Published at 31st of January 2021 06:36:58 PM
Chapter 326
“Today is the day that we eat fish . ”
Daniela said with startling determination . And with that, she boldly started to ask passersby if they could recommend any places that served especially great fish . This alone proved how serious she was .
“To think that my communicatively-impaired girl would one day talk to complete…”
“Mock me anymore and I will get angry . ”
Daniela said with an exasperated look . Oh, but I really was surprised . And I was also very aware that she would get angry . But that didn’t stop me .
“…I know what you are thinking, and I do feel bad about it . Yes, I am always just standing behind you and letting you do everything . ”
“Yeah, you’re like a gangster boss . ”
“Do not try me, fool . And at a time when I am doing my very best…”
I had never really been bothered by it . As I had worked in customer service before, it wasn’t too hard for me to deal with strangers . It was because I had the mask of a clerk . Putting on an act was nothing . But well…I had been pretty shy before that…yeah . I can remember having that feeling about wanting to change . It was easy to forget, once you were passed it…
“Sorry . Alright, let’s go find a place together . ”
“Ah, the last person said there was a good place near the main road . I want to look there first . ”
“Right!”
Daniela looked adorable when she smiled happily . These were the times she looked especially good…
Seeing her trying meant that I had one more thing that I liked about her now . Did she have any limits? Damn it .
We walked down the rather large street until we reached the incredibly loud main road . The crowds of people all wore different kinds of clothing and ranged from merchants to Adventurers . The only common trait was that they were all wearing warm clothes . We were no exception, as we were wearing our white winter clothes . They were really warm and functional . I could just where a normal long-sleeved shirt and pants underneath .
We went out and started to head north, against the current of people . And then we entered the alley where this place was supposed to be .
“Are you sure? I don’t know if this looks safe…”
“What are you on about? Mister First-runner up . ”
“That’s different . ”
“You might say that, but you have always managed just fine . ”
“Is that what you think? I nearly wet myself every time . ”
“I could have lived without having heard that . ”
Our banter was getting dumber all the time . But we soon passed through the alley and came out into a quieter and narrower street . When I looked around me, I saw that there were not too many people here, but there were signs up on the buildings . I suppose every place had hidden establishments that only residents knew about .
“So… Where is this place?”
“Uh…I think it is this way . ”
Daniela turned to the right and started to walk, and so I followed after her . However, she looked like a lost child the way her eyes moved around . And so I looked around while I waited . And then Daniela raised her voice .
“Ah! There . There it is!”
Daniela pointed at the building excitedly . It was cute .
“Stop looking at me . It is right over there! See!”
“Where…”
She was pointing at a white brick building that looked like any other in the town . There was a sign up in the front . And there was a hole next to a window where a thin stream of smoke was coming out . We walked to it side by side and were greeted by the wonderful smell of grilled fish . Yes, it stirred one’s appetite…
“Yes, it is the right place . ”
Daniela said with a nod as she stared at the sign . This was the place she had found after all her hard work, questioning those people . Of course, it will pay off .
“Let’s go in then . ”
“Wait . I will go first . ”
This wasn’t because she was impatiently hungry . It meant that she wanted to deal with the owner as well . I understood it immediately .
And since I was now the proud guardian who looked on with joy at Daniela’s growth, I gestured for her to go in first . Her expression turned quite serious and she stepped through the door .
“Welcome . ”
“Excuse me, do you have any tables available? There are two of us . ”
“Aye, right over there . Please have a seat . ”
“Thank you . ”
Huh . Not even an awkward pause or a stutter… Impressive .
“What are you doing? Hurry up . ”
“Uh, yeah…”
But now that I thought about it, while Daniela had been alone for a long time, she had been traveling non-stop… So it’s not like she hadn’t interacted with anyone at all . So, perhaps she was just returning to her old form . In other words, she could do anything if she needed to .
“I’m relieved . ”
“Shut up and sit down . ”
Daniela tapped the table impatiently . And so I hurriedly settled into my seat .
A menu was spread out on the table . There were not that many items on it .
“Hmm…let me see…”
“I have already decided . ”
“That was quick . Which one?”
“This . ”
Daniela pointed at something called ‘River Fish Meuniere . ’
“Huh . That does sound good…”
“You could order the same thing?”
“No, that would be a waste . ”
This was the kind of place where you would want to order different things and then share them .
After giving it some thought, I chose the ‘Rapidfish Cream Stew . ’ It had fantasy world ingredients in it .
“I have heard that the Rapidfish is quite good . ”
“It sounds like a monster . ”
As far as I was aware, I hadn’t ever eaten a monster .
“They say that they swim incredibly fast, and fly out of the water just like an arrow . And so some people mistook them for monsters . Hence the name . ”
“So they thought they were being attacked…interesting . ”
We would be going downstream by boat . And if we were attacked…we would have no shortage of food!
“Alright, we should order then . …Are you fine with that?”
Daniela turned around in her chair and called for the waiter . It was as if it were the most natural thing in the world for her…
“Can I take your order?”
“Aye . We will have the River Fish Meuniere and the Rapidfish Cream Stew . ”
“…Alright . Please wait just a short while . ”
The waiter scribbly on a pad and then returned to the kitchen . So, he was a chef and a waiter . It must be difficult to handle everything by yourself . I had been alone in the store as well, so I assumed that I knew a little about how that might be like . And so I cheered him on in my heart . Now, go make us some good food!
We chatted about nothing in particular until our food arrived . Daniela talked about different places she had eaten at, what places had sold terrible armor . But I never got bored while listening to stories about her solo adventures .
“…And so this is what I said . ‘Get lost if you wish to live . You do not have long before I obliterate you all . ’”
“I see . ”
“And then they fled with their tails between their legs . Do you understand?”
“I do . I do . Those are the times that you’re the most impressive . ”
“Aye, it is so . …Ah, and here is the food . ”
Hehe . Daniela looked quite smug as her ears twitched . She had detected the presence of the waiter behind her . I cleared the table by pushing the menu to the side .
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“Here you go . The Rapidfish Cream Stew . ”
“That would be mine . ”
“Here . And this is the River Fish Meuniere . ”
“Thank you . ”
“Enjoy!’
We thanked him and picked up our knives and forks . I looked at my Rapidfish curiously . It was red under the white cream . Like salmon perhaps .
“Let’s eat . ”
I stabbed it with my fork and cut off a piece with my knife .
“Hmm…it’s good…!”
The soft flesh fell apart the moment that it entered your mouth . But there was still plenty of texture when you chewed . It was cooked just right . And the sweetness of the cream was a perfect fit for the savory fish .
“Asking people for advice really pays off, eh?”
“Though searching can be rewarding too . ”
Asking the people of the town was your safest bet . But I hadn’t really expected Daniela to be the one to prove it here .
“Yours looks good too . ”
“This is a trading town after all… They seem to use a lot of spices and butter . It is delicious . ”
“Yes, very delicious…”
I wanted to taste it even more now .
“Give me some . ”
“No . ”
“You can have some of mine . ”
“I suppose you can have a little . ”
Unless I made that offer, she was would never nod her head in agreement . That was the kind of person she was .
I quickly cut off a piece of my Rapidfish and stabbed it with my fork . Then I carried it over to Daniela’s mouth .
“Here . ”
“Ah…mmm…hmm… Yours is not bad . ”
“Right? Now give me some . ”
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“Ahh . …Very well . ”
“Mmm…woah…that’s amazing…”
Salt, pepper, and butter . It was simple, but a deadly combination…!
This was something that I’d like to make myself .
We fed each other a few more times and gushed about the food . Eventually, the waiter stopped by .
He looked a little uncomfortable .
“Ahh…I am happy to hear that you’re enjoying the food, but…”
“It really is great . I want to eat more . ”
“Yeah . I kind of want to know the recipe for this . ”
“Uh, yes…thank you, but…”
“…?”
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly and then seemed to come to a decision .
“I’m sorry . But if you two could just save it for when you get a room together…”
“…”
“…”
Oh, were there other customers here? I slowly looked around and saw nothing but awkward glances and embarrassed chuckles .
“Oh… Sorry . ”
“The brilliance of the dish blinded me to my surroundings . Forgive me . ”
“Not at all . As long as you understand . ”
The waiter sighed with relief and returned to the kitchen .
Of course, we had no desire to make any additional orders after that .
We quickly paid what we owed and rushed out the door .
“Well, we can come back another day . ”
“Indeed . It was too good to be a one-time affair . ”
We made the promise in our hearts . The sounds of the night were the same in any town . People walking to and fro as they talked . There was a gentle warmth to it . Just like the lights . Nostalgic .
Like rootless trees with nowhere to go, Daniela and I drifted through the crowds and slowly made our way back to the Babbling Brook . Tomorrow, we get our boat!