第１２５０堀：小国からの視点 (Part1)
Chapter 1250: Perspective from a Small Nation
Side: Vilia
"Lady Vilia, Lady Hiiro, what kind of things will they serve here?"
Asking with a bright smile while peering around with intense curiosity is Fusora, the daughter of Viscount Aoku. We have been acting as guides for the Viscount and Fusora for about a week now. Today, my brother finally had a gap in his schedule, and since he wanted to hear from the Viscount and Fusora, we brought them to a high-class yakiniku restaurant. This establishment is equipped with private rooms, making it a place where high-ranking individuals can dine with peace of mind.
"This place? It’s a yakiniku restaurant."
"A yakiniku restaurant? What kind of establishment is that?"
"Well, you see... you use this tablet to order meat and other dishes, and then you grill the raw meat yourself on this mesh grill to eat it."
"Oh? You can order with something like this? And you grill it yourself?"
"That’s right. I’ll show you an example."
Saying this, Hiiro begins a demonstration for Fusora. Cola, ice cream, and...
"Wait, Hiiro! It’s too early for dessert!"
Seeing what Hiiro started ordering, I quickly snatched the tablet away and hurriedly canceled the order.
"Boo."
"Don't 'boo' me. We came here for a meal, not to start with sweet desserts. What would you do if Fusora-san learned the wrong etiquette?"
"Ahaha, it’s quite alright, Sister Vilia. I have enough sense to know that much."
"Is that so... well, Hiiro, you clearly need to study more than Fusora-san does. For now, I will take both of your requests and place the order myself."
With that settled, once we finished ordering, I looked over at the neighboring table to see how Tori-san and the Viscount were doing...
"Ho-ho. So one can order without having to call out to the staff every time. This is marvelous."
"...People like the Viscount often come here incognito. Having a way to order without raising one's voice is a good thing."
"Indeed. However, it has been a long time since I last cooked—or rather, grilled—my own food."
"...Has the Viscount ever cooked before?"
"Well, I was a child once, too. Sometimes, under the guise of adventure, we would hunt prey during the day and dress and grill it over a bonfire at night. Ah, but that is a story from the distant past. I never imagined that coming to Weed would allow me to experience something like this again."
"It’s surprisingly fun. You can eat it at your own preferred level of doneness, after all."
"Isn't meat supposed to be grilled until it's pitch black?"
"I suppose that for things caught in the wild or in other nations, one must grill meat thoroughly to be safe..."
Just as Tori-san began to say that, the door to the room opened.
"The meat provided at Weed’s yakiniku restaurants has had such diseases and parasites eliminated, so you can eat it without grilling it through. Though, I personally prefer mine medium."
My brother entered the room as he said this.
"Ah, Yuki-sama!"
At the same time, Fusora stood up with a start, trotted over, and embraced my brother without a moment's hesitation. Then, with a radiant smile...
"Thank you for bringing me to Weed. I am having such a wonderful time every single day! Everything is just so amazing!"
Her face flushed, she offered her thanks with genuine, heartfelt joy. Yes, our efforts to look after them were well worth it.
"I see. I am glad to hear you are enjoying yourself. How are you finding things, Viscount Kinao?"
"Yes. I am spending my time here pleasantly and comfortably."
"That is good to hear. That said, I am sure you have various concerns. Let us talk at length while we eat. And I apologize for not having been able to set aside a time to speak with you until today."
"Not at all. It is I who requested this sudden visit. I have nothing but words of gratitude for the courteous treatment we have received, and I am the one who should apologize for taking up your time when you are so busy."
"Ahaha. At this rate, we’ll just be trading thanks and apologies all day. Shall we start our meal?"
"Indeed."
My brother and the Viscount laughed together, and in the meantime, the ingredients arrived. They placed them on the grill and began to enjoy the yakiniku together.
"Everyone, please enjoy yourselves as well."
"Yes!"
At my brother's signal, we began our own yakiniku.
"Now, what shall we grill first?"
"Meat!"
"Meat, just like Lady Hiiro!"
"Understood. But you must also eat your vegetables properly."
"Ehh..."
Hiiro and Fusora both pouted in unison. Honestly, they have the exact same reaction.
"No 'ehh' about it. Well, you may eat plenty of meat, but grilled vegetables are delicious too. And we have fried rice as well."
"Oh, that’s right! Let’s order fried rice!"
"Fried rice?"
"It's rice that's been stir-fried."
"Rice? That white stuff?"
"Yes. When you stir-fry it and season it, it’s super delicious."
"Wow!"
Well, the reason the fried rice is delicious is because the person who made it is skilled... though, it’s not as if a restaurant’s fried rice could be bad. While I was thinking that, the meat finished grilling.
"There, it’s ready. First, try eating it with this level of doneness."
"Okay!"
"Oh? Do we take it directly?"
"Yes. You take it like this, dip it in the sauce, and eat. Mmm, delicious!! Rice, rice!"
As soon as Hiiro ate the meat, she immediately shoveled in the white rice. Yes, that is the Hiiro I know.
Seeing that, Fusora also tentatively picked up the meat with her chopsticks, dipped it in the sauce, and put it in her mouth. I watched over her with concern, wondering what she would think, but her face immediately lit up with surprise. She mimicked Hiiro, ate some rice, and broke into a smile.
Actually, her chopstick technique is quite refined. And she hasn't even been in Weed for a week yet...
As I thought about that, I put some meat in my own mouth and enjoyed it.
"My, this is delicious. So this is yakiniku."
"This meat was raised specifically for consumption, after all. Wild game has a flavor unique to the wilderness, but this is quite delicious in its own right, isn't it?"
"Yes, indeed! I have never tasted such delicious meat. And this sauce! It is magnificent!"
"I’m glad you think so. But, you know, it’s surprisingly good even if you just sprinkle a little salt on it."
"Salt? With something so simple... well, I suppose it’s worth a try... Oh! This is delicious, too!"
My brother and the Viscount were enjoying their meal happily. Tori-san and the others were also having a lively time with their yakiniku.
"This is my territory."
"You’re doing that again. Why can’t we all just eat together nicely?"
"...More importantly, just eat already."
"Ah!? Kaya, that’s mine!"
"Hey, stop it!"
Ahaha, the sisters are as boisterous as ever.