After consulting with each other, we decided to take a break visiting people here in the Demon Realm and go to the God Realm next. And when it came to going to the God Realm, who would be the first one receiving the brunt of Kuro's questioning...
[... So, why is it that you came to me first?]
[Because you seem to be the most earnest person to answer us.]
Yes, as per usual, it was Chronois-san.
[I'm sorry, Chronois-san... Bothering you even when you're at work.]
[No, you had it rough too, Miyama... Now then, as for the suggestion you asked for, I can't give you anything very useful. However, I've heard stories about confectioneries coated with chocolate. Instead of putting something inside or kneading the ingredients with the dough, why not experiment with external add-ons?]
[...I see!]
As might be expected of the earnest Chronois-san, she answered our question properly even though she was taken aback by our sudden visit.
However, I see. Coating huh... Indeed, many of baby castellas Kuro had had something inside them, so even though that was a simple suggestion, changing up one's outlook sure is effective.
[However, I've been thinking about this for a long time... but Underworld King, what is it that drives you to go that far? When it comes to baby castellas, you become slightly crazy... I think it's time you made a compromise.]
Whoa there, here comes a sharp comment from Chronois-san... I'm really glad that her sensibilities are normal. Well, she would probably, or rather, she would definitely just say that she wants to pursue the infinite possibilities of baby castellas.
[Then, let me ask you this: Chronois-chan, if Shiro asks you for "delicious baby castellas", would you serve her something you compromised in?]
[W- What!? N- No, that's not possible! Such disrespect to Shallow Vernal-sama isn't something...]
[Unnn, that's right. You're obviously going to give Shiro the supreme dish, right? However, do you think doing that... you would be able to make such a thing?]
[!?]
Well then, it seems like things are heading in a strange direction... as Chronois-san herself looked quite shocked... I mean, as was the case with Olivia-san, Shiro-san's name sure is too effective against the Gods.
The moment Shiro-san's name was brought up, Chronois-san's eyes changed...
[Those who compromise on things now... would regret it when the time comes! It is only when you have the confidence and track record of having walked this endless road that you will be able to prepare the best dish for that moment!]
[....I- I... I was mistaken. For seeking for the possibilities of baby castellas to be this necessary for Shallow Vernal-sama...]
[Unnn, I'm glad you understand. "Realizing" one's mistake at this point isn't a waste. You can even say that you have acquired a big piece of growth.]
...If they weren't talking about baby castellas, it would have sounded like a good line to someone encouraging others' growth... I'll say this once again, if only they weren't talking about baby castellas...
As I was thinking that, a white light appeared in front of Kuro, and a huge paper fan appeared out of nowhere and sent Kuro flying in. Somehow, it's like the space had been cracked open and she was blown into that subspace-like place... Well, she's probably gonna be okay anyway.
And as for who did that attack, I don't even bother to think about it. Yes, it was definitely Shiro-san.
(...I just realized something, that this obsession of hers for baby castellas should be put to an end once and for all. Especially before strange misunderstandings spread and entered Kaito-san's mind...)
Ah, no, you don't have to worry. I'm well aware how crazy Kuro is about baby castellas, so I knew very well... all the stuff she had been rambling about were just Kuro's random comments.
After Kuro and Shiro-san's second clash of the day ended, the place we went to was Life-san's temple... Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen Kuro and Life-san together before. Well, I had guessed they knew each other before, but this would be the first time I'd seen them talking with each other.
Entering the temple, how should I say this... I found Life-san sleeping while standing, but when I called out to her, she woke up and listened to our question.
[...I see, you're asking for a wide range of opinions because you need a completely new approach to things. I don't eat much, so my knowledge is just from what I've heard... but how about changing the size of the food?]
[Size? Not the shape?]
[Yes. If I'm not mistaken, there's a custom in the other world where they make dishes bigger and give them prefixes like mega- or giga-. How about applying this custom to your dish?]
[...That isn't really a custom back there, but there were indeed people who make such larger-than-normal-sized food.]
While nodding to Life-san's words, I suddenly had a bad feeling. I've certainly seen such huge dishes on the internet. However, I didn't really want such a suggestion to be brought up if possible.
If Kuro is going to make a giant baby castella... No matter how I try to think about it, I don't think she's going to make anything sensible-sized at all. It would be great if things just ended up with heartburn but...
[...Mega baby castella... Giga baby castella... Nice.]
See that, now the Baby Castella Demon got a twinkle in her eyes. She's definitely going to put this in action. Even if she did decide to discard this idea this time, she'll definitely make it and bring it to me sooner or later.
I wonder why? If you normally think about it, it should be twice the normal size or something around that size... but why the heck am I imagining "Kuro holding a baby castella bigger than a person's face" in my mind from a while ago? There's no way that would become real, right?
I- It should be alright. As expected, you can't make a baby castella of that size properly... No, guess that's not gonna happen huh. It's just a guess, or rather, if it's Ein-san, she can definitely make that happen.
[Thanks, Life-chan! That was very helpful!]
[No, I'm glad that I was able to be of help... Well then, I'm off to my daily meditation routine, so if you'll excuse me.]
Come to think of it, there's that baby castella dish I ate at the Six Kings Festival that was so big that I thought it was a prank, but compared to what I felt Kuro would create in the future, it may have been just a cute size sitting on a plate.