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Aside from that one Flounder that looked deceptively meaty, the rest of the fish Leo brought back were Sardines. They were small, bony, and really only suitable for soup.
The only cookware Yakumo Ran brought was a single large cauldron.
She was clever. She knew Leo had no kitchen and likely lacked the skills to use complex utensils. A sturdy pot that could be propped up on stones over an open fire was the most practical choice.
The fresh Flounder was skinned and filleted with surgical precision. Ran only needed to press her fingers against the flesh once to map the entire skeletal structure. Her small knife danced, separating meat from bone in seconds.
She set the two large, boneless fillets aside. The bones, along with two cleaned Sardines and a clump of seaweed, were tossed into the pot to create a stock.
It was primitive, but the aroma was rich.
When the broth was bubbling, Ran gently slid the Flounder fillets into the pot for a final poach.
"Miss Ran, you seem to be an excellent cook."
Night had fallen. Ran had built a bonfire outside the cabin using stones and branches. Leo sat by the fire, staring at the bubbling cauldron. Next to him, Chen (in her human form) stared with equal intensity.
Grrr...
Both their stomachs growled in perfect unison.
"I have no choice," Ran said with a faint, weary smile. "I have both the elderly and the young to look after at home. The Elder is a hands-off boss who vanishes the moment work appears. The Little One is innocent and cute, but too young to be entrusted with heavy responsibilities."
She cleaned her knife and set out three bowls. Though her words sounded like a complaint, her tone dripped with the affection of a devoted mother hen.
"Alright. Please eat first, Lord Leo. Chen, wait for yours to cool down."
Ran handed a bowl overflowing with white fish meat and clear broth to Leo. With her other hand, she gently restrained the Orange Cat, who was already reaching for the pot with reckless greed.
"Thank you."
Leo took a sip.
Tears almost welled up in his eyes.
Salt. Glorious salt.
He hadn't tasted seasoning in days. The broth was simple—just fish, seaweed, and a pinch of salt—but to his deprived palate, it was the nectar of the gods.
He picked up a piece of Flounder. Because Ran had added it at the very end, the meat was perfectly tender. It was like silk tofu, melting on his tongue with zero resistance. And since she had deboned it perfectly, he could shovel it into his mouth without fear.
"It's delicious, meow! Thank you, Lord Ran! And thank you... person!"
Chen took a small sip, and her two tails stiffened in delight. A shiver of pure bliss ran down her spine. She wanted to thank the provider, but she realized she didn't actually know his name.
"Ah, just call me Leo."
Leo realized that even Ran had been calling him "Lord" or "Adult" this whole time.
"Okay, meow! Thank you, Leo!"
Chen cheered. Simple-minded as she was, she lacked Ran's political reverence. She was just grateful. You give cat fish, you are good person. She mentally noted to catch some mice later as a repayment gift.
"Leo, can Chen come here to play often?"
After dinner, the three sat around the dying fire. Chen had reverted to her black cat form and was elegantly grooming her paws. She blinked her large, golden eyes at Leo.
She really wanted to explore the woods. To Leo, the night forest was a horror game. To a Nekomata, it was a playground. And even if she met a monster she couldn't beat, she could just call for help—her Lord was quite the fighter.
"Come often? Let me see..."
Leo pulled out his phone.
He was all for it. He loved cats. He had always wanted a pet, but his work schedule (and his roommate's smelly dog) had prevented it. Now, a magical catgirl who could take care of herself wanted to hang out? Sign him up.
He checked the Social tab.
Profiles for Yakumo Ran and Chen had appeared. However, the 'Invite' button was grayed out.
It seemed that simply meeting them unlocked their bio, but giving them "Resident Status"—allowing them to enter the world freely without an explicit summons—required completing tasks.
Name: Yakumo Ran Race: Kyuubi (Nine-Tailed Fox) Ability: Manipulation of Shikigami Unlock Condition: Prepare a bowl of Fried Tofu Puffs.
Name: Chen Race: Nekomata Ability: Sorcery Unlock Condition: Sell 20 Fish.
"I see," Leo muttered. "The unlock conditions act like an ID Card. Once I complete them, you guys can come and go as you please, maybe even plant and fish here."
He looked at the cat. "Sure, Chen. But I need to catch and sell 20 fish before I can give you a permanent pass."
He reached out, wanting to pet her head, but hesitated. Ran was watching. Petting a cat in front of its owner was fine. Petting a cat that could turn into a little girl felt... legally ambiguous.
"Okay, meow! Good luck, meow!"
Chen, sensing his hesitation, hopped right into his lap and rubbed her head against his hand.
Want to pet the cat? You gave me soup. The cat permits it.
"It seems Chen likes you very much," Ran observed warmly.
She packed the cookware but placed it in the woodshed next to the cabin instead of taking it back. She knew Leo needed it more than she did.
"I like cats very much, too," Leo admitted, sinking his fingers into the soft, black fur.
His technique was skilled. The fur was silky smooth, shimmering in the firelight. If Ran wasn't watching—and if he didn't know about the human transformation—he would have buried his face in the fluff.
Meanwhile, on Youkai Mountain.
Megumu Iizunamaru still had Yakumo Yukari in a headlock.
Yukari looked like she had lost the will to live.
She wanted fish. She could smell the fish through the gap. But this winged menace wouldn't let go!
"Let go of me!" Yukari whined.
"Never! Pay for my strawberry!"
Yukari didn't dare use her powers to escape. If she caused a scene, it might attract her.
Shameimaru Aya. The fastest reporter in Gensokyo. The paparazzi of the Bunbunmaru Newspaper.
If Aya caught the Sage of Youkai being bullied by a Tengu over a stolen strawberry, the headline would ruin Yukari's reputation for the next century. So, Yukari endured the headlock, silently weeping for the fish soup she was missing.
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