Chapter 37

"Quite long"

"I'm bored."

After selling the katsu sandwich to Hagg in my room, I declared this.

"What's the matter?"

"It's obvious, isn't it? Breakfast can be similar, but I want a proper dinner."

"Aren't you being fed lunch by the guild?"

"Yeah, I'm grateful for the food here, and it's not bad, but it's still different. I want to eat rice and freshly made side dishes."

"Rice, huh. Are you going to get it with your ability?"

"Yeah, I'm going to try it now. If I can get everything, I plan to cook my own dinner."

"Hmm, can you cook, despite being a man? Were you born into a chef's family? No, I remember you said you work somewhere."

Hagg fiddled with his beard.

"If you live alone, you should be able to cook, right? It's cheaper than eating out."

"I see, but I don't hear much about living alone. Normally, people live with their parents and siblings, right?"

"...Ah, I see, I didn't think of that."

Living alone in an apartment might only be possible in a society where nuclear families and capitalist economies have advanced. It's not about gender discrimination, but rather a cultural norm where housewives are responsible for cooking.

"Well, I've always lived alone. I can cook simple dishes. I can also clean fish because I was forced to go fishing with my boss, who loves it."

"Hmm. Fish should be easy to get here. After all, this is a port."

Hagg seemed a bit interested in the idea of fresh fish. I don't plan to treat him, though.

"You said you don't sell retail, but can you ask Chelina... the young lady, where to buy fresh fish?"

"Well, what I want to eat today isn't fish. I had fish for lunch."

"The fish I usually eat is usually salted."

"Really, you have salted fish?"

"Yes. It's hard to tell if you're eating fish or salt."

"Well, right now, I want meat more."

After eating katsu sandwiches every day, I can't help but crave freshly fried pork cutlets. Katsu bento is delicious, but it can't compare to freshly fried katsu.

So, I need to get...

[5kg Rice = 1872 yen]

[200g Pork Loin = 520 yen]

[1kg Salt = 399 yen]

[100g Pepper = 720 yen]

[1kg All-purpose Flour = 398 yen]

[10 Eggs = 298 yen]

[100g Bread Crumbs = 95 yen]

[1300g Salad Oil = 295 yen]

[Katsu Sauce = 276 yen]

[Cabbage = 250 yen]

[Lemon = 72 yen]

[Frying Pan = 3900 yen]

[Pressure Cooker = 4800 yen]

[Chopsticks = 389 yen]

[Cutting Board = 1050 yen]

[Bucket = 560 yen]

[Knife = 3200 yen]

[Chopsticks = 630 yen]

[Rice Bowl = 988 yen]

Alright!

Everything is approved!

I decided to use a frying pan instead of a tempura pot because I used a frying pan when I cooked in Japan. Using plenty of oil might be better, but I'm a bit frugal.

In addition to the above, I need to buy... water.

The total cost is 20,713 yen.

Remaining balance: 929,932 yen.

I hesitated a bit about using oil in the small room, but my appetite won.

First, I'll start with the rice.

I don't use a rice cooker to cook rice. I always use a pressure cooker.

I don't know about super expensive rice cookers, but a pressure cooker makes much better rice than a regular rice cooker. I recommend everyone try it. Plus, it's faster. It cooks much faster.

I decided not to wash the rice because it's a bit of a hassle in the small room.

I put a cup of rice and water in the pressure cooker and turned the gas stove to high. Once it boils, I turn it to low for 5 minutes. After turning off the heat, I let it steam for 10 minutes, and it's done.

Hagg showed interest in the pressure cooker, but I told him not to interfere.

Next, I prepared the cutting board and cabbage.

I chopped the cabbage with practiced hands and then realized I didn't have a bowl. I was a bit disappointed because I thought I had bought everything I needed.

"Hey, Hagg. Can you borrow three plates from the shop? One should be a large one."

"Sure, I can do that."

Hagg stood up, so I decided to use the chair as a workbench and quickly chopped the cabbage. I could soak it in the bucket I bought, but I don't really care about the texture of the cabbage. I just find it a bit troublesome.

I also cut the lemon. There's a lot left, but it can't be helped.

"Big brother, you're cooking?"

Oh, so I'm being called 'big brother' now. I think I've been called that a few times already?

My memory is a bit fuzzy, but the girl who entered the room is Narnia, the inn's signboard girl. She's 12 years old but already a hardworking woman, contributing to the inn.

"You came all the way here..."

"Seeing a man cook is interesting, you know."

"But the chef next door is a man, too."

"Chefs are different."

It seems that men cooking outside of a professional kitchen is not normal.

"Alright, can you lend me some plates?"

"I brought them."

She handed me the ceramic plates but didn't seem to be leaving. I sighed and moved the cabbage to the plate.

"Wow! It's so finely chopped!"

Anyone can do this, you know.

"This vegetable is really fresh. Did you buy it from the Veriello guild?"

"Something like that."

I realized I can't take things directly from the container; I have to go through a bag, which is a bit of a hassle.

"Next is..."

The pork loin. The 200g piece is quite large.

I made cuts along the grain, seasoned it with salt and pepper, and coated it with flour... Oh, I need to crack the eggs into a plate.

I'm a bit clumsy in this unfamiliar environment.

I coated the meat with the egg and then bread crumbs.

I prepared everything on the cutting board and took out the gas stove and frying pan. I should have preheated the oil, but it's too late for regrets. I turned on the gas stove and took a short break.

"Hey, big brother, what's this? A kitchen tool?"

"It's a prototype I tried to sell to Veriello, but it was too difficult to mass-produce, so it was scrapped."

I lied casually.

"Really? It looks very convenient."

"It's extremely expensive."

"Really?! Then I don't need it."

The girl was straightforward.

I dropped some bread crumbs into the frying pan to check the oil temperature and gently placed the pork on top.

The familiar sound of frying, neither sizzling nor popping, brought back memories.

I used to make fried food often because it was easy.

When I was lazy, I used pre-seasoned chicken powder. I even fried bell peppers with this powder. It was quite delicious. I miss it. I'll try it next time.

As the bread crumbs started to turn golden, Narnia and Hagg leaned in closer.

"Be careful, the oil is very hot. It can splash and cause burns."

Narnia stepped back a bit but gradually moved closer again, so I pushed her back with one hand. Hagg, the dwarf, was left alone. I wondered if the oil was splashing on his face, but it didn't seem to bother him. I decided to let him be, but he was in the way, so I told him to step down.

When the pork turned a golden color, I lifted it with the kitchen tongs. I realized I forgot to prepare a wire rack, but it was too much trouble to get approval again, so I decided to let it sit in the air for a while.

"Hey! Akira!"

"Whoa! What's the matter? That's dangerous!"

I almost dropped the katsu but managed to hold it. The oil was still hot even though I turned off the stove.

"Why are you showing off there? Put it on a plate quickly!"

I didn't understand why he was angry.

"I'm letting the oil drain... and letting the residual heat cook the meat a bit more."

Well, I don't want it to overcook and become tough.

"Huh, is that so? Fine, do as you please."

Why is Hagg acting so superior? Whatever.

"...Alright, that's good. Here we go."

I placed the pork on the cutting board and cut it into six pieces with the knife. I then transferred them to the plate.

I added the chopped cabbage and lemon... and it's done!

I rubbed my hands and served the rice in a bowl. I took a bite to taste it. It's good. It's well-cooked.

I squeezed lemon juice over the meat and cabbage. I like adding lemon to the cabbage too.

I poured the katsu sauce over it. Katsu is best with sauce! Soy sauce is a different story!

I held the rice bowl in my left hand and picked up a piece of katsu with my chopsticks. I slowly brought it to my mouth and took a bite.

The oil from the pork loin seeped out, and the flavor of the meat spread throughout my mouth.

It was hot, almost burning, but I quickly added some rice and chewed it together, completing the katsu.

Ah, bliss.

I realized I forgot to prepare miso soup, but I only noticed when I was on the third piece. That's when I finally noticed the two faces in front of me.

Both were drooling and staring at the katsu with vacant eyes.

I tried moving a piece with my chopsticks, and their heads moved up and down. It was a bit amusing.

Hagg didn't matter, but Narnia looked pitiful.

"Hey, Narnia, can you taste it? I want to see if it suits the local palate."

"Of course!"

"What! Me! What about me?!"

"Hey, you're an adult, so be quiet."

"Ugh!"

I ignored Hagg's dramatic reaction and tossed a small piece into Narnia's mouth. It wasn't too hot. I chose a small piece to fit her mouth. It's not because I'm cheap. The edges are crispy and delicious, you know?

"Be careful, it's hot. If it's bad, you can spit it out."

"Mmm... Mmm... Wow! What is this!"

At first, she was cautious, but then she chewed and swallowed quickly, shouting.

"Such delicious food! What is this! What is this!!"

"Hey, don't shout at night."

Some people are already sleeping. What are you doing shouting like that?

"But! This is amazing! It's like a dream! I've never had such a feast!"

"Hey! Akira! Me too! Me too!"

"You just ate a katsu sandwich. It's the same katsu."

"It's different! It's definitely different! Otherwise, you wouldn't have gone through all this trouble to make it!"

Damn, for a muscle-bound guy, he's sharp.

"Ah, it's just your imagination. But the locals seem to think it's delicious too."

"The meat is so tender and flavorful. I've never seen meat with so much oil. Usually, it's much tougher and stringy. And this sauce! It's amazing! It's sweet and salty! I was surprised by the black color at first, but seeing you enjoy it made me try it, and it's heavenly! Who are you, big brother? Were you a court chef or something?"

Narnia rambled on.

"No, no, I just lived alone. It's good with salt too, you know."

"I want to try it!"

"...Ah, I already put sauce on everything."

"Ugh..."

I shouldn't have said that.

"There's a solution!"

Hagg butted in.

"What is it?"

"Make another... two more!"

"You're just trying to piggyback, aren't you?!"

"Hey! I can't stand this half-measure! Make it! Make it!"

I really shouldn't have said that!

"Damn it! Hagg, pay for it! I'll make two more for 2000 yen each!"

"Deal! A merchant always keeps his word!"

"Alright..."

I sighed as I responded.

[Divinity Level increased to 7]

[Container capacity increased to 40]

I was caught off guard. Really?

"Whoa..."

"What's the matter? Hurry up and make it."

"I understand."

I don't understand why it increased, but whatever. Maybe it's because of the accumulated points from before.

But the rules are completely unclear...

I started cooking the rice again. I piled the remaining rice into my bowl.

I washed the cutting board and knife with water in the bucket, and Narnia brought more plates. Her eyes were fixed on the katsu. It's like a girl in love with hearts in her eyes, but this is a girl with katsu in her eyes. How much does she love it?

With Narnia's help, I prepared everything a bit more efficiently this time.

I gave Hagg his portion first since he was at his limit.

"Wow! This! It's... a god... a god has descended here!"

Don't shout. You'll get complaints.

There was a knock on the door.

"...Come in."

Without waiting for our response, Yararai, an elf in Native American attire, entered the room.

"Akira?"

"Sorry, was I too loud?"

"A bit. Is something wrong?"

Yararai glanced at Hagg but didn't seem to want to start a fight because I was there. Hagg turned away and stuffed the katsu into his mouth.

"Hmph. The delicious meal suddenly became ordinary."

Shouldn't it be "ordinary and bad"?

"Meal?"

I answered while frying the second katsu.

"Yeah, I felt like making some food from my hometown. If you pay, I'll make it for you."

"...I'm interested. I'll take it."

Remaining balance: 931,372 yen.

I confirmed that this elf eats meat and vegetables at the bar.

"Katsu set, coming up!"

I was a bit frustrated.

---

With four people in a room meant for one, it was quite cramped.

Especially with cooking, we were using every inch of space, including the bed.

"Hagg, don't spill it."

The wide-shouldered Hagg moved to the bed when Yararai entered, holding the plate with the katsu.

He was eating with a fork he pulled out from somewhere. He was washing it down with alcohol instead of rice. That's just how dwarves are.

Thanks to that, I didn't have to cook more rice for Yararai, so I just prepared the cabbage and fried the katsu. I was able to use up the lemon I thought would go to waste.

"You're efficient."

"Thanks. Do you not cook, Yararai?"

"I do,