Chapter 68

Rice balls come in so many varieties, and I think that's really great.

Actually, this work is going to be published as a book!

I'll gradually share more details in my activity reports!

"Today's lunch is rice balls, so if you're taking one, please pack it yourself."

"Okay!"

Yuri casually announced this to everyone having breakfast, and they all responded with a straightforward reply. Yuri was doing the dishes in the kitchen as usual, and everyone eating breakfast was also as usual.

After everyone finished eating, those who wanted to take a lunch for the day came forward. Rerei, holding a bento box, approached Yuri, who was packing side dishes, and smiled as she stated her preference.

"Yuri, Yuri, I want more cherry tomatoes!"

"Add some broccoli and cucumber too, and if there's any space left."

"Okay!"

Yuri was filling about a third of a large, square bento box with side dishes. The amount of side dishes varied from person to person, with some wanting half the box to be filled with side dishes. She added cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and blanched broccoli, completing the side dishes. She then handed the bento box to Rerei with a "Here you go."

Rerei took the bento box and faced the mountain of rice balls on the kitchen counter. The rice balls were all shaped like rice cakes for easier packing, as triangular rice balls were a bit inconvenient for the bento boxes.

Now, the reason Yuri said "pack it yourself" was because of the rice balls. There were so many varieties of rice balls that it seemed excessive.

"Yuri, Yuri! Where's the tuna mayo?"

"Um, I'm not sure?"

"Ugh! Why do you always mix all the ones with fillings together!?"

"I thought it would be fun, like a game."

"That's terrible!"

Groaning, Rerei looked at the tray piled high with rice cakes that appeared white on the outside. The problem was that each rice ball had a different filling. While the rice balls with visible seasonings were in separate trays, for some reason, the ones with fillings inside were all mixed together. Yuri thought it was a bit playful. She had confirmed that no one had allergies or couldn't eat certain things.

"Because if you knew what was inside, it would turn into a race to grab the ones you like, especially you, Rerei."

"Ugh."

"I remember that the first time we had rice ball bentos, you only packed tuna mayo."

"That's not fair, that's not fair, that's terrible!"

Even though Rerei understood that she was the cause, she still couldn't accept it and groaned. Next to her, Rihito was calmly packing rice balls into his bento box. He didn't seem to have any particular preferences, packing the rice cakes with unknown fillings one by one. His bento box also had a third filled with side dishes. He seemed to prefer more rice balls to more side dishes.

Additionally, sheets of nori were placed on a plate for those who wanted to wrap their rice balls. Some people wrapped the nori around the rice balls right there, while others took it separately and wrapped it when they ate. Whether you preferred crispy or soft nori was a matter of personal preference.

"Yuri, about these mixed ones."

"Sure, sure. What is it, Rihito?"

"That light pink one, is it umeboshi?"

"It's mixed with raw tarako."

"Oh, tarako. Got it."

Satisfied with Yuri's answer, Rihito packed one of the light pink rice balls. This one was simply mixed with raw tarako. The version with grilled tarako in the center was in the mountain Rerei was struggling with. There was also one with a small piece of raw tarako in the center. However, Yuri's recommendation was the one mixed with raw tarako, as the flavor was evenly distributed.

The red one, as Rihito pointed out, was indeed umeboshi. The correct answer. It was just a matter of crushing the pitted umeboshi and mixing it with the rice, but it was quite delicious. There were also versions with umeboshi in the center, but some people preferred the flavor to be evenly distributed.

By the way, neither the tarako nor the umeboshi versions with fillings in the center were disliked. Some people preferred the contrast with the white rice. Others preferred white rice when eating side dishes. Everyone had different preferences, and it was fine as long as they ate what they liked without fighting.

"Yuri, is this the salt rice ball at the end?"

"Yes, it is. You like salt rice balls, Rihito."

"Yeah, I do. I like the ones with fillings or mixed in too, but... I don't know, salt rice balls are strangely calming."

While wrapping a salt rice ball with nori, Rihito tilted his head and muttered. He grew up in a household where bread was the main staple, so he wasn't particularly attached to white rice. However, as he continued to eat rice ball bentos, he found that salt rice balls were his favorite. The simple taste might have touched his sensibilities.

By the way, the flavor of the rice balls varied depending on his mood. The only constant flavors were salt and umeboshi. Tuna mayo was also a regular, though Yuri didn't have a particular craving for it. It was included because of the many requests. After all, tuna mayo is a staple in convenience store rice balls, so there was no need to worry.

Incidentally, Yuri's top recommendation for today was the one with simmered bison. It was made with the leftover pieces of bison meat from dinner, simmered with onions in a sweet and savory sauce. The bison meat (and onions) simmered in soy sauce and sugar infused the white rice with its flavor, making it quite delicious.

There were also rice balls mixed with finely chopped pickles made from salted cabbage, carrots, and radishes, which were also quite tasty. Another was mixed with finely chopped kelp that had been simmered in soy sauce. There were also simple ones mixed with salt, sesame, and soy sauce. Generally, Yuri preferred the ones with mixed flavors.

However, the ones with fillings in the center weren't bad either, so the rice balls evolved with each batch. The popular flavors became regulars. Today's new addition was a chakin-zushi, or a rice ball wrapped in a thin omelet instead of nori. It could also be called a simple egg rice ball.

The method was simple: make a thin omelet seasoned with salt and wrap a salt rice ball in it. If the filling was fried rice, it would be more like an omelet rice ball. This time, Yuri made a simple salt rice ball wrapped in a salt-flavored omelet. When she tasted it, Ulgus gave it a big thumbs up, so she made a bit more. If there were leftovers, someone would eat them for lunch, she thought.

...In the end, the novelty of the chakin-zushi made it sell out quickly.

The group packing their bentos tilted their heads at the mysterious object they had never seen before, listened to Yuri's explanation, and then started packing the chakin-zushi. It was definitely delicious, so it wasn't a problem, but Yuri was concerned about the apprentices' sad faces, as if the world was ending, as they watched the chakin-zushi disappear.

"Everyone, the priority is for those who are taking bentos, okay?"

"We know."

"If you know, don't look at me with such resentful faces. It's just a rice ball."

"It's not just a rice ball!"

"..."

In response to Yuri's attempt to calm them down, the four of them argued back. Yuri didn't understand why they were so upset. It was just a rice ball wrapped in a slightly unusual omelet. It wasn't a particularly special flavor. She couldn't understand why they were so enthusiastic about it.

However, for the children who often went without meals, seeing a delicious, unfamiliar dish being taken by others was distressing. They were worried that they might not get any. It was understandable that they would get desperate, especially since they were growing boys.

Kuresh, who had been holding back laughter at the interaction between the four apprentices and Yuri, patted Yuri on the shoulder. When Yuri turned around, thinking she had been called, Kuresh smiled and said,

"Hey, Yuri. I want the chakin-zushi, the one wrapped in an omelet, for lunch today."

"Kuresh, aren't you with the hideout group today?"

"Yeah, we have to finish the mapping work. So, I can't secure a bento like Rerei."

So, he asked with a smile, and Yuri tilted her head, not understanding why he was so insistent. Still, her response was different.

"Sure, but is that okay for lunch?"

"Sure, as long as there's some soup and meat."

"By the way, the leftover vegetables from the bento will be served as a side dish."

"Totally fine. Your rice balls are always delicious with various flavors, but I want to try this one. It seems different and I want to eat it."

"Then, let's have that for lunch. Is that okay with everyone?"

"Sure!"

Deciding to accommodate Kuresh's request, Yuri asked the four apprentices. The instructor in charge of today's stay-at-home group was Jake, so she didn't consult him. He didn't complain as long as he could eat, and he basically ate anything that wasn't too greasy.

The apprentices responded with bright smiles, knowing they would definitely get to eat the chakin-zushi, which they were sure they would miss out on otherwise. There were no complaints. They looked at Kuresh with sparkling eyes. At that moment, Kuresh was undoubtedly their savior.

"...So, why are you all making such a fuss over a rice ball wrapped in an omelet?"

Yuri, still not understanding, tilted her head and groaned, but there was no response. The four were overjoyed, and Kuresh was proudly showing off the bento to Rerei, who had said, "The bento looks delicious," with a "I can eat it too" look. Despite their differences, these two were good friends.

In the end, the chakin-zushi was all taken by the bento group, and the apprentices, thanks to Kuresh's quick thinking, were extremely happy.

I've been calling it chakin-zushi, but apparently it's called a tamago onigiri?

But in my mind, it's chakin-zushi, so calling it tamago onigiri feels off.

By the way, is wrapping a salt rice ball in a thin omelet actually rare?

I look forward to your opinions and feedback.