SC1 14.1 – Another Bad Hunch
As I collected firewood, my mind was filled with the thought about rice-bowl dish I offered to Sotora. It’s already ten days since Minami’s visit, but I hadn’t received any further words on it.
Three days ago, Warrior Konno came to the hut to take another batch of soy sauce oyster noodles. He told me that right now Owner Tokuma was reorganizing all eateries under his management and put my dish on his plan, but he mentioned nothing about the detail.
So, I guessed I could only patiently wait. Not to mention I had something I had to do right now. The firewood stock at Tadaoka Household was still too low. My sister-in-laws did send their children to collect some, but they spent their time in oak forest mostly to play and only brought home a little amount of firewood.
Today I planned to finish the job, so I left the hut and went to Sendai before sunrise. I had to go back and forth to oak forest a few times while also carrying some firewood in my spatial storage, but finally I managed to stash enough firewood for the whole winter just before the breakfast time. After taking morning bath, I immediately went to dining hall.
The breakfast went as usual, quiet and gloomy like a funeral. The menu was also still as usual, the damnable bean curd and steamed vegetable. As I swallowed my food, I inwardly swore, I had to leave this household before this ascetic-styled diet killed my soul.
I genuinely hoped Manno would graduate next year, and then received a proper official station. That way, Kazuyori wouldn’t make a fuss when I left the household for good.
Then, Kazuyori suddenly break the silence. “For the last few days, our neighbors kept talking about new low-tier menu in Fragrant Flavor. Do any of you know anything about it?”
“Mother, are you talking about spicy chicken noodles soup and soy sauce oyster noodles?” Tanno asked in flat tone.
“Yeah, those two.”
After swallowing his porridge Tanno said, “I only heard that it’s delicious cuisine comparable to top line low-tier dish in Kamakura.”
“It’s also cost only 3 monn per bowl. Currently, these two noodles are the star of comfort food in Rokube and people who want to buy it forms a very long line,” Danno added.
“Mother,” My first sister-in-law said while giving Kazuyori an expectant gaze, “Do you want to buy it for our New Year meal?”
“Mother, one bowl for two people is more than enough to celebrate our New Year,” My second sister-in-law added.
At the same time, almost everyone in the dining table gave Kazuyori an expectant gaze. It was a clear sign at how depressing the daily diet at Tadaoka Household was. To the point that almost everyone had to beg for a 3 monn dish as their New Year food, and it was also one bowl for two persons.
However, Kazuyori indifferently ignored the pleading eyes before her and firmly said, “Until Manno graduate and receive official position, we won’t waste money for food.”
Gloomy silence immediately returned to the dining hall. Then, Yuko suddenly said, “If Mother allows it, I can ask Yunno and Yui to make soy sauce oyster noodles for us. It’s very shameless honestly, but I don’t mind to thicken my face.”
“Yuko,” Kazuyori looked at Yuko as she creased her brows, “What do you mean you can ask Yunno and Yui to make soy sauce oyster noodles for us?”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Fragrant Flavor buy soy sauce oyster noodles from Warrior Deitoro,” Yuko casually replied. “And Yunno and Yui assist him in making it. Right now, they even know how to make it by themselves from scratch.”
“Yuko, do Yunno and Yui really know how to make soy sauce oyster noodles?” My first sister-in-law eagerly asked.
“Yeah, Warrior Deitoro taught them,” Yuko firmly replied. “And Yunno and Yui master it with ease and even show a great potential in cooking art. That’s why, Warrior Deitoro and his wife dote Yunno and Yui like their own daughters.
But don’t ask me about the recipe. Yunno and Yui won’t tell it to anyone or Warrior Deitoro will chase them out of his household.”
“Mother,” My second sister-in-law pleadingly looked at Kazuyori as she continued, “Please gives Yuko your permission. It’s not shameless act, but a consideration that we still think of Yunno and Yui as part of our family.”
‘That’s definitely a shameless act! This household had sold them,’ I screamed as loud as I could, inwardly of course.
At the same time, Kazuyori fell into contemplation before heaving a deep sigh. Then, she turned her gaze to Yuko, “If Yunno and Yui are willing to make it for us, let’s have it as our New Year meal.
But don’t you dare to beg or lower our household name in front of them.”
“I will ask them next time I visit them, and I guarantee, Yunno and Yui won’t make me beg or lower our household name just for a few bowls of noodles,” Yuko casually said. “Unlike us, they are kind hearted by nature.”
Overall it was only a brief conversation about soy sauce oyster noodles, but I couldn’t help got a very bad feeling about it. I had to talk it with Yuko after this.
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After the breakfast, I asked Yuko to meet me in the chicken pen. While waiting for her, I casually observed the new hens that Kazuyori bought a week ago. The hens did joint Tadaoka Household only for a week, but it was clearly visible that they already suffered a heavy depression from the bad daily diet.
Their feather and eyes lacked of luster, while their gizzard was not full. I bet they also rarely laid egg. In short, their livelihood was stark contrast to Bonnie-01 and her sisters. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help them.
“Sorry hens, my situation as member of Tadaoka Household is also pretty much like you, very depressing and uncertain,” I said in a half whisper. “But let’s try our best to go through it.”
Then, I heard a series of footsteps approaching. I immediately turned around to check it and found Yuko was walking over to me while giving me a weird gaze.
“Third Brother, what did you say to our chickens?” Yuko asked as soon as she arrived before me.
“Nothing in particular, just some encouragement as fellow member of Tadaoka Household,” I casually replied. “Why do you ask?”
“It’s weird as hell to see you talk to our chicken like how Yunno and Yui usually do.”
“Just so you know, I respect every single living thing,” I calmly said.
As her weird gaze intensified Yuko said, “Please don’t let anyone other than me, see you talk with living thing other than human.”
“Yeah,” I replied while inwardly muttered, ‘If you are lucky enough, one day you will see me talk to dragon or other living thing other than human that can talk back.’
“So, why do you ask me to come here?” Yuko curiously asked.
“I just want to remind you,” I firmly said. “Don’t ever talk about Yunno and Yui in front of our family, especially the good things they have enjoys after they leave our household.”
As she frowned Yuko asked me, “Why can’t I?”
“It can provoke jealously and maybe even ignite bad intentions.”
“That’s precisely what I go after,” With tone full of emotion and anger Yuko said. “I want our household regretting their decision to sell Yunno and Yui.”
“Can we just let Yunno and Yui enjoy their life peacefully?” I asked in a drop dead serious tone. “Right now, their life is far better compare to us. Let’s not create a possibility that can disturb it.”
“It won’t disturb their happy life,” Yuko confidently said. “Warrior Deitoro and Warrior Kato cherish them like their own daughters. Not even mother will dare to mess with them.”
“Trouble will always find its way. Never underestimate its persistent and ingenuity,” I sternly said.
“I will make sure no one from our household disturb Yunno and Yui, by all means,” Yuko firmly said before leaving me alone with the hens.
‘What a stubborn lass,’ I muttered while heaving a deep sigh.
Instead of regretting their action for selling Yunno and Yui, I believed member of Tadaoka Household, especially Kazuyori, would only try to take advantage of good fortune that Yunno and Yui enjoy. Or worst, they would just disturb it.
‘Well, just don’t blame me if I won’t take you to the hut ever again,’ I made silent promise before taking out a few handfuls of acorn bits from my spatial storage and put it into chicken feeder.
*****