NOVEL WEB Chapter 39
Suddenly Craving Tamakakegohan
One early morning, Yuuri was standing by the rice cooker.
He was perfectly prepared, holding a deep bowl for the rice and a rice paddle. The moment the rice cooker signaled that the rice was ready, he would open the lid, mix the rice, and serve it into the bowl.
On the kitchen counter, an egg had already been cracked and mixed, not entirely blending the yolk and white, but leaving some white visible. Soy sauce was also mixed in. Everything was ready.
Freshly cooked rice and a freshly delivered egg mixed with soy sauce. These two combined create a simple dish, Tamakakegohan.
Yuuri, who suddenly craved Tamakakegohan, quietly prepared just for himself early that morning.
Usually, breakfast at Scarlet Lynx was bread. Yuuri didn’t hate bread, nor did he insist on a Japanese breakfast. But with fresh eggs available, he couldn’t resist the temptation of Tamakakegohan.
However, he knew this wasn’t suitable for everyone’s breakfast, so he only prepared his portion. The others’ breakfast was already prepared.
Someone might say he didn’t have to eat it now. But Yuuri wanted to eat Tamakakegohan in the morning. It was ingrained in him as a breakfast dish. So he woke up earlier than usual to cook a small amount of rice.
Please don’t ask if it’s necessary. Humans strive for what they want to eat, especially Japanese people.
As he waited, the rice cooker signaled. Yuuri immediately opened the lid and mixed the rice. He then served it into the bowl. Not too much, but not too little, balancing with the egg.
He poured the soy sauce-mixed egg over the rice. The runny egg colored the white rice. Some parts seemed slightly cooked by the heat of the fresh rice, which looked delicious.
He stared at the bowl. The steaming rice and the soy sauce-flavored raw egg, freshly laid. It had to be delicious.
“Thank you for the meal.”
He clasped his hands and murmured more solemnly than usual, then gently took the bowl and chopsticks. He took a bite. The hot rice mixed with the rich egg and soy sauce spread throughout his mouth.
Yuuri’s face melted into a relaxed expression. The familiar taste of simple, homely food was delicious.
Tamakakegohan might be simple, but its flavor depends on the ingredients. This egg was truly delicious. Carefully raised, its flavor was rich and deep. The yolk’s firmness felt concentrated and coated the hot rice. It was bound to be delicious.
“Mmm, delicious.”
Yuuri savored his happiness alone. Breakfast duty meant eating before everyone else arrived since preparing their meals kept him busy. So eating alone wasn’t wrong.
But…
“Yuuri, what are you doing?”
He had forgotten that today’s breakfast helper, Urgus, was also on duty.
With a mouthful of Tamakakegohan, Yuuri turned his head. Urgus was there, frowning at Yuuri for being in the kitchen earlier than expected.
Urgus noticed Yuuri holding the bowl protectively.
Yuuri, still chewing, said nothing but clearly conveyed with his actions and expression, “It’s mine, I won’t share!” It was rare for Yuuri to act this way, and Urgus blinked in surprise.
“I’m not going to take it. What are you eating?”
“Hamahakegohan.”
“Wait until your mouth is empty.”
Nodding at the exasperated Urgus, Yuuri chewed thoroughly and swallowed. He wanted to savor the flavors.
Once done, he put the bowl on the counter and faced Urgus. Although he wanted to continue enjoying his warm Tamakakegohan, he knew he’d get scolded.
“What I was eating is Tamakakegohan. It’s a dish where you pour beaten raw Tamakakegohan.”
“Is that even a dish?”
“It is.”
Despite Urgus’s doubt about its simplicity, Yuuri firmly believed Tamakakegohan was a dish. Its simplicity made the ingredients’ quality crucial.
The fresh rice and fresh egg made Yuuri overly enthusiastic. What? Always enthusiastic? …What do you mean?
“Is it tasty?”
“The egg is delicious, so it’s very tasty.”
“…”
“There’s still rice in the cooker. If you want, we can have Tamakakegohan for breakfast.”
“Let’s do.”
It may be an unfamiliar dish, or too simple to be called a dish, but seeing someone enjoy it in front of you makes you want to try it too. Urgus decided quickly. Despite being from a fairly affluent family, he had never encountered such a simple, common meal.
Yuuri stopped Urgus, who was about to serve rice into his bowl. The egg should be prepared first. Everyone has their own way of making Tamakakegohan, but Yuuri’s method involved beating the egg with soy sauce beforehand. Some people pour soy sauce after adding the egg to the rice.
Yuuri’s method ensures the soy sauce mixes evenly with the egg and prevents the rice from becoming too salty. He didn’t want the rice to just taste of soy sauce.
“First, crack an egg, beat it, and season it with soy sauce.”
“Uh, okay?”
“Then, put a moderate amount of rice in a bowl and pour the egg over it.”
“Got it.”
Urgus replied seriously to Yuuri’s earnest explanation. Watching Urgus prepare the egg, Yuuri returned to his own Tamakakegohan. It was still warm and delicious. Though he wished for some bonito flakes, they weren’t available in the capital. Perhaps they could be found in a port town. Yuuri made a mental note to ask Harrows next time.
Bonito flakes would add flavor to various dishes. They could make leafy vegetable dishes look more appetizing and were nutritious as well. If suitable bonito flakes for making dashi could be found, Yuuri could make light, flavorful clear soup. His culinary dreams expanded.
Meanwhile, beside the daydreaming Yuuri, Urgus tried Tamakakegohan for the first time. Understanding that too much soy sauce would make it too salty, he used it sparingly. He served a modest amount of rice, as Yuuri suggested, though he wanted more. Being perpetually hungry, he obeyed Yuuri’s advice.
Urgus, who wasn’t good with chopsticks, used a spoon. In this world, both chopsticks and silverware were common, depending on the social class. Wealthier people tended to use silverware, while poorer people used chopsticks and spoons. Nobles could use both perfectly.
Taking a small spoonful of Tamakakegohan, Urgus tasted the sweet rice, the rich egg, and the soy sauce.
“It’s delicious.”
That was the truth. A dish made with just rice and an egg shouldn’t taste this good, but it did. Urgus didn’t understand why, but he found it irresistible. His spoon moved continuously, craving more.
Beside the rapidly eating Urgus, Yuuri, who had finished his meal, sipped warm tea. Today’s tea was hojicha. Sencha was difficult to brew correctly and often too bitter, so hojicha was the choice. Even though they came from the same tea leaves, most people didn’t believe him.
“Yuuri.”
“No seconds.”
“Why not?”
Urgus, who was about to get seconds, was stopped by Yuuri’s cheerful smile and protested loudly before remembering the early hour.
Yuuri explained calmly, “Because getting seconds means eating another egg. If you eat two eggs in the morning, you can’t have any more for the rest of the day.”
“Huh?”
“Eggs are nutritious, but too much isn’t good. Plus, I want to use eggs for lunch or dinner, and for making snacks. So, that’s it.”
“That’s unreasonable!”
“No, it’s for your health.”
Though grumbling, Urgus didn’t argue. He knew that defying Yuuri could lead to unpleasant meals in the future. Despite that, he gazed longingly at the rice cooker. Simple, common food seemed to suit even someone from a wealthy background.
Later, other trainees were occasionally seen having Tamakakegohan for breakfast with Yuuri.