"Say, Hasta. There's a somewhat unusual spice used on this meat, isn't there?"
"Ah, yes. That's right. You noticed, then?"
"Well, it's a bit spicy. Most people would notice if they were paying attention."
"...No, while many people realize that a spice is being used, quite a few have no idea what kind it is," Hasta replied.
Rei conceded the point. He had correctly identified the spice as Sansho—or something very similar—simply because he was familiar with its unique flavor. Its characteristic pungency had a different profile from things like pepper or Wasabi, and those who had never tasted Sansho would likely struggle to name it.
"This spice keeps well, so it's quite versatile. It's easy to gather, too," Hasta added.
"Since you say that, does that mean you're the one gathering it, Hasta?"
"Yes. Well, compared to fighting monsters, it's much easier work."
Rei could understand that. Back in Japan, he had spent his childhood running around the mountains. He had often found Sansho growing wild and had gathered various other mountain vegetables as well. He nodded in silent agreement with Hasta's sentiment.
"Still... it's amazing. It's not cold at all," Hasta murmured, looking around.
They were in a back alley, where tables and chairs had been lined up in a way that couldn't compare to the spacious garden at Marina's house. The sight was conspicuous, but passersby were immediately convinced once they saw Seto. If the Gryphon was there, they assumed, then such oddities were only to be expected.
"Yo, Hasta. I'm here for another delicious meal today."
"Welcome, Sanchez-san. Please, make yourself at home."
"Yeah. ...Still, even though it's the dead of winter, it's not cold around here at all."
Despite his bewilderment at the lack of chill, the man called Sanchez didn't dwell on it and entered the shop. Once he was inside, Hasta turned back to Rei, who was busy sampling the dishes on the table.
"This warmth... is it as I thought?"
"It's not me," Rei replied.
Knowing his reputation for Flame Magic, Rei figured Hasta probably assumed he was the source. At his words, Hasta looked at Marina with a gaze full of envy and a touch of adolescent admiration. Marina, used to being the center of such attention, didn't seem to mind. She let the look slide and spoke up.
"If you can use Spirit Magic, almost anyone can do this to an extent."
"Hardly. There are barely any people who can use Spirit Magic to begin with," Rei countered.
Mages were rare enough as it was, and those gifted with Spirit Magic were even scarcer. Furthermore, while she claimed "anyone" could do it, raising the ambient temperature required a high level of finesse. Adjusting it so perfectly that the snow on the ground didn't melt was a feat that couldn't be mastered overnight, even for a seasoned practitioner.
"Perhaps. ...More importantly, the Snow Salamander meat is delicious, but these Skewers are also quite good, you know?"
Deflecting the topic, Marina turned her attention to the plates. They were Orc Meat Skewers—a common dish in Gilm. However, thanks to careful preparation, meticulous seasoning, and expert grilling, they were several leagues above the versions sold at typical stalls.
"Hey, Hasta! The next dish is ready! Come get it!"
Just as Marina praised the food, Dishot's booming voice echoed from inside the shop. Given that his voice from the kitchen could be heard clearly in the street, there was no doubt as to the man's lung capacity.
"Oops, excuse me. I'll go bring the next course."
As they watched Hasta hurry back inside, Vihera took a sip of her Soup and chuckled playfully.
"My, Marina, you're quite the wicked woman, seducing a promising young man like that."
"I have no intention of seducing him. Besides, if you're going to say that, I think you're one to talk, Vihera."
The Fruit Pavilion drew many customers, and even more people passed by the front of the shop. Their gazes were invariably drawn first to the magnificent Seto, and then to the two striking beauties, Vihera and Marina.
"The way he looks at you and the way those people look at us are quite different, wouldn't you say? Don't tell me you haven't noticed."
"Now, I wonder. ...Regardless of the nature of the gaze, I have no intention of responding to it. Unless, of course, it was Rei's gaze."
She cast a sidelong glance full of feminine allure—the kind that would make an ordinary man flush bright red. However, Rei didn't seem to notice her appeal at all, far too busy savoring the Snow Salamander Skewers with Seto.
"This meat is amazing."
"Grrrululu."
Seto chirped happily in agreement as it ate the meat Rei had slid off the Skewers. Since it was the meat of a B-Rank Monster, the quality was naturally exquisite. While it couldn't compare to the meat of a Silver Lion, that was simply an unfair standard to hold any food to. The pure white meat was seasoned with a pungent, Sansho-like spice that bloomed in the mouth as the tender fibers dissolved. The heat of the spice provided a refreshing counterpoint to the rich umami of the meat, creating a flavor profile with a powerful impact.
"...Haa."
Marina let out a disappointed sigh as her attempt at flirting was casually ignored. Vihera watched her with a smirk while wiping the corners of Byune's messy mouth. They continued their usual banter, enjoying the post-hunt celebration.
Soon, Hasta returned from the shop carrying a large container. Rei, currently alternating between the Skewers and the Simmered Dish, noticed a slightly sweet aroma wafting from the vessel. It was a scent he had encountered several times before, and the container itself had a familiar shape.
"A Steamer... then, is that what I think it is?"
"Ah, yes. As expected, you figured it out, Rei-san. This is the Nikuman we're currently serving."
"Nn!"
At the mention of Nikuman, Byune let out a joyful exclamation. The versions sold at the Golden Bread Pavilion were still immensely popular. While the lines were getting shorter, one still couldn't buy them without a significant wait. Consequently, everyone in the group except for Rei had yet to taste one. Byune was visibly delighted that the food had finally appeared before her.
(In truth, she probably wanted to try the ones from the Golden Bread Pavilion first since they were the originals... but I suppose she can just eat those another time,) Vihera thought with a smile, watching the young girl's excitement as she turned her eyes to the Steamer.
Under their collective gaze, Hasta lifted the lid. A plume of white steam momentarily obscured their vision. Though the Spirit Magic kept the area at a pleasant springtime temperature, the steam billowed out nonetheless—a testament to the heat of the food. The sweet fragrance of the dough filled the air.
"So this is a Nikuman. ...It has a rather unusual shape, doesn't it?"
To Rei, the shape was perfectly familiar, but to Vihera, who was used to conventional bread, it looked like a fascinating novelty. She peered into the Steamer with curiosity.
"Nn!"
Predictably, Byune was the first to reach out. Her desire to try the food was so strong that she couldn't restrain herself.
"Ah, wait, it's hot... oh, she seems fine."
The freshly steamed buns were naturally scalding. Hasta tried to warn her, but Byune didn't seem to care, grabbing a Nikuman and biting into it immediately.
"Well, that's just how Byune is. ...Anyway, let's eat. I've been curious to see what these rumored buns were all about," Marina said, smiling at the girl's enthusiasm.
Marina and Rei each took a bun, and Rei placed Seto's portion on a plate on the ground. Rather than biting in immediately, Rei first tore his Nikuman in half. Another cloud of steam rose, and the scent of the filling stimulated his appetite.
"Heh..."
Rei let out an impressed sound. The aroma wafting from the split bun was every bit as enticing as the ones from the Golden Bread Pavilion. While the specific seasoning of the Meat Filling was different, that was only natural for a shop trying to establish its own identity.
"Nnn—!"
Byune let out another muffled sound. Her expression remained stoic, but her cheeks were flushed—either because the Nikuman was exceptionally delicious, or because she had burnt her mouth by biting into the steamed bun without hesitation. Most likely, it was a bit of both.
Watching her, Rei took a careful bite of his own, savoring the flavor. The meat was cut into relatively large pieces, providing a satisfying texture. The Meat Filling also contained mushrooms and several other vegetables. What surprised Rei most was the presence of a vegetable with a texture remarkably similar to a Bamboo Shoot. He couldn't be sure if it actually was one, especially since it wasn't the right season for harvesting, but having something with that crunch was a welcome discovery.
(If there are Bamboo Shoots, I could make Menma... ah, but there's no Ramen here. Maybe as a topping for Udon? Hmm, I don't actually know the traditional way to make Menma anyway.)
As someone who appreciated Menma as a Ramen topping, Rei would have loved to recreate it. However, he lacked the specific knowledge. In the mountains where he grew up in Japan, spring brought various mountain vegetables, including Bamboo Shoots of the Nemagaritake or Himedake varieties, but they weren't the type used for commercial Menma. He did, however, remember a Menma-style dish his mother used to make.
(Well, maybe I can start there? I know how to make Sesame Oil... the issue is the Rayu. Was it just adding Chili Pepper powder to hot oil?)
He tried to recall a scene from a cooking manga he had read back in Japan, but the details were fuzzy. He wasn't even sure if Chili Peppers were readily available here.
(I'll have to take a look around the market tomorrow,) Rei decided.
The prospect of finding new ingredients and dreaming up more dishes brought him a sense of genuine excitement. Of course, the vegetables in this world often looked familiar but tasted completely different, so he couldn't take anything for granted. Plus, it was winter, meaning fresh produce was scarce and expensive. Then again, with his wealth, price wasn't much of a concern.
"S-So, how is it? The Nikuman..."
Seeing Rei fall silent, Hasta asked with a worried expression, fearing there might be something wrong with the food. Rei snapped out of his thoughts, took another thoughtful bite, and spoke.
"Yeah. It's different from the ones at the Golden Bread Pavilion, but it's very good in its own way."
"So it's not a failure as a Nikuman?"
"Not at all. It's delicious."
"...Phew. That's a relief. To be honest, they've been selling, but the numbers are lower than the Golden Bread Pavilion's. I know the difference in location between a main street and a back alley plays a part, but still..."
Hasta let out a long sigh of relief. He trusted his father's skills, but he clearly had his share of anxieties. Feeling reassured, he headed back into the shop to fetch more dishes.
Rei and the others watched him go, then returned to enjoying their celebration to their hearts' content.