121 6-1 Hot spring town Utopola Rice

The martial arts tournament........well, it's all over somehow, and I thought it was time to go back to Ains Hale, so I was going to tell Hayato about the schedule.......

''Then can I ask you to leave tomorrow open?　There's someone I'd like you to meet Izuki-san... or rather, someone I'd like to introduce you to.''

I've been told.

You're the guy I want to introduce you to........

What is it?　You got another wife?

"I'm going to marry this man.

Something like that?

Then again, will it be introduced by Mr. Spurrier?

With that in mind, the next day arrives and I knock on the alchemy room in Hayato's mansion, the reception room that was originally used for visitors.

''Come in. Please come in.

I opened the door, wondering if Sparrier-sama would have one or two guards outside.

Then, there was a dark-haired woman I didn't know and Hayato.

''........your new wife?''

"Wife?

No, no...

Oh, it's not.

Well, then ... no, wait a minute!

Eighty ... no, eighty-five? Nonsense!　Still going up?

That bust you see over your shoulder, is it the same as Aina's... or is it about the same as...?

But it looks like it's not going to reach Wendy.

''She's the daughter of Gouki-san, a wealthy merchant who's also famous in Amatsukuni, and I asked her to sell some of Amatsukuni's goods this time.

Oh!

Speaking of Amatsukuni, I had the impression that the country has been walking in the civilization of old Japan.

As I recall, they have rice, too.

But they don't have soy sauce, I think....

But that's still nice, Hayato!

'Nice to meet you. My name is Yuki. I'm the daughter of my father, a wealthy merchant in Amatsukuni, but I'm usually a feckless adventurer. Occasionally, I'll go peddling and sell things in Amatukuni or do business on behalf of my father, so I look forward to working with you.

A man!　I've never heard of a certain person.

But, boy, do they have big tits! Boobs.

And the kimono....

I wonder. It's not that I had many opportunities to see them in my former world, but they make me feel nostalgic.

I'm not saying that I miss my old world or want to go home, but still, there's something about the kimono that attracts my attention.

''Itsuki-san, it's not polite to stare so much...''

Oh, I'm sorry. It's kind of nostalgic to be in kimono...

''Oh, the kimono.... That's right!　Japanese clothes, I miss it!

.... hmm?

Something about Hayato's face is dyed red and he looks like he's in a hurry, but well, more importantly, he's in Japanese clothing.

The Japanese clothes and light armor.....

It's a surprisingly good fit.

The blue kimono isn't bad, and the Japanese style shoulder pads are also nice.

And the tabi (Japanese socks) and zori (slippers).

I can't help but feel the uniqueness of Japan here.

Many wanderers would be attracted to this outfit.

'I knew it..... I wish my children could wear it. I want my kids to wear it too.

They say Japanese clothes look better with small breasts, but I think I could go big!

It's like riding on top of the obi in a three-dimensional fashion.

Ah, but that would be a yukata.

I've brought some kimonos with me today.

'Oh!　I'd like to see that too if you can, but let's introduce ourselves first. I'm Oshimiya Kazuki. Well, you seem to know me, but I'm a drifter. Normally I'm an alchemist in Ains Hale.

Ains Hale. So you are the strange drifter brother that Master Oligor mentioned?

Weird...?

That little lord, what did you tell him?

Well, you know, he's loyal to his desires....

All right, that little guy, later, I'll make him cry.

How dare you spout this to a woman I've never met before, and to a merchant named Amatkuni, who I'm sure has a high probability of being in my life.

Let's make her cry.

But not with violence. Let's tickle him and make him cry.

''Well I don't know what the Lord of Ains Hale said, but Itsuki-san is a very wonderful person. He's kind, good-looking, and very honest with himself, not with his desires.''

Sir Hayato... do you really think that's such a statement?

'Yes. I respect and admire you, Itsuki-san,

Overrated......... I don't think I'm human enough to be thought of as such by Hayato........

That's right, I think it's common and sensible in its own way, but I don't think it's enough to be respected by Hayato, who is even considered a hero.

''I'm sorry. I understand the personality of Lord Hayato, who we have met, so if you are saying that much, you must be a wonderful person. I apologize for my hasty decision to be suspicious.

No, that's fine. Anyway, hand in hand...?

''Let's see.......I had the opportunity to play Lord Hayato in the semi-finals of the last tournament.......'' Come to think of it, you were in the previous match........

Oh, I see.

Hayato's semi-finalist, wasn't it?

That's because I didn't know him.

Somehow........I only remember seeing or not seeing him in the first round......

The semi-finals, right? That means that Yuki-san is quite strong?

Yeah, he's very strong.

I couldn't........I was too much for Lord Hayato.

Not at all. The way you handled that sword was very impressive. I learned a lot from it.

Oh.

It looks like you guys get along with each other pretty well.

I'm not involved in combat, so I feel a little left out.

"Oh, and by the way, you're not a combatant, you know...

Yeah, I'm a complete idiot. I'm a complete amateur at combat.

'I had heard from Oligor-sama and Meira-sama, and it's true. I thought drifters were a powerful force to be reckoned with, so I was surprised.

"Hahaha. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid of demons. I don't want to die, and more importantly, I can't have insects or anything gross. But since this is a different world, I'm enjoying it.

As far as the combat aspect is concerned, it's a little late for that now.

But after the incident at the tournament, I think we should have enough forces in place to defend ourselves.

Hmmm.........in this world, equipment can increase your defensive strength and so on, so when I have enough money, I'll buy some equipment for self-defense and then think about it.

''In that case, would you like me to mainly show you the ingredients and kimono today?

'Yeah. That's fine with me, but is it okay with Hayato?

Yes. That's fine with me too.

So let's start with the ingredients from Amatukuni!

'Then let's start with the 'Senbei' and 'Okaki'. I heard that Meira-san has a business in Ains Hale, so you will be able to eat this at any time in the future. Also, I think we will have many opportunities to eat the "Daifuku" from Amatukuni, as we will be able to arrange for a craftsman to work on it. But we hope you'll give it a try.

Yuki served exactly the rice cracker, fried okaki and daifuku.

The rice cracker and okaki are salty. There is no soy sauce, after all.

And the daifuku.

This one is completely made of red bean paste.

It's a strange thing to say, but it's exactly the same as in the original world.

Then, let's get right to it.

As I recall, red bean paste is made with the same amount of sugar as red beans.

I think they use pre-refined sugar because white sugar is expensive, but apparently the sweet stuff is expensive, so I'm guessing it's going to cost a lot in price.

'The rice crackers are delicious too!　I can't get enough of the taste of the rice itself, the aroma of the black sesame seeds, and the savory smell!

Oh, I'll have some of that, too.

Hayato and I both got excited before we knew it.

Well, I suppose it's only natural.

'I'm glad you like it.

"Of course, we had it in our original world too......... Oh, but we still need soy sauce...

Yes..... But I can't say it's a luxury.

Yeah. It's good enough.

'Shoyu.... I've heard it's a seasoning that is the soul of a drifter.

Yeah. That's what all Japanese people do, don't they?

''Yes......... Even more so because the ingredients in this world are delicious........

But we don't have any soybeans.....

I suppose it's possible to make it from other beans, but it's still no match for the familiar taste of miso and soy sauce made from soybeans.

Aha, I want to eat sashimi..........

Hiyakko....Natto.....Miso soup....

Ugh, when you know you can't eat it, it makes you want to eat it even more!

Well, now, in light of the fact that you're two drifters, would you like me to show you the goods?

Yuki puts her hand in the bag and takes out the ingredients.

Is that bag a magic bag?

Well, if you're the daughter of a wealthy merchant, it's only natural that you should have it.

What came out of the inside was a large jute bag.

This is the one that goes without saying.

You can't help but smile.

"It will be rice. Rice is very expensive in the royal capital, so we can sell it by the box.

'Rice master!

Huh!

Sorry to scare you.

But my Japanese DNA is all over the place!

How much?　Let's get the asking price!

I have money!

Come on, tell me. You're gonna pay me 100,000 a kilo!

Mr. Itsuki please calm down.

I can't!　I can't stay calm in front of the rice master!

'See, it's not white rice!　It's only brown rice!

That's just a matter of smelting and milling the rice!

No, brown rice is brown rice, and it's delicious and nutritious!

But you know what? I'm talking about freshly cooked white rice!

I've never seen such a reaction.... Well, it's really expensive, isn't it?

Okay. I'll take that one!　Oh, Hayato's there too, right? Yeah. Then it's half a child!

Well, I've got one more bag for you...

Then I'll take a bag!　So, how much is it?

'Well, it's just a bag, right?　Hmmm, it's roughly a little over 20 kilos, so it's going to cost me 600,000 Nol....

Cheap!

Don't worry about being numb or anything else.

If you can eat rice for 600,000 Nol, there's nothing wrong with that!

We just need to make some nice accessories!

The alchemy varies.

It's generally much more expensive though...

Yes, we do. Yes, but we are worth it. I'd like a bag too, please.

The rice I dreamed of.

I don't hate bread, but I still miss it every day like this.

Oh yes, let's make onigiri!

Let's get Wendy to shake it!

So this one's already sold. What do you think?　If you'd like, I can arrange for regular deliveries?

'You sure?　If I could, I would ask!

Yeah, yeah. Then, I'll get right to it. What would you like to do, Sir Falconer?

Oh, well, I'll take care of myself, then.

Very well. So I guess you two are both regular customers.

Okay!　Now you can have a good meal of rice in Ains Hale.

I don't have any soy sauce, but I'll still make at least one dish that goes well with rice!

Well, I have a feeling it's going to be a busy day. Let's get on with it. Next time, let's wear kimono--

Yuki was right, Hayato and I had spent quite a bit of money.

But I have no regrets.

It's all necessary, you know!

Furthermore, I've even learned how to dress up, so this is already a necessary expense.

By the way, I didn't expect to hear 'Arley' from Yuki's mouth....