Disclaimer: I do not own Danmachi or make profits off this fanfiction.

Bell pulled at his collar. Syr had convinced him to take a day off with her because Chloe was sick. So, both he and Syr were working at the Hostess of Fertility.

Bell remembered Mia shouting at him when he dropped a dozen drink, "What kind of Level 2 are you? That's a waste of money."

Then Bell remembered the moment he dropped two plates of food, "That's 10,000 valis. Syr, what is this, a joke? What am I supposed to do with him?"

That's when Bell saw a black haired maiden from the Far East. Her blue purplish eyes were down cast as she poked at her drink. She was dressed in a yellow kimono with a pink rose pattern on it. On the table was a pink rose with a note attached.

Bell used his romance experience to figure that the rose must have been a let down. Bell gathered that maybe with her ignoring the roast duck that maybe a taste of home would do her some good.

Bell made his way into the Lioness Den. A place in the Hostess of Fertility owned by the two chefs. Mama Mia and May, with the latter being a part time member of Freya Familia's Andhrímnir department. The Level 2 Cat Person had the rare Developmental Ability, Cuisinier. The Developmental Ability allows one's cooking to restore the Stamina, Mind and Drained Basic Abilities of those who eat it.

Bell pleaded with the only two Freya Familia members with the rare Developmental Ability, "I promise to make a dish for her. One that will bolster her spirits."

May looked at him with a suspicious leer, "You've dropped more food and drink than Ryuu did in her first week. And you've been here two hours."

Ryuu shivered remembering her early days at the Hostess of Fertility. She decided once she remembered Syr's pleading eyes to help him. Ryuu walked up to May, "I'll vouch for him."

With the chef blessings Ryuu warned Bell coldly, "Do not let me down. Or I'll tell Syr."

Bell sweatdropped at the not so subtle threat. He set out on needing the flour, water and egg into dough. After lightly oiling a bowl, he set in to rest covered with a plate.

Next he put a strainer inside a pot full of water along with the body of one pink salmon after removing the scales, fillets and head. He also put in the strainer two carrots peeled and chopped, a quartered head of cabbage, 1 halved lemon and four roughly chopped shishito peppers.

Bell began to get his peas, carrots and sesame seeds ready. May looked over him as he put the salmon fillets in an indoor smoker with apple wood chips. Thanks to the magic stone powered product, the salmon was fully cooked and flavorful in fifteen minutes. Bell sliced the dough next into long strands of fresh pasta.

After his veggies and noodles were prepped. He strained the stock thoroughly, to remove all the scum.

In a separate pot he boiled three eggs. Making sure to grab the soft boil egg minute sand glass. The sall bell at it's base would ring once the bottom half was filled with sand.

With the zest of a lemon, grated garlic and sliced onions. He brought the stock to a nice simmer. Next he added a cup of water to let the stock last longer and reduce the sour savory flavor.

With a dumping of his noodles, peas, carrots and sesame seeds. The soup was basically finished. He sliced the smoked salmon fillets and put them in the soup to warm back up and hydrate them.

Serving it into a bowl he dashed it with a light sprinkle of seasoning salt made of sage, rosemary, salt, pepper and negi. Lastly he put a soft boiled egg sliced in half.

The bowl of soup was placed at the maiden's bar spot. Bell saw her eyes light up at the dish that was clearly an imposter of the food from her homeland. She looked up at the white haired boy who nervously scratched the back of his head, "I don't specialize in Far Eastern dishes. But, I got an idea or two from my grandfather. I hope you like it."

May and Mia peeked in interest never having seen a dish quite like it. The maiden took a sip and ger eyes became like glimmering jewels.

Bell watched her scarf the bowl and say with a slurp of noodles, "Another please, Server-dono."

Mia's brower waggled at how Bell could now best serve her while Anya was out. She stepped out of the Lioness den and shouted proudly, "Bell, get back in the kitchen!"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Two days after Twilight Manor became empty. The city felt a uneasiness in the air. A majority of Executives of Loki Familia converted to Freya Familia.

Ganesha Familia was still facing backlash from Soma Familia fouling up the Wargame. Leaving the Ishtar Familia to take over security duties as ordered by the Guild.

The citizens of Orario who didn't frequent the Entertainment district knew a war was brewing. But, with so many Guild Officials and Heads of Merchant companies vouching for Ishtar Familia. The majority of coty life resumed with relative ease.

One thing that was surprising was that the Hostess of Fertility was getting business like never before. Ten new dishes were on the menu and it sparked a fire in the bellies of Orario. Everyone who had spare money came in to try one of the new dishes.

Syr boasted out front to the customers, "Anyone who can eat all ten White Hare dishes gets 25% off."

Chloe walked behind Bell in the kitchen and purred after smelling his food, "Meow is hungry. How's about you serve Meow something fresh in a special apron."

Mama Mia pounded the door frame, "Flirting cats should be working instead."

Chloe screamed cutely as Mia tossed her back onto the floor, "Cute butt, save meow!"

Bell blushed nervously until Ryuu tapped his shoulder, "Ryuu, what's up?"

Ryuu looked at him coldly as she spoke to him, "It isn't your fault Bell Cranel that you attract so many women. I do not mind your public relationship with Freya, she is a Goddess. But, if you break Syr's heart with your indecisiveness around other women. Then, a strong wind may tear you down."

Bell laughed nervously until he was saved by Lunoire, "Bell, you're regular is here. She wants to talk to you."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bell walked to the maiden he first met two nights ago. She was back and this time wearing a purple kimono and red armor in a variety of spots on her person. Bell had learned her name was Mikoto. A recent Level 2 who got up the courage to confess to her God on her Level Day only to be turned down. Bell's dish seemed to revive her spirit. The two talked intobthe morning yesterday. Ending the conversation with her thanks and telling him about how excited she was to go to Floor 7.

Bell greeted her with smile, "So, what's up Mikoto."

The maiden blushed as she held forth a bag of valis for him, "It was because of your cooking that I got so much money today."

Bell pushed back the bag, "No, my cooking didn't do anything. To be honest. My skills are more useful in the Dungeon. I'm a pretty poor cook."

Mikoto shut down his politeness, "That is not true Bell-Ku,Dono. If it wasn't for the meal you prepared for me this morning. I would not have gotten two Jack Birds."

Bell whistled out impressed, "Two Jack Birds?! I haven't gotten one. So, you're flushed with cash?"

Mikoto looked down and to the side, "No, it's because of you that the majority of the valis going back to the shrine will feed so many empty mouths. I could never thank you enough for the last two days free prepared lunches."

Bell looked at her and replied after some serious thought, "So, about the free food. You keep it a secret from Mama Mia. And we'll call it even."

Mikoto looked down at a small dish Bell put down for her. It was sushi, rice rolled onto dried seaweed. Stuffed with applewood smoked salmon, avacado and sliced almond. Served with a side of miso.

Bell grinned as he said to her, "Also, mind giving me a review on this new dish I came up with after reading a Far East culinary book?"

Mikoto thanked him and ate it. A tear came down her cheek as she remembered a childhood memory. Bell asked afraid, "Is it bad? Are you allergic to almonds?"

Mikoto shook her head, "No, quite the opposite. The sushi is delicious. It just reminds me of a childhood friend of mine. I thought I recently saw her. But, I passed by the person so quickly that I realized it couldn't be her. She wouldn't be in that place."

Bell asked her, "What place is that?"

Mikoto spoke with venom, "The Pleasure Quarter."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hermes sat in front of Tabitha as he asked her, "How could you lose the package? Do you know what'll happen?"

Tabitha played dumb, "Sorry, I was just eating the White Hare menu trying to get that 25 percent off. I didn't want to fork off a fortune in debt. Mama Mia isn't someone you mess with."

Hermes spoke to her aware of the current events in Orario, "Neither is Ishtar."