Chapter 61

Do you know?

Now at the bakery, you can buy toast that looks like the bread from *Ryuta*!

In the early morning kitchen, the sound of something being mixed together echoed. The source of the sound was Yurii, who was mixing the contents of a bowl. The contents were canned tuna, drained of oil, and mayonnaise. For some reason, there were three bowls prepared. The reason was simple: each had a slightly different flavor.

The first bowl was a simple mix of tuna and mayonnaise. The second bowl had more pepper added to the mayonnaise. The third bowl had mustard mixed in. These were the fillings for the morning sandwiches, and Yurii decided to ask for everyone's preferences before assembling them. While the apprentices might prefer the simple flavors, the adults might enjoy the ones with more pepper or mustard. Yurii, who isn't particularly good with spicy foods, added the mustard by eye. His cooking usually relies on a sense of intuition, except for baking.

"Yurii, is this the right thickness for the sandwich bread?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Thanks, Camille."

"You're welcome. It's my job, after all."

While Yurii was making a large amount of tuna mayonnaise, Camille was slicing bread for the sandwiches. He was carefully removing the crusts because he had seen Yurii make sandwiches that way. The crusts would later be turned into snacks, so they weren't wasted. They were neatly placed in a bowl.

Today's menu was tuna mayonnaise sandwiches, vegetable salad, vegetable soup, and fresh milk. It was a fairly simple breakfast, and Camille was wondering if it might seem a bit lacking. But while he was thinking about that, Yurii had moved on to another task. He had finished the tuna mayonnaise and was now taking out a block of bacon. This bacon was made from orc meat, specifically the belly cut, because it was the type Yurii was familiar with. Other cuts were available, and the thigh cut was a fine ham. Processed monster meat was apparently very tasty, with a flavor that was in a league of its own. The crispy bacon alone was a great snack.

Yurii began slicing the bacon, neither too thick nor too thin, so it would cook easily but still retain its flavor. As Yurii sliced the bacon, Camille wondered if he would arrange the cooked bacon next to the salad.

However, Yurii had something else in mind.

After finishing the sandwich bread, Camille handed the bread knife to Yurii, who cut two slices of bread to a slightly thicker toast size. After cutting, he spread a thin layer of butter on the surface. Then, for some reason, he placed the bacon at both ends.

"Yurii?"

"I'll make a sample for the staff, too."

"Oh, so this is our breakfast?"

"Yep."

After arranging the bacon, Yurii took out the mayonnaise. It was in a container that had been used to make tartar sauce the other day. It was a familiar tube of mayonnaise, which he had repurposed because he didn't want to waste it. He had also given the extra containers to the children in town as water guns, which they loved because they could water the plants while playing. The children in this world were good at combining play and chores.

Using the mayonnaise, Yurii created a border around the bread. It was like making a levee. After creating the border, he cracked a raw egg into the center. The clear whites and the wobbly yolk stayed in place thanks to the mayonnaise. Confused, Camille watched as Yurii sprinkled salt and pepper over the egg. Then, as if he had just thought of it, he added some powdered basil and thinly sliced cheese.

"Camille, how about the basil and cheese?"

"Ah, put them all on."

"Got it."

Yurii made another one for Camille and placed them in the oven. While waiting for them to bake, he warmed the soup and arranged the salad. Camille took over those tasks while Yurii made plain tuna mayonnaise sandwiches for both of them. They both preferred the plain version, having tasted the others. The tuna mayonnaise sandwiches were cut in half, the salad was beautifully arranged, and the hot soup and cold milk were ready. Next to the tuna mayonnaise sandwiches, the freshly baked bacon and egg toast was placed. The raw egg had turned into a perfect fried egg, the bacon was well-cooked, and the cheese was melted, making it very appetizing.

"Tuna mayonnaise sandwiches and bacon and egg toast, breakfast is ready!"

"You were planning to use bacon and eggs because you thought there wasn't enough meat?"

"Yep. I just really wanted to eat it. It's fun to try something different, right?"

"…It's more than just fun. Yurii, you're amazing…"

Yurii had seen a movie where the character ate a fried egg on toast, which looked delicious. Later, he saw toast with a fried egg at bakeries, but he realized he could make it at home with bread and eggs. However, making a fried egg and placing it on toast was a bit of a hassle, so he decided to put a raw egg on the toast and bake it. Initially, the egg would spill out, but the mayonnaise border solved that problem. Failure is the mother of success.

"Let's eat."

"Let's eat."

After saying grace, they started eating. The salad was made with fresh vegetables, so it was simply seasoned with salt. Usually, some would add mayonnaise, but today they didn't because they were using it in the sandwiches and toast. The simple salt flavor was surprisingly delicious. Balance is important.

The tuna mayonnaise sandwiches were a perfect combination of mayonnaise and tuna. The bread was soft and freshly baked, so it wrapped around the tuna mayonnaise nicely. It was so easy to eat that they finished a slice before they knew it. The bacon and egg toast, on the other hand, had bacon at the edges and a fried egg in the center. The mayonnaise and cheese added a gourmet touch. Camille wondered if this was still just toast. He had always thought of toast as something you toast and spread butter or jam on, but this was a whole new level. Yurii, however, was happily eating the toast, enjoying the combination of the soft, freshly baked egg and the crispy bacon. The runny yolk was fun to eat without spilling, and the seasoning of salt, pepper, basil, and cheese gave the egg a great flavor. One slice was definitely satisfying.

"I hope everyone will be satisfied with this."

"Actually, the portions might be a bit too much for some people."

"Too much?"

"Jake doesn't eat much for breakfast."

"For those people, we can make the toast thinner."

"Should we ask them?"

"Sure."

The two of them were enjoying their breakfast, with plenty of time before everyone else woke up. They were looking forward to a leisurely morning meal. It would have been fine, as usual.

"What's that!? It's not just tuna mayonnaise sandwiches!?"

"There's a new menu item."

"Camille, what's on that?"

"…Wow, good morning. Why are you up so early?"

"To try the new menu."

"Stop echoing…."

The one who shouted in shock was Yack, who had begged Yurii for tuna mayonnaise sandwiches yesterday and was told, "Not for breakfast tomorrow." He was so excited that he woke up early. Mag noticed the bacon and egg toast and asked about it, while Ulgus asked Camille why they were up so early. They all had the same thought: they wanted to try the delicious new breakfast. It was a simple and understandable desire.

Chewing the salad in his mouth, Yurii tilted his head and looked at the three of them. Raw vegetables need to be chewed well to aid digestion. It's good to chew your food thoroughly before swallowing. Ideally, you should chew each bite 30 times, but that's a bit too meticulous. However, the more you chew, the more your brain is stimulated, reducing overeating and improving digestion. Chewing also strengthens your jaw, which is good for your health.

"Good morning, everyone. You're up early. Ready to eat?"

"Ready to eat!"

"…We're still eating, you know."

"Camille, it's fine. I'll make more. You can eat while I work."

"Got it."

Yurii, who was enjoying the bacon and egg toast while it was still hot, led the three to the kitchen. Camille grumbled, "You should come at your usual time," but the three didn't mind.

"First, I'll make the bacon and egg toast. Is the same thickness as ours okay?"

"I want it a bit thicker."

"I want it the same."

"…A bit thinner."

"Got it. Ulgus wants it thicker, Yack wants it the same, and Mag wants it thinner."

Yurii sliced the bread according to their preferences and arranged the bacon at the edges, creating a mayonnaise border. He quickly cracked the eggs and placed them on the bread, which the three watched curiously. He sprinkled salt and pepper on all of them.

"How about more pepper, basil, or cheese?"

"Less pepper, basil, and cheese."

"I want just cheese!"

"More pepper only."

"…You guys really have different preferences. It's good that they're clear, though…"

Yurii chuckled as he added the toppings as requested. Ulgus complained that too much pepper made his tongue tingle, Yack said he wanted just cheese, and Mag wanted only pepper and salt. The apprentices were as energetic as ever.

After adding the requested toppings, he put the toast in the oven and made the tuna mayonnaise sandwiches. There were three different fillings, so he asked for their preferences.

"Mustard."

"Regular."

"Regular."

Ulgus, who didn't mind mustard and often used it on sausages, wanted the mustard version. Yurii thought it would be a good opportunity to check the amount of mustard. Neither Yurii nor Camille were big fans of mustard, so they weren't sure about the balance. Yack and Mag preferred the regular version, perhaps because they wanted the simple tuna mayonnaise.

The three were very satisfied with the tuna mayonnaise sandwiches and bacon and egg toast. Yack said both were delicious, Ulgus commented that the bacon and egg toast could be eaten for lunch, and Mag ate quietly but quickly, indicating he enjoyed it.

"Ulgus, how's the mustard?"

"This amount is good. Any more and the mayonnaise flavor would be overwhelmed."

"Got it. Thanks."

"No problem. Thanks for the great meal."

"You're welcome. It's my job, after all."

Yurii smiled, and Yack raised his hand to ask for seconds. He had finished the salad, soup, and milk, so he was given another tuna mayonnaise sandwich. He looked very happy.

You can buy it at the bakery or make it at home.

That toast is a dream for food enthusiasts. The original involves making a fried egg and placing it on the toast, but baking it in the oven is also fine.

You don't have to wash the frying pan! ☆

I look forward to your comments and feedback.