"So... Rei-san, are you really leaving the city tomorrow?"
The daughter of the Coral Inn of the Blue Sea looked at Rei with a lingering sense of regret.
Rei nodded without a moment's hesitation. "Yeah. I’ve overstayed my welcome as it is. If I linger any longer, I feel like I might end up settling down here for good."
"Eh? But that would be fine! We wouldn't mind at all. I mean, despite everything, I feel like I haven't even had the chance to talk to you that much, Rei-san."
She spoke with her cheeks flushed red. To any bystander, her feelings were blindingly obvious. However, Rei remained oblivious, merely shaking his head.
"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of moving my base from the City of Gilm. The frontier is convenient for me in a lot of ways. It is a shame I barely got to fight any monsters in the sea around the City of Emocion, though."
"Then... instead of making it your base, couldn't you just extend your stay for a little while?"
"No, I've already been here about a month. I have business to attend to back there soon."
Naturally, that "business" was his journey to the Labyrinth City with Elena—a priority above all else for Rei. Unaware of the details, the innkeeper's daughter puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
"What's with that? Even after such a cute girl went out of her way to ask you to stay... Hmph! Fine, forget it! Do whatever you want! Just go to the City of Gilm or wherever you like!"
With that, she spat out her final words and stormed away. Rei watched her go, scratching his head. He didn't understand why she had suddenly turned so sour, and he hesitated at the counter, unsure if it was okay to leave it unattended. He felt a wave of relief when he saw the landlady approaching.
"Rei-san, I heard you are departing tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I’ve been in your care for a while, but now that the Lemures incident is settled, it's time I returned to the City of Gilm."
"Is that so... It is a shame to say goodbye to Seto-chan, but I suppose it can't be helped. You've completed the request to subjugate the Lemures, and I truly cannot thank you enough. Yet, in the end, we left you in that corner room the whole time... Would you like to stay in a regular room for your final night? The rate would stay the same, of course. Since the beast is gone, our number of guests has dropped quite a bit."
Rei considered the offer for a moment before shaking his head. "No, the current room is fine. I've grown used to it. It wouldn't feel right to switch this late in the game."
"Are you sure? Then at the very least, allow me to serve a luxurious dinner tonight. You'll be eating here, yes?"
"Yeah, that's the plan."
It wasn't even noon yet, but Rei smiled wryly as he agreed to the dinner arrangements. Given his appetite, it wouldn't have been unusual for him to wander off and eat elsewhere on a whim, though in such cases, he usually ended up eating the inn's meal afterward anyway.
"Well, in any case, I'll be leaving tomorrow. Thanks for everything."
"No, it was our pleasure. We are the ones who have been constantly in your debt... And, um, please don't think too poorly of my daughter. Seeing someone close to her own age working as an adventurer—and possessing the strength to defeat the Lemures—I think she felt a sort of admiration for you."
"...Ah, I see."
Hearing the landlady's explanation, Rei finally understood the girl's behavior. He gave a small nod. "Unfortunately, I don't plan on settling down here."
"Yes, I know. I'll talk to her on this end, so please, don't worry about it."
"Right. I’ll leave it to you, then."
With that, Rei stepped out into the city. He had a few more people to visit before his departure, and he wanted to buy as much local seafood as his storage would allow.
"Oh, Rei. What's the word? Something wrong with the harpoon?"
His first stop was the Dwarf blacksmith who had crafted his harpoon. Seeing Rei, the Dwarf shopkeeper called out in high spirits. Rei simply shook his head and handed over a small barrel of ale he had purchased on the way.
"I'm heading out tomorrow. Just making the rounds to say goodbye."
"...I see. Your idea for that throwing harpoon—using a chain to pull in the target—was interesting. I was hoping you'd stick around a bit longer. But fine, I'll forgive you in exchange for this booze."
"I never imagined the sea monsters would vanish so completely. It was great having you make that harpoon, but I didn't get to use it even once."
"Hah, can't be helped. Not your fault. The monsters will come back sooner or later, like it or not. As a resident, I’d prefer they stayed away, though. The fishermen are out there catching fish like mad right now to make up for their losses."
"I'm just surprised that while the monsters are gone, the ordinary fish are still there."
"Well, we can only assume the Lemures did something... Oh, right. Wait a second."
The Dwarf set the ale aside and vanished into the back of his shop toward the forge. He returned a few minutes later carrying a barrel about an armful in size.
"Since you're here, take this too. It's an extra batch."
He set the barrel on the floor. From the metallic clatter within, Rei intuitively knew what it was.
"Are you sure? You couldn't have gathered this much scrap in such a short time."
"Hah, don't sweat it. I wasn't the only one collecting. I just gathered the useless scrap metal that the other weapon shops and blacksmiths were tossing out. They actually thanked me for taking it off their hands."
"...I appreciate it. This helps a lot."
Contrary to his gruff exterior, the Dwarf was unexpectedly thoughtful. Rei smiled and thanked him. He reached out and stored the barrel inside his Misty Ring.
"Well, come back if the mood strikes you. If that throwing harpoon needs maintenance, I'm your man."
"Yeah, thanks. I'm off."
"Right. You've got the strength to drop a Lemures, so I'm not worried, but stay sharp on the road tomorrow."
With the Dwarf's parting words at his back, Rei left the shop.
"Guruuu."
As he walked toward Arktos's stall, Seto let out a rumbling cry from his throat, signaling that he was hungry. Rei smiled and scratched the Gryphon's head.
"We're going to Arktos's stall for okonomiyaki. Just wait a little longer."
"Guruu..."
At Rei's words, Seto slumped his shoulders dejectedly and stared at the ground as they walked. There were plenty of other stalls and dining halls nearby, but Rei had decided his final meal in the city should be at the stall of the man who had helped him so much.
After ten minutes of walking, the savory scent of scorched sauce began to drift through the air. The aroma was incredibly appetizing, and Seto finally regained his energy, lifting his head and chirping.
"Guruu... Gururururuuu!"
Seto looked back at Rei repeatedly as if to say, "Hurry up!" Rei, also feeling the pangs of hunger, smiled and approached the stall.
When they arrived, more than twenty customers were crowded around. Every face held an expression of eager anticipation. It was clear this wasn't trouble; it was a hungry mob.
"He’s certainly doing a lot of business."
Just as Rei muttered, it seemed the entire city was seeking Arktos's cooking. The stall was already famous for its quality, and with the man's local reputation, the seafood okonomiyaki Rei had introduced had become an explosive success.
"Guruuu..." Seto chirped, tilting his head as if asking, What now? Since Rei had come to say his farewells, walking away wasn't an option.
"Let's get in line."
"Guruuu."
Seto nodded, though the excitement he'd felt moments ago had vanished. Realizing he wouldn't be eating immediately was clearly a shock to his system.
"...You want some of this while we wait?"
Feeling bad for him, Rei offered some dried meat from his Misty Ring, but Seto shook his head. He was determined to keep his appetite purely for the okonomiyaki. Rei was surprised by this rare display of restraint from the Gryphon, but he simply nodded and waited their turn.
A few people were startled by their presence, but most of the crowd recognized the one man and one beast who had become local celebrities. Instead of causing a scene, the customers near Seto passed the time by gently petting him while they waited.
Because okonomiyaki could be grilled in large batches, the line moved quickly. Before long, it was Rei's turn.
"Hm? Oh, Rei. And Seto too."
"You're popular. Other stalls are selling okonomiyaki now, but I haven't seen a crowd like this anywhere else."
"Guruuu," Seto chirped impatiently.
Arktos looked at him and chuckled. Small talk could wait; it was time for the food.
"I'd like four... or at least, I'd like to say that." Rei looked behind him. The line hadn't shortened at all; new customers had joined for every one that left. "It wouldn't feel right to take that much. Just two, please."
"Right. Here you go. Careful, it’s fresh off the grill."
Arktos handed over the plates and forks. A short distance away, several people hired specifically as dishwashers were frantically scrubbing piles of utensils.
"Here, Seto. This one's yours."
"Gurururuuu!"
Seto chirped happily. Rei moved to a clear spot and set the plate on the ground. The Gryphon immediately began to thrust his beak at the food. Rei took a fork, cut a bite-sized piece for himself, and brought it to his mouth.
His eyes widened. "This is..."
It hadn't been long since Rei had first taught Arktos the recipe, but the dish had already evolved into something entirely different. It wasn't just good; it was spectacular. The outside was crispier, while the inside was fluffy and bursting with seafood umami. With every bite, the flavors of fish and shrimp filled his mouth, complemented by the sweet crunch of finely chopped Kiberuku vegetable.
(Is the dashi different?)
Rei had originally used chicken dashi, but this tasted more like the concentrated seafood-based dashi he remembered from his own world.
"This is delicious."
Swallowing his first bite, Rei looked at Arktos in surprise. The man wore a grin as he flipped fish, shellfish, and shrimp on a nearby grill.
"I'm a cook, after all. The dish you taught me was solid, but it had room for improvement. This is the result of me refining it. Though, thanks to you, this has turned into an okonomiyaki shop."
He spoke as if he were complaining, but his pride was evident. He plucked a grilled shrimp and added it to Rei's plate.
"Go on, eat up."
"Thanks."
Arktos had clearly noticed Rei's fondness for shrimp. He then placed a large fish on Seto's plate, the Gryphon having already inhaled his okonomiyaki.
"Luck's been on our side ever since you showed up. First the Lemures, then the seafood okonomiyaki. This city is a different place now. The people here are grateful to you both."
Arktos spoke as if he already knew Rei was leaving tomorrow. Rei looked at him, surprised once again.
"Hmph. Run a stall for as long as I have, and you can read a man's face easily enough. You're an open book, Rei. ...Anyway, come back whenever you like, for work or just to visit. I'll make sure this tastes even better the next time you're here."
"...Yeah."
"Guruu."
Rei and Seto both nodded at the man's gruff kindness. Their final day in the City of Emocion was a lively one, filled with good company and flavors that satisfied the palates of one man and one beast.