Chapter 62: The Danama Bear Hot Pot

"Thank you very much!"

Together, the three of us saw off the last customers of the day. Whew—there had been some trouble, but we managed to get through it somehow.

"Good work, you two. Lilia, thanks for today! If you hadn’t been there, I’d probably have been punched by that guy when he lost his temper."

"Lilia-neechan, you were so cool!"

"…Ah, I’m glad I was able to protect you. I’m not tired yet, so I’ll stay downstairs and clean the store while preparing for tomorrow."

"……"

Having spent some time with Lilia, I’ve gotten to know her well enough to sense her emotions. For some reason, she seemed a little down right now. But why? Thanks to her, the situation was resolved without anyone getting hurt.

"Lilia-neechan seems a little sad..."

It seemed Fia-chan had noticed the same thing I did.

"Yeah. Everyone was saved because of her. Why, though?"

"…I think she’s probably bothered by what that man said."

What he said? Oh, right. That awful comment about her being one-armed and disgusting...

"No way... Someone as strong and resilient as Lilia, bothered by something a guy like that said?"

"…Geez, Tetsuya-oniichan, you don’t understand anything about a girl’s heart! Lilia-neechan is still a woman, and hearing something like that would hurt her feelings! Even I’d feel upset if a man called me disgusting!"

"I... I see..."

I was scolded by Fia-chan. Sorry, but I’ve never dated anyone, so I’m completely clueless about women’s feelings...

"Alright, dinner's ready. Lilia, come on up!"

"Understood. I'll be right there."

Dinner was ready, so I called Lilia, who had been cleaning downstairs. Tonight’s dinner didn’t take much preparation—just cutting up vegetables and meat, so Fia-chan helped me out a bit.

"Tonight, I made Danama Bear hot pot."

I used the high-quality Danama Bear meat given to me by Rizac-san, the guild master. Yesterday, I made stir-fry and steak, but tonight, I decided to make hot pot.

Since meat spoils quickly, I had smoked it yesterday to separate portions for storage and immediate use.

First, I seared the meat lightly with oil before adding water to simmer. I expected a lot of scum from the gamey meat, but surprisingly, there wasn’t much. I added scallions, mushrooms, and other vegetables, then seasoned with sake, fish sauce, and instant miso soup packets.

I vaguely remembered reading somewhere that miso pairs well with boar or bear meat back in my world. I also threw in some dried wakame seaweed as a touch—though maybe it wasn’t entirely intentional.

"This is surprisingly good!"

"The meat is tender and delicious! Even eating it with the vegetables, the flavors are great."

"Yeah, the seasoning is unfamiliar, but it’s really tasty. This meat, soaked in flavor, bursts with umami the more you chew."

The steak from yesterday was excellent, but this hot pot was also a success. The richness and fat of the meat paired perfectly with the miso-based broth. This was my first time using instant miso soup for cooking, but it turned out pretty well. Maybe I could try stir-fry dishes with miso, too.

"Hot pot with miso seems like it could catch on. Posting recipes using instant soup packets in the shop might be a good idea."

"Indeed. Most people probably just think to add hot water and drink it as soup. They’d be delighted to learn of other uses."

"The pot-au-feu from before was simple but delicious too!"

It seemed both Lilia and Fia-chan enjoyed it. Maybe I should post recipes that adventurers could use in the field, utilizing instant soup.

After dinner, Lilia and I walked Fia-chan home, just like the night before. We also shared some Danama Bear hot pot with Rea-san. Then, Lilia and I headed back to the shop together.

"Today had its troubles, but we managed thanks to you, Lilia. Really, thank you."

"I was just fulfilling my duty as a bodyguard. I’m glad I could be of help to you and Fia-chan."

"……"

Though dinner seemed to cheer her up a little, she still didn’t seem her usual self. Was she really bothered by what that man said?

"Hey, Lilia, are you still hung up on what that guy said during the commotion?"

"W-What are you saying!? O-Of course not! I’m not bothered by anything a man like him said!"

…She was so obviously shaken. It seemed she really had taken his words about her being one-armed to heart.

"I guess all I can say is that someone like him, who doesn’t know anything about you, isn’t worth your concern. You’re always serious, hardworking, and considerate of others. A kind and wonderful person like you has no reason to be hurt by the words of a thug like that.

A-And... Lilia, y-you’re... a beauty, and, uh, a very lovely woman!"

Ugh, that was mortifying to say out loud. Sure, I’d complimented her beauty while showing products to customers before, but saying it directly to her face was something else entirely.

"W-Wha!? D-Don’t say something like that in such a public place! I-It’s embarrassing!"

No way I could say that in private once we were back at the shop!

"O-Okay, I get it! I won’t let what that man said bother me anymore! The shop opens again tomorrow, so we should head back and get ready for it!"

"Y-Yeah, you’re right. Let’s do our best tomorrow, too."

"Yes!"