The Hospitality

There was a small open space beyond the dense forest. In the middle of nowhere. Rather, it was more like a hideout. There was a house made of wood there.

Aka the ogre said, “It’s a small house. Terran, is little, so it should be good.”

I replied, “I-Is that right. But little is too much.”

It’s a huge ogre’s house, so certainly the doors and the height of the building are big. There were some fields around the house, and the farming tools that were bigger than any human body could use.

I asked, “Aka, do you live alone?”

Aka confirmed, “Ah, I live alone.”

Alone. Apparently. He’s completely self-sufficient. Well, there are animals in the forest, and if I can grow vegetables like this, I wonder if I can live alone. 

Aka said, Well, make yerself at home. Now, I’ll make a meal!”

That said, Aka let me into the room. There isn’t much furniture. There’s an open kitchen, a decking desk and chair in the middle of the room, and on over it there’s a carved wooden statue and stone decorations.

I was startled by the coziness that the home felt, “This. This is-”

Aka said, “Oh, it’s simple, if I say so.”

I decided to mention, “No. It’s okay, but is this Aka’s handmade work?”

Aka confirmed, “Uh huh. I’ve made a lotta things when I play around in my free time.”

My eyes set upon a goddess statue. I mean, it’s quite detailed. The quality is amazing. The gentle expression that makes you feel the motherhood of the beautiful goddess. Each feather on the angelic wings on her back are finely detailed, he even reproduced the wrinkles of clothes. it was amazing results to carve this with such blunt fingers of an ogre.

Aka said, “If you like it, I’ll give it to you if you want.”

As I denied it in a hurry, Aka, who stood in the kitchen, became a bit despondent. “No, I don’t need it.”

Aka sad, “Oh, it’s bad isn’t it?”

I was in shock that me not accepting it made him so sad. I was only declining it due to it being too good for me. 

Enuma muttered in my ear, now I’m confused., "Do not hesitate, take it, boy. This Aka the ogre might have lived isolated from others. As such, he is glad to have someone receive something."

I asked Enuma, "What? He’s happy to be kind to people and give things."

Enuma clarified, "It is not so. I believe he is glad when others are appreciative. When people appreciate you. It is like having them recognize your existence."

I don’t know. Is it real that people are to be appreciated by others, I’ve never been thanked for my existence. I guess that’s a way to be acknowledged, too.

I asked Enuma, "But is it okay? Don’t you think I’ll look greedy?"

Enuma replied, "Well, it may depend on the person but speaking of this Aka fellow."

To be honest, it’s the first time I’ve met him. I am uncertain to get something as a guest, as well get a free meal. Certainly, the statue is amazing. However, even if you receive such a thing, it would be bulky. 

My eyes fell upon another object at equal detail and brillance. It is a stone carved necklace, it is easy to carry, and he will not think that I am greedy because it is small.

I asked, “Well, then I wonder if I’ll get this stone necklace.”

Aka agreed, “Sure sure. You can have it! See that shelf over there? The necklaces are there! Take as many as you like!”

It was true. The moment I said I would take it, Aka laughed so joyfully.

I still declined the ohers, “No, just one. Oh, you have so many pieces on display.”

Now he started working in the kitchen with a humming song. “Well, I’ll make a meal then.”

Aka was in the kitchen with a big sword. No, kitchen knife. It’s as big as Reval’s Bastard Sword. Shocking to say the least. 

Aka still humming. So fast! And, lively! He took something out of the bag he had a while ago and prepared it really fast. 

At that time, Enuma seemed to be thinking of something, but I don’t know what it was. "Hmm. That is…"

I asked, "Enuma?"

Enuma chuckled, "pfft… truly unexpected to say the least."

Aka immediately threw what he was working on into a huge frying pan and lit the fire. It’s meat. Oh, the smell is so good.

My throat rang involuntarily. “Oh. Gulp.”

In addition, Aka takes out some of the vegetables from the basket on the kitchen floor and cuts them out. it’s exciting, but it’s not messy. I’ve watched Sadie cook a few times, and I get a different impression when she’s cooking accurately without any waste, but this is fun.

Such hospitality. Oooh, it’s sizzling.  Aka hummed, “Hmm-hm-hm ♪ Terran, will you eat rice, too?”

I replied, “Yes, yes. If you wanna eat it.”

Aka confirmed, “I see. Then, let’s fry the rice with the gravy served in the meat grilled.”

No, no, don’t be a glutton. I was told not to behave badly 

Aka said, “Heave-ho, heave-ho, now go on, eat up.”

Oh, ooooh, s-steak, boned meat, grilled rice, salad platter. Ah, fish, oooooooh! Well, I’ll put my hands together, the smell and steam hit my nose.

I said aloud, “Well, then, I gladly accept this meal.”

I’m all over the fried meat! I feel the juice that came out at the same time as the crisp texture explode in my mouth. Before long, I’ve only got bones!

I asked, “I-I can’t believe it, wh-what is this?”

I was wondering if it was cow, birds, or pork. It’s different, and it’s a little bit wild, but this is such deliciousness!

I look to Aka, who has a troubled face. He sadly asks, “Oh! Uh, Terran. Yer surprised, my cooking is too bad?”

Until now, when I got home, I didn’t have to ask for anything. Speaking to Sadie in advance, she made whatever I wanted. I can’t do that from today on though.

I ran from home, forced to self-sufficiency, gathered mushrooms, and finally ran around trying to catch Shooting Star only to set him free out of sympathy. I was hungry, frustrated, and I never thought I would eat anything decent in my situation. This banquet is unfair.

I replied, “It’s delicious, so good, it’s good, Aka.”

Aka was joyful, “That’s good. Oh, there’s still more ta come! It’s the first time someone says it’s delicious! Thank you, Terran!”

So why are you thanking me. My words didn’t come out due stuffing my face.

Enuma scolded me, "Behave yourself and be grateful for your life, boy. In any form, the flesh, is life. Because it became a part of you."

Enuma was saying something difficult, but I just got hooked and ate the meat.

Aka asked, “Terran, would you also like some soup?”

It is no use moving my mouth except to eat. Instead of answering with my mouth, I sent a nod of agreement to Aka with my heart dancing for joy.

Then, Aka was actually delighted and returned a smile while a little embarrassed.

Not good, I ate every dish one after another as they came out. I burped with a loud echo, “What a meal!”

I couldn’t hold back. I was in a trance and greedily devoured it all. I’ve licked even the juice that was left on the plate.

Aka, full and calm, and even a warm tea. “Yeah, yeah. I’m glad ya ate plenty. Now, have some tea and relax.”

No, I’m not afraid of ogres anymore. No, the horns were growing on me. Well, his face is scary, but he’s so kind. No, the war is over now.

I was gleeful. “Thank you, really you saved me, Aka.”

Aka cheerful, replied, “Huh. If ya say it like that, thank ya.”

While having a sip of tea, I asked a little about Aka. "Aka, have you lived here this whole time?”

Aka confirmed, “Uh huh!”

I asked, “Why?”

I expected Aka to hesitate, which he did suddenly become a little sad and somewhat dismayed at my question.

Enuma chimed in, "Most likely a former soldier, he may have been a part of some unit. I do not know though."

I replied to Enuma, "If you knew that, say it sooner."

Enuma continued, "Ogres are basically dull and fierce, but his atmosphere is better than the regular ogre."

Enuma turns a nasty grin at me. "Well, does it matter? You said it yourself, the war is over."

I asked, "Enuma, do you enjoy throwing back people’s remarks like that?"

Enuma retorted, "Or are you concerned about the war that ended before you were born?"

In such situations, he points out what I thought or said. He’s a pretty good character, the Demon King.

I told Enuma, “Aka, by the way, I ran away from home.”

I was pretty forceful, but I said it to Aka in a loud cheerful voice.

As expected, the gentle Aka is worried about me and asks. “Ran away. What for? Aren’t yer family worried about ya? Why, Terran?”

I said, with a shush “That's a secret~”

I followed up by saying, “So, well, people’s past doesn’t matter, right?”

I’ll keep it a secret, so if you don’t want to talk about yourself, you don’t have to. Aka also read my true intentions.

Friendly. However, that might be a little out of place. This fellow. Decent demonic man.