Night.
The stars twinkled, and a gentle breeze blew.
When Sosuke lit up the GG signboard outside the door, the Izakaya began its new day of business.
He selected a fresh river eel, slaughtered it on the spot, grilled it until the surface of the fish tightened, brushed it with sauce, and finally placed it on rice, creating a fragrant bowl of eel rice!
Soon after.
It had just been served.
The golden eel meat shimmered with an inviting luster from its oil.
Perfectly laid out on white rice, a layer of sauce coated the surface of the eel and rice, the entire bowl of eel rice exuding the unique elegance of Japan cuisine!
Tadokoro Megumi couldn't help but get excited and immediately divided the bowl of eel rice into three portions.
The first portion was the original flavor of eel rice, the second portion had shredded nori, wasabi, chopped green onions, white sesame, and sansho pepper mixed with the rice.
The last portion was made into a soup-soaked rice with High Soup brewed from eel offal, served with pickles, creating a "tea-soaked rice."
This way of eating is the most popular "eel three ways" in the Nagoya region.
...
"That's amazing!"
"This eel is so tender and plump."
"And it always has a slightly springy, chewy texture."
"The moment it enters your mouth, there's a rich oily aroma, no fishy smell, and it's grilled a bit drier, so the skin is crispy and especially fragrant!"
"The rice, though a supporting role, is steamed so that each grain is distinct yet has a certain stickiness, allowing the special sauce to permeate the rice without overpowering the eel's flavor."
"It not only increases the chewiness in the mouth but also complements the tender eel perfectly."
After taking a bite of the eel rice, Tadokoro Megumi was instantly deeply conquered by this local Japan dish from Nagoya!
Since childhood, she had lived in a fishing port city, so this type of eel rice with local characteristics had always been her favorite dish.
"Shopkeeper, do you know?"
"When I was in middle school, I joined the local Japan cuisine research association within the Totsuki Academy."
"Our association leader was best at making the special eel rice from the Nagoya region. But compared to that, I feel that the eel rice you make has the most authentic local flavor!"
Tadokoro Megumi, who had just come back to her senses, couldn't help but look up slightly and said admiringly.
"Hmm!"
"You flatter me."
Hearing this, Sosuke just smiled lightly and replied indifferently.
...
Poor grades.
Is it really because of low intelligence?
In Sosuke's opinion, it depends on the situation. Some people are simply too lazy to study.
And some people work very hard but still can't learn well. The latter might be making a false effort, or they might be like Tadokoro Megumi, who tends to mess up at critical moments!
In fact, in the original plot, Tadokoro Megumi's halo once overshadowed Erina.
Especially during the Practical Training event, she moved Gin Dojima, Hinata-ko, and other seniors with her gentle cooking.
She even made Shinomiya Kojiro completely realize that the reason he was stagnant was that he was too eager for quick success and could no longer cook with a gentle touch!
Of course.
The eldest daughter of the noble Nakiri family.
She herself is the combat ceiling of Totsuki Academy, so no matter how hard Tadokoro Megumi tried, it was naturally impossible for her to catch up.
However, unlike Erina, who couldn't tolerate any questioning from others.
Tadokoro Megumi's cooking actually had a striking aspect: she always tried her best to consider the diners' health when preparing dishes and food, using her gentleness to convey the value of cooking to everyone!
Therefore, Sosuke always held a deep pity for this cute, innocent, shy, and timid girl who dared to step out and break through her own limits at important moments!
...
The sauce.
Like a bond.
It perfectly blended the simple rice and the magnificent eel.
The sauces of famous eel restaurants in Japan are all based on their own secret recipes, filtered daily to remove impurities and then simmered with new ingredients.
And the sauce used in Sosuke's bowl of eel rice was certainly also his own secret concoction.
Moreover, the sauce he prepared could perfectly bring out the freshness of the eel and the delicate aroma of the rice.
This was different from industrial mass-produced sauces, which, being too sweet, too salty, or having too strong a liquor taste, would overpower the original flavors of the eel and rice!
In short.
This bowl of eel rice.
Gradually evoked Tadokoro Megumi's memories of her hometown.
So, in this emotional state, she began to devour it with gusto.
Until the very end, all three different portions of eel rice were eaten clean by her.
...
Food is so wonderful.
When we discover another delicious dish, our anticipation and curiosity for this world increase by another measure.
Several years had passed in a flash, and Tadokoro Megumi hadn't been home for a long time, so her mother's eel rice only existed in her memory.
The only thing she couldn't let go of was her current unsatisfactory performance at Totsuki Academy.
Perhaps she shouldn't have chosen to come to Totsuki in the first place.
She thought that if she hadn't come to Totsuki Academy to study, then her life these past few years could have been leisurely breakfasts, not so rushed; she could have slept until she woke up naturally, not worrying about grades.
She could also have stayed by her mother's side at all times, helping her run Shoei-en.
But there's no regret medicine for life's choices, and now Tadokoro Megumi can only accept everything openly and honestly!
"Phew!"
"I'm so satisfied."
"It's been so long since I've had a dish that tastes like home!"
She licked her lips and then patted her slightly bulging lower abdomen.
Still not satisfied, Tadokoro Megumi finally couldn't help but sigh, "Shopkeeper, your eel rice, just the rice alone is soft and springy, especially after absorbing the sauce, it doesn't get mushy and still retains a hint of chewiness!"
"The quality of the rice is truly excellent, and the softness and firmness when cooked are just right."
"Not only does it go very well with the eel, but even eating a mouthful of plain rice without sauce, I find it very flavorful."
Seeing Tadokoro Megumi so engrossed in his cooking, Sosuke didn't say anything.
He just turned to brew a cup of herbal tea, gently placed it in front of her, and then asked, "Are you here alone tonight? Where are your roommates like Yoshino Yuki, Sakaki Ryoko, and Isshiki Satoshi?"
"Shopkeeper."
"I... I came alone."
"You know, the start of the Totsuki school year is approaching."
"Whether I can pass the first class's assessment is still unknown!"
"So tonight, I just wanted to have my favorite eel rice here at the Izakaya, and then say goodbye to you, Shopkeeper."
Tadokoro Megumi paused, her voice a little helpless.
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