The Perfect Aglio Olio
Ignoring Sofia, who was groaning about aglio olio, I chatted happily with Lavender over our pasta.
Thankfully, she wasn't having any of those weird reactions from before, so I took the chance to clear up some curiosities I'd heard about her in the past.
"By the way, don't you ever do fan sign events or anything?"
As far as I knew, she was the only one who hadn't held a single fan sign since debuting.
"Not really?"
But she still didn't seem interested in doing one.
"Even people who aren't into idol stuff have done at least one. Is there a big reason why?"
She pondered my question for a moment, then suddenly flashed me a smile.
"Would you like it if I did a fan sign?"
Ah, did she think I was disappointed?
I thought it over while taking a bite of pasta. The fresh tomato flavor, like it was just picked from the farm, mingled with the subtle sweetness of the noodles.
Mmm. Delicious. This place really knows what it's doing.
"I think a fan sign event is like the tomato sauce mixed into this pasta."
"Huh?"
Maybe the metaphor was a bit tricky.
Lavender tilted her head, not quite getting it.
"Pasta's flavor changes completely depending on the sauce you mix in."
I continued, sucking the tomato sauce off my fork.
"Take aglio olio—literally 'garlic and olive oil.' It's famous for being super simple in ingredients and taste."
This place's aglio olio was pretty damn good too. I'd have to come back and try it with her sometime.
"Other pastas get their personality from their unique sauces—tomato, cream, squid ink, rose..."
No matter the sauce, even a mediocre chef can make it tasty enough with that bold flavor covering flaws. Differences in noodle thickness, texture, cooking time, al dente—those little shortcomings get overshadowed.
"But aglio olio doesn't have that strong personality. It's subtler than you might think."
Her expression twisted subtly at my words.
I ignored it and kept going.
"That's why the chef's skill matters so much more."
If the chef slips even a little, those flaws show right up in the taste.
But if their skill holds up...
"English Lavender is like a perfectly executed aglio olio."
With just those two simple ingredients, the chef can captivate countless people.
"You've hooked fans galore without even one fan sign, right?"
I wanted to say that as a chef using herself as the ingredient, she was on the right path.
"Hehe... What the heck is that?"
Thankfully, she seemed satisfied, propping her chin up to gaze at me.
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Nice expression.
"No big reason."
She finished the last bite of pasta on her plate and continued.
"Back then, people just scared the hell out of me."
Ah.
"Sorry."
I quickly bowed my head in apology.
"No, no! That's all in the past now."
She waved it off frantically, sweating bullets, insisting it was fine.
But dragging this out would just make the mood awkward, so I looked up and checked again.
"You sure you're really okay?"
People often say they're fine on the surface while rotting inside.
I asked once more, and...
"It's really in the past now."
She stared me straight in the eye, nodded, and said,
"Thanks to you, I'm okay now."
She smiled at me, saying she was truly fine.
After that, we paid at the restaurant and stepped outside to grab some simple clothes for disguises.
Not that it was much of a disguise—just throwing something over our magical girl outfits.
It didn't feel too hot or anything.
Studies even suggested magical girl outfits were like an extension of the body, so I decided not to sweat it.
Does that mean magical girls are basically naked normally?
...Couldn't really argue with that.
It was a hot topic online, but I had no interest in testing it myself.
So I ignored Sofia and walked with Lavender toward the café.
Luckily, the disguises worked—no one on the street recognized or stared at us.
"First time trying on new clothes after transforming..."
"Really?"
"Honestly, I usually just detransform if I need to hide."
Ah.
True. Magical girls had it easy there.
Detransform, and your whole look changes, no daily life hassles.
That's why I could hang out pretending not to know her like this.
"Still, it's kin—"
"Hm?"
Uh.
Never mind.
"Isn't the novelty kinda fun?"
No need to bring up other people.
For some reason, my instincts screamed it wouldn't end well.
She either didn't notice my slip or let it go, picking up the conversation smoothly.
"Yeah... I've seen other girls at the Association wear stuff for events, but trying it myself? Kinda meh."
"Really?"
I glanced at her outfit.
"You look plenty cute as is."
"Hiyak!?"
...?
What now?
It was a quiet squeak, so no one turned, but I was starting to worry about her.
"Are you feeling sick or something?"
"Prolly... not...?"
I checked her forehead.
"!?"
"Hmm... No fever, at least..."
No abnormalities there.
But her face was turning beet red, like a ripe apple.
"You're really okay?"
As I leaned in closer...
──────!!!!!!
A grating siren pierced my ears.
Magic beast. C-rank.
While I was momentarily thrown, she snapped back to business, her flustered expression gone like it was fake.
"Ah... seriously..."
Her voice mixed irritation and frustration, echoing her mood just seconds ago.
"Should I evacuate the civilians first?"
Lots of people around—would take time.
Might need to use a bit of magic here...
"Nah, no need."
"Huh?"
She thought differently.
"Got some plan?"
"Kuooh!!!!!"
"Save us!!!"
Familiar magic beast roar.
Far off, the same turtle-like one from when Lavender and I first met—maybe even tougher and scarier looking.
I warped the fleeing civilians to shelters and asked her,
"Need help?"
She grinned.
"I'm good now."
Another great expression.
"Got it."
You sure? It feels stronger than last time.
I warped to a nearby rooftop and answered Sofia.
"English Lavender says she's fine."
Wow, she's even worrying about others.
If she can't take it down, we're the ones in trouble.
Oh, that's her angle.
"She'll be fine. English Lavender doesn't lie about stuff like that."
She switches to work mode instantly, distinguishing personal and pro perfectly. I trusted her.
"Kuooh!!!!!"
Ah, here we go.
Tiny light particles gathered in the air, forming a spear shape.
She gripped them, and they became a gleaming pure-white spear.
That staff appearing never gets old—always badass.
"Kuooh!!!!"
Thud! Thud!
Like before, the beast retreated into its shell and charged her.
But she just watched coldly, unflinching.
I approved.
Other faces suit her, but this cool one is best.
Thud!
As it closed in right before her...
Her expression didn't change a bit.
Like nothing scared her anymore.
"Kuo!"
The beast charged from its shell to attack.
She didn't blink, just channeled magic into her spear.
And finally...
"This time, I said I'm fine."
English Lavender thrust her spear at the evil before her.
"Kuooh!!!!!!"
For a split second, its shell clashed with her spear.
The beast ground its teeth, resisting fiercely.
But pointlessly—her spear pierced the shell effortlessly.
"Ku... kuo..."
The beast died on the spot. Onlookers nearby rushed over.
"It's English Lavender!"
"You saved us!"
"Thanks, sis!"
Ha.
English Lavender really was aglio olio.
Because she...
"So, how'd I taste this time?"
With the simplest, most basic ingredients...
"The best aglio olio ever."
...had captivated countless fans.