Turning a Crazy Dog into a Young Master

12. Likes and Dislikes

After many twists and turns, two ignorant people joined forces to create something to eat.

It was an arduous process at the level of creating the world, not cooking.

What’s surprising though is that something pretty plausible came out, at least on the surface. 

“……It looks fine, right?”

Dialin was honestly surprised.

Ceres’ ability to perform was quite useful.

If Dialin ruined it because she didn’t have the ability to copy it even after reading about the method, Ceres just did as she told him. There was no variation of his own accord.

Some people say that the way to avoid making ruined dishes is to get rid of creativity. In addition, the concept of time, agility, and endurance had a significant influence.

Add the ingredients in the exactly same order and time, take them out quickly if they are likely to burn, and stir at a constant speed.

Cooking was surprisingly a battle of physical strength.

Ceres’ stamina was also very useful for cooking and as a result, they managed to produce something edible.

The smell was even more convincing.

“Ohhh, the smell is fine too.”

Dialin put her nose into the dish and sniffed it, savoring the smell.

Unlike the ones she created herself, this batch aroused an appetite just from the smell. She couldn’t wait to try it, but there was an order for things.

“Take a bite first.”

She had to check it out just in case it could be a good-looking poison.

Don’t you have to live even if you are cheap?

Dialin placed the spoon in Ceres’ hand and looked at him with expectant eyes. As if Dialin’s cheap move was normal, Ceres scooped a spoonful and took it to his mouth.

“There is no toxicity.”

“Oh.”

It was even certified by Ceres.

Dialin quickly raised her spoon. The speed at which the spoon moved was as fast as her stomach was hungry.

Without even thinking about tasting it before eating for real, Dialin popped a large spoonful into her mouth and widened her eyes.

‘Isn’t this quite worth eating?!’

It was a taste that could make Dialin’s eyes shine brightly. She had been living on things that were difficult to distinguish between food and trash and even if she ate it, it didn’t seem like she really consumed food.

Dialin eagerly clung to her bowl.

The cookbook’s recipe was designed for big quantities of food, perhaps because it was aimed at family cooking. One dish was enough for Ceres and Dialin to eat.

But both of them had a burning appetite.

They ate and ate and ate until the last spoonful was left.

“Delicious, sigh.”

Dialin gasped because she was beyond full, but couldn’t let go of the spoon.

The last spoonful.

The eyes of the two collided in midair.

Her stomach was full, but she felt sorry to give the last spoonful away. At that time, Ceres put down the spoon he was holding. It was a concession. 

Dialin, who had temporarily let go of her reason before food, was even thinking about daring to confront the crazy dog of Division 8 with a spoon.

That once heroic resolve became a shameful decision in front of Ceres’ concession.

“Uh……I don’t think you have to go as far as giving away……”

“Giving away?”

Ceres was unfamiliar with that as if it were a word he had never heard before.

“No, never mind. If you are full, I will eat.”

“I’m not full.” 

Dialin’s spoon, which was reaching for the last spoonful, stopped.

He’s not full, and he’s not giving away, then what is it?

Ceres was watching Dialin eat.

She felt somehow awkward.

What. What is it?

Dialin, who was worried, eventually split the leftovers in half with a spoon. 

“Eat half.”

Then Ceres’ eyes widened.

There was amazement in his eyes as he alternately looked at the leftovers and Dialin. It was embarrassing to receive such a stare for only giving half a spoonful of leftover food.

“Eat quickly.”

Dialin ate her half first, then pushed the whole bowl in front of Ceres.

Ceres hesitatingly took up the spoon again. In contrast, the speed at which food disappeared into his mouth was fast. 

The image of him patiently waiting for orders to eat flashed through her mind.

‘No way…is this?’

Perhaps her hypothesis was correct.

Within Ceres, Dialin had already established herself as a person who gave orders. Appointed by his chief lieutenant, Ruben, with a whistle to bind him.

That’s why he gave up what he wanted to eat, and ate it only because she ordered so.

‘Oh……How do I get rid of that military behavior?’

If she orders him to ‘Remove your military discipline!’, it seems that he will snape in no time.

Dialin was worried about whether she should try it or not. First of all, she decided to try it gradually while providing treatment.

“Thanks to you, I ate well.”

“……”

“I really enjoyed the meal.”

“……”

“Thank you for cooking.”

No matter what Dialin said, Ceres only blankly stared at her.

She had to teach him all these basic types of reactions.

As expected, her work term was extended again.

However, when their stomachs are full, people naturally became kind. Dialin smiled kindly and informed.

“When someone thanks you, you can just say, ‘You’re welcome.’”

“……You. Are. Welcome.”

“Ooh, good job.”

The praise was honest.

The first time he pronounced an unknown line was awkward and he stuttered, but it was remarkable that he worked hard to recite everything.

Dialin almost petted him like a puppy.

“Good job?”

“Yes, well done. Thank you for following me right away as soon as I taught you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Ha ha ha. The meal was also good thanks to you. Thanks again for making a good dish.”

“You’re welcome.”

It was fun to teach because Ceres was good at things after only teaching once. 

I felt a sense of accomplishment.

I was at a loss as to how to teach a person who did not know letters the rules and costumes of the aristocratic community.

Nevertheless, since he has this level of learning ability, he might be able to do it surprisingly quickly. As long as I get rid of the military discipline and absolute obedience that is deeply embedded in his bones.

“How was cooking? Was it worth doing it?”

“Low difficulty in performance.” 

“……No, was it fun?”

“……Fun……?”

The way he spoke, not knowing what fun meant, blocked the ray of hope I was barely seeing just a second ago. It seems like I have to teach him again, from the basic concept of everything in the world, not only letters……

Dialin, however, remained calm with a heart of gratitude for a delicious meal.

“You didn’t want to do it, ah, you had to do it, so I guess you just did it.”

“……”

Dialin’s identification of the target was quite accurate.

First of all, Ceres had no concept of his own feelings. He can’t even distinguish whether he likes something or not, so if he’s asked about his feelings, it will be difficult to get a proper answer.

“Hm…Then, did you want to quit while doing it or did you want to do it again?”

If I explain it this easily, wouldn’t it be possible for him to understand a little?

Ceres seemed to be thinking for a while as Dialin intended.

Seeing as there was no answer of yes or no, he seemed to be thinking about it quite seriously.

She had to wash the dishes soon so that the food leftovers wouldn’t harden, but after enough time had passed and just as Dialin thought she should wash them, Ceres finally came up with an answer.

“Do I have to do it again?” 

“If you want to. You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.” 

“I don’t have to do it……?”

It was the reaction of someone who knew for the first time that such an option could exist in the world.

Dialin smiled kindly and nodded.

“Yes, well, it will work out somehow. My cooking skills can also get better as I do it.”

“I want to do it.” 

“……”

Rather than sincerely wanting to cook……It sounds like he doesn’t want to die, but…

He said it was worth eating. He ate well and even finished the whole plate I cooked.

Dialin felt betrayed by Ceres’ change of heart.

“Then could you continue cooking?”

Ceres nodded his head and made a firm resolution.

Thanks to that, two lives were saved. It was a good thing. On the other hand, her conscience was slightly pricked.

Where else in the world is there a Young Master who cooks?

No. Young Masters are people who do whatever they want to do. Wouldn’t it be okay to classify cooking as a hobby of his?

……Well, it might be too far-fetched of an excuse.

But……

‘I’m working with all my will, heart, body, and divine power like this, so it’s okay to at least have it easy in one thing, right?!’

Dialin created a justification for exploitation.

They didn’t actually pay more for cooking, so the one being exploited was herself. This was not the exploitation of Ceres’ labor, but the liberation from her own exploitation!

God said to love.

It will definitely include loving oneself. 

Dialin made a sacred sign in reverence.

* * *

Ceres’ socialization process went rather smoothly.

There were things that were unexpectedly easy, and there were things that were absolutely impossible.

“What about carrots?”

“Normal.”

“Bed.”

“Hate.”

“Spinach.”

“Good.”

First of all, he definitely learned what he likes and dislikes.

A person that at first couldn’t even distinguish what he liked and what he didn’t like made great progress.

Now, there were times when he would say yes or no without Dialin having to ask him.

It was quite like having a conversation with an actual person.

At first, he continued to listen to her and obey like taking orders, but it did not feel like talking. However, these days, there were many times when it felt that a ‘conversation’ was established.

Dialin’s heart was quite relieved that at least they could communicate. People have to talk about useless things sometimes to relieve tension and revitalize their lives.

Dialin, who was moderately relaxed, asked a joking question. 

“Me?”

“Hate.”

“…….”

……This fucking bastard

It’s a long way off, far, far away.