"This is so comforting..."
"Oh! I swear my baby just moved! That was wild!"
"I've never… heard... a melody… quite like this... before. Not even… during the festival… in the elven village…"
"Fetal movement confirmed. Internal pressure shift... rhythmic pulses from within. This auditory stimulus appears to have activated a neural response in the fetus. Most likely... the music is the trigger."
"Mmm~… somehow, everything just feels so peaceful~..."
"Wherefore hath I been missing such wonders gracing mine ears? Verily… 'tis as though the heavens play through thee..."
"Hehehe~... I think our baby likes it too~..."
"What a symphony this is. This surpasses even the music of the apsaras in Turivel..."
"Kyuu!"
Today is our day off. I spent the morning doing a quick renovation with all my crafting skills to install a new bedroom right beside ours with a massive crib, ready for the kids we're all expecting. I also enlarged the girls' wardrobe room and added more plywood cabinets and racks there, as the current space couldn't fit their growing sets anymore, especially after they started wearing maternity outfits.
In addition to that, I added something in our living room, which was a piano. I utilized [Blacksmithing], [Carpentry], and [Tailoring] to transform Misdaras's timber, resin, Heiligeichen's ore, charcoal, Blitz Sheep's wool, Trull's leather, Weeny Rhino's ivory, and Pinna's handmade carbon fiber into this elegant creation. And to make space for it, I moved Puck's crib into the nursery.
The idea actually came to me when I remembered something I read on the internet about how music, especially classical pieces, could soothe unborn babies, even stimulate development or something like that. And since Acrusse is a medieval world, no one had a clue what a piano even was, including my wives. But once I explained it was a musical instrument, their curiosity bloomed.
And here we are now. I'm playing the classic Für Elise, and all my wives sit on the sofa, watching me and rubbing their bellies. Puck also joins, chirping while tapping its tiny paws against the floor, like it's mimicking me.
But before you all start screaming, "You're too perfect!"... hear me out first, okay?
Back in Japan, I did take a piano class as a kid, but I quit pretty fast because I hated it. And even though I still remembered the basics, my fingers were way too rusty to play a full song. So I use [Temporary Boost] for this one and set my Intelligence and Luck stats to infinity.
The reason is simple. Infinite Intelligence stuffs my brain with every piano technique in history, and Infinite Luck ensures I never miss a note.
When the final note rings out, I lift my hands from the keys, turn to them all, and rise from the bench. I bow and spread my arms wide. The room erupts in soft applause and cheerful voices, and even Puck joins in with an enthusiastic chirp.
"Wooow!!"
"Kyuu!"
Yomogi and Salacia cheer first.
"That was amazing, Motegi-chan!"
"You're so cool, darling~…"
"Thank you, thank you."
Chantal sighs with a smirk, and Kimberly states the same.
"Seriously, Motegi-kun... you're the most amazing husband ever..."
"I'm… really grateful… to have married… someone… so talented... like you, Motegi-sama..."
"Ahaha… thanks, Chantal, Kimberly..."
Manas's eyes shine proudly as Lilith moans softly while biting her lip.
"Thou art… truly something else, mine king..."
"Hnngg~... I think I just fell even more in love with you, honey~..."
"Ahaha... is that so?"
Pinna and Brunhild comment with a smile.
"I still can't forget the melody, Master. Its structure lingers in my auditory memory, and the fetus echoes the sensation."
"I hope we can hear more of it in the future, my Lord."
"Absolutely, Pinna, Brunhild."
Then, I ask something with a smile, and their answer is immediate.
"Do you want to learn how to play it?"
"Yes!"
"Alright, come here!"
Just like that, my music lesson begins. I start simple with the fundamentals: the keyboard layout, the groups of black keys, how to find middle C, and how to identify where the notes are. Then, I explain finger numbers and hand positions, guiding them gently as they place their fingertips on the keys. One by one, they take turns feeling it out with curiosity.
Once they get a basic understanding, I take things a step further. I bring out a few sheets of handwritten music to try. But that's when things start getting... delightfully chaotic.
Yomogi giggles uncontrollably every time she presses a key.
"Hehehe... it goes boink! This is too funny!"
Chantal presses keys with determined randomness, causing a disharmonic little tune to blare out and shocking her.
"W-Whoa! Okay, lemme try again…"
Kimberly gives it a gentle try, only to pause and laugh as a note goes off-key.
"It's not... that easy… after all..."
Salacia mumbles to herself while squinting at the keys.
"Okay… this one is C… so where's E? Is this E? No, wait…"
Manas sits upright like she's facing a sacred trial, brows furrowed and hands hovering tensely.
"This task... mayhaps be beyond even a dragon's might."
Lilith bites her lip in frustration after hitting a wrong key.
"Ugh… that's wrong. Come on, Lilith… this isn't hard. Get it together."
Brunhild plays one note at a time, carefully pausing between each.
"This one… and… then this one… yes… this one again..."
However, everything is changed when Pinna places her fingers quietly on the keys. Because in the very next moment, Rondo alla Turca flows from the piano like she's known it all her life. Every note is clean, elegant, and effortless. The room falls completely silent with jaws slack and eyes wide. Even Puck and I are frozen like statues.
Yeah, I know Pinna is the genius in our house. I mean... if it weren't for her, none of our appliances — washing machine, vacuum cleaner, microwave, blender, mixer, pasta maker, meat grinder, coffee machine — would exist. My ideas might've been the blueprint, but she's the one who turned them into reality.
Which is why I'm still surprised. Because while I needed [Temporary Boost] and infinite Intelligence and Luck just to overcome rusty fingers, Pinna only needed a crash course and a few minutes of warm-up to perform a classical piece like she's played for years.
When the last note fades, she turns at me with one hand on her belly.
"Master, am I performing correctly?"
"Y-Yeah... you're… perfect, Pinna."
"Understood, Master."
Meanwhile, the others are still processing what's happening. Their poor minds are clearly struggling to comprehend the mind of my automaton wife, their brilliant sister.
But then suddenly...
GROWL!
Loud, unmistakable growls escape from our stomachs, and I turn them.
"Ahaha... looks like it's lunchtime already, right?"
Chantal also feels the same as a blush creeps across her cheeks.
"Hehehe... y-yeah, guess it is, Motegi-kun."
Yomogi, Kimberly, Salacia, Manas, and Brunhild also say the same thing.
"This piano lesson made me hungry too, Motegi-chan."
"Even… such light activity… still takes… so much… out of us, Motegi-sama..."
"My baby's hungry too, darling~..."
"Mine child requireth nourishment without delay, mine king."
"It appears… I am experiencing the same thing, my Lord."
Pinna nods from the piano bench, still rubbing her belly with one hand.
"Confirmed. Pregnancy amplifies hunger triggers and reduces energy thresholds. This effect has become apparent… even in me."
Lilith then asks me playfully.
"You're gonna make something delicious again, right, honey~?"
I smile and turn to everyone.
"Obviously. Now wait at the table, okay?"
"Yes!"
And they obey without question, making their way to the dining table and bringing Puck together with them.
Meanwhile, I head into the kitchen and take out everything I'll need from the fridge.
First up, I grab a block of tofu, wrap it in a paper towel, and press it between two baking sheets with a protein press on top. I move to slice a couple of eggplants lengthwise, then again into thick square pieces. I sprinkle a bit of salt over them and set them aside to sweat.
Ever since I accidentally made that kabocha and chickpea curry, the girls have gotten really into plant-based meals. Not because they're craving it or anything, but they're just curious about how many of our usual dishes I can turn meatless and still make them drool.
Then, wash some Heiligeichen's short‑grain rice through cool water until the cloudiness fades away. Once it's clean, I transfer it into the rice cooker, add water, close the lid, and press the switch.
Next, I pour soy sauce, sake, and sugar into a bowl, mixing until the sugar dissolves completely, and set it aside.
After that, I cut the stems off the broccoli and break the heads into bite-sized florets. And I move to the cauliflower... cut it in half, then again into 4 quarters, cut the core out on the diagonal, and then break the pieces apart into bite-sized florets. Finally, I set them both aside.
When the tofu is ready, I peel off the paper towel, drain the liquid, and slice the block in half lengthwise. Then I cut it again into square chunks, matching the eggplants for size. As for the eggplants, I pat them gently with a paper towel to absorb the moisture.
Then, I pour oil into a large frying pan and set it on medium. As it warms up, I coat each piece of tofu and eggplant in cornstarch, one by one. Once the oil shimmers, I lay the tofu and eggplant down, and they immediately sizzle. I let them cook slowly, flipping once to brown both sides evenly.
When they're just right, I pour in the sauce mixture and baste each piece carefully, spooning the sauce over and over as it reduces, clinging tighter every time until it coats the meat in a deep brown sheen.
While it rests, I steam the broccoli and cauliflower for around five minutes. After that, the rice is done cooking, and I fluff it up gently and then start plating.
Nine plates first. Each one gets an equal scoop of rice, a generous helping of tofu and eggplant, and a drizzle of the thickened sauce. The steamed broccoli and cauliflower go on the side, but Manas's plate gets a big extra scoop of both because of her cravings. And finally, I sprinkle sesame seeds across each one.
Then, I plate one smaller bowl with a tiny serving of rice, tofu, eggplant, the remaining sauce, one broccoli, one cauliflower, and sesame seeds.
After that, I load everything onto the serving trolley, adding jars of water and some glasses. Finally, I roll the trolley out to the dining table.
"Lunch is ready, everyone! It's tofu and eggplant teriyaki today!"
Yomogi and Chantal lean in delightfully at the dish.
"Ooh! These little squares are so cute, Motegi-chan!"
"You seriously nailed it again, Motegi-kun!"
Kimberly and Pinna study their plates.
"This looks… so delicious… already, Motegi-sama…"
"The presentation is visually balanced. Color contrast is optimal, and portion distribution appears intentional. Based on these factors, I predict this meal will be satisfactory, Master."
Salacia already hums, and Lilith shudders as she bites her lip to hold a moan.
"Mmm~... just looking at them makes me hungry, darling~..."
"Hnngg~… I really should eat this right now, honey~…"
Manas gives a small, awkward laugh as she stares at her extra broccoli and cauliflower portion.
"To think… yet more servings of vegetables await me. I can scarce believe it, mine king."
Brunhild asks me with hopeful eyes, and so does Puck.
"May we partake now, my Lord?"
"Kyuu?"
"Of course. Let's dig in now, shall we?"
At once, we grab our utensils... and the reaction is instant:
Yomogi's eyes light up, and Chantal is already halfway through her plate.
"Mmm! Tofu and eggplant together are amazing, Motegi-chan!"
"I might really say goodbye to meat and fish if you keep making stuff like this, Motegi-kun!"
Kimberly murmurs, clearly pleased as Pinna finishes her first bite and begins her usual analysis.
"This is… really just like… that chicken teriyaki... you made, Motegi-sama…"
"Flavor profile is savory-forward with balanced sweetness. Texture provides contrast between crisp coating and tender interior. Nutritional value meets current maternal requirements. Result is satisfactory for both myself and my fetus, as predicted, Master."
Salacia savors her bite joyfully.
"Ooh~! I can feel a little crunch in my mouth~! That's so nice, darling~!"
Manas scoops up a piece of teriyaki, follows it with broccoli and cauliflower, and chews thoughtfully.
"These vegetables shall suffice for now, mine king. They art strangely pleasing."
"Yeah, can't help it, right?"
Lilith melts back in her chair with a soft moan as Brunhild smiles.
"Mmmhh~... this is so good, honey~…"
"This meal is truly pleasant, my Lord."
Then, I smile as I look around the table.
"I'm glad you all like it. And don't forget to drink water, okay?"
"Yes!"
They all answer together in unison, cheeks full and expressions glowing. And then I turn to Puck, who is gleefully munching on its little bowl.
"Kyuu!"
"Yeah, I know you'll like it, Puck."
Finally, I take a bite of my own, enjoying the sweet, savory, and familiar taste in my mouth.
"Yup, this one is still delicious, honestly."
And just like that, we keep eating our lunch together.