37 The First Night in the North

Me and Millie walked towards the gate where everyone else was congregating. The snow crunched under our feet as we hurried over in an attempt to stay warm.

I can't fathom why the teachers thought it would be a good idea to bring kids here. Isn't the risk for hyperthermia too much?!

Once the girls were all gathered, we followed the teacher towards the Lodge's cafeteria. It seems as though all of the cabins near me and Millie are for the girls. There's also a small wooden fence that encloses the cabins on our side. On the other side is the boy's cabins. It seems they've separated us in order to give the teachers less worry.

When we had arrived at the cafeteria, I noticed that the boys had already beat us there. There were small campfire like grills with four chairs for each one. I noticed William and Dante sitting at one with two empty seats next to them. Aw, how pitiful.

The teacher looked at us, "Each table can fit up to four people. So go ahead and choose-"

I grabbed Millie excitedly, "Let's go!!"

I pulled her from the crowd and made a beeline for the table with William and Dante.

The teacher sighed, "So choose where you'd like to sit."

Me and Millie sat down and I clapped my hands in excitement, "Ah! This is going to be so good! I'm starving."

William looked at me in disbelief, "How can you be starving? Shouldn't you be careful and not eat so much?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you vomited the whole ride here."

I waved him off, "Yes, but that was then. Now I need to refuel."

The workers walked out of the kitchen holding stacks of covered trays. It was amazing to see them balance so many with ease. They wore clothing that was made out of furs. Maybe that's the secret to staying warm here... But I would rather freeze to death than wear a poor animal.

They placed the trays out in front of people and lit the grills. They uncovered the trays to reveal skewers and uncooked meat and vegetables.

They walked away and back into the kitchen. Everyone stared in confusion. One girl spoke, "What are we supposed to do? Cook it ourselves?!"

The teacher nodded, "Yes. This is a traditional meal of the Northern territories."

A boy shouted, "That's so barbaric!"

The teacher glared, "Do not make fun of their customs."

"But I don't know how to cook."

"It's not that hard to do. Take it as a learning opportunity."

I was now brimming with excitement, "Ahhh! This is just like a Yakiniku restaurant! Wow, I really miss those."

William looked at me confused, "Yakiniku? What's that? It sounds foreign."

Oops. Almost forgot where I was for a second.

"It just means we can grill our own food! It's tons of fun!"

He crossed his arms, "It doesn't sound like fun to me."

I rolled my eyes, "It will be good for you to try and be self sustaining. What would you do if you didn't have any servants? Starve to death?"

"Yes." He responded in a matter of fact tone.

"I have no words for you."

He looked at me critically, "What about you? Do you know how to cook?"

"Fufu! Of course I do! I'm the best cook around!"

Millie looked surprised, "Wow! That's amazing! What do you make?"

"Instant ramen." I saw their confused faces and sighed, "Okay, well to be honest, I don't cook. But how hard can it be?"

The three of them looked at each other a bit worried. Finally, they relented and agreed to let me cook. After all, they certainly didn't know how.

"Alright! So we throw the meat on like that. Yes! Okay, now we add some spices. Oo, this looks interesting."

William watched in horror as I dumped it onto the meat, "What are you doing?! That is hot pepper seasoning!!"

"I know. You need to add a lot in order to stay warm in this cold environment."

The smell of spice floated in the air. Millie began to sniffle just from the smell.

"Alright, it's done. Who wants to try it first?"

William and Millie quickly shook their heads. Dante spoke a bit uncertain, "Well... I guess I will try it. I've had to endure poison training already."

I clicked my tongue, "It's not poison. You'll be fine."

Dante took a bite carefully. He froze instantly. He began to look like he was struggling with chewing so decided to swallow it whole.

I looked at him in excitement, "Well? How is it?"

He grabbed his stomach and put his head down. He spoke in a pained voice, "I don't want to eat anymore."

William looked stunned, "It's worse than poison!!!"

I grabbed a bite, "It can't be that bad."

As soon as it entered my mouth, I finally understood what it meant to be in hell. I thought for sure I was burning up from the inside. I started gagging and Millie hit my back quickly.

I spit out the piece, "Gah!!! Water!"

I grabbed the glass in front of me and gulped it down. Ack. No good. My mouth still burns.

I shrugged, "Alright. So this piece is not safe. That's alright. There's more."

I tossed it to the side and put down a new piece. I glanced at the spices.

William glared at me, "Just don't add anything to it this time."

"Alright, alright. I won't."

I noticed the canister that the worker had used to create flames. Suddenly, a brilliant idea popped into my head.

"Oi! You want to see a cool trick?"

William looked fearful, "No. Just please don't."

I grabbed the onions and made a stack on the grill, "It's okay! I've seen someone do this before."

Millie scooted her chair back quickly.

I grabbed the cannister and dumped into the opening of the onions.

*BOOM*

Smoke and flames billowed out from the grill leaving me, William, and Dante covered in ash.

I coughed, "Wow. Powerful stuff. I think it burned off my eyebrows."

William looked horrified and angry at the same time, "You!!! YOU BURNT MY HAIR OFF!"

"Eh. You needed a haircut anyway. It was getting too long."

After I had successfully burnt whatever food we had left, I was officially put in timeout. Other tables decided to share their food with us. Well, excluding me.

The fan girls looked incredibly happy. "Here, William. Try this. I made it myself. How does it taste?"

He took a bite and stared right at me, "Better than someone I know."

They giggled as if they had won. They gave a portion to Millie as well. They offered some to Dante, but he still felt too sick to his stomach to accept.

I pouted my lip, "But I'm hungry too. Why do you all get to eat and I don't?"

William answered, "Because you destroyed all of our food and poisoned Dante. He may never recover."

Dante groaned, "I'll be fine after a nap."

I looked at Millie with big puppy dog eyes. She sighed, "Fine. I can share mine."

My face lit up, "Millie you're my guardian angel!"

She held it out to me, "Say ahhh~"

"Ahhh~ mmf! That's delicious!"

She giggled, "Don't talk with your mouth full."

"Feed me more Millie!"

I continued to be fed by Millie affectionately. William looked at us in disgust, "Suddenly I'm not that hungry."

After we finished, we went back to our cabins. Dante and William waved goodbye to us as we went in our respective directions.

William looked at Dante, "We can never allow her to cook again."

He nodded quickly, "Agreed."

Once me and Millie got back to our cabins, we got our bath items together.

She looked so happy she would burst, "I can't wait! I've always wanted to use a hot spring!"

"Ahhh! Hot springs. They are so relaxing."

She looked at me quizzically, "You've been in one before?"

I forced a smile, "Yes. A very long time ago."

In another world, in fact.

We both skipped towards the hot springs that was reserved for the girls only. The boys had to use a different one that was attached to their side of the cabins.

We walked inside and followed the signs for the dressing room. A large sign wrote: Please remove all clothing before getting in the hot spring. There are no chemicals allowed in the hot spring. If you need to wash, please do so before in the marked areas with showers.

Millie turned pale, "W-we have to bathe naked?!"

"Is there another way to do it?"

"I can't do that!!!"

"Why not?"

"Why not?! Because I will be naked!"

"Relax, Millie. You have the body of a child. There's nothing to be worried about."

She whimpered and held her chest. We quickly undressed. Her paleness quickly turned to bright shades of red.

I giggled, "You look like a tomato."

"Stop it! How can you be so calm?"

"Well, it's something you get used to. At first I was embarrassed to have Lona bathe me, but then I realized it didn't matter. It's not like there's anyone having impure thoughts."

She covered her face in shame and I led her into the area with the hot springs. Each one had a different sign describing the temperature and how to use it.

I released Millie and ran towards the first one I saw, "Cannonball!"

Millie shouted after me, "Wait!"

I jumped and splashed into the water. Since it was shallow, my backside hit the bottom. I swore underwater in pain. Suddenly, my body began to burn.

I jumped out quickly, "God damnit! That water is scalding hot! Look Millie! It turned me as red as a lobster!"

Millie looked at me, "I tried to warn you. The sign said it's the hottest temperature and should only be used for quick dips."

"Well, I did do a quick dip. Oh well, let's find a better one."

"I think we are supposed to shower before getting in."

"Too late now."

We found one that was a more comfortable temperature and started to soak in it. Ahh. It's like a giant hot tub. I could stay like this forever.