The barbecue began as planned, with Kalpas standing intently before the grill.
He picked up a seasoning bottle and sprinkled it evenly over the sizzling, oil-glazed meat skewers. Instantly, a tempting aroma wafted through the air.
The smell drew cheers and excitement from the children gathered around.
"Wow, it smells amazing!"
"Brother Kalpas is so awesome!"
The children chattered over one another, shouting eagerly.
They were all fired up, itching to help out, rubbing their hands together in anticipation.
But Kalpas knew full well these little ones would only get in the way.
"Stay back, all of you! Just wait quietly over there!"
Kalpas called out loudly to the children as he kept busy.
Though a bit disappointed, the children obediently kept their distance.
As Kalpas tended to the grill again, he somehow felt he was getting better and better at this.
Aponia stood nearby watching quietly, a faint smile on her face.
"Hehe♪"
Just then, a clear, light laugh rang out.
Aponia instinctively raised her hand, catching Elysia's fair arm steadily.
"I've told you many times, Elysia…"
Aponia said with a sigh, "Please don't play these kinds of jokes on me."
"Oh, Aponia♪～ It's just a bit of fun."
Elysia replied in a coaxing tone, "Besides, even if you know it's coming, for the sake of our friendship, just let me succeed once～"
She blinked her large eyes, looking at Aponia expectantly.
"That wouldn't be proper, Elysia."
Aponia answered, her tone still calm and even.
"Alright, alright."
Elysia resignedly spread her hands.
"By the way, about what I mentioned last time—us getting together with Eden and Mobius for a tea party—have you thought about it?"
Elysia suddenly changed the subject, asking with keen interest.
"That… I'm afraid I may not have the time."
Aponia answered honestly.
Her days were truly busy; aside from carefully looking after the children, any spare time was spent paying "visits" to the prisoners in the depths. She really couldn't spare a moment.
"Then we'll just wait until you do have time♪～"
Elysia remained optimistic, not disheartened at all by Aponia's refusal.
"Sisters, try these!"
At that moment, Vya came skipping over to the two of them, holding several freshly grilled skewers.
"Alright, let me try Kalpas's handiwork too!"
Elysia replied with a smile, her face bright with anticipation.
She took the skewers and immediately began eating.
"Mmm… not bad at all～"
Elysia praised between bites, "Kalpas, please grill a couple more～!"
She waved energetically at Kalpas.
Hearing Elysia's request, the children around them also joined in the chorus.
"Brother Kalpas, I want more too!"
"Brother Kalpas, grill some more!"
The children's voices rose one after another, all clamoring for more skewers.
And our Chef Kalpas? He could only keep working tirelessly at the grill.
At first, he found grilling quite interesting, but now, without quite realizing when, he was starting to dislike the task.
But looking at the children's expectant faces, he sighed helplessly.
Well, no choice. He had to keep grilling.
Poor Chef Kalpas, held hostage by their enthusiasm.
...
Vya, Little Green, and several other children made their way outside the sanatorium to a specially built platform.
This platform was truly a wonderful spot—perfect for quietly watching the sea or leisurely fishing.
As soon as the children reached the platform, they excitedly ran to the edge and sat down.
Naturally, Aponia wasn't comfortable leaving the little ones unsupervised and hurried over to keep an eye on them.
Elysia, of course, followed along.
As for Chef Kalpas, having finally finished with the grilling, he now had time to rest. Exhausted, he found a spot to sit down and let out a relieved sigh.
...
"Vya, what do you think is beyond the sea?"
Little Green suddenly asked curiously.
She had always wanted to see the ocean before, and now that she could see it almost every day, the novelty had worn off, and her curiosity turned to other things.
People are always like that, with an endless thirst for knowledge.
"Oh! Vya knows, beyond the sea there's a village of Smurfs!"
Vya's eyes sparkled as she answered with a smile.
"The Smurfs story? I read that in one of the new storybooks too."
Little Green nodded, then asked further, "But has Vya been beyond the sea?"
"Vya doesn't know…"
Vya tilted her head, pondering the possibility, then her eyes lit up. "Maybe it's Sister Einstein's underwater laboratory!"
"Wow, the kind with lots of secret weapons, like in the stories?"
Another child asked excitedly, eyes full of curiosity and anticipation.
"Tell us, tell us!"
The other children gathered around, urging Vya on.
"Vya didn't see it, but there were lots and lots of pretty little dolls there, so beautiful!"
Vya said, gesturing with her hands as if those beautiful dolls were right before her.
"Really?"
"..."
"..."
The children's chatter gradually faded beneath their cheerful laughter.
Watching this scene, both Elysia and Aponia couldn't help but smile.
The sea at that moment was unusually calm, like a vast blue mirror. Occasionally, a few seabirds flitted by briskly, leaving graceful arcs in their wake.
This peaceful, lovely scene, of course, was lost on Chef Kalpas, who was still resting not far away.
Ah… poor Chef Kalpas.
…
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