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Chapter 134: Alley in the Morning
Riche sniffed me when I returned home, so I went straight to the bath. Not sure if it’s because of Daifuku’s scent, or if I’m too stinky.
I left Daifuku at the Canum house. Actually it’s not really leaving him behind; I did ask if he wanted to come along but he seemed totally uninterested as he promptly curled himself on the center of the bed and slept.
I washed my head and body then soaked in the tub. Ahh, baths really are the best.
After bathing, I drank milk, played with Riche, then drank coffee while reading a book. For a snack, I had a dense linzer torte with sweet-sour jam. It goes well with coffee.
These slouchy pajamas felt oh-so-comfortable, and my feet were happy after being freed from those boots. Let’s make some daifuku tomorrow.
Ingredients are gyuhi — some kind of Japanese confectionery made with rice flour, and is kinda similar to Turkish delight — potato starch, and red bean paste.
I don’t have shiratamako huh. That’s the kind of flour made by turning glutinous rice into fine powder, then getting the sediments after letting it settle in water. Folks in Japan also call it ‘kanzarashi’, literally ‘exposing to cold’, because it’s usually processed during winter — they repeatedly precipitate then dry it during winter season.
They do it during that season so that it won’t get moldy, but I guess it’ll be fine even if I do it now? I have to mill the flour, so let’s leave that for tomorrow and soak the glutinous rice in water first.
Oh no, I’m sleepy.
I crawled into bed and patted Riche, who was curled up in the basket beside me, before drifting off to dreamland.
Because I slept early, I woke up while it was still dark, so I spent some time basking in pure bliss within the comfort of my bed.
I then went through my daily routine as usual. I’m going to bake bread today. Ash and the rest probably don’t have anything they can eat right away in their pantries, given that it’s right after our expedition, so I plan to bring them some bread, eggs and ham.
Well, there are baker’s apprentices and egg dealers walking around in the morning in town, so I can also just stop them and buy some, I guess.
The nice aroma of the bread wafted as I ate my tamago kake gohan. It’s fun dropping the raw egg on the freshly cooked white rice, and the soy sauce dripping and sliding down the orange yolk and soaking the rice looks really appetizing.
The freshly made soy sauce also smells so good. The pantry soy sauce always smells and tastes like it’s a straight release from the factory.
I added some pickled cucumbers to the tofu and wakame miso soup. Sprinkle some sesame seeds and grilled nori on top of the tamago kake bowl, before breaking the yolk and stirring it. Ahh, bliss. The yellow yolk warmed by the piping hot rice tastes sweet.
***
When I teleport back to Canum feeling sprightly, Daifuku isn’t there. I know he came on a whim, so I’m wondering now if he went back.
I felt a bit dejected as I went around distributing the bread.
Only Madam is awake at Dinosso’s, and Butler at Ash’s. Retze is on the first floor at Dean’s.
Along with Daifuku.
「What’s up? 」
「Ah, no, maybe I should really bring that bed here? 」
Daifuku had been curled into a ball on Retze’s lap. He silently hopped down and started nuzzling my knee.
You’re huge, Daifuku. You’d probably be way too heavy to carry if you were not a spirit; that would be tough.
「Wait a sec, what’s up with those gestures and that thing you just said? 」
It must’ve looked uncanny, given that he couldn’t see what I was petting.
「Nah, it’s just your imagination, just imagination, yes siree. Here you go, bread and eggs.」
「Hey, don’t try to weasel your way out, I won’t be fooled, you know? 」
「Let’s add some bacon and cheese, too. Want me to brew coffee for you? 」
「Tsk
. Make it strong, please. 」
Retze gave up.
Coffee can be quite addictive, yup.
Retze immediately drop it, probably because he couldn’t See. Well, Daifuku was quite harmless given that he doesn’t bother anyone even if he’s here, and he won’t use his 『Sleep Ability』 if requested. It’s just that I look creepy from time to time.
The resigned Retze started to fry the thickly sliced bacon over the hearth while I prepared the siphon and brewed the coffee.
Daifuku seemed to like the water I poured for him in a saucer; he drank it. I wonder what other indulgences he might prefer?
I happily pet Daifuku while Retze eats his breakfast. Daifuku seems to like being around people considering he can be quite fickle. It’s just that he has rigidly high standards — the texture, temperature, brightness must all suit his tastes.
He hastily vanished when Chris came down; he probably isn’t good with loud bangs. He doesn’t seem fond of the children’s voices, either. Besides, Chris is pretty enthusiastic so early in the morning.
It’ll be nice if he comes again to play.
Even if Daifuku is harmless, I’m still aware that I kinda wrapped Retze around my finger, so I gave the siphon to him as a present. Let’s bring the filter later.
Alright, I already finished making the shiratamako flour, so I’m going to make the daifuku tonight. I also have to make the horse-riding grounds
 Ah, no, maybe it’s better if I hire someone to take care of Ruta in Nalluahdid. It’ll be worrisome if I’m away for a few days, just like our tiny expedition this time.
***
I’m on my way back home to 【Teleport】when I come across a suspicious figure — ah, no, it’s Butler and someone with a similar air, and they are in the middle of quietly fighting it out in the alleyway. Butler looks like he’s taking it easy.
「Please excuse me for a bit. 」
It seems impossible to pass through without bothering them, so I called out before cutting across them.
「What!? 」
「Jean-sama. 」
They both jump back away from each other, then they both stared at me.
「Ah. I’m going right away, so please don’t mind me. 」