NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 128.2
Teriyaki Is Delicious With Both Rice Bowls And Sandwiches
Yuuri panicked and quickly pulled away from Lelei after her complaint, profusely apologizing despite Kurresh’s scolding. It wasn’t out of malice—Lelei had no ill intentions. None at all. As a feline beastkin, even though she looked human, she possessed strength comparable to other beastkin. And, more often than not, she simply forgot about it.
Freed from Lelei’s grip, Yuuri rubbed his back, which seemed to crack slightly. He reassured the worried Kurresh and Lelei with a smile, saying he was fine. However, the fact that being hugged only made him fear for his safety instead of stirring romantic feelings was puzzling. That it stemmed from her joy only made his head hurt more. Lelei was as usual.
“Anyway, so for tomorrow’s dinner, teriyaki again, okay?”
“Sure! I want it!”
“Me too.”
“And everyone else, uh… yeah, looks like it’s fine.”
Lelei responded energetically, and Kurresh smiled. Seeing their reactions, Yuuri turned his gaze to the others, who seemed to agree. He smiled softly. Knowing everyone looked forward to the meals he made brought him immense joy.
Thus, the next evening’s dinner consisted of a teriyaki rice bowl and a half-sized teriyaki sandwich set. The sides included vegetable salad, vegetable soup, and a platter of cut fruit. Since it was the second time, the trainee cooks assisting him had somewhat mastered making teriyaki, so everything went smoothly.
The teriyaki rice bowl was made by layering shredded cabbage on rice, topped with the meat. Even just the sweet and savory teriyaki meat alone was delicious, but the addition of shredded cabbage made it exceptional. And, because it tasted better this way, a swirl of mayonnaise adorned the meat. Teriyaki mayo is simply delicious.
As for the sandwich, a slit was cut into a long bun resembling a hotdog roll, and lettuce and teriyaki meat were tucked inside. Its appearance was akin to a hotdog. Lettuce was used instead of cabbage to evoke the image of a burger. Naturally, a layer of mayonnaise was added between the lettuce and meat. Long live teriyaki mayo.
“Itadakimasu.”
“”Itadakimasu!””
As Yuuri murmured, everyone joined in the familiar pre-meal greeting and reached for their preferred option. Rice lovers took the teriyaki rice bowl, while bread lovers opted for the teriyaki sandwich.
Yuuri went for the teriyaki sandwich first, taking a big bite. The softness of the bread, the juiciness of the teriyaki meat, and the crispiness of the lettuce—all three textures blended harmoniously with the sweet and savory seasoning. Moreover, the mayonnaise seamlessly tied the flavors together, making it even more delectable.
The bread, soaked in the sauce, was flavorful, creating a melody of deliciousness in his mouth. Unlike a typical teriyaki burger made with a hamburger patty, this featured bite-sized cuts of meat, which felt more like eating meat and had its own appeal.
“Mmm, the bread being tasty makes it even better.”
“Yuuri, why lettuce instead of cabbage for this?”
“Huh? Lettuce seemed appealing. Plus, Ireith said she wanted to wrap it in lettuce, so I thought I’d try using it.”
“Ah, makes sense.”
In response to Kurresh’s question, Yuuri answered simply. While it was true he chose lettuce to evoke the image of a burger, Ireith’s suggestion also contributed, so it wasn’t wrong.
Glancing over, Kurresh, a bread lover, was happily eating the sandwich. Across from him, Lelei was gleefully devouring the teriyaki rice bowl. Indeed, she was still prioritizing food over elegance.
“Lelei, is the rice bowl good?”
“Delicious!”
“…Yeah, I can tell you like it, but you don’t need to talk with food in your mouth.”
“Mm!”
Her happy response came with a big smile, albeit muffled by food in her mouth. Since her meaning came across, Yuuri’s scolding wasn’t too harsh. Kurresh looked exasperated, but that was par for the course. Watching Lelei, Yuuri reached for the teriyaki rice bowl. He scooped some slightly wilted shredded cabbage along with the white rice underneath, topped with hot teriyaki meat. Confident in the deliciousness of teriyaki mayo, he took a bite without hesitation.
The meat’s juices and the sauce-soaked rice created a rich flavor in his mouth. The slightly softened cabbage paired beautifully with the teriyaki mayo, delivering a sense of satisfaction. It was a flavor likely to please anyone with a hearty appetite. Yuuri didn’t dislike it, though he thought he couldn’t eat too much of it.
“Ah, the sandwich might be even better.”
“The rice bowl’s great too.”
Amid enjoying his teriyaki rice bowl, Yuuri heard Lelei and Kurresh’s remarks. Their reactions weren’t unique—others shared the same sentiment. Both the rice lovers and bread lovers tried the other option and admitted it was delicious.
Well, once Yuuri had declared both were tasty, any debates had subsided. After all, when the cook stated it wasn’t about superiority, there was no room for arguments. Whether Yuuri intended it or not.
“Tasty?”
“”Delicious!””
“Glad to hear it.”
Smiling, Yuuri said, “Good food is meant to be shared,” with his usual cheery demeanor. Seeing his smile, Kurresh and Lelei exchanged glances and chuckled wryly. Despite their differing personalities, they found themselves often together, flanking Yuuri—one on his side and the other across from him. They simultaneously bowed their heads.
Perplexed, Yuuri tilted his head in confusion. The two, having bowed deeply, raised their heads and fixed their gazes on Yuuri. They spoke in unison.
“Sorry.”
“We’re sorry.”
“Huh?”
“Fighting over something silly was wrong. Both are delicious.”
“Yeah, both are tasty!”
“Uh? I wasn’t bothered, though?”
The one receiving the apology seemed puzzled. Seeing Yuuri’s reaction, the two shrugged and smiled. Yuuri was, as always, Yuuri—laid-back and carefree, not sweating the small stuff.
As a side note, the teriyaki rice bowl was later added to the menu at Komorebi-Tei, and the teriyaki sandwich made its way onto the menu of the bakery that regularly supplied bread. After all, deliciousness is justice!