Zeeta and the Wizarding World
The Fruit of Hard Work

The hurried little footsteps stirred up dust around his feet. The culprit is Zeeta who is pulling Gerda to immediately slide to her friend's house. He got an idea to replace all his messed up plans today.

Although he failed to raise renjie, despite having done what Arthur taught him last night, he did not want to take it for granted. Even though his tears had flowed, he intended to try once more.

“He-hey...! Slow down, Zee...!" exclaimed Gerda who was out of breath. "Do we really have to ... in this hurry?” He was also bathed in sweat.

“No, the hell... but, yes too!

"I want to try it at your house. Look, we're close!” Zeeta finds the Renjie gardens of the Recko family from her sight.

When they had reached the door of the house, Gerda who was panting tried to catch her breath first. Likewise with Zeeta, he is actually overzealous and breathless than Gerda.

“Lain times .. if you want to run .. say first...!!!

"I must ... prepare ... my breath!"

Despite the grumbling, Gerda was still out of breath.

“Hehehe .. sorry.” Zeeta could only scratch his head which was not itchy.

......................

Gerda invites Zeeta inside. And then they discussed what they were going to do. “So, what exactly should I help you with?” ask Gerda.

“I want to cook!” zeeta replied short, solid, clear. His eyes twinkled, as if he was burning with fire.

“EEh...? Cooking...? Why don't you do that at your house?” Gerda furrowed next to her eyebrows.

“Of course I can't. Today our store is not off!”

“Oh. Sorry, I forgot, hehe..” Gerda scratched her cheek. “Then, what do you want kaasak?”

“See later!” Zeeta throws a sweet smile at her smug.

As Zeeta and Gerda enter the kitchen, they encounter Grilda who appears to be cooking as well. After explaining what happened and what their plans were, Grilda allowed these two young children to use kitchen— on the condition that she would cut something if they wanted to use a knife.

Zeeta caught her breath so she wouldn't be nervous. After everything that had happened to him since yesterday, his current cooking ability, what recipes he had mastered, as well as today's hot weather, he had decided what to make.

“Good. I've decided what I'm going to do. Aunt Grilda, may I wear two of your renjies? I'll wear it as the main ingredient,” Zeeta pinta after wearing Gerda's apron.

Grilda allowed it, and she quickly took two of Renjie's from her private garden. After being given to Zeeta, Zeeta slices it into two pieces on each fruit, preparing flour, water, and other ingredients in front of him.

......................

An hour has gone by since Zeeta started cooking. Grilda was amazed by the steps that Zeeta took so quickly and precisely, including the steps instructed to Gerda so she could help her.

Now, in front of Zeeta and Gerda there is a large pan with rows of various shapes of dried cakes. There are crescent shapes, cute bears and rabbits, flowers, and others.

“Well, then let's roast, then finish!” said Gerda who would put the baking sheet into the oven.

“Wait!” zeeta's hatch stops Gerda. “If it's baked right away, it won't be my cooking. It's just gonna be the recipe from my dad that I made. Step after this is what will make this cake my recipe!”

“Oh, then please.” Gerda put her wobble back.

Zeeta then focuses herself. He opened his palm to bring up the details of which colors, after which he sprinkled the grains on the cake.

“Zee, do you want us to eat your magic?” tanya Gerda interspersed with jokes.

“Ehm, well..maybe yes, may not. Ih, anyway we just roast it, then it's done!”

“Haha, alright.” Gerda put the baking sheet into the oven and then turned the timer for thirty minutes.

......................

On a baking sheet that has been left for fifteen minutes, served cookies with a variety of cute and unique shapes. From the outside this cake is just a regular pastry, so it is not surprising that Gerda wonders, what will make it different after Zeeta gives magic to the cake?

“If you want to, try it! Whatever you think of the cake, even if it's not good, just say it. I will definitely try again and again!" said Zeeta who has made up her mind.

Appreciating the words and results of Zeeta's efforts a few hours earlier, Gerda and Grilda each picked up a piece of cake.

After a few chews, the two of them were wide-eyed.

“A-what is this?” inner Grilda who felt astonished by the taste. “Although he does not use sugar, but the sweetness is still so pronounced..No, this is the sweet taste of renjie! In addition... the sensation felt in my mouth... cold?” after commenting on the taste of the cake in her mind, Grilda swallowed the cake.

“Zee, Aunty take one more, yes,” said the addicted Grilda.

“Uhm, please!” Zeeta showed her smiling face. He felt a little confident about his taste.

As Grilda chewed back on the cake, she regained a cold sensation in her mouth. “True... this cold sensation..it's Zeeta's magic. So that's it...” Grilda sat down while looking at Zeeta.

“So... how do you think?” ask Zeeta. He was curious about their opinions about the taste.

Gerda patted both of Zeeta's shoulders.

“Gerda...? Why...?” Zeeta was a little anxious as Gerda lowered her head but held onto her shoulder.

“You...” Gerda paused on what she was going to say. “You...”.

“You're great, Zeeta! It's so delicious!

"Ahh. If this cake is sold in your shop, it will definitely sell well!”

Zeeta's eyes sparkled. “He? That right? The cake is really good?” Zeeta could not believe what she had just heard directly from her friend.

“Yes, of course! Yes, ‘kan, Bu?” Gerda asked her mother's opinion.

Grilda approached Zeeta, when she was near, she knelt down and hugged him.

“You've fought hard, son. After all the things you did, magic training, helping your father in the tavern, but you failed when your friends did that easy thing, it must have been very difficult for you, right?” Grilda said it while stroking Zeeta's head.

“Uhm. Thank you Aunt Grilda, thank you Gerda, without you I wouldn't have made it.." Zeeta replied, holding back her tears.

“If you need any more help, just say yes Zee, I will gladly help you!” Gerda threw a five-finger smile.

“Alright!” Zeeta also threw her smile. “Then, I'll go home now. I promised my dad not to come home too late,” Zeeta said, wanting to take off her apron.

“Wait!" grilda stopped Zeeta. “Bring some cake and show it to your father, he'll be surprised."

Zeeta's eyes sparkled back. He really hoped Arthur would be surprised and liked the cake. “Uhm, alright!” in a hurry, Zeeta picked up some of her cookies and wrapped them in a plastic bag.

“Aibi, Gerda, thank you for today yes..., I came home first!” Zeeta immediately ran towards her house. When he had just walked out the door, he ran into Recko and Danny. He kept running and just greeted them.

“We're home!” greet Recko and Danny as they enter.

“What does Zeeta need here? I see she looks happy.” Danny put their quarry on a special table next to the kitchen.

To answer Danny's question, Grilda explains what happened.

“So... That's why he decided to make a cake, and we helped him,” said Gerda. It shows half a red cake pan with various shapes.

“What?! So those cookies were made by Zeeta?! Yahuuu!” That way Danny took a piece of cake from the baking sheet and devoured it. A moment later, just like the reaction of Grilda and Gerda, he also faltered.

“What's up to glare so?” asked Recko astonished to see the mimic of his son.

“Shut up and try,” Grilda took one piece of cake and put it in Recko's mouth. The reaction he showed was also the same as the others.

Recko chewed it carefully, while Danny was excited by the taste of the cake.

“ENNAAAKK!” yell Danny to make Gerda cover her ears with her fingers.

“What the hell, you're this? No need to scream nor will it feel like it won't change!” gerda said emotion.

“Yah... hahah .. because my feelings are so happy when eating the made Zeeta!” danny's stupid face looked as he scratched his non-itchy head.

“Ih, unclean.. After all, Mom and I also help, so it's not just Zeeta's cooking!” Gerda is getting emotional. “Uhh... Why are you always like this when you talk about Zeeta, anyway...” Gerda finally resigned to her brother.

......................

Zeeta finally arrived at his home, precisely in the store A n’ Z. With a spirit that is still burning, he broke down the door which then made all customers surprised and then fell silent.

“Dad! I managed to make my own cooking!” Zeeta showed off the bag containing the cake.

The customer there who was shocked, suddenly fell silent and looked at Arthur. While Arthur, who happened to be placing the order on the customer's desk, scratched his head and approached Zeeta.

“Hmm? Isn't your plan today to practice? Also ... next time don't break down such a door.”

Arthur greets Zeeta and crouches in front of her. “Not polite to customers, okay?”

“Ah .. uhm. I'm sorry everyone..” Zeeta says it by looking at the floor. The average A n' Z customer answered Zeeta with a bright smile, a red hue on the cheek, and a thumb.

“Good, it's new son Daddy.” Arthur stroked Zeeta's head gently. “Then, tell Dad, what's wrong with your training?”

“Hmm..., here are my workouts!” Zeeta lifted her bag again.

“Explain in more detail while Dad makes you cold chocolate. Okay?”

“Waah .. uhm!” Zeeta nodded then threw her smile.

Of course, his smile made the customers who were dominated by men smile back because they felt a warmth in their hearts.

“Haah... Zeeta-made cake, is it...? I want to taste it...,” murmur a customer heard Arthur's ear.

Arthur slams down on his kitchen table.

“You men smell of sweat... want to eat the cake made by my son who is still fragrant, beautiful, and beautiful...? Pass my corpse first!” Arthur was struck by emotion.

“Aaan, you stingy base! We are also human, know!” protesting a customer.

“Truly!” connect the other.

“Shut!” Arthur slammed his desk. All of his customers were silent.

“Already Dad... don't be too fierce.... But sorry everyone, I don't have enough cake for you guys, so if Dad allows it, I'll make it again next time.. can you?” Zeeta stares back and forth at Arthur and his customers.

“Ya!”

“No!”

Arthur who refused and the customers who received, answered him simultaneously.

“So yes...if you guys can't get along, I'd better eat it myself!” Zeeta went upstairs with her bag of cake.

“Haah..” Arthur took his breath. “Wait, Zee. Since this is your practice, you also need the opinion of others..” Arthur gave up his ego.

“Hehe... I love Daddy!” Zeeta runs and hugs her father.

Just like the Recko family, those in the tavern today, other than Zeeta, commented the same thing, which was cold and delicious, then the sweet taste of the renjie was so strong. However, after Arthur heard that Zeeta had failed despite doing what he taught, he was again astonished.

“There is no way it can be so.. Even the village children alone can use that way .. Come to think of it, I have never seen him cast a magic that requires more mana... I have to figure that out tomorrow, Arthur's inner” while looking at the cake.

“What's up, Dad? Does it taste bad?” ask Zeeta while tilting her head.

“Not no.. This is delicious, really. You're talented for cooking, son.” Arthur smiled.

“Thank you, Dad!” Zeeta replied to him with a smile as well.

The sweet taste of hard work has been felt by Zeeta. He who actually gives up easily still feels a strong desire to be able to succeed toward what he really wants. Although the results did not really match what he wanted, Zeeta was very satisfied and happy with the sweet fruit he got.