The chilly season has arrived. It’s been almost half a year since I came here. The calendar is the same, which makes things easier to understand. The trees are shedding their leaves, and the wind is getting colder… I wonder if I’ll ever be able to go back.
Hello, it’s Shuri here. I tried to sound a bit poetic, but honestly, I don’t have much attachment to Earth anymore. After being missing for half a year, I’m sure I’ve been fired from my job, and my parents must be exasperated. I’m seriously wondering if we could create a law for protecting people kidnapped to other worlds. More importantly, since I’ve found employment here, I guess I have no choice but to make a living in this world.
The war over salt rights has ended, and we’ve received a large reward and plenty of food. Gungrave is overjoyed. Now we can increase our troops and improve our equipment. However, it seems I’ll have to wait a bit longer for an assistant cook.
“Why don’t you recruit an assistant cook?” “Because there’s no one who can match your cooking skills. It’s too late to bring in someone who can only make mediocre food.”
It looks like my struggles will continue. I mean, I could probably teach someone if needed.
“Your cooking skills are a bit too advanced to spread around.”
What, are they really that problematic?! I mean, both Lill and Kuuga seem to like my cooking…
I’m a bit shocked, but there’s a war breaking out in an even colder region during this cold season. The reason this time is apparently mineral resources. Things like iron and copper. Basically, raw materials for weapons and daily necessities. Well, it’s not gold or silver, at least. But it seems to be high-quality iron that can make good steel, so conflict is unavoidable.
It’s cold. It’s a cold season in an even colder region, so there’s snow piled up. No, not just piled up. It’s stacked. When there’s a meter of snow, it’s more like stacking than piling, right?
“It’s cold, isn’t it, Lill?” “…”
This is bad, Lill has frozen up. I guess there’s no choice.
“Here you go.” “…It’s warm!”
It’s a warm, sweet drink I recently made called amazake (sweet sake). I made it with sake lees. Since it contains alcohol, I don’t share it widely.
“It’s sweet, doesn’t taste like alcohol.” “But it is alcohol, so just one bottle, okay?”
Lill sipping it with little “gulp gulp” sounds is so adorable.
I glance over and see Gungrave drinking the amazake I made while planning strategies. He’s talking with the captains, probably about how to cross these snowy mountains and defeat the enemy. Hm, one of the captains is looking this way. I wonder why?
In the end, it seems we’re resting today and moving forward tomorrow. Lill and I will remain here as the rear guard. Doing dishes on days like this is tough. It really gets to you.
“Excuse me, do you have a moment?”
Hm?
“Oh, Arius, what is it?” “I have something to discuss with you.”
Arius is a magic specialist who leads a unit of magic users. Earlier, I saw her mercilessly dropping massive fireballs, about a meter in diameter, onto the enemy camp from afar. This Arius is a stunningly beautiful woman. She has long, glossy silver hair and refined features. She’s a bit taller than me with perfect proportions, though her chest is quite flat. She wears a robe typical of magic users and carries two short staves at her waist. This Arius… I wonder why she’s approaching me to talk?
“What is it?” “W-well, you see…”
I think it’s perfectly normal that I felt a hint of sexiness from Arius as she looked a bit embarrassed.
“I want you to teach me how to cook.”
…That’s the face of a woman in love. You see, Arius… She apparently likes Gungrave. I mean, it’s obvious just by looking. The way she glances at him, how attentively she treats him… She clearly gives him gentle looks that she doesn’t direct at any other men. I can tell at a glance without even asking. It’s so obvious. She seems to think she’s hiding it, so I don’t pry too deeply. The only one who doesn’t notice is Gungrave himself.
“Cooking? I don’t mind, but do you have any experience?” “None…”
This looks like it’ll end in grotesque food and stomachaches if I teach her to cook.
“Have you ever held a kitchen knife?” “…A little.” “But you have no cooking experience?” “I’m sorry, I was trying to save face…”
I think it’s perfectly healthy that I found Arius sexy as she crossed her arms, looking embarrassed.
“Hmm, suddenly asking me to teach you to cook is… I don’t mind teaching, but it won’t be easy, you know?” “Oh no…” “But why so suddenly?”
I’ve never had the chance to talk with her before. This person told others to kill me quickly when we first met. I’ve been too scared to talk to her much.
“Um… can you keep this a secret?” “I can keep my mouth shut, so no problem.” “I… I like Gungrave.”
I know!!! Everyone does!!! When you actually see a beautiful woman confessing her love for a handsome guy, it really makes you want to kill someone. I feel like I could unleash a Shun Goku Satsu (Super Combo commonly seen in the Street Fighter games) right now. I held back the urge to tell her that everyone already knows.
“Oh, I see.” “And recently, I often see Gungrave eating your food with such enjoyment. I got a bit jealous.”
There’s not a shred of BL here!!!
“Well, that’s…” “I thought if I could cook for Gungrave too, maybe he’d notice me. Lately, Lill and Kuuga’s units have been doing well, so his attention is on them. I want to do something for Gungrave. I’ll learn more magic too.”
A troubled love. A sheltered maiden. Damn, the pretty girl bonus is strong.
“Arius, you’re not really struggling with magic, are you?” “…Maybe a little.”
So she is struggling. I thought there might be something, given what happened with Lill and Kuuga.
“I can’t comment on magic since it’s a different field. But I can help with matters of the heart.” “Really?! Truly?!”
She’s close, so close, and she smells ni… Wait, what am I thinking?!
“In my hometown, there’s a dish that close friends eat together. The timing and location are perfect. Let’s invite Gungrave for just the two of you.” “Huh? You’ll be there too?” “Please think of me as part of the background during that time.”
I feel like crying just saying that.
“So? You called me here for a dinner invitation?”
That evening, I invited Gungrave and Arius. As help, I had Lill make a table and chairs. In exchange, I promised her hamburger steak. My beef stock is rapidly depleting.
“This way, esteemed guests. Please, have a seat here.”
I gently guide them to their seats. I’ve prepared plates and spoons on the table, along with a ponzu sauce substitute. Fish sauce would overpower the flavor of this dish if used with green onions.
“Now, I’ll start preparing the meal.” “Oh, cooking right in front of us?”
Gungrave looks excited. Arius is glaring at me with murderous intent. I’m telling you, there’s no BL here!
“Well, the broth is already prepared. It’ll be done in no time.”
This time, I’ve decided to make yudofu (hot tofu). When we stayed in the seaside town before, I bought some kombu seaweed that was on sale. It’s high quality and makes a great broth.
“Now, I’ll add the tofu to this.”
This is freshly made tofu using soybeans and nigari I got from the sea. It was quite a struggle to make this. I had to make the tools to make it from scratch. That’s why Lill gets hamburger steak. My beef stock is in a dire state.
“After simmering for a bit, it’s done. This is yudofu.” “…That’s it?”
Gungrave looks surprised.
“This dish is best enjoyed in the cold season.” “I see. So, are you going to serve it?” “No, I won’t be involved anymore.” “Huh?”
I handed them a special ladle. You know, the one with holes in it.
“The essence of hot pot dishes is for two people to serve each other and share from one pot. That’s the real pleasure of this meal.”
At this moment, Arius seemed to realize something.
“Gungrave, let me serve you.” “Hm? Oh, thanks.”
Arius is putting three pieces of tofu on Gungrave’s plate.
“Then I’ll serve yours.” “Eh?! Oh, um, okay…”
She holds out her plate and ladle, looking flustered. They each serve three pieces to each other, and the meal begins.
“Delicious!” “It really is… even though it’s such a simple dish.”
They both look surprised. But calling it simple…
“Gungrave, what do you think would happen if there was no kombu in this pot?” “It’d taste the same, right?” “No, the taste would be dramatically different.”
They both look puzzled.
“I’ll spare you the details, but the tiny umami elements in the kombu, which plays a supporting role, dissolve into the broth and then infuse into the tofu, the star of the dish. That’s what creates this flavor. So, who do you think is providing the umami to Gungrave, the star?”
I feel a bit embarrassed saying this myself. Gungrave looks like he’s had a revelation, and Arius is gazing at him with passionate eyes.
“Could it be, Arius…” “…Yes.”
Arius nods, looking shy. My work here is done. As their conversation fades into the distance, Shuri makes a cool exit…
The next day, Arius thanked me. Apparently, Gungrave gave a manly response, saying he can’t be her lover now, but he’ll confess to her himself once things settle down. I used to think “Die, you normies in love!” But when comrades close to you find happiness, you don’t feel that way.
By the way, she asked about ingredients, atoms, and molecules, so I explained those to her. They won the subsequent battle, and I hear Arius was unstoppable.
Check out my Patreon for early access to upcoming updates. Patreon Link
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Chapter 7
The chilly season has arrived.
It’s been almost half a year since I came here. The calendar is the same, which makes things easier to understand.
The trees are shedding their leaves, and the wind is getting colder… I wonder if I’ll ever be able to go back.
Hello, it’s Shuri here.
I tried to sound a bit poetic, but honestly, I don’t have much attachment to Earth anymore. After being missing for half a year, I’m sure I’ve been fired from my job, and my parents must be exasperated.
I’m seriously wondering if we could create a law for protecting people kidnapped to other worlds.
More importantly, since I’ve found employment here, I guess I have no choice but to make a living in this world.
The war over salt rights has ended, and we’ve received a large reward and plenty of food. Gungrave is overjoyed. Now we can increase our troops and improve our equipment.
However, it seems I’ll have to wait a bit longer for an assistant cook.
“Why don’t you recruit an assistant cook?”
“Because there’s no one who can match your cooking skills. It’s too late to bring in someone who can only make mediocre food.”
It looks like my struggles will continue.
I mean, I could probably teach someone if needed.
“Your cooking skills are a bit too advanced to spread around.”
What, are they really that problematic?!
I mean, both Lill and Kuuga seem to like my cooking…
I’m a bit shocked, but there’s a war breaking out in an even colder region during this cold season.
The reason this time is apparently mineral resources.
Things like iron and copper. Basically, raw materials for weapons and daily necessities.
Well, it’s not gold or silver, at least.
But it seems to be high-quality iron that can make good steel, so conflict is unavoidable.
It’s cold.
It’s a cold season in an even colder region, so there’s snow piled up.
No, not just piled up. It’s stacked.
When there’s a meter of snow, it’s more like stacking than piling, right?
“It’s cold, isn’t it, Lill?”
“…”
This is bad, Lill has frozen up.
I guess there’s no choice.
“Here you go.”
“…It’s warm!”
It’s a warm, sweet drink I recently made called amazake (sweet sake).
I made it with sake lees. Since it contains alcohol, I don’t share it widely.
“It’s sweet, doesn’t taste like alcohol.”
“But it is alcohol, so just one bottle, okay?”
Lill sipping it with little “gulp gulp” sounds is so adorable.
I glance over and see Gungrave drinking the amazake I made while planning strategies.
He’s talking with the captains, probably about how to cross these snowy mountains and defeat the enemy.
Hm, one of the captains is looking this way. I wonder why?
In the end, it seems we’re resting today and moving forward tomorrow.
Lill and I will remain here as the rear guard.
Doing dishes on days like this is tough. It really gets to you.
“Excuse me, do you have a moment?”
Hm?
“Oh, Arius, what is it?”
“I have something to discuss with you.”
Arius is a magic specialist who leads a unit of magic users.
Earlier, I saw her mercilessly dropping massive fireballs, about a meter in diameter, onto the enemy camp from afar.
This Arius is a stunningly beautiful woman.
She has long, glossy silver hair and refined features. She’s a bit taller than me with perfect proportions, though her chest is quite flat.
She wears a robe typical of magic users and carries two short staves at her waist.
This Arius… I wonder why she’s approaching me to talk?
“What is it?”
“W-well, you see…”
I think it’s perfectly normal that I felt a hint of sexiness from Arius as she looked a bit embarrassed.
“I want you to teach me how to cook.”
…That’s the face of a woman in love.
You see, Arius…
She apparently likes Gungrave.
I mean, it’s obvious just by looking.
The way she glances at him, how attentively she treats him…
She clearly gives him gentle looks that she doesn’t direct at any other men.
I can tell at a glance without even asking. It’s so obvious.
She seems to think she’s hiding it, so I don’t pry too deeply.
The only one who doesn’t notice is Gungrave himself.
“Cooking? I don’t mind, but do you have any experience?”
“None…”
This looks like it’ll end in grotesque food and stomachaches if I teach her to cook.
“Have you ever held a kitchen knife?”
“…A little.”
“But you have no cooking experience?”
“I’m sorry, I was trying to save face…”
I think it’s perfectly healthy that I found Arius sexy as she crossed her arms, looking embarrassed.
“Hmm, suddenly asking me to teach you to cook is…
I don’t mind teaching, but it won’t be easy, you know?”
“Oh no…”
“But why so suddenly?”
I’ve never had the chance to talk with her before.
This person told others to kill me quickly when we first met.
I’ve been too scared to talk to her much.
“Um… can you keep this a secret?”
“I can keep my mouth shut, so no problem.”
“I… I like Gungrave.”
I know!!! Everyone does!!!
When you actually see a beautiful woman confessing her love for a handsome guy, it really makes you want to kill someone.
I feel like I could unleash a Shun Goku Satsu (Super Combo commonly seen in the Street Fighter games) right now.
I held back the urge to tell her that everyone already knows.
“Oh, I see.”
“And recently, I often see Gungrave eating your food with such enjoyment.
I got a bit jealous.”
There’s not a shred of BL here!!!
“Well, that’s…”
“I thought if I could cook for Gungrave too, maybe he’d notice me.
Lately, Lill and Kuuga’s units have been doing well, so his attention is on them.
I want to do something for Gungrave.
I’ll learn more magic too.”
A troubled love. A sheltered maiden.
Damn, the pretty girl bonus is strong.
“Arius, you’re not really struggling with magic, are you?”
“…Maybe a little.”
So she is struggling.
I thought there might be something, given what happened with Lill and Kuuga.
“I can’t comment on magic since it’s a different field.
But I can help with matters of the heart.”
“Really?! Truly?!”
She’s close, so close, and she smells ni…
Wait, what am I thinking?!
“In my hometown, there’s a dish that close friends eat together.
The timing and location are perfect. Let’s invite Gungrave for just the two of you.”
“Huh? You’ll be there too?”
“Please think of me as part of the background during that time.”
I feel like crying just saying that.
“So? You called me here for a dinner invitation?”
That evening, I invited Gungrave and Arius.
As help, I had Lill make a table and chairs.
In exchange, I promised her hamburger steak. My beef stock is rapidly depleting.
“This way, esteemed guests. Please, have a seat here.”
I gently guide them to their seats.
I’ve prepared plates and spoons on the table, along with a ponzu sauce substitute.
Fish sauce would overpower the flavor of this dish if used with green onions.
“Now, I’ll start preparing the meal.”
“Oh, cooking right in front of us?”
Gungrave looks excited.
Arius is glaring at me with murderous intent.
I’m telling you, there’s no BL here!
“Well, the broth is already prepared. It’ll be done in no time.”
This time, I’ve decided to make yudofu (hot tofu).
When we stayed in the seaside town before, I bought some kombu seaweed that was on sale.
It’s high quality and makes a great broth.
“Now, I’ll add the tofu to this.”
This is freshly made tofu using soybeans and nigari I got from the sea.
It was quite a struggle to make this.
I had to make the tools to make it from scratch.
That’s why Lill gets hamburger steak. My beef stock is in a dire state.
“After simmering for a bit, it’s done. This is yudofu.”
“…That’s it?”
Gungrave looks surprised.
“This dish is best enjoyed in the cold season.”
“I see. So, are you going to serve it?”
“No, I won’t be involved anymore.”
“Huh?”
I handed them a special ladle.
You know, the one with holes in it.
“The essence of hot pot dishes is for two people to serve each other and share from one pot.
That’s the real pleasure of this meal.”
At this moment, Arius seemed to realize something.
“Gungrave, let me serve you.”
“Hm? Oh, thanks.”
Arius is putting three pieces of tofu on Gungrave’s plate.
“Then I’ll serve yours.”
“Eh?! Oh, um, okay…”
She holds out her plate and ladle, looking flustered.
They each serve three pieces to each other, and the meal begins.
“Delicious!”
“It really is… even though it’s such a simple dish.”
They both look surprised.
But calling it simple…
“Gungrave, what do you think would happen if there was no kombu in this pot?”
“It’d taste the same, right?”
“No, the taste would be dramatically different.”
They both look puzzled.
“I’ll spare you the details, but the tiny umami elements in the kombu, which plays a supporting role, dissolve into the broth and then infuse into the tofu, the star of the dish. That’s what creates this flavor.
So, who do you think is providing the umami to Gungrave, the star?”
I feel a bit embarrassed saying this myself.
Gungrave looks like he’s had a revelation, and Arius is gazing at him with passionate eyes.
“Could it be, Arius…”
“…Yes.”
Arius nods, looking shy.
My work here is done.
As their conversation fades into the distance, Shuri makes a cool exit…
The next day, Arius thanked me.
Apparently, Gungrave gave a manly response, saying he can’t be her lover now, but he’ll confess to her himself once things settle down.
I used to think “Die, you normies in love!”
But when comrades close to you find happiness, you don’t feel that way.
By the way, she asked about ingredients, atoms, and molecules, so I explained those to her.
They won the subsequent battle, and I hear Arius was unstoppable.
Check out my Patreon for early access to upcoming updates. Patreon Link
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