LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 105.2
Plump And Tasty Fresh Cod Roe Pasta
Next, a sip of the consommé soup made with alchemized broth granules. Despite having only onions and carrots as ingredients, the broth was packed with flavor from the vegetables used during its creation.
…Wait, when did he make consommé granules? The better question: why wouldn’t he? For Yuuri, an alchemy pot was just a convenient seasoning machine.
And then, the main event arrived. The dish that was made because I wanted to eat it, the expectations were high. Twirling the pasta skillfully with my fork, Yuuri took a bite of the pasta. The first thing to spread was the salty taste of the cod roe and the flavor of the butter. As he chewed, the poppy texture of the cod roe entertained his mouth.
The seasoning was simple, just the saltiness of the cod roe and the butter. No other seasonings were used, and that simplicity brought out the deliciousness. Since there were no extra seasonings, the natural umami of the cod roe came through. This was the cod roe pasta that Yuuri had wanted to eat.
“Hmm, after all, cod roe pasta is best with raw cod roe, right?”
It wasn’t that he disliked creamy pasta, but Yuuri liked enjoying the poppy texture of the raw cod roe. Creamy versions seemed to infuse the flavor of the cod roe into the cream more than letting him enjoy the texture. And grilled cod roe became tough, so he couldn’t enjoy this texture. That was a little bit sad.
As Yuuri was lost in bliss eating alone, someone suddenly entered the dining room. Thinking it was Ali coming back, he glanced up, but for some reason, it was Licht standing there. Surprised by Licht’s sudden appearance, who had been out on a mission earlier, Yuuri blinked repeatedly, then chewed the cod roe pasta that was still in his mouth before swallowing.
“Licht-san, weren’t you supposed to be back for lunch?”
“No, my plans changed. Ah, it’s fine. I’ll eat something, anything.”
Noticing Yuuri about to stand, Licht stopped him with a raised hand. It wasn’t Yuuri’s mistake, but Licht’s action deviated from the plan, so Licht thought he’d just eat the leftovers instead of having Yuuri make something. He was still a trainee and could cook.
Yuuri spoke to Licht’s back, and the words came easily since he remembered that Licht didn’t avoid raw cod roe.
“If you’re okay with raw cod roe pasta, there’s some left.”
“…Huh?”
“This is what I’m eating now. I made a little extra, so if you want, please help yourself.”
“Is it okay?”
“Yes. After the salad and soup, I’m full.”
Since this was true, Yuuri cheerfully said it. He had eaten a bit too much of the salad and soup because they tasted so good. He had been thinking of having someone eat it in the evening, so if Licht could finish it now, it would be fine. Licht, after thanking Yuuri, disappeared into the kitchen.
When Licht returned to Yuuri’s side, he had properly prepared soup and salad. However, since the amount of cod roe pasta wasn’t enough for him, he had also brought some bread. Yuuri was grateful for the adjustment and didn’t mind, especially since there was plenty of bread.
“Thank you for the meal.”
After the customary Japanese pre-meal greeting that had become second nature for all the clan members thanks to Yuuri, Licht twirled the cod roe pasta with his fork. He seemed curious to taste it. Yuuri, still eating, casually watched Licht as he took a bite.
The moment it entered his mouth, Licht seemed a little surprised by the flavor of the butter and cod roe and the poppy texture of the raw cod roe. But he knew it was bad manners to speak with food in his mouth, so he chewed properly before opening his mouth.
“Yuuri, this cod roe… it’s raw?”
“Yes. I mixed it with room-temperature butter, and then added the boiled pasta. Since it’s not cooked, the texture is poppy, and it’s delicious, isn’t it?”
“It’s good. Though, I thought cod roe was something you eat with rice.”
“Well, it’s up to how you want to arrange it. Though many people eat it as-is with drinks.”
“That’s true.”
For Yuuri, a minor, and Licht, a non-drinker, the topic didn’t go very far, and the conversation quickly ended there. By the time Yuuri was finishing his meal, Licht had moved to the kitchen to get more bread. As expected from an active adventurer, his eating habits were far different from Yuuri’s leisurely pace as a housekeeper at the base.
That evening, Licht’s lucky encounter with the new dish, arriving earlier than expected, became the talk of the trainee and apprentice groups, who envied him and made a big fuss. Well, it was just another usual day.