Volume 8 Chapter 7 Bamboo Shoot Feast
Bamboo shoot rice, grilled bamboo shoots, bamboo shoot tempura, bamboo shoot stew.
I served a dinner full of bamboo shoots to Sir Roxas.
The bamboo shoots, already boiled until soft, were tender enough to peel easily with both hands, revealing the delicate white shoots inside.
Crunch, crunch, I chopped the bamboo shoots into small pieces, added rice and broth, and cooked it all together.
The slightly larger pieces of bamboo shoot were deep-fried to make tempura.
Then, I cut some in half with the skin on and grilled them.
The stew was made with chicken wings, simmered sweet and savory.
"Pumpkin pudding"
"...fried horse mackerel."
After going bamboo shoot hunting, Eir-Eir and Nel-Nel were bathed and cleaned before the rice was done, their fur shining again.
Ms. Famine, who was a bit reluctant, was forced into the bath, and now she looked a little grumpy, but everyone was munching on the bamboo shoot tempura.
I tried to get Dad to join in too, but he said, "I'm good."
He said he would take a bath alone later. He seems to want to sneak off and turn into a human, so I'll make sure not to peek.
I invited Sir Roxas to join, but he declined.
He also scolded me, saying, "You shouldn't casually say things like that."
I was just asking if he wanted to bathe since he fell into the river.
"Sir Roxas, is it delicious?"
"Ah... it's my first time eating so much bamboo shoot, but it's good."
"Is that so? I'm glad."
After taking a bath and changing into a white dress for the room, I smiled while watching Sir Roxas eat.
Maybe because I moved around a lot, the food tasted great.
The bamboo shoots were soft and crunchy, giving a nice spring vibe.
Thanks to Sir Roxas, it was easy to cook them tenderly. The folks from the commercial union were very happy too.
"Thank you for today, Sir Roxas. You really helped me out."
"I see... I had fun too. I usually try not to go out into nature much, but moving around is enjoyable. I feel like I understand a bit of how my brother always feels active."
"Sir Roxas, I'm not really good at exercising either, so we're the same."
"I see... Lydia. ...Well, thank you. ...I'm still not as capable as my older brother, and I can't really be of much help to you. But just hearing you say that is enough for me."
"Sir Roxas... you don't have to be so down. You just tripped a bit, fell into the river, and got lost, just like I did. You cooked the bamboo shoots soft and made everyone in the commercial union happy, and you helped carry heavy loads. That was really helpful for me."
"Ah. That's true. ...Lydia. Well, ...I..."
"Sir Roxas, is there anything you want me to do as a thank you? I'll do anything, just let me know."
I really want to do something to thank Sir Roxas. Thanks to him, we can hold the Spring Bamboo Shoot Fair in Lobelia starting tomorrow.
What should I do?
For breakfast, bamboo shoot rice balls and grilled bamboo shoot rice balls. Bamboo shoot miso soup and simmered bamboo shoots.
For lunch, should I go with bamboo shoot rice and a mixed platter of bamboo shoot tempura? Or maybe soba would be better. Bamboo shoot tempura soba. With stir-fried rice with bamboo shoot meat miso.
Sounds delicious.
"W-well, anything..."
"Yes! Anything! What would you like? I don't have many skills, though..."
"Anything,... n-no, but that's not good..."
"Not good...?"
"Lydia. Stop saying things like being alone with a man at home, inviting a man to the bath, or saying you'll do anything. Especially don't do the same with Lucian. You need to be a bit more aware of the risks."
"Why Mr. Lucian...?"
Was I just talking about Mr. Lucian?
I tilted my head.
Sir Roxas got mad at me again. Am I doing something wrong?
Is it not okay to eat with friends? Even if they are friends, since they are men, I feel like it's not right to stay overnight alone with them at night.
"Sir Roxas, you must be tired, so how about a shoulder rub or something...? Was that no good...? Maybe a hand massage...?"
"If it's just the hands..."
That's about all I can do. When I suggested it, Sir Roxas looked really pained but still reached out his hand.
Long fingers and a big palm. Sir Roxas's hands, which don't often hold a sword, are softer than Mr. Lucian's or Sir Stefan's, but still bigger and rougher than mine. I started to knead Sir Roxas's hand with both of mine.
"Sir Roxas, does it hurt? Is it nice?"
"Ah, uh..."
Sir Roxas looks like he's in pain. Maybe it actually hurts. I eased my grip a bit. I tried to be as gentle as possible, rubbing his palm with my fingers.
As I was massaging, Sir Roxas said, "That's enough, Lydia. I'll be leaving now," and hurriedly walked out of Lobelia.
"...W-why? Was it painful...?"
"Lydia. It's better not to think too deeply about it."
My dad, who had been watching us, said sadly while hiding his face with his fluffy hands.
I don't really get it. But there are all sorts of circumstances, I guess. Eir-Eir and Nel-Nel finished off the rest of the bamboo shoot dish. They both eat a lot.
I climbed into bed with everyone and hugged the bigger Nel-Nel tightly. Today was funny because there was bread lying in the bamboo grove.
The bamboo shoot king, Sir Roxas, isn't good with hand massages. I'll remember that. I'll be more careful next time.
(Speaking of which, I think it's not good to stay alone with a man... but I did promise Sir Ciel a hot spring trip...)
Now that it's getting warmer, it's just right for a hot spring trip. I received a pair of tickets for a hot spring trip as a prize for winning the pumpkin festival, but I've kept them safely in my treasure box in my room.
It's been postponed for various reasons, but what should I do?
Thinking about that, I closed my eyes. I soon drifted off into a gentle sleep.
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