Ugh.
How many tis have I moaned today?
The annoying poitan was rolling right before .
It was noon, my fifth day in this different world.
Today, after we washed the dishes, took care of the food store and other routine chores, we made jerky.
This might sound a bit unnecessary, but these wasnt normal jerky, but smoked jerky.
Let explain further. We used rock salt and pico leaves to knead the surface of the kiba at, then used the fake rubber leaf (speaking of which, I havent confird its actual na) to wrap it up. On the third night, we washed off the salt and herbs, and left it to dry til morning. The next morning, we hung the at on a tree outside the house and lit a fire underneath it. Pico leaves and lilo were burned to smoke it until noon. And smoked kiba jerky was made.
This was the fourth morning of the smoked jerky making process. So Ai Fa didnt ask to forage for firewood or herbs, and asked to smoke kiba at.
My job was simple, to add firewood and herbs so the fire wouldnt go out. But I need to watch it for several hours, and it wasnt a relaxing task. Even so, there wasnt any incident before noon and I successfully made a large amount of smoked at.
Ai Fa went to the forest to forage like usual, and I stowed the smoke jerky into the food storage as I waited for her return, ending my job.
I worked until a bit after noon, and Ai Fa permitted to study the poitan between noon and evening.
During this ti, Ai Fa would head into the forest again in order to hunt kiba. Even though there were still piles of kiba at, but in order to obtain poitan and aria, she had to hunt one kiba every five days. However, I didnt have any experience with hunting kiba and would just be in the way if I went with her, so I got this period of ti to myself.
Ai Fa havent hunted any kiba during this five days. Before I ca here as a guest, she just needed to hunt one kiba every ten days, and hunting kiba wasnt an easy task. We got one kiba five days ago (although its an accident). Ai Fa said that it would be great if she could hunt one kiba either today or tomorrow.
And next, regarding my challenge.
I was busy with the butchering of the kiba on the first day. In the next four days, I work hard on my study of poitan But the enemy was tenacious
Simply put, I didnt know what it was.
This plant probably didnt exist in my world.
It looks like a potato, although it was a hue lighter than a potato, the texture on its surface and its shape was just like a potato. However, its inside was completely different.
I tried eating it raw, and it was bitter and powdery, completely unsavoury. As it lacked moisture, I suspect that it wasnt even a plant.
As everyone knows, boiling poitan in water would dissolve it into tasteless muddy water.
I tried adding it into my Kiba at soup, but there wasnt any improvents.
However, it seed to contain nutrients necessary for humans. In the past four days, after we finished the at and aria, I would add it into the soup before drinking it.
Using the soup from a hot pot to cook gruel should be exciting, but after adding in poitan, the entire pot of soup taste so nasty it felt like a kind of punishnt ga. Why do we have to drink this mud water? I was in despair.
That was why I was so troubled I had yet to find a solution up til now.
Ai Fa permitted to use one poitan a day for my research, but all my experints ended in failure.
Boiling it in water would turn it into gruel.
Grilling it would turn it powdery and cakey.
It remained the sa even if I soaked it in water.
When I fry it with animal oil, it produces a plate of powdery oil.
I even tried crushing it, frying it without oil, sunning it, I tried everything and still had no idea what to do.
Ugh I didnt know how many tis I had made that sound.
The next instant, soone hit my head from behind.
Shut up. Can you be quiet when you are troubled?
And the one who hit was of course Ai Fa.
She still havent set off into the forest yet, and had been ransacking the storage room until now. But she seed to have resolved the matter. She was dressed lightly as usual, with just cloth covering her chest and waist as she glared at with her feet wide apart.
That hurts. I dont want to sigh like that either
Midway through my sentence, I discovered sothing under Ai Fas armpit. What was that? It seed to be a bundle of beautifully dyed cloth.
Ai Fa noticed my gaze and spread out one of the cloth.
These are the cloths my father left behind.
I see. It was a sleeveless shirt with the front wide open. I should call it a vest. There wasnt any buttons on it, and it had strings at the bottom that could be tied together. The design was simple, and despite the colourful spiral designs, it looks rather fashionable.
Wah, thats nice. It suits you
Even though I said that sincerely, Ai Fa blushed for so reason.
H-How can I wear this!? I might be the head of the house and a kiba hunter, but Im still a woman!
Ehh? I dont an you should just wear this.
I couldnt tell if this counted as a vest, but the front was designed to be open, just like the attire Aladdin wore. If she put this on without anything else No no! That would be a slight against proper customs.
If you want to wear this, you should put it over the clothes you are wearing right now! And youre too beautiful for to think of you as a man
Shut up! I want you to wear this!
It had been a while since Ai Fa turned so raging mad, and she threw the clothes onto my face.
Your attire is too prominent! When Im out there with you, everyone will look at us with suspicious eyes, its discomforting!
Oh, I see. I also felt really prominent with my white attire at the water source in the morning.
And because I didnt have a change of clothes, I would switch between my t-shirt and chef uniform every day. As for my pants and underwear, I would wash it and then put it on while it was still wet.
But then, it was rather hot here, and the clothes would dry in just a few hours. Even if I didnt wash my clothes, it would rain heavily all of a sudden and drench completely. Hence, I have already given up! But because I needed to work in the forest, I couldnt help feeling down as I watch my white chef uniform getting more and more dirty.
And so, I bowed deeply to my enraged mistress to express my thanks.
I will accept this gratefully. But this must be important to you, right?
If no one wears it, it will just be rubbish no matter how important it is.
Ai Fa reached for the knife at her waist with a sour face.
I took a step back involuntarily, but Ai Fa handed that knife together with its sheath to .
My father left this behind too.
On closer inspection, there was another knife on Ai Fas waist.
This knife Can I really have it?
Im just lending it to you! You always make my knife all oily, its troubling for ! If the blade rust because of your negligence, I swear I will cut your ears off!
I get it. Thank you. Im very thankful, I will treasure your late fathers belongings. I promise.
Ai Fa averted her face unhappily. But she didnt leave and just sat down beside heavily.
So, have you found a way to turn poitan delicious?
Im stuck at a bottleneck. After all, there wasnt similar vegetables from the world I was from. Kiba is similar to boars, aria looks like onions, but nothing is close to poitan.
In that case, youre giving up? Theres nothing wrong with staying this way.
Ai Fa kept her head turned stubbornly and I looked at her profile from an extrely close distance.
Youre satisfied with that? Im not satisfied at all! The kiba at soup is getting closer to my ideal, but this thing made all my efforts a waste! I might still be an apprentice, but it trampled on my pride as a chef!
Puraido?
Honour, or dignity.
I see Recently, I have been thinking that eating delicious food is better than eating nasty tasting food. But you cant keep wasting the ingredients.
Yes, I know that...
These horns and tusks can be exchanged for things other than ingredients. If a knife breaks, it can be used to get new ones. Be it replacing torn clothes or dicine when were ill, we will need these to exchange for them.
Ai Fa touched the necklace on her chest.
In the past, I just need to hunt one kiba beast every ten days for enough aria and poitan to survive, so I managed to save up so tusks and horns. But from now on, I will need to hunt one kiba every five days. Im afraid my savings will deplete in that case, we should cherish the ingredients.
I see, but you still agreed to let use one poitan a day.
That might be so, but I have already wasted four.
All because I was too useless.
In that case, lets not waste this poitan today. I can eat one less, and use it to research
You cant.
Ai Fas voice was unexpectedly firm, she leaned in close.
I told you many tis, you have to eat two poitan and three aria every day. This is the minimum requirent for the denizens of Forests Edge to maintain their health. If you cut down on these, you will fall sick no matter how much kiba at you eat.
A blue fire seed to be burning in Ai Fas eyes.
The ethical concept of Forests Edge probably didnt allow people to sacrifice their health for the sake of research.
No Not just Forests Edge. As a chef, I shouldnt do so either.
If a chef couldnt manage his own diet well, that would be like a doctor who didnt pay attention to his-well being or a dye worker who wears white clothes.
Of course I know that...
Chefs have to provide custors with delicious and nutritious als. No matter how tasty the dish might be, it would be aningless if it was harmful to the body. However, it was pointless for food to be nutritious if it tastes bad. The objective of a chef was to take care of both these criteria. I didnt know about other chefs, but my old man and I were chefs that took care of both factors.
And of course, so dishes prioritize the preference of the custors over nutritious value. I myself likes oily tonkotsu ran.
But I couldnt do that for normal als.
We would only eat junk food occasionally, that was why it tastes so good and exhilarating.
Because food contains the nutrition human needs, our body crave for food. However, since humans didnt live by our instincts, we might have lost this feeling but even so, we shouldnt go against this fundantal condition.
Kiba at really taste great.
I could actually feel that it has the nutrients my body needs.
I could actually feel the nutrients rging into my flesh and blood.
There might be people who would mock that this was just an illusion, but I was serious about this.
I want to continue making such dishes Food that could give such an impression.
I want the people important to to taste delicious food beneficial to their body.
Eating poitan should be beneficial to the body. Ai Fa is the best proof of that.
Among the people I know, Ai Fa was the strongest and full of life.
If Ai Fa was nourished by the kiba, aria and poitan then there must be a way to dine on them happily.
Poitan definitely contain nutrients beneficial to the human body
...Hmm?
Beneficial nutrients?
Necessary for the human body?
Which ans
I see! I see, so thats how it is!
I yelled unconsciously, and grabbed Ai Fas shoulders without thinking.
I thought sothing was amiss! That sothing wasnt there! Damn, so thats it!
Why are you going crazy all of a sudden.
When the troubled Ai Fa tried to move away I pulled her back my way unconsciously.
Thanks to you, I found the answer! Ai Fa, you are wonderful!
I swear all this was done unconsciously.
I hugged Ai Fas body unconsciously, holding her slender body that was as tight as a whip.
And of course, my head was hit repeatedly a few seconds later, but I was lost in the mont because of my triumph.
Part 2
Ai Fa I will be challenging a new nu today.
Even though I announced that after the sun set, Ai Fa just said Whatever with a sour face.
Was she still holding a grudge for the lapse in my behaviour in the afternoon? Well, my actions was a little overboard And I would definitely lose the court case if she accused of sexual harassnt. So it couldnt be helped if she beca suspicious of my character.
Although the kiba at soup isnt bad, you will still grow tired of eating the sa things everyday. Ai Fa, I will give you a big surprise this ti, look forward to it.
Whatever.
By the way, I wore your fathers clothes right after borrowing it. How do I look? Does it suits ?
It doesnt. Looks funny. I shouldnt have loaned them to you.
She was still throwing tantrums.
Nevermind, she will beco happy when she eats delicious food.
By the way, it felt impractical to wear just a vest and a cloth around my waist, so I wore my t-shirt under my attire too. It might look a bit weird, but I was afraid of scalding myself when I cook, so I hope everyone could accommodate . Please treat the white towel wrapped around my head as my standard equipnt.
Let be frank then. I already prepared the poitan. It used up a lot of firewood, but I will pick more tomorrow, so please dont mind .
Ai Fa was expressionless and silent. She couldnt be bothered to even answer .
After beating up, she headed into the forest like usual. She shouldnt have seen how I cooked the poitan, wasnt she curious?
Never mind, its still early, but can I start cooking now? If you arent hungry yet, try making yourself hungry.
Unlike the stoic Ai Fa, I was feeling agitated. Because I was looking forward to challenging this new nu very much.
I plan to challenge grilling at.
Not just a normal grill, I thought of many different ways of going about it, such as steaming it or grilling teriyaki style. But I wanted to try a dish Im good at since I verified the poitans true identity, so I will try the other ways another ti.
I have no plans on being a tease. The dish today would be Kiba at hamburg steak.
Or kiba steak.
I walked to the food store as I humd, and carried the necessary ingredients to the stove.
Kiba thigh at and breast at, 500g each.
Six fake onions, or aria.
Two branches of pico leaves.
Fruit wine.
Rock salt.
And the magical essence obtained from the poitans.
As the essence wasnt much, I folded a fake rubber leaf as a container for it.
Well then, ti to start cooking.
First, I took the thigh at and cut off about a cm of fat from the top.
It was a bit of a pity, but I needed to use it as frying oil. All the fats on the fur had already been used to make candle, I will make sure to save so for cooking next ti.
It has been five days since the butchering, and there wasnt any sign of decomposition on it at all. The preservation effect of pico leaves were excellent.
Even though the pico leaves were effective, I heard the at would slowly rot after 15 to 20 days.
By that ti, the at could only be preserved by smoking them. There was still a mountain of at that I butchered five days ago, and I was troubled every day, wondering if there was a better way to utilize them.
Anyway, ti to start cooking.
I started a fire in the stove and diced two aria while I waited for the iron pot to heat up.
After finishing that, I prepared the at.
I cut the thigh and breast at into small pieces, then dice them even further with the kitchen knife.
I started by using Ai Fas late fathers knife.
And then with the Santoku knife that represented my old mans spirit.
Although there was about a kilogram of at, it was a piece of cake. Hamburg steak was a popular dish in Tsurumi restaurant, and I was already used to this kind of work.
In less than 10 minutes, the kiba minced at was done.
I turned to look at Ai Fa, and she was looking at unhappily with the posture of the reclining buddha.
She would usually sit quietly as if to show her respect for the chef. But it seems like her mood was terrible today. Didnt she have any comnt about the kiba at turning into small pink piles?
Suppressing the unease in my heart, I checked the fire.
I drip one drop of water into the pot, and it vaporized imdiately.
It was ti.
I threw in a piece of fat, and used a wooden spatula (which I made myself) to spread the fats evenly in the pot. I then threw in the two diced aria.
Unlike a flat saucepan, I couldnt toss the content of the iron pot. It was a bit tough, but I didnt give up, and kept stirring the pot with my wooden spatula.
When the colour of the aria changed, I poured in fruit wine.
I stirred carefully until the alcohol evaporates.
After frying the green aria until it turned brown, I shift it into a container with the spatula.
When we made hamburg steaks in my shop, we would put in a quarter onion for every 200g of minced at. Adding two whole onions for a kilogram of minced at was a bit much. But kiba has a strong taste, so adding more aria wouldnt be a problem.
As I needed to wait for the hot aria to cool down to proceed with the next step, I used the ti to cut the remaining aria. I didnt dice them this ti and cut them into thin slices along the grain.
If I want to boil and soften it, I should cut it across the grain. But I want to bring out its texture this ti, so I cut it this way.
I cut a total of four aria, and the pieces of aria piled on top of the fake rubber leaf like a small hill This might be an extravagant wish, but I hope I could get a better container.
As I was bustling around, the aria had cool down. I placed the diced and fried aria and the kiba minced at onto the fake rubber leaf.
I then sprinkled rock salt and pico leaf at this mont, the magical essence made its debut.
I poured a certain cream coloured sticky substance onto the pile of at.
Next, I just needed to mix it well.
After kneading it with my hands for a few minutes, the minced at turned sticky as expected.
Even though I cut off the fats from the thigh at earlier, the breast at still had plenty of fats. Both the tenderness of the minced at and its luster were impeccable.
Feeling that my triumph was at hand, I felt a chill down my spine.
Brushing off the at patty from my palms, I rubbed the excess fats from the kiba onto my palm to prevent the patty from sticking onto them. I will be kneading it into shape next.
If the patty was too big, it would be hard to control the temperature accordingly. I squeezed out about one sixth of the minced at and kneaded it into an oval. Splat splat splat, I didnt forget to toss the at between my hand to push out the air inside.
I made six mini hamburg steak, each was about 160g.
How cute. It was a beautiful pink colour, and I felt like biting it just like that.
Leaving that for now, hows the fire?
Hmm, its a bit too strong. I removed so firewood to adjust.
I could only gauge the intensity of the fire by sight, which was the biggest difficulty in making this dish.
Using strong fire in the beginning and reducing its strength I couldnt make accurate adjustnts like this, so I had a tough ti. But it couldnt be helped, and I had to use my brain to decide this match. I needed the flexibility and imagination of my brain, followed by my judgent.
I threw in a piece of fat into the iron pot, and waited it to turn crisp and release its oil. After that, I finally put the hamburg steak in.
With a sizzling sound that was music to the ears, an appetizing fragrance filled the house.
As this was a round pot, I had to be careful about not letting the steaks stick together as I placed all six pieces into the pot quickly, and waited a few seconds.
It would be a waste of effort if I failed at this juncture. Paying attention to the change in the sll, I used the wooden spatula to check the heat.
Seed that there wasnt any need to weaken the fire earlier. The steaks were about 60% cooked.
But that was better than burning the at. Even if so juice leaks out, it could serve as part of the sauce. I believe that the kiba juice wasnt that limited.
After another few seconds, when the heat side turned just the right colour of being cooked, I flipped the steaks.
Well, ti to prepare for the next phase When I backed away, I bumped into an obstacle.
Ai Fa was standing behind and staring at the iron pot before I realized it.
Uwah, you scared ! So youre here, Ai Fa!
Why would I leave my own house?
No, thats not what I an Ah, sorry, I need to prepare a few things.
I went around Ai Fa to grab the bottle of fruit wine, and the fake rubber leaf filled with arias.
I faced the iron pot once again, put down the bottle and checked the colour of the hamburg steak.
The surface was about 80% done, it was about ti.
Be careful Ai Fa, the oil might splash around.
She didnt reply, but I didnt have ti to hesitate. I poured the fruit wine into the pot and covered the lid.
Psshh, splat splay, loud dull sound ca out.
This was a unique way of cooking kiba steak.
When making hamburg steak, strong fire would be used to grill both sides quickly to prevent the juice from being lost. To cook the inside of the steak completely, it would be grilled slowly over a small fire, or toast the steak in an oven. That was the right way of preparing it.
However, it was impossible for to use either of these thods, so I opt to steam it. By doing so, I could cook the inside thoroughly before the hamburg steak got burned.
Hence, the patty I kneaded was thin and small.
As I couldnt tune the heat finely, and I needed to grill the surface of the steak with a strong fire I had to go through the entire process with a strong fla. I had no choice but to knead the patty smaller and get it done quickly.
But even at this size, I would burn it if I tried to grill the entire steak until its completely cooked. In that case, I could only use steaming to accelerate the heating.
It was a simple and logical conclusion.
Alright, it should be ready now.
I opened the lid, and the fragrance from the fruit wine burst out instantly.
I tried to split one steak in half with my spatula.
The inside was a beautiful ivory colour, without a shred of red.
Ai Fa, can you pass the plates?
I focused on keeping the other hamburg steaks from getting burned with my spatula. When Ai Fa heard what I said, she passed a wooden plate to quietly.
I quickly scooped three hamburg steaks into the plate, took a new plate and rescued the remaining three steaks.
Alright, only the aria is left now.
The sauce made from the juice from the at, fats and fruit wine boiled inside the iron pot.
I sprinkled in rock salt, and toss in pico leaves and the slices of aria.
I just need to fry the aria until it turns soft and the job will be done.
Ai Fa, pass the plates back to for a while.
When I said that, she passed the plates with the steaks back to again.
Hmm? I was concentrating on the iron pot so I didnt realize it, but was she holding on to the plates with both hands and waiting for ?
She sure was considerate. Despite how cold she normally acts, I could feel her sincerity and kindness from the things she does.
Leaving that aside for now, back to the topic.
I divided the aria between the two plates, poured sauce over it with a wooden spoon, and the kiba steak was finished.
Ah, please sit a while and wait for .
I rushed into the food store and took out the poitan I had left there for a long ti.
However, I dont think anyone could tell it was poitan.
Ai Fa stared at the thing on the fake rubber leaf and tilted her head in confusion.
It was a flat, round, cream-coloured object, with signs of being grilled.
If soone from my hotown was to see this object, they might think it was an indian nan, or an Okonomiyaki without any toppings.
Its true identity was a poitan.
Lets eat it while its hot! I will explain it to you later.
Part 3
Let start from the conclusion.
Poitan should be a type of cereal.
This was my speculation. I didnt have any ans to confirm this.
Anyway, after I made that assumption, I finally found a way to cook it, and succeeded.
The hint was nutritional value.
It wasnt complicated at all, a grade schooler should be able to understand.
Kiba at represented protein and fats.
Aria was a yellowish green vegetable, representing vitamins and fibre.
Then, what about carbohydrates? This question was like a divine revelation.
I wasnt sure how the body structure of people in this world was. But they looked similar to us, so I could use my common sense to probe this question.
Ai Fa was a healthy girl.
Her skin was beautiful and lustrous, and her body was like a sculpture, with arms stronger than mine.
Only a balanced diet could build a body like Ai Fas.
And Ai Fa eats at. She also eat vegetables. In that case, it would be unnatural for her to not consu carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates were a source of energy.
Ai Fas energy could rival wild beasts, and she was always full of life. Therefore, I was certain she consus carbohydrates.
Poitan is a cereal, and a carbohydrate.
Another factor leading to my conclusion was the poitans texture.
When I first ate it, I thought it was just like flour water.
Flour was made from grinding wheat, a type of cereal, into powder. A type of cereal powder.
I didnt need to grill it, fry it or eat it raw. The answer was before right from the start.
I should have paid more attention to Forests Edges food culture. Because boiling it was the only answer.
Doing so would remove the bitterness of the poitan, and dissolve it in water.
That would make the poitan edible.
But that would just turn it into tasteless mud water. Putting it in a more pleasant way, flour water.
Since thats flour water, I just need to turn it into flour.
After thinking it through, I started attacking the poitan.
I boiled it with a small amount of water, turning it into sticky and thick poitan juice. I then heat it as much as possible, and when it was about to be burned, the poitan beca a sli-like semi liquid state.
I then sunned it for about an hour, and it finally solidified.
I knock it apart and tasted it it was tasteless and powdery.
As expected, it was similar to flour.
In that case, I will just use it like flour.
My prediction turned true.
I dissolved the powdered poitan into water, and heat it up. It didnt boil like raw poitan, but started to bubble and solidify, like an Okonomiyaki without any toppings.
I still had so sample on hand, so I tried grilling the semi fluid poitan that wasnt dried in the sun. However, they wouldnt solidify at all. After the water evaporates, only burnt powder was left behind.
The key was to dry it completely.
And of course, I didnt know what kind of changes happened to the molecular arrangent of the poitan, and I didnt want to know.
Anyway, I found the answer I was after.
And so I finally conquered poitan, and while I imrsed myself in the jubilance of victory, I also felt happy and hyped up. As flour had the binding property, the hamburg steak I wanted to challenge in the future was within my grasps.
Binding served to hold the minced at together.
To do so, egg yolks and bread crumbs were usually used.
And of course, it was possible to make hamburg steak without the binding factor. I heard that adding ingredients to bind the hamburg steak was a culture unique to Japan. There was all kinds of theories, so say just adding salt will be enough and others say there is no need to add anything, just mixing it evenly would be enough.
Even so, Tsurumi restaurant would still add binding ingredients. I would always add binding ingredients whenever I cook hamburg steak, so I wasnt motivated to make this dish all this while.
However, it was another matter if there was binding ingredients.
I could challenge steaming dishes or teriyaki-style dishes whenever I wish, these cooking thods were simpler than boiling.
So I thought, I might as well make a hamburg steak.
Hamburg steak was a type of processed food. It was a at dish that didnt retain the original form of the at. It was a common dish for , but it would definitely look incredible to the people in this different world.
If I could make a hamburg steak successfully, how surprised would Ai Fa be When I thought this far, my emotions got hyped up like a girl in love.
After several twists and turns, we started enjoying dinner on the fifth day.
It might look completely different, but this is poitan. It doesnt have any taste by itself, so you can tear it into small pieces and eat it together with the at. You can accept this way of eating it, right?
Both of us had three small kiba steak each, with a side of sliced aria and large amount of fruit wine sauce.
And there was also a round grilled poitan, that looked like an okonomiyaki. It was about 30cm across, and 1 cm thick.
Alright, Im digging in.
Ai Fa drew a horizontal line across her mouth with her left finger, mumbled sothing and then picked up the plate and spoon. She stared at the kiba steak on her plate with a confused face.
As I peeked at Ai Fa, I cut open the steak with my wooden spoon.
Well, the toughness wasnt a problem. The opened surface was juicy, it was well made.
But there was a problem with this hamburg steak, whether the ingredients shes well.
People seldom make hamburg steak with boar at.
Probably because boar at wasnt suited for cooking hamburg steak.
Boar at was softer than pork, but this property would only surface when boiled in water. I rember the reason was tied to how much fats it have. Anyway, boar at had the property of turning softer the more it was cooked.
If it was cooked in another way, boar would be classified by humans as tough at.
Assuming boar at was processed and cooked in the right way, it wouldnt be so tough and be as tender as beef or pork.
Hamburg steak was usually made with beef.
A mixture of pork and beef minced at was a popular choice for hamburg steak too.
I seldom heard about pork being used to make hamburg steak.
Boars were a similar species to pigs, so the texture of its at should be similar.
Boar at was definitely not suited for hamburg steaks and kiba at was similar to boar at. So how would the hamburg steak made from kiba fare? Even if it surprises Ai Fa, would I be satisfied with the results? It was ti to decide the match.
I scooped a spoonful of kiba steak and sent it into my mouth.
The juice was hot and spread in my mouth, almost scalding .
My first impression was sweet.
Why was it like this, the at was sweet and tasty. The unique taste of the at and the fragrance of the fruit wine spread I think this dish was delicious.
For a hamburg steak, the texture was rather chewy. I already worked hard to mince it, but it still had such a texture.
But it wasnt an unpleasant feeling. Instead of being tough, it was closer to being chewy.
And with its bite, more juice would flow out, the freshness and juice spreads in my mouth,
Oh no.
As expected, I prefer at with unique taste more than other people.
Be it boar at, mutton or duck at, I really like at with its strong unique flavour.
And so I really think it was delicious.
I couldnt judge it objectively.
In short, I felt this dish was delicious!
I sent another piece of at into my mouth, together with the sliced aria and a large amount of sauce.
Delicious.
Super delicious.
I would probably give the sa evaluation if I tasted boar at hamburg steak.
I actually rated a dish I made so highly. It was embarrassing, but it was really tasty.
If I had to point out a flaw, that would be the thickness of the steak. It would be better for it to be thicker.
Compared to the cooked surface of the steak, the proportion of the juicy part in the middle was too little, this was the only point that dissatisfied . I tore off so poitan and put it into my mouth, it tastes nice too.
Having rice to eat with this would be the most ideal. at needed a sides of vegetables and carbohydrates to complent it after all. Many nations wouldnt match these food together, but my country and family would do so. I feel that vegetables and carbohydrates were the perfect match for at. Each of these components was necessary.
It had been a long ti since I ate such tasteless carbohydrates.
I could feel my craving for carbohydrates exceeding my imagination.
The grilled poitan wasnt as soft as bread or naan, and it tasted like okonomiyaki that didnt have any eggs or toppings. Even so, I felt it was delicious.
One grilled poitan was too little for the three hamburg steak. Because the kiba steak had a heavy taste, I should be able to eat two pieces of poitan.
Not so long ago, I thought poitan was such a hated existence, and couldnt help laughing wryly. Soone retorted coldly: What are you smiling about?
Ai Fa finally opened her golden mouth.
This wouldnt do. I was too engrossed in dinner and didnt realized Ai Fas action.
My appetite was too strong, and I reflected on that a little.
Oh right, how does it taste, Ai Fa?
I looked at Ai Fas way, and she had eaten more than half of the poitan and was about to finish her second kiba steak. How fast, I just finished one.
After Ai Fa swallowed her food, she said its good.
Thank you very much... ! But can you describe your comnts in more detail?
When she heard my question, Ai Fa said Dont wanna.
Dont wanna?
Dont wanna. I dont wanna tell you my comnt.
Eehhh, but why? Are you still bearing a grudge over what happened this afternoon?
What happened this afternoon? Ai Fa tilted her head.
Ah, you an that an thing you did to because you got too caught up? I already forgot about that.
You forgot Then why wont you tell what you think?
Shut up! I dont want to talk about it, thats why!
Then sothing I couldnt understand happened.
Ai Fa blushed, she lowered her head and covered her face with her plate.
Enough! Stop looking at !
I didnt get it at all.
Never mind, Miladys emotions were a bit unstable today, I will ask her again a few days later. Despite her adamant refusal, she did say its good Just these words made very happy.
When I was thinking about that
A voice ca from an unexpected place.
Hey, whatre you eating?
Ai Fa and I looked that way in surprise.
The voice ca from the window beside the stove.
It was dark outside and a small face appeared behind the window.
Im asking you two sothing! It slls nice, is that kiba? What is that white thing?
Rie Wu I told you to stay away from my house.
The surprise on Ai Fas face vanished. Seeing her answer nonchalantly made sigh in relief. If she knew her, then its not a problem. We werent doing anything unsightly anyway.
By the way, who was this child?
As she was very short, I could only see her reddish brown hair and big round eyes through the window, but not her face.
I dont wanna! I finally get to see you, why do you have to be so an? Answer my question! What are you eating? What does it taste like? Who made it? Is that man your husband?
What nonsense are you saying!? Why must I marry this weakling of a man!?
Her words stabbed into deeply.
However
Even though Ai Fa was shouting that, her face had turned extrely red.
Hmm.
Since I got to see her like this, I would pretend I never heard that.
Hey, who is this child?
Even though I was asking Ai Fa, the girl was the one who answered .
Im Rie Wu! Youngest daughter of the Wu Clan! Im a good friend of Ai Fa!
Dont joke with . I dont rember being your friend, Rie Wu.
Ai Fa picked at her last piece of hamburg steak and said in an exceptionally cold tone.
I hate noisy kids like you. Scram on ho.
After she said that
The kid called Rie Wus eyes looked shocked.
The next instant, her emotions exploded.
Uwaaahhhhhh!
She started wailing loudly.
Hey Ai Fa, dont be so childish when you talk to kids Even the sound of admonishing Ai Fa was drowned out by her wailing.
Her wail was incredible, and my ear drums hurts.
But I like Ai Fa so much ahhhhhh! I finally made out one of her sentence.
No matter what
The young daughter of Wu Clan, Rie Wu will have a decisive impact on my fate in the future. And that was how I t her.
Part 4
I really like Ai Fa, and Gill Fa. When Gill Fa was still alive, he and Ai Fa would often play with !
A few minutes later
The mysterious guest Rie sat between and Ai Fa and said with a smile.
She looked completely different from her wailing face earlier.
Anyway, in order to stop her from crying, we ushered her into the house. But no matter how we tried soothing her, we couldnt stop her tears from falling.
But when Ai Fa nursed her temple and said as if she was suppressing a headache: What I said was a lie, I dont hate you., Rie Wu stopped crying imdiately.
But I offended the Tsun clan, so its better for you to stay away from my house. I already explained that to you many tis.
The Tsun clan is not scary at all! My daddy says so too! He says the Tsun clan successor is an idiot, and they will lose their position soon! The Wu clan will definitely beco the leader of Forests Edge!
The head of the Wu clan, Donda Wu is combative, this will just worsen the situation. If the Tsun clan and Wu clan starts a war, the Forests Edge settlent might get destroyed.
After Rie Wu stopped crying, Ai Fas attitude turned colder than normal once again.
Even so, Rie Wu was still all smiles.
Her smile was really cute.
Rie Wu was probably seven or eight. She looked cute and petite, her height didnt even reach my chest. Her reddish brown hair was cut very short, and looked fluffy like a dandelion. Her skin was chocolatey brown of course. Her eyes were the clear color of water, filled with light like the sky in spring.
She wore a large piece of cloth with beautiful patterns. It covered her right shoulder and waist, looking just like a mini dress with just a single strap. Her slender arms and legs were bare. As she was still young, this dressing looked pure and innocent.
A necklace swayed on her chest, with three pieces of either horns or tusks linked together.
I didnt think a child this small could hunt kiba, so this was probably an amulet or decorative accessories.
Hey, you are an outsider, right?
She stared at with her big eyes.
Her blue eyes were really pretty.
Even though both of them had blue eyes, hers were different from Ai Fas deep blue pupils that would look like they were burning from ti to ti.
Daddy Donda told before! A suspicious person dressed weirdly had appeared in the Fa House. He might be an outsider, and will bring disaster. Before his identity is known, I mustnt go near the Fa House!
Is that so. But you are here even after he said that.
Although half my mind was on the kiba steak that was getting cold, I still answered warmly.
I didnt co earlier! But I saw you wearing Gill Fas clothes today! So that ans youre not an outsider anymore.
I had a feeling it was so, but Ai Fas father was really Gill Fa huh.
She kept bringing that na up, was it appropriate to do so? I couldnt judge.
I want to ask! Since you gave the clothes from your family to this man, that ans you accepted him as a your family, right? But he is not your husband?
Who knows such archaic customs!? He was an eyesore with his shabby clothes, so I just gave him so spare clothes!
Ah, that hurts.
But Ai Fas face was blushed.
I pray that her face wasnt red from rage, but I got to see such a cute side of her, so I would just pretend I didnt hear her rude remarks earlier.
Rie Wu, go ho! I dont want to start a war between the Tsun clan and the Wu clan. Go ho and dont co here again.
I dont wanna. Daddy Donda only told to not go near outsiders. Since this person isnt an outsider anymore, it is fine.
Rie Wu was all smiles, and Ai Fa said whatever after glaring at her, then picked up her plate of food.
Rie Wus naive face was filled with intrigue.
Hey, what is that? Why does it sll like that? Is that kiba at? What is that flat thing that has the sa colour as poitan?
Ai Fa didnt answer and ate quietly.
Then too When I picked up my utensils, the girl turned her face my way with a start.
You two carried a kiba back together, right? That kiba turned into this at? Why is it this shape? Where is the poitan soup?
Erm This is made by Its shape might be weird, but this is kiba at, and that is poitan.
My personality couldnt ignore such an innocent child, so I answered her.
Curiosity flashed across Rie Wus eyes once again, and she said sothing that I was already expecting.
What does it taste like? I want to try!
Suppressing a sigh, I turned towards Ai Fa.
Ai Fa, is it a taboo to share my food with soone from another clan?
Theres no such taboo.
Although Ai Fa looked very unhappy, she didnt stop .
In that case, it should be fine to give this girl a bite. I was dedicated towards food, but I wasnt that gluttonous. Besides, the opinions of a third party was valuable to as a chef.
Well then, I will let her have a bite. It should taste completely different from kiba at, so dont be surprised alright? After I said that, I offered my plate to her. But she just smiled and opened her mouth wide.
Ahh.
She wasnt on guard against at all?
I felt Ai Fas icy gaze on my right cheek as I cut a mouthful of steak with my spoon. I added two slices of aria and sent it into the girls small mouth.
The girl shut her mouth shut strongly with a snap.
She then started to chew.
Her blue eyes blinked a few tis, and widened even more.
Erm, how does it taste...Ah.
She wanted more.
Nevermind, I could turn a blind eye to two mouthfuls.
But if she ask for more, it might affect onii-chans nutritional needs.
As I thought about all these, I scooped up the sa food and tore off a piece of grilled poitan for her.
Rie Wu shut her mouth with a snap.
Chew chew.
Swallow.
She blinked her eyes.
Her thoughts were written on her face, I seldom see a child who fits the onomatopoeia so well.
Good...
Hmm?
It taste good!
She grabbed tightly.
Ah, I felt so panicky when grabbed by a person who had lost themselves. I started reflecting on what I did to Ai Fa earlier.
No, now wasnt the ti for reflection.
Rie Wus small fingers grabbed my t-shirt, and she shook my body with unimaginable strength.
Its tasty! Very tasty! Why is it so tasty!? Is this really kiba? Why is it so soft!? Hey, why!?
On the first night, I worked so hard to make Ai Fa say taste good, but this little girl repeatedly said this phrase so easily.
But hearing her praise this dish felt blissful to as a chef.
By the way, this girl has surprising strength. As a tribe of hunters, even the muscles of such a child was different from normal people.
Stop it, dont bother our al.
At this point, Ai Fa spoke out to save .
Before I realized it, she had finished her portion. She pulled Rie Wu by the back of her neck and pulled her off with ease.
Eating is for the sake of living. If you get in the way of soones al, that is as good as threatening his life. Thats a taboo, didnt your clan head taught you that?
Sorry.
Rie Wu lowered her head and apologized as Ai Fa held her up in the air.
Her expression turned sullen suddenly.
It is really delicious, thank you. Sorry for disturbing your al, I... At this point, she tilted her head and blinked a few tis.
Her actions really fits the onomatopoeia.
I dont know your na. Whats your na?
Im Tsurumi Asuta. If its hard to pronounced, just call Asuta.
Chooroo Asuta. I am very thankful to Asuta of house Fa.
She seed to respect more now. I waved at her warmly.
Its fine, I was just surprised. Thank you for your complint Ai Fa, thank you for stopping her.
Ai Fa sat back down with a hmmp.
After Ai Fa unhanded Rie Wu, Rie Wu sat down and hugged her knees in silence.
I dont get the denizens of Forests Edge at all.
This girl gets all excited over trivial things. But after living in this different world for five days, this was the first ti I t a denizen of Forests Edge who didnt shun Ai Fa.
The other denizens fear the Tsun clan and didnt interact with Ai Fa. In contrast, Rie Wu didnt hide her affection for Ai Fa at all, which made glad and I hope they could get along.
In the end, Ai Fa and Rie both fell silent, so I had to eat my dinner quietly.
Although the food was cold, it still taste wonderful. Personally, I was satisfied with the results.
Im full Well then, its already dark. Rie Wu, can you get ho by yourself?
When I asked that, Rie Wu who was hugging her knees seed to rember sothing and raised her head.
I thought she would stand up with a start, but she knelt on the rug and reached out to with both hands.
Rie Wu of the Wu clan has a request for Asuta of House Fa! Can you lend a hand?
I was troubled and glanced Ai Fas way.
Ai Fa got up on one knee and frowned confusedly.
Please make this incredible al for the Wu clans grand elder Jiba Wu She will die if things dont change!
Large tear drops fell from Rie Wus blue eyes.
But she didnt wail loudly this ti! Rie Wu couldnt stop her tears, she covered her face and sobbed.
Part 5
Asuta, are you going to the Wu clan?
Night has fallen.
I will be back tomorrow morning.
Rie Wu bowed to us and went off ho.
She only said to You can give your reply tomorrow and I will convince my family tonight.
I put the used utensils and kitchenware into the iron pot, and my job was done. Usually, we will chat and then sleep But tonight, Ai Fa rely fell silent without any expression.
I had to learn the common sense of this different world. So Ai Fa would spend so ti before we sleep to tell about the rules and taboo of Forests Edge, legends of the kingdoms and the gods, or about the post station town in Genos territory I had not visited before. She told many things, but she was silent tonight.
After maintaining this status for so ti, she finally said those words.
Ai Fa leaned against the wall and didnt look at , her eyes gazing into the darkness outside the window.
The fire in the stove was out, and only the candlelight was left. I stared at her cold profile in the dim light and answered quietly:
I want to go Thats how I feel right now.
Jiba Wu was the grand elder of the Wu clan, and Rie Wu hope I could cook for her even though all of Rie Wus actions were exaggerated, what she described wasnt complicated.
The elderly grandmother Jiba Wu was 85, and almost all her teeth had fallen due to old age, so she couldnt eat properly.
And now, it took a lot of effort just for her to eat the diced kiba at and boiled vegetable stew. And the amount she consus decreases every day.
There is no point in drinking these mud water-like thing every day in order to survive...
She said as she wept every day.
Despite being healthy a few years ago, she had grown weak and even her spirit was gradually weakening.
She really loved the youngest Rie Wu, and her suffering must really hurt Rie Wu.
When I think about how Rie Wu feels, I want to make a trip to the Wu clan.
But you dont agree, Ai Fa?
When she heard my question, Ai Fa answered emotionlessly:
Although the Tsun clan led Forests Edge for generations, the Wu clan could rival them. There had been bad blood between the two clans a few generations ago.
Bad blood?
About twenty years ago, there was a girl supposed to marry into the Wu clan, but people from the Tsun clan abducted her. The n from Wu were furious and stord into the Tsun clan. The previous Tsun clan head said that the girl committed adultery despite being betrothed to another, and they had punished her according to the rules. The corpse of the girl was returned to the Wu clan.
The girl probably killed herself before the other party could sully her. But there wasnt any evidence, so the Wu n could only curse and swear as they sheath their blades If the Tsun and Wu clan fought, a war that would rend Forests Edge in two would break out. And both parties would suffer trendous losses. If the Tsun clan dont hand over the girl, the Wu clan would probably start a war anyway. But since the girl was dead, we wont fight for dead people. The two clans broke off all contacts, and they had not resolved their difference even now.
How discomforting. Are all Tsun clansn such terrible people?
Who knows. At least the n who inherited the bloodline of the clan head are all bad. Ai Fa didnt change her expression as she said these in a cold manner.
And when I got into a dispute with Diga Tsun two years ago, the Wu clan head suggested that I marry into the Wu clan.
M Marry into the Wu clan?
Donda said to with a smile:That way, the Tsun clan wont go after you. Even if they tried, I would end the Tsun clan I rejected his offer and cut off ties with the Wu clan.
Ah So thats what you an when you say you dont want to spark off a war.
Even if the Wu clan dont help , I wont yield to Diga Tsun. I shouldnt have any dealings with either family.
I see. I understand now. From your position, since Im living under your roof, you wont tolerate it if I help the Wu clan.
I sighed deeply.
Ai Fa then turned her head away, the corner of her mouth twisted as if she was mocking sothing
Such a smile didnt suit her.
But even so, you still want to help Rie Wu, right? Thats the kind of man you are, Asuta.
Hmm? That is true. That girl Rie Wu looks like a good kid, and I want that grandmother to relive the joy of eating.
Yes. In that case, just do what you want to do.
Huh?
This is a simple matter. If you wish to help Rie Wu and Jiba Wu, you have need to cut off relations with . After that, you can just ask the Wu clan to take you in Its simple, right?
What? I cant switch targets so easily, Im not a frivolous girl.
I shrugged, unable to understand what Ai Fas true intention is.
Im not as troubled as you think. I feel sorry for Rie Wu, but I will reject her proposal.
What?
Even though Rie Wu is an endearing child, I just t her, and I have never t that grandmother before You might think this is cold of , but if doing this puts you in a difficult position, then I wont be able to help after all.
Why?
Ai Fa snapped her head back.
She seed to be very surprised.
This expression isnt like her, I thought as I act natural.
You are asking why. Compared to soone I didnt know and never t, you are more important to Dont make say sothing so embarrassing, dummy.
What is it? Isnt it great that I wont have anything to do with the Wu clan?
It isnt anything important, but if you save a mber of the Wu clan, Donda Wu might ask to marry into his clan again in the na of repaying a favour. If I reject him again, he will definitely think Im insulting his clan and vent his anger on .
What a difficult old man By the way, does the young n from Wu clan lack charisma? He wants you to marry Rie Wus brother, right?
I asked with half envy and half curiosity, and Ai Fa only answered coldly: I have already decided to live by hunting kiba.
Won have to live a life weaving grass and tanning hides while waiting for their n to return. That doesnt suit my character. I want to be a hunter that lives in the forest and dies in the forest. I decided that when I lost my father Gill.
Well, its a pity since you are so beautiful. She didnt retort despite my sarcastic comnt.
An unknown emotion lit the fire in Ai Fas eyes.
Anyway, you dont need to worry. I will reject Rie Wus request, nothing will change. Even if I reject Rie Wu, the Wu clan wont bear a grudge towards .
Rie Wu said to just now I will convince my father!.
Which ans this request ca from Rie Wus own will. Even if she told her family about this, they might be suspicious about and not be willing to accept my help.
Why? If you end your relationship with , you will be free to do as you please. In that case, why arent you doing what you want? Instead of being together with an eccentric person like , you probably want to help the Wu clan more.
I dont feel like helping them at all. You took so much care of , just the thought of leaving you for such a reason to live with an unfamiliar family displeases Hey, you have been acting weird just now, just what do you want to do?
Ai Fa didnt answer .
So I stood up, and sat cross legged before her.
Ai Fa lowered her head, an agitated fla still burned in her eyes.
Ai Fa, if you think Im a burden and want to go, I will do that. But you dont think so, right? In that case, tell what you really think.
I cant tell what you are thinking, just tell honestly. I will do what you wish, in a way you like.
Ai Fa lift her head and stared at straight.
Her eyes still had that blue fla but she was a little teary.
My father Gill Fa passed away two years ago.
Her pink lips ford these words quietly.
Before father passed away, I was on good terms with Rie Wu. Even though I didnt have much dealings with the Wu clan, Jiba Wu dotes on Rie Wu and I had seen her a few tis when I was young.
I see.
My heart tumbled when I saw her tearful eyes, and could only answer this way.
Ai Fa frowned a little painfully.
I dont want to have anything to do with the Wu clan. But if Rie Wu and Jiba Wu suffers I will be sad too.
In that case what you want the most is for to break off my relationship with you and help Rie Wu?
When I said that, she grabbed by the chest.
Her eyes burning with blue flas stared right at .
And then
A droplet slid quietly down from her tearful eyes.
I also
Her voice was quivering a little.
I also dont know what to do.
How could she not know?
I just need to break my relationship with her, and I would be able to help Rie Wu.
If she didnt want to have any dealings with the Wu clan and wants to help Rie Wu, this was the only way.
However
Ai Fas fingers grabbed my chest tightly.
She seed tensed, as if I would disappear if she let go.
I see.
I placed my hands on Ai Fas shoulders.
I felt her bare shoulders, her smooth skin and the warmth underneath that and also her quivering.
I pulled her shoulders towards .
Ai Fas slender body fell onto my chest without any resistance.
It cant be helped since you dont know. But it would be more appropriate if I didnt know what to do either.
I could sll my favourite scent from Ai Fa, which stimulates my nasal cavity.
I felt that fragrance fill my heart, and said quietly:
But, I know what I want to do the most If you dont tell what to do, can I do it my way?
I want to help Rie Wu. But I dont want to leave you. So I will help the Rie Wu and Jiba Wu you like so much officially as soone staying in the Fa house.
After I said that, I patted Ai Fas hair that had been tied up into a complicated braid.
The dispute between the Tsun and Wu clan isnt important at all, right? Why should I abandon soone I cherished for such a stupid dispute? The important things related to the future of the settlent should be left to the old n who are responsible. Dont overlook your own feelings for such things.
Lets help Rie Wu together. Who cares what Rie Wus father says. If he brings up the matter about marriage again, just tell him to find a man more delicious than a kiba for you!
Ai Fa couldnt answer.
But her fingers grasped my chest tightly and her tears continued to to wet my t-shirt.
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