Okonomiyaki

Author: Ryusui
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2121hw/49/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

‘Just wait’
‘It should be brought out in a little’
‘You grill it yourself’
‘Eh? They don’t grill it for you?’
‘Grilling it yourself is the good part’

Hmm… The opinions are split. When I look at Jirou and Keiko, both of them are watching the comment blackboard with interest.

“How is it here?”
“Either is fine. Auntie will ask. But here more people grill it themselves, I think.”
“Okonomiyaki is all about grilling it yourself.”
“Hmm…”

Is that how it is. I don’t really get it.
While we’re talking like that, the auntie comes back with a bowl. There’s something sludgy in the bowl. Um…

“Looks nasty…”

I say that quietly, and Jirou grins.

“Just eat it like you’ve been tricked.”

Jirou and Keiko pour the sludgy stuff in the bowl onto the iron plate. The sizzle is a little fun. The two are using a flat thing, a spatula I guess, to shape it neatly. Do I make it round?

“I’ll do yours, Rita-chan.”

The auntie starts grilling the same way, skillfully. Ah, it smells a little good.

‘This grilling sound is good, right’
‘Chat while you listen to this sound, and flip at a good point’

You flip it. Looks a little hard.
A little more, and all three are flipped.

“Waa…”

A pretty brownish grill color. Before I notice, a fragrant smell fills the shop. Completely different from what was in the bowl. This looks really delicious.

“Can I eat already?”
“Ahaha. You’re early, Rita-chan. Wait a little more.”

Muu… It looks eatable. But people who’ve eaten it lots of times are saying so, so that’s right. I’ll wait properly. Wait firmly. Wait still.

‘Rita-chan staring hard at the okonomiyaki’
‘I hallucinated a dog wagging its tail’
‘I get it’
‘Puppy Rita-chan’

Wait, wait, and finally Jirou says.

“About time.”

What Jirou has in his hand is a bottle with black liquid. Sauce, right. I don’t know if it’s the same as the takoyaki. He starts pouring it generously on the okonomiyaki on the iron plate.
Sauce that misses the okonomiyaki cooks on the iron plate. That instant, a unique smell tickles my nose. A smell I haven’t smelled much, but it smells really delicious.

‘Aaaaaah!’
‘This sound is good! This smell is good too!’
‘We can only hear the sound! But I can remember!’
‘I’m getting really hungry…!’

Plenty of sauce is poured on my okonomiyaki too, and aonori and katsuobushi as well. The auntie cuts it neatly with a spatula and puts it on a small plate.
Mm. Looks really delicious.

“Rita-chan, can you use chopsticks?”
“Mm. I’m fine.”
“I see. Then take your time.”

She laughs brightly and goes back again.

“Then, right away…”

I use chopsticks, cut the okonomiyaki a little smaller, and put it in my mouth. This is really hot too, but it’s delicious. There’s a faint sweetness from the sauce.

“How is it, Rita-chan.”
“Mm. Really delicious.”

I get why this was recommended too. I’m glad I ate it.

“Mm… The mochi is a weird feeling too. Only here the texture is different, a little fun.”

Yeah. Yeah. Super satisfied.

 

Then before I notice the sun has gone down, and the few table seats in the shop are all full. Everyone still looks surprised seeing me, but if I wave a little they’re satisfied and start grilling okonomiyaki. People drinking alcohol start increasing too, and it’s gotten really noisy. But it’s a fun atmosphere.

‘But Rita-chan, I think you should leave soon’
‘Drunks have some troublesome ones’
‘It’s late enough already’

Mm. That’s true. Time to go home.

“Jirou. Keiko. I’m going home soon.”
“I see. Sorry for dragging you along. It was fun.”
“Get home safe, Rita-chan. I had a really good time!”

Saying that both of them smile. They really are good people.

“Ah, right, I haven’t given you money. Um…”
“Ah, it’s fine it’s fine. It was a good memory.”
“Yeah yeah. It’s on us!”
“Mm… Yeah? Is that okay?”
“Of course!”

Hmm… Then, okay. I hear even if you force money on someone it doesn’t feel good.

‘These people are generous’
‘I heard Osaka people are cheapskates’
‘That depends on the person lol’

“Then… Gochisousama.”
“Yeees. Be careful!”

Seen off by their smiles, I teleport from there.

 

“Spirit-sama, a souvenir. It’s not much, but.”

After I get back, I call Spirit-sama and hand over okonomiyaki. One slice I left on a paper plate. I meant to leave a little more, but I almost forgot while talking and eating. I’m reflecting a little.

“Ah, thank you, Rita. What is this?”
“Mm. Okonomiyaki, they said. Only one slice… Sorry.”
“Fufu. Not at all. If you are enjoying yourself that is enough. …Ah, this is delicious.”
“Mm. I want to eat it again.”
“Fufu. Yes, indeed.”

Spirit-sama is happy too, so I’m relieved. Looking forward to the next one too.