NOVEL WEB Chapter 128.1
Teriyaki Is Delicious With Both Rice Bowls And Sandwiches
“Rice!”
“Bread!”
Watching the argument unfold before him, Yuuri observed with a relaxed expression. Holding a warm teacup in both hands, he occasionally sipped, savoring its taste. Even as the commotion grew loud enough to seem on the verge of escalating into a physical fight, Yuuri remained unfazed. The calm, easygoing “otomen” was, as always, enjoying life at his own pace.
As for why this heated debate was taking place:
“I told you, teriyaki goes best with rice! The sauce soaks into it, making it even more appetizing!”
“That’s the same for bread! When eaten together, the flavors seep in, and it’s amazing!”
“Rice!”
“Bread!”
At the center of the commotion were Lelei and Kurresh. Close in age and often seen together, the two were, however, fundamentally different in personality and preferences. It wasn’t that either was wrong; their contrasting traits balanced each other well.
Now, these two were face-to-face, arguing passionately about whether teriyaki meat paired better with rice or bread—an utterly trivial matter. Both were dead serious, as were their respective supporters in the background. The debate had arisen after they enjoyed the teriyaki meat Yuuri had prepared for dinner, sparking a heated discussion over which accompaniment was better. …But why?
Sipping his tea again while watching the lively group, Yuuri found comfort in the warm beverage, despite the encroaching summer heat. Something about it felt soothing.
Taking a breath, Yuuri turned to the two people on either side of him who hadn’t joined the fray.
“Jake and Ireis, why aren’t you joining in?”
“I think shredded cabbage pairs best with teriyaki meat.”
“I believe wrapping it in lettuce makes for a delightful meal.”
“Oh, both sound delicious. …Wait, what about the main dish?”
Tilting his head curiously, Yuuri’s question made Jake gaze into the distance. He’d thoroughly enjoyed the teriyaki meat at dinner.
So much so that:
“…Teriyaki meat is filling on its own.”
“Jake, you ate loads of it with shredded cabbage, didn’t you?”
“I’m a light eater by nature.”
“That’s true for you, Ireis.”
Ireis was always a small eater and didn’t seem too invested in the choice of staple food. Instead, she had been captivated by the flavor of the teriyaki meat. Yuuri readily agreed to her suggestion to try wrapping it in lettuce next time—it was easier to prepare than shredding cabbage, after all.
Meanwhile, the argument showed no signs of cooling down. As Yuuri and the others looked on, bemused, the debate raged on over this trivial matter. It was likely a testament to how delicious the teriyaki meat was.
Incidentally, the rice camp consisted mostly of big eaters like Ali, Brook, Licht, and Wurgus, with Frau quietly among them. Despite her hearty appetite, Frau somehow managed to burn off all the calories and maintain her stunning figure.
On the other hand, the bread camp featured lighter eaters, including Tifana, Alor, Yak, and Camille. Hermine was also in this group.
Meanwhile, Magg sat in the middle, nodding at both arguments, seemingly thinking both options were delicious. …Magg generally didn’t get too worked up unless broth was involved.
“”Yuuri!””
“Huh? What is it, Kure, Lelei?”
“”Which do you choose?!””
“…What?”
Perhaps tired of arguing to no avail, Kurresh and Lelei approached Yuuri, demanding an answer. Or rather, yelling at him. Suddenly dragged into the fray, Yuuri blinked in surprise, taken aback.
He could feel everyone’s gaze on him. Both the rice camp and the bread camp awaited his answer with earnest expressions. Since Yuuri had made the teriyaki meat, they wanted to know which he thought paired better. But to Yuuri, it was an inconsequential issue.
Because:
“Both are delicious, though?”
“”…What?””
“I mean, teriyaki goes well with both rice and bread, so they’re both tasty. Teriyaki rice bowls are delicious, and so are teriyaki sandwiches.”
“”Whaaaaat?!””
Yuuri’s straightforward response elicited a collective cry of disbelief. His matter-of-fact statement left the crowd deflated. The heated debate that had raged just moments ago dissipated as everyone sank into a state of exasperation.
Still, Yuuri hadn’t lied. Teriyaki rice bowls were delicious, and so were teriyaki sandwiches. Despite using traditional Japanese seasonings, teriyaki paired wonderfully with bread—a hallmark of Western cuisine. Teriyaki even appeared in burgers and sandwiches. Both options were equally enjoyable, so Yuuri’s conclusion was inevitable.
…What? “That’s just the culinary creativity of the Japanese at work?” You’re not wrong. The Japanese are undoubtedly driven by a “deliciousness is justice” gene. And why not? Both rice bowls and sandwiches are undeniably delightful when made with teriyaki.
“They have both on the menu?!”
“They do in my hometown.”
“Which one’s more popular?!”
“Both were super popular. Sandwiches were great for quick meals, while rice bowls were the go-to for hearty ones.”
“”…………””
As Kurresh and Lelei eagerly leaned in, Yuuri answered with his usual laid-back demeanor. It was classic Yuuri. He was simply sharing his thoughts and the truth. So, as everyone around him sighed and slumped, Yuuri tilted his head in puzzlement.
Jake and Ireis patted his shoulders from either side, as if silently remarking, “This guy…” If Yuuri had heard their thoughts, he would’ve undoubtedly retorted, “Jake, you’re the last person I want to hear that from.”
“If it bothers you so much, how about I make both for tomorrow’s dinner?”
“”…What?””
“If I make small portions, you can try both the rice bowl and the sandwich. Then you can decide which you prefer.”
“Yuuri, you’re a genius!”
Overcome with emotion, Lelei hugged Yuuri tightly in response to his casual suggestion. As she squeezed him tightly, Yuuri patted her back while speaking with a slight grimace.
“I’m glad you’re happy. I really am, but… Lelei, it’s too tight.”
“Huh?”
“It feels like my spine might be creaking…”
“Ahhh! I’m so sorry, Yuuri!”
“Lelei, you brute!”
“I didn’t mean to!”