Source
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n0573je/25/
“Then let’s get started.”
I set the portable stove on the table.
I put the pot on the stove, added the stock I had prepared, and put it on the fire.
Kanto style sukiyaki.
Unlike Kansai-style sukiyaki, which is seasoned with soy sauce and sugar, this one simmers the meat and vegetables in one go in mirin and sugar. Both are delicious, but I personally prefer the Kanto style, where the flavor is more consistent.
Incidentally, there are other styles, such as Oki Tamaki style, where the meat is steamed, and Rosanjin style, which does not use sugar, which I would like to try somewhere.
“Oh, it smells so good ! Hurry, hurry !”
“Let’s turn up the heat and have it done in an instant !”
“It’s not Chinese food, so if we use high heat, it will only make it taste bad.”
In the first place, please don’t ask any more from the worn-out portable stove. It’s about to reach the end of its useful life.
“The stock has come to a boil, so put in the vegetables and the meat. All we have to do now is wait and see.”
“This is definitely delicious ! I can tell I’m smart enough to know it !”
“I can’t stand it any longer ! Can I go ahead and eat just from the smell?”
Haku san is also a noisy person, but when Nekomiya san joined her, things became more lively, reminding me of lunch time in elementary school. Thank goodness the room next door was vacant. If someone were living there, complaints would be inevitable.
In contrast, Fried Face san is very quiet.
…Anyway, Nekomiya san’s clothes are extremely revealing today as well. Isn’t it cold to wear off-the-shoulder knits at this time of year?
“Do you care more about me than cooking?”
“Eh? Ah, no, I’m sorry ! It’s nothing……!”
I was told in a cold tone of voice, and I immediately looked away.
Then, Haku san looks at me and frowns in displeasure. …It was like that before, but did I do something bad to Haku-san?
“Is it time to break the eggs?”
“Right. I’ll bring it now.”
Sukiyaki is all about raw eggs.
I went to the refrigerator and took out the unopened packet I had bought today. When I put it on the table, Haku san and Fried Face san nod their heads.
“What are you gonna do with those eggs?”
“To dip meat and vegetables in the beaten eggs and eat them.”
“You eat them raw !? Raw eggs !?”
“No, Inami ! You’ll hurt your stomach !”
“Japanese people eat everything raw….you’re dead….”
“They eat puffer fish, too…..they’re crazy……”
A group of foreigners are arguing with each other.
In foreign countries, eating eggs raw is basically a no-no.
Since they have been taught that eggs are to be eaten over high heat, it is difficult for them to accept it immediately.
“I’ve prepared grated daikon radish as a substitute, so you can eat it deliciously as well. However, I would like you to eat it with eggs.”
As soon as I said that, Nekomiya san, who had already cracked and beaten the eggs, shouted, [Let’s dig in !] and lifted up the meat with a thud. Dipping it into the egg, she opened her mouth wide and took a bite.
“Mmm~~! It’s so delicious ! The meat melts in your mouth !”
Seeing is believing. When Haku san was shown eating the food right in front of her, she gulped.
She slowly cracked open an egg and beat it with her chopsticks. Seeing this, Fried Face san followed suit, and the two of them dipped the meat into the egg and popped it into their mouths.
“Huh !? Nnnnm ! ! Yum ! ! It’s so good ! ! Sukiyaki is so good ! !”
With eyes shining with all her might, Haku san chomped down on the white rice like a middle school boy.
Fried Face san did not speak, and her face was hidden by a mask, but she scratched the bottom of the pot with her chopsticks to see if there was any meat left in it. She seemed to like it.
“I’ll add some more meat. The vegetables are about to cook, so please eat them properly.”
As soon as the additional meat was cooked, I added it to my bowl.
The meat was still slightly reddish. This is how good it tastes.
Let’s eat it before it gets cold.
“……So delicious !”
Matsusaka beef is all about the softness and sweetness of fat.
You don’t need teeth to chew it, just put it in your mouth and lick it with your tongue, and it melts away with the sweetness.
Before swallowing it, I immediately had a bowl of white rice. ……Yeah, it is delicious.
To be honest, if you want to enjoy the taste of the meat to the fullest, sukiyaki with its strong flavor is not the right choice.
It is best to cook it quickly and eat it with salt and pepper or ponzu (Japanese sauce made of vinegar and soy sauce).
I know that.
I know that—but.
I’m sure all Japanese people can relate to the feeling of [It’s good this way] and [It’s good that way] when it comes to sukiyaki.
The idea of sitting together, warmed by the pot, with your feet together, is a wonderful one.
There are probably not many things in the world more enjoyable than this.
“……Hm?”
[ [ […..] ] ]
“Um, where’s my meat?”
[ [ [Ugh……] ] ]
While I was carefully tasting the first piece, the girls were adding more meat all by themselves and eating most of it.
When I pointed this out to them, they reacted like dogs who have been caught. Fired Face san must have thought this was a bad idea, as she stared at the meat in her bowl and reluctantly tried to give it to me.
“No, no, no, it’s okay. It’s not often you get a chance like this, so just go ahead and eat it.”
It wasn’t that much to begin with. It can’t be helped.
I’ll take the rest of the meat……
“Then, I’ll go get you some more meat.”
“T-there’s more?”
“As expected of Inami san ! You’re not like those other boyfriends !”
“I told you, I’m not her boyfriend.”
“…..I-it’s not like I’m opposed…..”
“Hmm !? Inami san, did you hear that !? Did you hear that just now !?”
“Eh? I’m sorry, what is it?”
I, who was preparing additional meat in the kitchen, tilted my head at Nekomiya san’s question.
Then all the women made jittery eyes at once. The power of Fried Face san was especially tremendous, and even through her mask, I could feel her irritation.
“Just die once. I’ll put your eardrums back together.”
“Wh-what kind of threat is this!?”
“Inami san, you should certainly fix your behavior.”
“Even if you told me that…..”
“…Come on, Inami. Do you want Fried Face to play with your ears?”
“No, no, no ! If you say something too scary, I won’t bring the meat to you !”
[ [ […..] ] ]
They were surprisingly quiet, probably because they really wanted to eat meat.
They’re so easy to understand.
“I couldn’t buy Matsuzaka beef, so it’s just regular beef. But I think it’s tasty enough. –Let’s add this to the pot.”
I added vegetables to the pot.
It was daikon radish, sliced thinly with a peeler.
“Do your family put radish in their sukiyaki?”
“It’s just my personal favorite, but it’s quite tasty. The radish absorbs the broth from the meat and vegetables, and when you dip it in the egg and slurp it up like noodles, it’s more satisfying than meat, to be honest.”
Gulp.
The three of them looked from me to the pot and gulped.
“Ah, that’s right ! I forgot ! I have a favor to ask of you today, Inami san……!”
“A favor? To me?”
“Yes ! Actually, we’re going to have a Christmas event at the shopping mall !”
Christmas……Oh, I see, it’s that time of year already.
“….What’s it got to do with me?”
“Selling food? I’m sure there are a lot of people who want to try Inami san’s home cooking ! To be honest, I’m really impressed that I got to try it like this today !”
[Please ! !] Nekomiya san looks at me with anticipation.
Selling food…does that mean serving my food? And they pay for it. A lot of people.
…Is that okay?
I have a bad memory in my mind.
I had my own restaurant, which I had longed to own.
Within minutes of opening, a truck came roaring into the store. The robber who beat me up and took all the money from the cash register. Everything turned to ashes.
What if something like that happens again when I try to stand in front of someone else…?
It’s a catastrophe because a truck plowed into an event in a shopping district. Robbery and fire are no joke. It could be much more than that.
The back of my head is aching.
…Let’s stop. Even if I don’t appear, there won’t be any problems with the event.
“A Christmas event !? Great, let’s do it ! It means it’s finally time to let the world know about Inami’s cooking !”
“Eh? H-Haku san is participating too?”
“Great ! Well then, please come as Inami Kitchen ! I’ll invite a lot of followers too, so you can promote it and make it a big success !”
Wow ! Haku san and Nekomiya san were getting excited on their own.
I was planning to refuse, but…
If Haku san is with me….well, I guess it’s okay. I don’t have any proof, but it seems like it would work. I can’t let her be sad because she’s so motivated.
“…Um, if I’m gonna participate as Inami Kitchen, is it okay if I don’t make any announcements?”
“W-what? Do you mean you’re gonna participate as Inami Kitchen without telling anybody?”
“I don’t know how much influence I have. The number of people who will come to my or Haku san’s call for help is also unknown. If it were an off-line meeting organized by me, I could take responsibility for anything that happens, but as long as I’m participating in an event in the shopping district, I don’t want to cause trouble for everyone.”
I want to make the shopping district more lively, but the worst thing that could happen is if I make a bad move and cause a problem. The event is a good one, and it’s meaningless if everyone can’t enjoy it.
“Ummm, I see….understood. Even so, I would be happy if you could join us ! I look forward to working with you !”
At the same time as I said that, Nekomiya san and I noticed the state of the pot.
The radish that I added so much is already almost gone.
Needless to say, the destination is Haku san and Fried Face san’s bowl. Slurping it dipped in egg, [Yum !] Haku san exclaimed.
“N-not fair !? Where’s our portion !?”
“I’m sorry, Nekomiya. But in this world, the law of the jungle is absolute.:
“All of them are gone !? Fuu chan you idiot ! I-Inami san, is there another round of radish…..?”
“It’s all gone…….”
“U-uwaaaaa !? ……N-no, wait ! The supermarket in front of the station should still be open ! I’ll go get some !”
“I’ll go there myself if that’s the case. I just ran out of gas, so I need to buy a new one. Please watch TV and wait for me.”
◆
I grabbed my phone and wallet, put on my coat, and headed outside.
“Wow……it’s pretty cold……..”
Dull clouds cover the sky overhead.
The cold wind stung my cheeks as I rubbed my hands together to warm them.
And I walked quickly to the supermarket.
“…..F-fuu.”
Even though I hadn’t eaten much yet, I couldn’t help but smile.
It’s been a while since we’ve had a large group of people around the table, and it’s been a long time since someone other than Haku san said it was delicious. After all, it seems like I’m happier when I eat together.
“A Christmas event…I wonder what they like…”
If I was alone, I would definitely have refused. …Since Haku san spoke up, I gained courage.
After all, having Haku san there is reassuring.
With her, I might be able to work even harder.
“Inami, why are you smiling?”
“Oh, that’s–eh !? Haku san !?”
I was supposed to left her in my room, but before I knew it, she was walking next to me.
Stop invoking your assassin skills and disappear. You’re scaring me.
“What’s wrong? I’m fine going shopping by myself.”
“Fried Face told me to go with you because it’s not safe to go out at night. I’m sure you’ll be safe with me, no matter what happens !”
If anything, that seems like a man’s line……
Well, surely, with her fighting skills, she can handle most things.
“Oh, and you know, it’s….cold outside, right? So,…..um……”
[Here] she said, and took my left hand with her right hand.
Comfortable warmth. Sweaty palms. Just like before Nekomiya san came, we tied them together tightly. Don’t let go easily. Intertwine your fingers like lovers.
“I-I’m here a Inami’s glove ! It would be terrible if your precious fingers, which, you use for cooking, died from this cold !”
“Do you think Japan is Siberia or something?”
“A-anyway ! If something were to happen, everyone would be in trouble…especially me ! Risk management is important ! Yes, Haku san is smart !”
She exhaled a white breath and her cheeks blushed.
I can’t help but think that we look like couples on the outside……but it’s true that they are warm.
Even when it’s cold at night, I feel happy when I’m with her.
“Shall we stop by the convenience store on the way home from the supermarket and pick up some steamed meat buns?”
“Oh, that sounds good ! I love steamed meat buns !”
“Then we need to finish my shopping soon. Nekomiya san is going to cry if we’re too late.”
I matched my stride and put my foot forward a little earlier.
Two white breaths trailed off.
Under the December stars.
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