Chapter 41

Occasionally, I get an uncontrollable urge to eat tamago kake gohan (raw egg over rice). And also, onsen tamago (poached egg) with natto (fermented soybeans) over rice. But why do I crave it in the morning…?

One early morning, Yūri was standing by the rice cooker, ready to go.

He was perfectly prepared, with a deep bowl for the rice and a rice paddle already in hand. The moment the rice cooker signaled that the rice was ready, he would open the lid, mix the rice, and transfer it to the bowl without a second to spare.

On the kitchen counter, a bowl of beaten eggs was waiting. The eggs were not completely mixed, leaving some of the whites intact, and soy sauce had already been added. Everything was set.

Freshly cooked rice and soy sauce-mixed beaten eggs. Moreover, the eggs were freshly laid, delivered just moments ago. With these two ingredients, what could be made? That's right, a simple dish that brings out the flavors of both, tamago kake gohan.

Yūri, who couldn't resist the urge to eat tamago kake gohan, was quietly preparing his own portion early in the morning.

By the way, the breakfast at *Crimson Lynx* is usually bread. Yūri isn't particularly averse to bread, and he doesn't insist on having a Japanese breakfast for every morning meal. However, in a situation where he could get fresh eggs, especially freshly laid ones, he couldn't resist the temptation of tamago kake gohan. He wasn't so detached from being Japanese that he could ignore it.

Still, he knew that he couldn't prepare a meal like this for everyone who had to work hard throughout the day, so he was only making it for himself. He had already prepared a bread-based breakfast for the others.

Someone might say, "Why not just eat it later?" But Yūri wanted to eat tamago kake gohan in the morning. He had the impression that tamago kake gohan was a morning meal. That's why he woke up earlier than usual and cooked a small amount of rice in the rice cooker. ...Please don't ask if it's worth all that effort. People make efforts for the things they want to eat. ...Probably, Japanese people do.

Just then, the rice cooker announced, "The rice is ready! Mix it! Mix it!" Yūri immediately opened the lid and mixed the rice. Then, he transferred it to the bowl. For tamago kake gohan, he didn't pile the rice too high, but he didn't make it too little either. He considered the balance with the eggs and served it.

He then poured the soy sauce-mixed beaten eggs over the rice. The runny eggs stained the white rice. The freshly cooked rice, with some parts slightly cooked, looked even more delicious. When he finished pouring the eggs, Yūri stared at the bowl. The steaming freshly cooked rice, mixed with the raw eggs flavored with soy sauce, and the fact that the eggs were freshly laid, made him think that if it wasn't delicious, it would be a fraud.

"Itadakimasu."

Clasping his hands, Yūri murmured more solemnly than usual and gently picked up the bowl and chopsticks. First, he took a small bite. He scooped up a part where the egg was mixed with the rice and brought it to his mouth. The hot freshly cooked rice, the rich flavor of the egg, and the umami of the soy sauce harmonized in his mouth, spreading throughout. The moment he put it in his mouth, Yūri's face melted. The taste of this simple, down-to-earth dish was incredibly delicious.

Moreover, tamago kake gohan, though simple, is a dish where the quality of the ingredients makes a significant difference. These eggs were truly delicious. They must have been raised with great care, as the eggs themselves were rich and flavorful. Even when beating them, he could feel the elasticity of the yolks. The concentrated umami coated the freshly cooked rice, making it undeniably delicious.

"Mmm, delicious."

Yūri was happily immersed in his meal. Originally, the person in charge of the meal was supposed to eat breakfast before everyone else arrived. Once everyone arrived, they would be busy with preparations. So, Yūri eating alone wasn't a bad thing. ...It wasn't a bad thing, but...

"...Yūri, what are you doing?"

He had completely forgotten that today's other meal preparer, Ulug, was coming.

With a mouth full of tamago kake gohan, Yūri tilted his head and turned around. As expected, it was Ulug, frowning at seeing Yūri in the kitchen earlier than scheduled. He then noticed the bowl Yūri was holding.

Realizing Ulug's gaze, Yūri clutched the bowl protectively. With rice still in his mouth, he remained silent. His actions, including his expression, were very obviously saying, "It's mine, so I won't give it to you!" Yūri's behavior was unusual, and Ulug blinked repeatedly.

"I'm not trying to take it, but what are you eating?"

"Tamago kake gohan."

"...After you finish chewing."

Yūri nodded at Ulug's exasperated tone and chewed the rice in his mouth. He savored it, chewed it well, and swallowed. It would be a waste not to. He believed that the essence of tamago kake gohan was to savor the flavors of the egg and rice.

After finishing his bite, Yūri placed the bowl on the counter and turned to Ulug. ...Honestly, he wanted to enjoy the warm tamago kake gohan more, but he knew he would get scolded if he did.

"I was eating tamago kake gohan. It's a dish where you pour beaten raw eggs over rice and eat it together."

"...What? Is that a dish?"

"It is."

Ulug's skepticism was evident, given the simplicity of the dish. However, Yūri said it with a straight face. He firmly believed that tamago kake gohan was a dish. Even though the preparation was simple, the quality of the ingredients was what made it special.

...After a long time without tamago kake gohan, and with freshly cooked rice and freshly laid eggs, Yūri's mood was a bit off. What? Is he always like this? ...What's the matter?

"Is it good?"

"The eggs are delicious, so it's really good."

"..."

"There's still rice in the rice cooker. If you want to try, how about having this for breakfast, Ulug?"

"Sure."

Even if it was an unknown dish, and the preparation seemed too simple to be a dish, seeing Yūri enjoy it made Ulug want to try it too. Ulug's decision was quick. ...By the way, Ulug had grown up in a fairly wealthy family and had no experience with such simple, down-to-earth meals.

Just as Ulug was about to serve himself some rice, Yūri stopped him by grabbing his hand. Before serving the rice, the eggs needed to be prepared. While there are various ways to make tamago kake gohan, Yūri's method involved beating the eggs and mixing them with soy sauce in advance. Some people pour the eggs over the rice and then drizzle soy sauce, but Yūri preferred his method to ensure the soy sauce flavor was evenly distributed and didn't directly soak into the rice. Rice that only absorbed soy sauce would be too salty and unenjoyable.

"First, crack an egg, beat it, and season it with soy sauce."

"O-Okay?"

"Once that's done, serve the rice into the bowl, not too much, and pour the eggs over it. That's it."

"...Got it."

Ulug answered seriously, impressed by Yūri's detailed explanation. After watching Ulug prepare the eggs, Yūri returned to his tamago kake gohan. It was still warm and incredibly delicious. Very, very delicious. He wanted some katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), but unfortunately, they weren't available in the capital. Maybe they were in the port town. He would ask Haro next time.

If he could get katsuobushi, it would add a nice accent to various dishes. Sprinkling it on boiled vegetables would make them look more appetizing. Katsuobushi, being fish, is also nutritious. If he could find good katsuobushi, he could make a light, clear soup with a delicious broth. Yūri's imagination ran wild.

Meanwhile, Ulug, who was trying the unknown dish, tamago kake gohan, was carefully adding soy sauce and serving a moderate amount of rice, as Yūri had suggested. ...For someone who was always underfed, he wanted to add a bit more, but Yūri's serious warning, "It won't be good," made him comply. He could always have seconds. ...There wasn't much rice left, though.

Ulug, who was not good with chopsticks, used a spoon to scoop up the tamago kake gohan. ...In this world, both chopsticks and silver cutlery were common, but the preferred utensils varied by social class. In wealthier households, silver cutlery was the norm, while the poor used chopsticks and spoons. The nobility could use both perfectly.

So, Ulug, who was not good with chopsticks, used a spoon. He only put a small amount on the spoon, as it was his first time trying the dish. He put it in his mouth and savored the sweetness of the rice, the richness of the egg, and the flavor of the soy sauce, and was taken aback.

"...Delicious."

It was the truth. Ulug couldn't understand why such a simple dish, just rice with eggs, could be so delicious. He didn't understand, but he thought this taste was dangerous. He couldn't stop eating. He wanted more and more. It was a strangely addictive flavor.

While Ulug was devouring the tamago kake gohan, Yūri, who had already finished, was sipping warm tea. Today's tea was hojicha (roasted green tea). He chose hojicha because sencha (green tea) was difficult to prepare and often disliked for its bitterness. Even when he explained that hojicha and sencha were made from the same tea leaves, only 20% of people believed him. He couldn't understand why.

"...Yūri."

"No seconds."

"Why!?"

Ulug, who was about to use the remaining rice for seconds, shouted in surprise when Yūri, with a smile, stopped him. He quickly covered his mouth, remembering it was early morning.

Yūri casually explained his reasoning.

"Because having seconds means eating another egg. If you eat two eggs in the morning, you can't have any more today."

"Huh?"

"Eggs are nutritious, but eating too many can be bad. It depends on your body, but I also want to use eggs for lunch and dinner, and for snacks. This is it."

"Unfair!"

"It's not. I'm just concerned about your health."

Ulug, muttering under his breath, didn't argue with Yūri. He didn't argue because he knew that if he did, future meals would be difficult. Still, the tamago kake gohan was so delicious that he couldn't help but stare at the rice cooker longingly. ...It seemed that this simple, down-to-earth dish suited even a wealthy young man.

Later, it became common to see other apprentices eating tamago kake gohan with Yūri for breakfast.

Tamago kake gohan, when made with really delicious eggs, has a magical quality.

It's so simple, yet so delicious.

And I believe it's a beloved dish among Japanese people.

I look forward to your opinions and feedback.