to Mew-chan and then went over to where Anya was leaning back in her chair.
Sofia-san embraced Anya from behind and gently stroked her chin. She kept petting and pampering her.
“Hey, Anya-chaaan, what are you laughing about?” (Sofia)
“Not under the chin! That’s not allowed! Hehehehe, hehehehehe. Hehe, ahaha *cough* hehehehe.” (Anya)
Ah, Anya seems to be struggling to hold back her laughter. She’s trying to endure it through sheer willpower.
“Something fun must have happened! Oh, right! I got some delicious persimmons. Shall we all eat them together?” (Sofia)
“Persimmons! Hahaha! Ahahaha!” (Anya)
“Wow, Anya-chan laughed! But I have no idea what was funny just now. Don’t mess with onee-san, otherwise, I’ll tickle you!” (Sofia)
“Wait, Sofia-san, hehehehe! Not under the armpits either! Hahaha! Not now, hahaha! Please, read the atmosphere! *cough, cough* Hehehe!” (Anya)
“You’re laughing so much it seems painful. Since armpits is a no-go, let’s try your sides.” (Sofia)
“B-both are off-limits! Ahahaha! Wil-sama, Mew-chan, h-help! Hehehe!” (Anya)
Anya squirms and tries to escape from Sofia-san.
But Sofia-san doesn’t stop tickling her. She seems to be having a great time.
“Oh, it’s fine! It’s fun, isn’t it?” (Sofia)
“At this rate, I might die from laughing. Hehehe! *cough* Hehehe!” (Anya)
Sofia-san affectionately rubbed her cheek against Anya’s and petted her head gently.
Anya, having already fallen too far, couldn’t help but burst into laughter no matter what. Cute.
◇
After Anya tired herself out from laughing, I explained the situation to Sofia-san.
“Heh~ I didn’t know you went looking for pink truffles. That quest sounded like fun, you should have invited me!” (Sofia)
By the way, Anya, exhausted from laughing, is now snuggling against Mew-chan’s belly, completely drained. Thank you for your hard work (Gokurōsamadesu), Anya.
“Oh, by the way, Wil-kun. Why are you at Anya-chan’s house today? Are you done being a shut-in?” (Sofia)
“Please don’t say it like it’s some kind of illness.” (Wilhelm)
“Oh, it wasn’t an illness?” (Sofia)
“It’s just my nature.” (Wilhelm)
Anya chuckled softly. Looks like she’s not completely cured yet.
Sofia-san smiled.
“I’m glad Wil-kun is back. There are lots of quests piled up, so you’ll be working like a horse from tomorrow onwards, right? You’re really reliable.” (Sofia)
“Ah, but I’m definitely going to have muscle soreness tomorrow.” (Wilhelm)
“Aww, this again…? Isn’t this the same situation as last time when you came out of your shut-in phase?” (Sofia)
“Muscle soreness after coming out of shut-in mode is an unavoidable fate. Plus, those Ghost Mountain Cats were stronger than expected.” (Wilhelm)
“Wow… So Ghost Mountain Cats, despite their cute name, are powerful magical beasts. Speaking of ghosts, there have been a lot of them in Heartlick City lately.” (Sofia)
“That’s scary. I hope no children are being taken to the other side.” (Wilhelm)
“Yeah, hopefully.” (Sofia)
Sofia-san made a ghost-like face by lowering her hand and she approached Anya from behind.
“Anya-chan, be sure to watch out so you don’t get abducted by ghosts, okay? Make sure to light a lamp before you go to bed, or else they might snatch you away, you know?” (Sofia)
It was quite a convincing ghost act.
However, since Anya was burying her face in Mew-chan, she didn’t see any of it.
Sofia-san seemed a bit disappointed. But Anya has stopped laughing. She seems fine now.
Sofia-san shifted her gaze to the pot-au-feu that Anya was eating.
“Is this made with pink truffles?” (Sofia)
“Yes, that’s right.” (Wilhelm)
“Anya-chan, I’ll take one too… Huh, there’s no taste? But wow, a sweet aroma is coming out of my nose. This might be an interesting ingredient. Hehehehe. Hahaha! Huh?” (Sofia)
Sofia-san laughed at a strange moment.
Maybe Sofia-san too—Alright, let’s test her.
“Ah, our futon flew away.” (Wilhelm)
“Ahhhhahahahahaha! Wil-kun, please don’t tell such amazing jokes!” (Sofia)
“It’s the worst joke ever…” (Wilhelm)
“Hahahahaha! Hahahahaha! Ahahaha!” (Sofia)
Sofia-san pointed at me and burst into laughter.
Anya lifted her head from Mew-chan’s fluff and gave Sofia-san a stern look.
She seemed to have a mischievous expression on her face.
Was Anya planning to counterattack against Sofia-san? She was wiggling her fingers with a smile on her face.
Sofia-san felt a chill down her spine.
“Oh, Anya-chan. What are you doing? Onee-san is a bit busy right now—” (Sofia)
“The cat rolled over!” (Anya)
“Bwahahahahaha! Ahahahahaha! What’s that? It’s hilarious! Ahahahahaha!” (Sofia)
Anya used tickling attack.
It was super effective against Sofia-san!
“Hey, Anya-chan, no physical attacks, okay? Hahaha! Hahaha! *cough, cough* Hahaha!” (Sofia)
Anya’s tickling attack never stopped and Sofia-san’s smile never faded. Dinner sure is lively today.
By the way, I heard from Frankie-san later that there’s actually a proper cooking method to avoid the laughing side effects. He told me with a smirk on his face so he definitely did not mention this earlier on purpose.
TL Notes:
Thanks for reading!
So MC told Sofia about the pink truffles quest, but not why Anya was laughing her ass off. I’m pretty sure he did this on purpose.
Apparently laughing mushrooms are a thing in the real world…? At least the name exists, but I couldn’t really find anything on whether it actually makes you laugh, so that part must be fiction.
Footnote:
- None