第１９２７堀：ちょっとした悩みとその解決 (Part1)
### Chapter 1927: A Minor Dilemma and Its Resolution
**Side: Hovis**
Oh, dear. I’ve gone and made Yuki-sama worry about me.
It’s true that I used to work at an eatery, but I wasn’t the owner’s only daughter or anything like that—I was just a helper. When bandits raided the place and destroyed it, I was sold off as a slave to cover the losses.
I don’t harbor any resentment over that. They took me in when I was an orphan and treated me well. If I think of it as repaying that debt, being sold as a slave didn’t bother me in the slightest. Besides, it led me to meet Yuki-sama, and of course, all of you, so I can say with certainty that it wasn’t a bad turn of events.
Still, I’m at a loss as to what I should cook for him.
"Say, Orelia... what do you think I should make for Yuki-sama?"
I ask Orelia, who is walking beside me, quite frankly. Ria-sama has already parted ways with us to head toward the bento shop and the flower shop.
"Let’s see. Regarding that, shouldn't you just make something you like, or perhaps a specialty of yours, rather than worrying about Yuki-sama’s preferences?"
"Ahaha... truth be told, back then I was just a helper, so I never really cooked anything myself."
"That doesn't matter. Yuki-sama thinks highly of your skills, Hovis. If there’s something you want him to eat, that’s all that matters. Do you really think Yuki-sama would mind the rest?"
"I suppose you're right. I know Yuki-sama would eat anything I make and say it’s delicious. But that’s exactly why I want him to have my absolute best."
"Well, I understand that. But we’ve already established that you don't have a 'best' yet... we’re just going in circles, aren't we?"
"You're right. I’m sorry."
I gave a reply that rendered Orelia’s advice completely useless.
"Don't worry about it. Yuki-sama is that important to all of us. But, Hovis, you really can’t think of any dish that would make him happy?"
"That’s just it. He eats everything and always tells me it’s delicious, you know?"
"I suppose that’s true. But I seem to recall hearing something about Yuki-sama’s favorite foods..."
Ah, what was it? I felt like I had heard something too, when—
"Yuki-sama’s favorite foods? I happen to know them."
I turn toward the unexpected voice coming from another direction and find a woman in an apron standing there. She looks vaguely familiar, though.
"Ah, I work as an employee at the flower shop. I’m a subordinate of Kirika-sama."
" "Oh." "
The flower shop—meaning the bento shop run by Catherine-san.
"So, about Yuki-sama’s favorites?"
"Ah, yes. I’ve been wanting to cook something for him, and rather than just making what I like, I wanted to make something Yuki-sama truly enjoys."
"I was worried because if I ask him directly, he’ll just be considerate and hold back."
"Indeed, Yuki-sama does have that tendency. While I’m sure he would answer if you asked him plainly, he would likely be quite mindful of your feelings given the current conversation."
That’s exactly it. That’s why I couldn't bring myself to ask.
"Well then, based on what I’ve heard from Kirika-sama and the others, Yuki-sama’s favorites are, fundamentally, rice dishes."
" "Rice dishes?" "
"Yes. Meals where rice is the centerpiece."
Hmm, that’s a rather broad category, isn't it?
"Isn't that a bit too wide-ranging?"
"Ah, my apologies. You are quite right. Rice goes with everything, after all."
That’s true. Since rice goes with everything, you could make just about any dish, couldn't you?
"Indeed. To start, there is the Japanese-style breakfast. Rice, miso soup, grilled salmon, rolled omelet, and pickles—the ironclad standard. Because it’s so simple, it truly tests the skill of the cook for every single item."
"Mumu, that is... what do you think, Hovis?"
"It’s difficult, but... I do make those things."
It’s precisely because I make them that I know how difficult they are. The seasoning varies from person to person, and Yuki-sama is someone who grew up eating Japanese food his whole life. I can’t expect him to think it’s delicious if I just half-ass it.
"Then there are things like omurice or fried rice. Those are dishes where the rice itself is cooked. They offer a wide variety of arrangements, so it’s a good opportunity to try new seasonings, or you could stick to the classics."
"I see. Thank you very much."
"Not at all. Honestly, if you aren't confident in your skills, I’d recommend omurice or fried rice. Since the flavors are so diverse, you can sort of 'cheat' with them—it’s expected that the taste will differ depending on who is cooking."
"Ah, I see!"
"It’s true that omurice and fried rice change depending on what kind of flavor profile you’re aiming for. A Japanese breakfast tests your ability to balance every single component, so in that sense, this might be easier. But I have a question—aren't fried rice and *yakimeshi* the same thing?"
That’s true, they’re both dishes where you stir-fry rice. They look almost identical, too.
"Ah, there are various definitions, but one prominent theory is that *chahan* (fried rice) is meant to be light and fluffy, while *yakimeshi* is meant to be a bit moister. Others say the difference lies in whether you fry the rice first or the ingredients first."
"I see, so there are differences like that."
"Yes. So, it might be worth investigating which style suits your sensibilities, Hovis-sama."
"Ah, I understand now."
Have I made *yakimeshi* or *chahan* before? I have. But I never really paid attention to the difference between the two back then.
"For now, instead of deciding on one thing from the start, why don't you try making a variety of things, including the dishes I mentioned?"
"That’s a good idea. Hovis might even make some unexpected discoveries."
"That’s true. Thank you so much for the advice."
"Not at all. Wanting to feed Yuki-sama something delicious is a wonderful thing, and it will surely provide him with vitality. I wish you the best of luck."
With that, we parted ways with Kirika-san’s subordinate. It seemed she was in the middle of an errand.
"That was some good information. It’s a good thing we found out what Yuki-sama likes."
"Yes. Let’s try making them as soon as we get home. Oh, but..."
That was when I realized a major problem.
"What’s wrong? We can use the kitchen, and at the very least, you can use the one equipped in our room, right?"
Yes, Orelia is right. The rooms at the inn have been renovated, so we can cook right there. They’re even fully equipped with refrigerators. But that’s not the problem.
"The place to cook isn't the issue. It’s that there’s no one to eat it. Orelia, do you think you could eat several bowls of rice?"