“Wow!!!”
I held Lumi’s magic wand, which I had worked so hard to retrieve, and waved it around with all my might. I thought Haru had thrown it away, but getting it back felt like the best thing ever.
“Hot!”
Like in the animations, I followed up with a kick. Surprisingly, kicking techniques seemed more useful when using the magic wand, but I guess that’s just how it is for a Little Magician. However, trying out various poses was a bit exhausting.
I carefully set the magic wand aside and turned on my computer. Today wasn’t for streaming; I planned to look up how to make the pudding I’d been craving since last time. Everyone loves sweet pudding, right? I wanted to treat Haru and Bora to some.
Since they had kept Lumi’s goods safe instead of throwing them away, I felt I owed them at least this much. I stared at the monitor and started jotting down the ingredients needed for the pudding.
The ingredients were all things I could get at the convenience store. If there was something I couldn’t find, I could just secretly ask Bald Man for help.
No bribes were involved. I simply showed him the pudding ingredients on my phone and asked him to get them. Under my commanding presence, Bald Man broke into a cold sweat and bought everything I needed. Bora and Haru wouldn’t suspect a thing, right? If Bald Man had spilled the beans, I would’ve punished him severely.
After all, surprise gifts only have meaning when the recipients are clueless. So, I waited until Haru and Bora got off work. After a hearty dinner, I got ready to make the pudding. If I followed the recipe, there was no way I could fail.
I lit the portable burner and planned to make the most important part of the pudding first: the black sauce, brown sugar syrup. The method was simple—mix water and brown sugar in a 1:1 ratio and simmer it on the gas stove. As it simmered, the syrup thickened perfectly.
I really am a cooking genius. Even though I was following a recipe, it was my first attempt, and I nailed the syrup. Maybe I really do have a talent for cooking.
Next, I had to make the pudding itself. Since this was the most crucial step, I read the recipe thoroughly again. Even with my genius brain, reviewing the recipe repeatedly wasn’t a bad idea.
After preparing the milk, I placed it on the gas stove, added sugar, and stirred continuously. The recipe emphasized the importance of constant stirring. After some time, I added gelatin, which was essential for giving the pudding its soft yet firm texture.
“Hmm hmm~”
Humming a tune, I added the final ingredient: egg yolks. I was in a great mood because everything was turning out so well. Cooking isn’t usually this easy on the first try, but I guess I’m just that good.
Maybe I should open a pudding shop later? I could hire Bora and Haru as employees and put up a big sign in front: “Pudding made by a 10-year veteran.” People who taste my pudding might shed tears of joy because it’s heavenly.
I couldn’t help but marvel at the thick, perfectly made pudding base.
“Wow!!!”
The color was so beautiful that I really wanted to touch it, but that would’ve been a rookie move. I poured milk into the pudding mold and carefully placed it in the fridge. The office had all sorts of electronics, making everything convenient.
Bald Man was watching me from the side. He offered to help, but I refused since making the gift myself was the whole point. I ended up making a lot of pudding to share with everyone in the office.
At first, I only planned to give some to Bora and Haru, but the other employees would surely feel left out. So, I made enough pudding to satisfy everyone. By tomorrow morning, the delicious pudding would be ready.
—
“Yah!”
As soon as the morning sunlight hit my eyes, I kicked off the blanket and jumped out of bed. Lately, I’ve been so full of energy that I might need a doping test. Ever since I returned to a child’s body from an adult’s, I’ve been overflowing with energy.
I planned to share this overflowing energy with my employees. I ran to the office still wearing my dinosaur pajamas. The office was empty. Bald Man should’ve been here—where did he go? Did he go out for a smoke?
I quickly lost interest and opened the office fridge. Inside were many puddings. I took them out one by one to check. I had even bought disposable plates, so I didn’t have to worry about not having plates to serve the pudding on.
“It didn’t have to be.”
“Yahp!”
I flipped over the plastic mold with pudding inside. After tapping it a few times with my hand, the pudding popped out. It was so bouncy and elastic that as soon as it landed on the plate, it danced around, showing off its shiny body.
“Yahp! Yahp! Yahp!”
I plated the other puddings too. To gift puddings to the dozen or so employees, I had to start working early in the morning. After plating all the puddings, I prepared for the final touch.
I grabbed the brown sugar syrup and started pouring it over the puddings. This was the most important part. Sure, the soft, jiggly body of the pudding was great, but the black syrup on top was what really made it visually appealing.
I poured just the right amount so it didn’t overflow, and voilà—a perfect pudding was born. Do store-bought puddings even come close? Homemade is definitely the best. It’s so satisfying.
But when I tried to move the plates from the floor to the desk, I couldn’t reach. So, I grabbed a step stool and started placing the puddings on the desk. I even prepared disposable spoons so the employees could easily grab and eat them.
Just as I finished setting up, the Bald Man walked in. He must’ve pulled an all-nighter because his stubble was dark and patchy. Men’s facial hair grows so fast.
“Hana, what are you doing?”
The Bald Man scratched his head and looked at me.
“Plating puddings!”
I pointed to the puddings on the desk and handed him a plate. I wanted to give the first one to Bora or Haru, but the only one in the office right now was the Bald Man.
“Here, a pudding gift!”
The Bald Man looked a bit stunned as he took the plate and examined the pudding. He probably had nothing to say about my perfect pudding…
“Yesterday, I thought I was going to die watching you make puddings.”
Huh? When did he see me? Through the window in my room? He couldn’t have come into my room, right?
“That was a secret! Did you really watch me make puddings?”
“Yeah. Not the whole process, just when you were handling the gas burner. I had to make sure you didn’t mess up and start a fire.”
Hmm… fair point. Even though I was careful, accidents could happen. The Bald Man scooped up a spoonful of pudding, said it was delicious, and then disappeared.
Of course… there’s no way my pudding wouldn’t taste good. I smiled brightly and sat in the office chair, waiting for the employees to arrive. There were still plenty of puddings left on the desk.
I hummed the opening song of the Little Magician Lumi a few times in my head, and soon the employees started coming in. The first one was Haru.
“Haru! Haru!”
As soon as Haru arrived, I grabbed a plate and handed it to her. Haru looked surprised as I gave her the pudding.
“Did you make this, Hana?”
“Yep! I made it!”
The pudding looked absolutely delicious. I had already tried one earlier, and it tasted heavenly. I couldn’t tell if this was heaven or reality.
“Thanks, I’ll enjoy it, Hana.”
Haru patted my head and ate the pudding. Her compliment was just a bonus. After hearing Haru’s thoughts, I waited a bit, and Bora also arrived at the office.
Bora also enjoyed the pudding and said it was good. Unlike Haru, she gave me a thumbs-up and said the pudding was so good I could open a store with it.
“Hana, you’re really amazing!”
Of course, they were all worthy of eating my pudding. I smiled brightly as I handed out puddings to the employees. Even though Christmas had passed, I wondered if Santa Claus felt this good when giving out gifts. Sharing food with others is such a joyful feeling.
I should do this again sometime!
