Oden With Everyone - Part One

Even after recovering my health, my busy routine remained unchanged.

However, I was able to work even more enthusiastically than before.

This place where I had precious family and comrades.

I came to feel that I wanted to cherish it.

I’m Shuri.

What was waiting for me after recovering from my cold was everyone’s demands for meals and their encouragement for my recovery.

Some grumbled, “Without you, the food tastes terrible and it’s awful,” while others worried for me, saying, “I’m glad you’re safe. Be careful not to get sick again.”

And when I looked at the washing area, there was a mountain of piled-up dishes, along with some leftover food that I couldn’t quite identify.

It seemed they had tried to cook, failed, and were forced to throw it away.

Just getting close to it felt like my nose would twist off.

It was rotten and stank.

“Gungrave-san. Wasting food isn’t very good, is it?”

“Indeed…. I’ll make sure to speak to those guys properly.”

Gungrave-san looked apologetic.

It seemed he couldn’t stop his subordinates’ wild rampage.

“Look at this—they tried to make cream stew and burned it until it turned brown, didn’t they?”

“If anything, it’s black.”

“Please stop this sort of thing, alright?”

“Yeah, I’ll put a stop to it.”

“Gungrave-san, it’s useless even if you try to escape like that while saying so. Rir-san tried to make hamburger steak and ended up with stir-fried minced meat. On top of that, it has no flavor.
I heard Kuuga-san tried to make deep-fried horse mackerel and got burned. He chopped the fish so mercilessly that it’s more like deep-fried fish balls. Arius-san didn’t put in kelp, so hers is just plain boiled tofu. It’s completely tasteless. And Gungrave-san. This cream stew—you tried to make it yourself, didn’t you? What’s more, I know you were laying the groundwork to blame it on your subordinates.”

I won’t let you talk your way out of this.

I gathered information by promising Rir-san to make hamburger steak for her.

I have a full grasp of all your misdeeds!

“Well… I’ll make a special dish tomorrow evening.”

“What? Special?”

“That’s why today, as a punishment for the sake of economizing, even though I’ll cook, the amount will be small.”

“With the taste of your cooking… for the first time in a while… the amount will be… small, you say?”

Gungrave-san was feeling a bit despondent.

It couldn’t be helped. Throwing food away while a person is sleeping is a grave offense.

Of course, I don’t blame anyone for cooking to live.

However, making something, failing, and throwing it away to rot just like that is completely out of the question.

In the end, I ended up keeping the amount of food small and finished the first day.

There was a storm of criticism from everyone else, but once I mentioned the food they had wasted, they quieted down.

As expected, the power of ingredients is great.

And so, the second night arrived.

For preparation, I had a few people help me out, and had them assemble groups of several dozen people each.

“So, Shuri. What are you planning to do?”

At this table, I had my group gathered: me, Gungrave-san, Rir-san, Kuuga-san, Arius-san, and Teg-san.

The captain-class members, plus a random mix of others brought together.

On short notice, I had Rir-san make over a dozen burners, gathered pots together, and held this gathering.

“Well, you all took care of me when I caught a cold, so I wanted to thank you properly.”

“You’re being formal. We aren’t in a relationship where we need to hold back, you know.”

Arius-san’s consideration was appreciated, but that’s a bit different.

“In my home country, there’s a saying: ‘Courtesy even among close friends.’ It means that even among those who are close, one must not forget the courtesy of being considerate of the other person. Therefore, I want to properly express my thanks.”

“So, is that what this dish is? How’s it different from what you’ve made up to now?”

Fufufu, that’s a surprise for when we open the lid.

“This is a pot dish.”

“Is it like boiled tofu?”

“No, it’s richer than that. Here it is! Everyone, please open the lids and take a look!”

When the lids were opened, right there was the nostalgic flavor of home.

It was oden.

The ingredients were fried tofu, eggs, daikon radish, chikuwa, hanpen, beef tendon, and sausage.

My family’s oden had a few more ingredients, but well, here this was the absolute best I could manage.

“Is this… tofu? It’s firmer than boiled tofu and can be held…”

“Eggs, huh? I see, it’s lavish. Has the flavor soaked in? The color has changed.”

Expectant voices were rising from the other tables as well.

Simmered for a whole day while managing dozens of pots made specifically for this day.

The flavor of the oden must have thoroughly soaked into all the ingredients.

Even the beef tendon had turned tender, after all.

“Alright, then you guys, go ahead and eat!”

“Oohhh!!”

The soldiers cheered and began digging into the pots.

“Then let me join in too. Everyone, please help yourselves.”

“Ah, then I’ll take a sausage.”

“I’ll take this chikuwa? Or whatever it’s called.”

“I will take the fried tofu.”

“…Egg.”

“I’ll take this meat. What kind of meat is this?”

“It’s beef tendon.”

“Huh? Is it that tough stuff that isn’t even edible?”

“Give it a try. You’ll definitely be surprised.”

Everyone grabbed their preferred ingredients and began eating.

Well, I think I’ll start with the hanpen.

By the way, processed foods like chikuwa were made with Rir-san’s cooperation.

As much effort as it took, it was delicious after all.

“Egg, piping hot.”

Rir-san looked happy while eating the egg white and yolk together.

“This thing called chikuwa, it tastes like fish, doesn’t it? It’s a strange taste.”

Kuuga-san was completely absorbed in the chikuwa.

By the way, I stuffed burdock root into the hole so he could enjoy the texture.

“Unlike boiled tofu, fried tofu holds its shape firmly and is satisfying to eat, isn’t it?”

Arius-san was elegantly eating the fried tofu.

“This sausage feels different from pot-au-feu again. Eating it together with daikon makes it even more delicious!”

The one nodding while eating sausage and daikon together was Teg-san.

“Unbelievable… this is beef tendon? It’s not tough. It’s soft. It’s easy to chew in the mouth, and the chewiness is great too. The flavor is supreme as well.”

Gungrave-san could not hide his surprise at the marvelousness of the beef tendon.

From the other tables, words like “delicious” and “tasty” could be heard as well. I was happy. Hearing words like these.

Since it was a special occasion, Gungrave-san lifted the ban on alcohol.

Everyone was happily drinking alcohol, eating oden, and chatting together.

“As expected, this band is a good place. I am happy to have been picked up by this band.”

Family and comrades.

Both of those were in this band.

If I had been picked up by another band, it probably wouldn’t have turned out like this.

It definitely would have turned into a terrible situation.

That’s why this is payback for all the kindness up to now.

And a request to look after me from here on out.

“Shuri, will you keep making meals for us here from now on too?”

“Yes. Until I’m made to quit, always. I have thoughts of my home, but my place of belonging is here.”

“I see. Good.”

Gungrave-san downed his alcohol in one gulp and looked at everyone’s faces.

“As for me, my goal is to create a nation that unifies this entire continent and become its king. You’re coming along with me, Shuri.”

“Yes, Gungrave-san.”

“Then, Rir too.”

Rir stopped her hand that was eating the egg.

“Rir will use magi-engineering technology for peaceful purposes in that nation. This time, making everyday items like the ones I made for Shuri, and teaching magi-engineering to various people. Creating a school or something.”

“Then I’ll be the Grand General of the nation. I’ll become the world’s strongest sword master and leave my techniques behind for all eternity.”

“As for me, like Rir, I want to create a magic school. Not a school only nobles can attend, but recruiting various people and accepting disciples. Also, I want to become a good wife.”

“Once the nation is built and peace comes, I’m going to travel around various places and compile them into a book. After conquering the continent, I’ll conquer the sea too!”

Before I knew it, everyone was talking about their dreams.

Perhaps it was the influence of alcohol.

Even so, none of the surrounding soldiers teased them.

Rather, they were saying it would be great if it turned out like that.

“Then, I will help with everyone’s dreams.”

Of course, I am one of them too.

I want to see the place where everyone’s dreams come true.

“I will become a person who continues to make delicious food.”

I’m sure I won’t be able to leave this band.

Because this is my place of belonging.