Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 16 - Chapter 2.3

3

Night had fallen.

The day’s dinner at the Fa house also served as a taste test for the new ingredients, so it ended up as quite the luxurious lineup.

First was a specially prepared giba soup, and considering the resemblance between the ingredients I used and the ingredients from back home, it would actually be fitting to call this my first Japanese giba soup recipe. For the stock, I used seaweed and smoked fish, then for ingredients I had aria, chatchi, nenon, and newcomers in the form of sheema, ma gigo, and the brown beech-looking fungus. Or put in terms of ingredients from back home, onion, potato, carrot, daikon, taro, and mushrooms.

I flavored it with tau oil, and chose rib and thigh for my cuts of meat. To match my tastes, I added spicy chitt seeds, which were like chili peppers. With all the new dried goods in the broth, it really did feel a lot closer to the soups I remembered from back home.

Next up, I tried to reuse my grounds from making the stock. I finely chopped up the kombu-like seaweed that I had gotten broth from twice, then paired it with thinly sliced sheema and dried kiki, like a kombu and daikon salad. An extremely simple dish, but the crisp texture that the sheema shared with raw daikon was quite pleasant.

I then added the smoked fish that was like bonito flakes to the vegetable salad, as well as some homemade mayonnaise. It ended up like tuna salad, and seemed like a decent enough way to reuse my leftovers from the stock.

For the meat dish, I kept things simple and made some myamuu giba for the first time in a while. I went with sirloin for the cut, and garnished it with a bit of grilled chan. Though chan looked like a black ping pong ball, when cooked, it still tasted similar to eggplant or zucchini, so it wasn’t difficult to handle. After splitting it in two and grilling it atop a wire rack, I simply poured the myamuu sauce over the top in order to make a sufficient side dish.

“You’ve gained so many new ingredients, but none of these dishes feel especially original...” Ai Fa commented while heartily chewing away. “I had prepared myself to be fed all sorts of wild dishes for the time being, but it seems my expectations were pleasantly betrayed.”

“I see. Well, as long as you like it, I’m glad.”

“Indeed. It’s good,” Ai Fa replied, and then she expressionlessly slurped down some Japanese giba soup. Perhaps because Lem Dom was also present, my clan head had a more serious look on her face than usual, acting like a real domineering husband.

“What about you, Lem Dom? Are you more satisfied now than at the taste testing earlier in the day?”

“These dishes are delicious... This soup in particular is good enough to get on my nerves a bit.” Setting her plate down, Lem Dom shot me an intense look. “I didn’t especially find these sheema and ma gigo vegetables tasty, and yet I can feel a great strength filling me up inside from this soup. Why is that? Is it from the seaweed and fish that you boiled at the start, perhaps?”

“Yeah. And by using this many vegetables, you can get a really good stock from that alone.”

“So the taste gets better if you use lots of vegetables? But if you added sour tarapa or bitter pula to it, it’d ruin the flavor, right?”

“That’s true. You’re quick on the uptake, Lem Dom.”

“Stop talking to me as if you’re flattering a child.”

This was the fourth time that Lem Dom had stayed at the Fa house, which was happening every other day. Each time, I had talked with her longer, but in exchange, Ai Fa had grown more uncommunicative. It was less that she was ignoring Lem Dom, and more that she didn’t like talking so lightly and openly to me when others were watching.

At the same time, Lem Dom kept on doggedly shooting Ai Fa flirtatious glances.

“You know, I really do admire your strength as a hunter, Ai Fa. How are you able to keep on hunting down giba day after day without anyone assisting you?”

Ai Fa had served as a bodyguard while she took a few days off hunting due to her injured back tooth, but until then she had been hunting down giba at the high pace of one per day.

“I believe I already explained that it is the result of me using giba summoning fruit...”

“But it’s not as if just any hunter could see such results from using it, right? Otherwise, everyone would. Wait, you haven’t been doing sacrificial hunting every day, have you...?”

“I only perform sacrificial hunting during periods when there are few giba around.”

“In that case, you really are impressively skilled. You’ve taken down so many day after day while using the tremendously dangerous giba summoning fruit, and yet you haven’t been seriously injured.”

“My father was skilled at using giba summoning fruit... I simply carry out my work as I learned from him.”

“Like I said, that’s just proof of how skilled you are. And your father must have been quite the excellent hunter too.”

With a small sigh, Ai Fa took a sip of fruit wine. She had taken up drinking a bit, but just on the nights when Lem Dom visited.

“You seem to earnestly mean that, Lem Dom, but my father died at a young age out in the forest. Not much older than thirty. Hunters are not called excellent here at the forest’s edge when they die young.”

“That’s not true at all. My father also died two years back at around the same age. But even so, he hunted down a whole lot of giba, and his strength was inherited by his son Deek. If anyone were to call my father a mediocre hunter, I’d beat them down no matter who they may be.”

Ai Fa listlessly shook her head. “I understand your feelings, but I don’t care for gossiping about my father. If at all possible, I would like you to refrain from speaking of him.”

“Of course. If it upsets you, then I won’t speak a single word more on the matter from here on out.”

Since Ai Fa tried to build a wall between herself and members of other clans, while Lem Dom was excessively familiar, the two just didn’t seem to mesh. Whether that was down to Ai Fa being overly stubborn or Lem Dom being too assertive, it was something I did find a bit of a concern.

If Lem Dom wasn’t so open about her affection, she might actually do better with Ai Fa, I thought to myself.

After taking another swig of fruit wine, my clan head then raised a topic herself.

“Lem Dom, it has been eight days now since you left your home. Have you formed ties with Bartha of Masara over at the Ruu settlement?”

“With Bartha? Why are you asking about that?”

“Bartha was also a female hunter, which is why I suggested that she could show you a proper path forward.”

“Ah, that’s what you meant. Yeah, I tried talking to Bartha since you said that, but it didn’t seem like there was much I could learn from her...”

“Why is that...?”

Ai Fa had a piercing light in her eyes, but Lem Dom just shrugged her shoulders as if she hadn’t noticed.

“I mean, Bartha’s lost the will of a hunter, hasn’t she? She even laughed and said she wouldn’t go giba hunting herself. Someone who goes into the forest to hunt birds while the giba are asleep isn’t the type of hunter I’m seeking.”

Ai Fa kept on silently staring.

“Ultimately, Bartha cast aside her life as a hunter and gained a husband and child. I don’t feel like I should look down on her for being a bandit or whatever, but I also don’t feel like she’s the type of person to capture my heart.”

“If that is all you can sense, then you really may not be qualified to be a hunter...” Ai Fa quietly remarked. “Well, it has nothing to do with me. You can just keep on chasing the glory you see in front of your eyes and live however you please.”

Ai Fa seemed to have soured on Lem Dom really badly. It had been a long time since I had heard her speak to a fellow person of the forest’s edge in such a chilly tone.

I worried that would earn some backlash from Lem Dom, but the younger girl just stared at my clan head with a puzzled look. Then, she set down the plate she had been holding and slumped over with her hands on the floor, looking heartbroken.

“I’ve angered you, haven’t I, Ai Fa...?”

Ai Fa turned around in annoyance, but then she suddenly drew back, looking taken off guard. Lem Dom was deeply hanging her head, as clear droplets fell onto the fur rug.

“Hey, Lem Dom...”

“I’m sorry... I have a tendency to just run my mouth about whatever I’m thinking... I guess I’m just a complete fool who doesn’t even recognize what she’s lacking...”

“I didn’t call you a fool. Please pull yourself together.”

“But please believe me... I had no intention of ignoring your advice, and I don’t want to deny Bartha’s way of life either... I just can’t overlap my own life with hers...”

Lem Dom’s voice was weak and trembling, and her tears were creating a wet spot on the rug.

“I get it, so try to calm down, at least a little. I really don’t understand you...” Ai Fa wildly rustled her own hair. “Someone who wishes to become a hunter should not cry so lightly in front of others. Even putting that aside, you’re fifteen, aren’t you?”

“Yes... I’m sorry...”

“Fifteen is the age that both men and women are seen as adults. To weep so freely at such an age...” Ai Fa started to say, but then she frowned. Was she remembering when she herself cried in front of me? At any rate, she shot me a glare before turning back toward Lem Dom. “Regardless, do not cry over something like this. It really looks quite ridiculous, considering how big you are.”

“I’m sorry... I haven’t cried since I lost my father and mother, but...when I think of having upset you, it feels so painful...”

“I understand. I spoke without thinking and I apologize, so please forgive me. Now then, there’s still dinner left to be had...”

“Right...”

Lem Dom wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, still hanging her head, and then she started pecking at the remaining food. She was acting like a despondent child, and it made her muscular body look a size smaller.

Just as I was worrying about what to do to fix things, there was a sudden knock at the door. I started to rise, only for Ai Fa to stop me and stand herself.

“Who is visiting at such an hour?”

“The head of the main Dom house, Deek Dom.”

Instantly, tension spread throughout the room.

Lem Dom had lifted her face, and though her eyes were still rather red, she wore an even more dauntless expression than usual.

As Ai Fa walked forward she gently stroked Gilulu’s head—the huge bird was balled up in the entryway—and then she reached for the bolt.

“My apologies for arriving so late at night. Is my clan member here? Or is she at the Ruu settlement?”

“She’s here. We’re in the middle of dinner, but if this is an urgent matter then I shall allow you inside.”

“You have my gratitude,” a low voice replied, and then a huge figure appeared suddenly in the entranceway. Sure enough, it was the Dom clan head and Lem Dom’s elder brother, Deek Dom.

He wore a giba skull atop his head, was even bigger than Donda Ruu, and was covered in old scars. The look of a wild beast gleamed in his black eyes. It was my first time seeing his gallant figure in roughly two and a half months.

The totos he was leading by hand entered after him and balled up beside Gilulu. The bird was the totos belonging to the northern settlement, and had slightly blackish plumage.

“So you finally showed yourself, my clan head. I figured you would come a bit sooner than this.”

Slowly, Lem Dom rose to her feet. As he shot her a glare, the look in Deek Dom’s eyes grew even more intense. Ai Fa stepped back so that she wouldn’t be in the way, and then solemnly crossed her arms.

“For now, come inside. We don’t have any dinner for you, but there’s fruit wine if you want it.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll leave as soon as this discussion is finished.”

Deek Dom just kept on standing in place, not even removing his leather footwear. Instead, Lem Dom briskly walked over his way.

“A discussion, you say? Okay, out with it already. I’m sure you’ve already heard about me from the Ruu clan, correct? So this really is a late appearance from you, considering.”

“I’m not exactly overflowing with spare time. I can’t simply cast aside my work for the sake of my foolish clan member.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Have things gone smoothly with your attempts to ward off giba?”

“Yes. We should be able to finish the job before the end of the break period.”

Currently, the northern settlement was in the process of setting things up to drive giba away from the area around their houses so that they could welcome women from the Ruu and Rutim clans.

“Lem, what in the world are you thinking?”

“You should have already heard all about it, right?”

“I want to hear it from you. As a member of the Dom house, speaking to her clan head.”

Deek Dom glared down at his sister. In the meantime, I had stood up too and slipped over next to Ai Fa.

“I want to become a hunter. I asked to come to the Ruu settlement with the goal of meeting Ai Fa, the one and only female hunter at the forest’s edge. Naturally, though, I haven’t neglected my work in manning the stove.”

“Why would you wish to be a hunter? You are a woman, Lem.”

“I feel that living as a hunter suits me better than protecting the home as a woman. You must have at least vaguely sensed that much, right?”

“Of course I sensed it. However, I thought you would cast aside that foolish idea.”

“Unfortunately for you, as the years have gone by, my feelings on the matter have only grown stronger.”

Deek Dom looked down expressionlessly at Lem Dom. But despite his lack of expression, his scarred face was so intense that it was hard to believe it belonged to a man who was only seventeen years old. I figured even Donda Ruu’s face had to look a bit gentler than this back at that age.

“You seem to be under some sort of misconception, Lem.”

“A misconception? What do you mean?”

“Ai Fa of the Fa clan is a special case. Despite having the body of a woman, she possesses strength that is generally unimaginable. Not just anyone can become as fine of a hunter as her.”

I was shocked, but Ai Fa’s complexion remained completely unchanged.

At that, Lem Dom snorted, “Hmph! I certainly realize that fact much better than you do. After all, I’ve been permitted to spend quite a bit of time close to her.”

“Then give up on this foolish idea already. The forest’s edge will not accept a woman without the talent for it aiming to become a hunter.”

“How do you know whether or not I have the talent for it, clan head?”

There was now a fire blazing bright in Lem Dom’s black eyes. It was such an intense gaze that it was hard to imagine this was the same dejected girl from before.

“I’m still only fifteen. And I’ve already gained greater strength than most other women. If I could just polish my soul and my techniques, wouldn’t I be capable of living as a hunter?”

“Not possible. And I won’t permit you to neglect your work as a woman for the sake of this foolish plot. Women must protect the home.”

“I refuse. If I have to cast aside my will, then I would be happier dying out in the forest as an inexperienced hunter.”

Deek Dom’s eyes were now blazing away too. Those lights from their black eyes collided, and it felt as if I could see them crackling and giving off sparks.

“Are you saying you would neglect your duties despite being born a person of the forest’s edge, Lem?”

“I’m not. I simply wish to live properly as a person of the forest’s edge in the way that’s right for me.”

“This is going nowhere. The mother forest will never permit your foolishness,” Deek Dom grumbled, and then he turned toward Ai Fa. “Fa clan head Ai Fa. I ask that the agreement to have the Ruu and Fa clans take in Lem Dom to train her in manning the stove come to an end as of this very moment. You needn’t look after this fool any longer.”

All Ai Fa replied with was “Oh?”

Deek Dom paid her no heed. “I will be talking to Donda Ruu after this as well. You have my thanks as the Dom clan head for the past eight days,” he continued, finishing with a slight bow of his head.

As she glared his way, Lem Dom broke out in a sneer. “Clan head, I don’t have any intention of returning to the Dom house just yet.”

“And I have no intention of accepting you back either. Until you cast aside this foolishness about wanting to be a hunter, don’t come anywhere near the northern settlement, Lem.” As he spoke, Deek Dom turned around. Despite his large build, it really was a graceful maneuver. “Until that time comes, I will not acknowledge you as a member of my clan. You can ask yourself and the forest about what your sins are.”

“So that’s how it is? Then so be it. This may be our final farewell, but take care, Dom clan head Deek Dom.”

Taking his black-feathered totos with him, Deek Dom disappeared into the darkness.

Ai Fa closed the door and re-bolted it, then turned toward Lem Dom. “As a clan head of the north, I suppose that was the obvious decision. What do you intend to do from here on out, Lem Dom?”

“Well, I suppose my only option is to find an open house somewhere to spend the night. Fortunately, the Sudra seem to have a number of houses to spare, and they’re near the Fa house, so that should work out just fine,” Lem Dom replied with a daring grin. “Deek’s stubborn, so I already expected this much. Actually, it came later than I expected.”

“But now that your clan head Deek Dom has said all that, neither Donda Ruu nor I can shelter you any further. Even if you find an open house where you can spend the night, what do you intend to do for food? Do you have coins?”

“Of course not. And I can’t hunt giba as I am now either, so I guess I’ll have to head into the post town and look for work.”

“In the post town? Are there any businesses that would employ a person of the forest’s edge?” I asked in surprise, but Lem Dom just shrugged her shoulders the same as always.

“If not, then I’ll scrounge for scraps. I’ll find a way to live on without breaking the laws of either Genos or the forest’s edge.”

Despite the sarcastic-looking grin she wore, there was the same flame as always burning away in her eyes. Ai Fa glared at her a moment longer, before turning her gaze toward me.

“Asuta, you asked the Fou and Ran women to help you out in the morning, correct? How many coins are you paying them?”

“Huh? Ah, two red coins per hour, and the job is two hours per day.”

“Then that would mean four red coins per day, correct? That should be enough to buy not only aria and poitan, but giba meat as well.”

Lem Dom wore a dubious look in response to Ai Fa’s words.

“What are you talking about? Didn’t you just say you can’t shelter me any longer?”

“It would not be sheltering you or granting you charity. It’s only natural that anyone can receive payment for doing a job.”

“But...”

“It was the Dom clan head Deek Dom’s decision not to acknowledge you as a member of his clan. No one can object to that, but just because you wish to be a hunter despite being a woman, it doesn’t mean you are no longer qualified to be a person of the forest’s edge. If it did, I would have long since lost that qualification myself.”

Lem Dom just silently stared back at my clan head.

“Ask your own feelings and the forest whether or not you have committed any wrong. And once you find the answer, then you should speak with Deek Dom once more,” Ai Fa stated before turning away.

Lem Dom firmly shut her eyes, and she slowly approached Ai Fa. Then, her robust arms flew out and embraced Ai Fa around the neck for the first time in a while.

“Thank you, Ai Fa... I am truly, truly glad to have met you...”

“Hmph,” my clan head snorted, but she didn’t brush away the younger girl’s arms.

I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. “Well then, how about we continue dinner? And it should be fine to at least let her stay in the Fa house for tonight, right? I’d like to make arrangements for work tomorrow too.”

“Right...” Lem Dom replied in a childish manner, rubbing her cheek up against Ai Fa’s hair.

After around ten seconds of that, my clan head exploded, “How long do you intend to keep clinging to me?!”

And so, that turbulent yet truly worthwhile day off finally came to a close.