Chapter 1: Two Girls
1
It was the twenty-second of the black month, the day after Myme and Mikel visited the forest’s edge.
Today, I finished my morning’s work without incident, then headed off for the post town by wagon.
I was in quite a good mood thanks to my time spent with Myme, a girl of rare talent who had been dealt a poor hand by fate. Just the thought of what sort of dish the girl would make with the giba meat I had Mikel take home with him was enough to make my heart soar.
On top of that, I got the sense that I was becoming closer to Mikel, despite how hard the man was to read, so that was something else to be glad for.
And all of this is because we were able to expose Cyclaeus and Ciluel’s crimes. Maybe I’m overstating it, but it feels like everyone’s fates had been seriously distorted, but now they’re finally getting back on track... Is that what’s got me feeling so happy?
My days were only getting busier and busier, but I was also feeling more and more fulfilled. It was hard to imagine anything better than getting to devote myself to doing business in the post town without having to worry about anyone interfering. I just wanted to keep working hard to bring more prosperity to the people of the forest’s edge, and to make it known far and wide just how delicious giba meat really was.
Still, Toor Deen sure is awfully quiet today... I thought to myself as I manipulated Gilulu’s reins from up in the driver’s seat.
Toor Deen was seated leaning up against the wall of the wagon, supporting wooden boxes full of meals so they wouldn’t fall over. And her expression really did look more listless than usual.
“Are you all right, Toor Deen? You seem pretty down,” I called out.
At that, she looked up and replied, “Huh? Wh-Who, me? I don’t think I seem down...”
“I see. I remember you talking less than usual during the prep work too, though,” I added as I turned toward the front so as not to cause an accident. “Could it be that Myme has you concerned...?”
Last evening when she had tasted the myamuu soup Myme prepared, Toor Deen had been so shocked that she was left at a loss for words and ended up silently returning home to the Deen clan.
It had been an irreplaceable encounter for me, but it might not have been that way for everyone. I really had never expected Myme to be that skilled, and that was the one concern that was still weighing on me.
“I can’t say she’s not on my mind, of course. It really was a shock, seeing how a girl not much different in age from me could make a dish like that.”
“Yeah, I was surprised too.”
“But more than just that, it also made me painfully aware of how lacking I am,” she said listlessly, giving a little sigh.
I was growing more and more concerned as I sat there holding Gilulu’s reins. “But apparently Mikel has been teaching Myme how to cook for as long as she can remember. And he was one of the foremost cooks in the castle town...”
“Right. It’s presumptuous to compare myself to someone like her.”
“That’s not what I meant, Toor Deen.”
“It’s all right. I’m not really trying to put myself down.” As she spoke, I thought I sensed her coming closer, until her little head suddenly peeked out beside the driver’s seat. “Did I make you worry about me? I was just thinking about how I could get better at cooking.”
From the look in Toor Deen’s eyes, it seemed more like she was worried about me.
And as I looked back into those pretty eyes, Toor Deen’s cheeks suddenly went red and her gaze shifted to the path in front of us.
“I’d like to believe what you said, about me still having room left to grow. And it’s not like putting myself down will make my cooking taste any better...”
“Right. As long as you can think that way, then that’s all that matters.”
At that, Toor Deen broke out in a smile, still facing ahead. And there didn’t seem to be any negative emotions whatsoever hidden behind that grin.
“I want to try as hard as I can so I can make food anyone will find tasty, just like you and that girl. So I hope you’ll keep on teaching me, Asuta...”
“Of course. And I’d love to keep working with you too.”
Toor Deen really did have her act together. I breathed a sigh of relief now that I knew that Myme’s presence didn’t have a negative impact on her.
Still, what about Reina Ruu and everyone else?
Before long, the wagon arrived at the Ruu settlement. Reina and Sheera Ruu had been standing in front of the main house, and they jogged over our way.
“Good morning! Asuta, could you give this dish a taste?”
“Huh? What is it?” I asked in surprise, looking at the plate Reina Ruu was holding out. Atop it was a reddish brown soup with chunks of giba meat floating in it.
“After you went home yesterday, Sheera Ruu and I tried adding all sorts of different flavors to this soup. We’d like to hear your honest impressions.”
Reina Ruu looked really fired up, while Sheera Ruu stood there silently with a firm, shining gaze. And so though I didn’t really get what was going on, I accepted the plate. The dish had a fragrant aroma of fruit wine and tarapa. They had used rib meat, and it looked like they grilled the surface before boiling it.
When I picked up the accompanying spoon and gave it a try, I nodded, “Yeah, this is tasty. You used fruit wine for the base, then added tarapa, aria, nenon...and tau oil, sugar, and myamuu, right? Or wait, did you use them to flavor the meat?”
“Yes. It’s giba meat teriyaki, just like you taught us. We aimed to harmonize the soup with the teriyaki, but how did it turn out?”
“It’s definitely good. You seem to have gotten the various ingredients in perfect harmony.”
“Really? There aren’t any flavors that are too strong or too weak?” Reina Ruu asked, placing her hands on the driver’s seat as she leaned in forward and brought her face closer. It was an adorable action like a little kid trying her hardest, but her expression was dead serious.
“Hmm, let’s see... Well, if I’m going to nitpick something, it’s only because you’re forcing my hand...”
“Right, that’s fine.”
“I’d say, if you want to bring out the sweetness of the fruit wine, it might be good to use less sugar in the teriyaki. And you could give the flavor a bit more depth by adding a lot of finely chopped aria. But honestly, I think it’s plenty tasty as is...”
“Lower the sugar and up the aria? Got it. We’ll give that a try,” Reina Ruu replied with a firm nod.
“What’s gotten into you two? I never expected to be asked to taste test something first thing in the morning. Does Myme have you that fired up?”
“Of course. Is there a chef out there who wouldn’t get worked up after seeing that girl’s skill on display?”
As Reina and Sheera Ruu burned bright with competitive spirit, Vina Ruu shrugged her seductive shoulders from behind them. And even farther back, Yamiru Lea and Tsuvai wore looks of feigned disinterest.
It seemed I didn’t need to worry about Myme’s visit having a negative influence here either.
◇
“I know she’s my little sister, but I really am taken aback by how passionate Reina is... She’s already so skilled, but she still isn’t satisfied...?” Vina Ruu pondered with a sigh as she stood at the giba burger stall.
I heard those words while working over in the giba poitan wrap stall. Even though the Fa and Ruu were now running their own separate businesses, our stalls were still neighbors, so we could talk during work. And so as I cooked up some fresh giba meat for the soon-to-arrive midday peak, I called out to her.
“Well, both Reina and Sheera Ruu have a strong drive to improve themselves. And I figure it’s a good thing if seeing Myme is spurring them on further.”
“Yes, but I’m the one who has to taste test for them, and it’s been unbearable... I get the feeling I’ll start putting on more and more weight at this point...” Vina Ruu lamented as she rubbed her stomach.
I didn’t see any excess fat on her whatsoever, but I certainly wasn’t touching that subject. In all likelihood, she was still concerned about the comment that had been made regarding how easterners find slim and slender women beautiful.
But Shumiral said he found Vina Ruu beautiful regardless, so I figure she’s got nothing to worry about.
It was then that Sheera Ruu’s voice chimed in from the myamuu giba stall, the next one over.
“My apologies, Vina Ruu. We didn’t think we would find a proper path forward with just the two of us taste testing, so we wanted to get as many opinions as possible.”
“It’s not like I’m blaming you or anything, Sheera Ruu... I just get the feeling there’s no need to be so persistent when we’re already selling so much every day...”
“No, I don’t think we should allow ourselves to grow conceited. We don’t know what will become of our sales if the people of the post town grow more skilled at handling ingredients like tau oil and sugar.” From what I could see of her expression over Vina Ruu’s shoulders, Sheera Ruu seemed to be burning with a quiet enthusiasm despite the fact that it was still morning. “You’re concerned about that too, right, Asuta? No matter how tasty giba meat may be, we’re at a disadvantage due to the high price.”
“That’s true. I don’t think the townsfolk will adjust so easily since they have no experience with seasonings, but we still can’t let our guard down,” I replied, shooting Sheera Ruu a grin. “But don’t go brooding over it too much, all right? When you’re polishing your skills, don’t forget your reason for doing so. It’s not just for its own sake. You and Reina Ruu are so serious and determined that that’s the one point that has me a bit concerned.”
“Right... I’ll be certain to bear that in mind.” Sheera Ruu nodded as she added meat to her metal tray. That cooking tool was a new one bought by the Ruu clan so that they could keep doing business without relying on the Fa.
“But you’re every bit as ambitious as they are, aren’t you, Asuta...?” Yamiru Lea whispered as she helped me out. “Your expression is the same as always, but there’s a different sort of light shining in your eyes.”
“Of course I’m super worked up. Those words of caution were meant for me too.”
“Hmm... Unfortunately for the Lea clan head, I can’t imagine I will ever be so passionate about manning the stove.”
“But you’ve been participating in our study sessions for over a month now, and your skills have improved remarkably. Aren’t you happy about that?”
My question got no response.
“What? Is Rau Lea still complaining? If he is, I’ll have a word with him.”
“That’s not necessary. The clan head hasn’t especially been voicing his dissatisfaction or anything.”
Having apparently been straining her ear, Vina Ruu chimed in with a smile, “That’s right... In fact, the Lea clan head rode his totos all the way to the Ruu settlement before just to brag. He was saying that because you received Asuta’s instruction, the Lea women had all greatly improved their skills...”
“Is that so? I’m glad to hear it,” I said, shooting Yamiru Lea a smile, only to get back a glare out of the corner of her eyes.
“I finally understand why Ai Fa kicks you in the leg so frequently...”
“Huh? W-What do you mean?”
“It’s nothing. Would it not be wise to cook up more meat?”
“Right, I’m on it.”
Even as we chatted with each other, we were handling a steady stream of customers. Once the sun hit its peak, our businesses would face their second rush of the day. And just when the traffic passing by really started picking up, our backup members Li Sudra and Ama Min Rutim arrived.
“Sorry for the wait, Asuta. It’s time for us to switch in.”
“Right, thanks for coming, Li Sudra,” I replied, stepping back after I finished grilling up some meat.
However, Li Sudra didn’t move from her spot next to the stall.
“Yamiru Lea, could I ask you to keep handling things here for a little while? I have something I need to tell Asuta.”
“Do as you please.”
At that, I stepped away from the stalls, and a question mark popped into my mind. Li Sudra was staring at me with the usual composed look in her eyes.
“What’s up? It’s unusual for you to need to talk to me, Li Sudra.”
“Right, well...there’s actually something I have to apologize to you for,” she replied with a deep bow. “It pains me deeply to tell you this, but...before long, I will no longer be able to help you with your work.”
“Huh?! But why?!” Without thinking, I shouted out in shock.
Her head still bowed, Li Sudra continued on, “After assisting you for so long, I’ve finally gotten to the point where I can handle the job well enough, and yet... I really am sorry.”
“C-Could I at least hear your reason? Did I do something to lose the Sudra clan’s trust?”
“Of course not. It’s solely a matter of our clan’s convenience,” Li Sudra replied, slowly raising her head. Unexpectedly, I spied a faint smile on her slender, graceful face when she did so. “The truth is...I am with child.”
“Huh?”
“I have become pregnant, it seems.”
For a moment, I found myself at a loss for words.
Li Sudra hung her head just a bit, the same expression still on her face. “I can keep up with my duties for a while longer, but before long I will be unable to come to town. I wanted to tell you before then. I really am sorry...”
“N-No, please don’t apologize. That’s... That’s wonderful news!” Finally having grasped the situation, I felt a warmth welling up inside.
Despite how youthful she looked, Li Sudra was still her clan head’s wife. On top of that, I had also heard that due to the Sudra’s poverty, they had already lost two infants to starvation.
“I hadn’t realized you were pregnant. When will your child be born? Sorry for asking, but you really don’t look different at all.”
“I’m only at the stage where I just realized it myself, so there should still be several months to go. But there’s a lot involved in learning to work the stalls, so I believe it necessary to train a new woman to take over for me now,” Li Sudra answered with a serious look. “If you have no objections, the Sudra can provide that woman. There’s someone I’d definitely like to recommend.”
“But that would mean both you and your replacement would be coming to town together, right? Will you be all right with work around the house?”
“That shouldn’t be an issue if it’s just for a short while. As long as you have no problems with it, that is.”
“Of course not. It’s a big help on my end... Still, it’s sad thinking I won’t be seeing you for a while.”
Li Sudra had started helping out with the stalls right after the clan head meeting, so it had already been over three months now. She was just a little over twenty, and she was composed, reliable, and a fast learner. Just how much relief had her gentle smile granted me by now?
As those thoughts ran through my head, Li Sudra narrowed her eyes as if she were staring at something bright.
“I’m deeply honored to hear you say so, Asuta. It’s quite frustrating to no longer be able to receive your instruction... And it makes me sad too.”
“And I’m honored to hear that.”
“Still, there’s some time yet before we have to say farewell. I would like to make sure the new girl has a firm understanding of the job first... So until that time comes, I look forward to continuing to work with you, Asuta,” Li Sudra said with her smile as serene as always.
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