in the cargo hold

this game is so charming i cant

Think about it. He seems to have a twisted idea on what constitutes a easy meal to make. He dyes eggs green for what's supposed to be a simple meatloaf easy to make on his own, and individually handstamps gnocchi with a triangle for what was supposed to be a quick lunch. Is this a coping mechanism? Does the expectations he set for himself in making new, whimsical meals help keep him stressed?

And it's not just that. Qifrey constantly acts like the girls are picky eaters, but in reality, they're little angels who love everything he makes. Most professors/parents dream of children who are half as good as eating as they are. Is he gaslighting himself that they're picky to create more of a challenge?

Qifrey does not sleep in this manga. Either he has night time fun with Olruggio, or he cooks. Notice how Qifrey will wake up at 4 AM in the morning to make lunches for the girls, or spend the entire night making a bouquet of flower apple tarts to surprise Olruggio with in the morning. By using cooking as an excuse to stay up, he's exhausting himself.