Source
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n3415ij/18/
“It’s called chilled candy, have you ever heard of it?”
Shiho and Ichinomiya san looked at each other and then shook their heads.
Well, it’s not a very famous drink in Tokyo, so it’s not surprising if you haven’t heard of it.
“It’s a drink made by boiling starch syrup and mixing it with cold water. It seems to have been a common drink in the Kansai region for a long time.”
“It’s an unusual color, isn’t it? Beautiful …….”
Shiho looked at the amber-colored drink and murmured.
It’s made from malt syrup, which is what gives it its color.
Malt syrup is not something that is normally used in cooking. So I went all the way to a large supermarket to buy some to make chilled candies.
Ichinomiya-san was itching to get started, as if she couldn’t wait to try it.
“Hey? Hey? Can I try some?”
“Of course. That’s why I brought it out.”
“Thanks!”
Ichinomiya-san takes a sip and drinks the chilled candy.
Then she makes a surprised face.
‘……! Delicious! But it doesn’t just taste sweet.”
Shiho also mumbles a small “Itadakimasu” and takes a mouthful from her cup. Is it because it’s in front of Ichinomiya-san that she doesn’t say her usual pre-dinner prayer, or is it because it’s a snack?
Shiho is equally surprised and nods her head.
“It tastes strange. A little spicy and somewhat gentle,…… could this possibly be ginger?”
“That’s right. I cook the ginger with it.”
“That’s why it tastes so refreshing. It’s cold and easy to drink!”
Shiho and Ichinomiya-san nodded in agreement. And then they drank it down.
I’m glad that both of them liked it.
It’s because it tastes a little different. However, it is quite a tasty drink and perfect for summer, so I like making it.
They finished the chilled candy in an instant and said, “Thanks for the food,” and looked satisfied.
It was a hot summer and they must have been tired by the time they got home, so their bodies were probably craving something sweet to drink.
“Huh? What about for Komaki-kun? Don’t you want a drink?”
Ichinomiya-san saw that I was standing idly by and tilted her head slightly.
Her silver hair shook lightly.
“Oh, um, there was just enough left for the both of you.”
The original liquid for chilled candies can be kept for a while once it is made.
I had two cups of it that I made a couple of days ago, and I was going to drink it with Shiho.
But Ichinomiya-san came as a guest, so I served my portion to her.
Ichinomiya-san’s face turned into a scowl.
“Eh!? I-I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, don’t worry about it.”
“But you were looking forward to it, weren’t you? It tastes so good.”
Well, to say I was looking forward to it is true, but if Ichinomiya-san is happy to drink it, that is more important.
It makes me very happy to know that someone else is enjoying something I made.
“I can make the chilled candies right away, so that’s not a problem. I’ll make more for tomorrow and onward.”
When I said that, Shiho stared at me with her crimson eyes.
W-What’s wrong ……?
“Hey, Onii san. I have a favor to ask you.”
“W-What?”
“Well, umm …… if you don’t mind, I’d like to watch you make chilled candies!”
“Eh? T- that?”
“Yes. I’ve enjoyed watching onii san make both the tonteki and the soy milk soup.”
Shiho’s cheeks are a little reddish.
That’s all good, but…Is it fun to watch me cook…?
“Hey? Can I take a look too?”
Ichinomiya san smiles and says from the side. There’s no reason to refuse.
Shiho’s cheeks are puffing out for some reason…
Just like that, we headed to the kitchen.
I washed my hands and took the ingredients out of the fridge.
Then, using a peeler, I peeled the ginger and cut it into chunks.
Ichinomiya-san interrupted with a curious look on her face.
“Ginger is peeled ……?”
Shiho looked as if she did not understand what was so strange. Ichinomiya-san may have more knowledge about cooking than Shiho.
“In general cooking, it’s more nutritious if you don’t peel the ginger, so I think that’s why people often do that. It also makes it easier to taste the ginger.”
“I thought so too. But there’s a reason for that, isn’t there?”
“Yes, yes. With the skin, the ginger flavor is too strong for chilled candies, so I wanted to make it milder. Also, it looks better without the skin.”
As we talk, I finish peeling the ginger.
“Hey? Onii san. Is there anything I can help you with?”
Shiho, perhaps dissatisfied with the conversation between Ichinomiya-san and me, offers to do so, as if she’s trying to compete with her.
I’m not sure if Shiho would become even more unhappy if I refused her offer.
“Well, …… then, can you grate some ginger for me?”
“Yes!”
Shiho nodded with a cheerful face.
After washing her hands, I handed Shiho the ginger and the grater.
“Let’s see…”
Shiho looks troubled. She has probably never cooked at all.
“Use this side of the grater and move it back and forth to grind the ginger.”
“Y-yes!”
The trick is to grate it at right angles to the fibers.
This is to grind the ginger without leaving any fibers.
I have another grater because I bought two by mistake before.
I demonstrate how to grate the ginger with it, and Shiho does her best to imitate me.
Ichinomiya-san looked at us enviously.
“It’s like we’re really siblings.
“Not like, but really like siblings.”
Shiho giggled and said a little shyly.
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