AU, like Neko’s piece, with Kokujouji and Claudia inexplicably alive. The original text is provided by .
K ~ Seven Stories: 24 Pieces
Piece 22: Yatougami Kuroh (Daily Battle)
by Takahashi Yashichirou
Kokujouji Daikaku-shi was formidable.
He saw right through all my errors right away. Needless to say, holding back, half-assing it or making a careless move due to lack of spirit was unthinkable with him. With my pride as a retainer of the previous Seventh and Colorless King, Miwa Ichigen, on the line, I absolutely could not disgrace myself. Winning… would be difficult, but the least I must do is to make sure he would feel sated and satisfied when his day started.
That’s what food is about, after all.
And just the other day he commented concisely, “Miso with fish and kelp soup stock? It lacks the reachness of flavor a little.”
“Khuh?! I-I’m so sorry…” The shock and humiliation was almost enough for my knees to give way.
That’s not what you think, I just saw the package at the supermarket and thought it looked classy, so I felt it wouldn’t be bad to have some diversity thrown in, and what’s more, I was fascinated by the prospect of exploring the new grounds it represented… No, excuses are futile, and making them only disgraces me further.
In the first place, it’s not like Kokujouji Daikaku-shi aired his discontent and complaints to me. He simply gave the cooking he had partaken of an impartial assessment. But that’s precisely what made it even worse it pierced deep into my heart. It was like facing a mirror that reflected your each and every mistake, every attempt to hold back or half-ass it and every careless move you made due to lack of spirit right back at you… it was very painful.
From Claudia Weissmann-joshi, who couldn’t properly appreciate the taste of Japanese food as a result of daily zealous research and changed palate, my cooking successfully drew out the following review, “Kuro-kun, the meal you cooked for us today was delicious, as always.”
Indeed, someone whose skill was nurtured by Ichigen-sama personally had to possess that much ability. So if I just believe in myself and invest my everything into my cooking, the path is bound to open before me. In the meantime, back to the issue of today’s course…
“These vegetables… I’m not familiar with the taste, but it’s quite exquisite.”
“Yes, sir. It is due to a condiment that went by the name ‘kosui’ in the old Japan. Nowadays it is called phakchi or coriander.”
“I see. Not bad.”
Those words… Is it really okay for me to take them as the highest-degree praise you could hear from Kokujouji Daikaku-shi?
Amidst the delight, a chorused expression of gratitude, “Thank you for the delicious meal,” made my chest, as the one who had cooked said meal, vibrate with feeling.
Now then, on to the next battle - the after-meal tea.