Volume 5, Chapter 3 – The Big Shopping Spree

“Today, we’re going shopping. A shopping spree!”

I made this announcement to Tessai-san, Souji-san, and Lu-chan—who looked like she was about to drool over her mountain of rice—after Chris-san and Shizuku-san returned from their pre-breakfast training.

We were approaching the middle of May, yet we were still spending our days idling away at the Shin’ei Style dojo.

It was fine for Chris-san and Shizuku-san since they were training, but Lu-chan and I were getting close to an “eat and sleep” lifestyle, which wasn’t good.

The place was so comfortable that I felt a strong temptation to just stay here forever, but we had the important goal of finding Lu-chan’s younger sister. It was about time we set out on our journey.

“Shopping…?”

Chris-san didn’t seem to quite get it. No, looking at the expressions on their faces, it seemed nobody quite got it.

“Yes. I thought it was a bit much to keep living the ‘eat and sleep’ life here, so I think it’s time we get ready to depart.”

Huh? Why did I suddenly feel everyone’s gaze piercing right through me?

Wait, Lu-chan, you’re on my side, right? Why are you making a face that says, “I’m not part of this!”?

I gave a small cough to clear my throat and declared:

“And so, today we shall purchase a massive amount of Miyako’s local specialties—especially ingredients and seasonings!”

“I’m in! I’m going too! I love you, Onee-sama!”

Lu-chan agreed instantly, cutting me off.

Having switched sides with effortless ease, she had returned to my side.

“Ho ho ho. In that case, let us cancel today’s practice and all go together.”

“Thank you very much.”

With one godly word from Tessai-san, it was decided that we would go shopping with everyone from the dojo.

◇ ◇ ◇

We arrived at Shijou Mikura. I hadn’t paid much attention to it since the incident with Suikyou, but it seems this Miyako is structured like a grid.

Starting from the north, the great east-west avenues are numbered Ichijou, Nijou, Sanjou, and so on, extending up to Juujou.

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North-south streets intersect these, and that alone serves as the address.

So, Shijou Mikura refers to the area where the fourth east-west avenue from the north intersects with the north-south Mikura Street.

I wonder if the Kyoto of my previous world was like that? I think I’ve heard of a place called Shijo Karumawaru.

“Now then, when one thinks of Miyako, one thinks of miso.”

Tessai-san led us into a miso shop.

The shop’s trademark was a noren curtain with a “Y” character inside a circle on it; it was called the Yamada Miso Shop.

As the name suggested, it was a family business run by the Yamada family for generations—apparently boasting a history of 500 years.

They were definitely not the kind of “Y” outlaws you’re thinking of. ¹ She means Yakuza. The Yakuza (Japanese: ヤクザ) are members of transnational organized crime syndicates originating in Japan, often referred to as the Japanese Mafia.

“Mmm, it smells so good!”

The shop was filled with the indescribably wonderful aroma of miso; just standing there made my mouth water.

They only seemed to sell three types: red miso, white miso, and black miso.

“Welcome. Oh, foreigners? That’s rare. Are you looking for something?”

The shopkeeper greeted us immediately.

“Yes. We’re looking to buy some miso. Could you tell us a bit about them?”

“Ah, certainly. First, the ingredients differ. This red miso and white miso are made from soybeans and rice, but this black miso is made from different kinds of beans.”

Huh, I didn’t know that.

Lu-chan listened with great interest.

“Now, as for why the colors differ despite both using rice, that’s due to the production method and the type of koji used.”

“I see. And how does the taste differ?”

“Well, first, this white miso—this is called Miyako Miso, and it’s only made here in Miyako. It has a very sweet taste for a miso. However, it doesn’t keep for very long, so be careful with preservation. The red miso is characterized by a strong richness. As for this black bean miso, it has less sweetness and is more astringent, but it’s characterized by a powerful umami.”

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“Wow, amazing! To think there are such differences even though they’re all miso!”

Lu-chan’s eyes were sparkling.

“That’s right, my lovely green lady. Miyako’s miso is the finest in the Miko Nation. Here, would you like a taste?”

“Yes!”

The shopkeeper’s attention shifted to Lu-chan, but we didn’t mind and proceeded to sample them. We licked a tiny bit of each miso in turn.

“Mmm, it’s delicious! This white one tastes like that thing called Saikyo yaki! And this bean miso tastes like miso dengaku ² Miso Dengaku is a traditional Japanese dish featuring skewered or grilled ingredients (like tofu or eggplant) generously brushed with a sticky, sweet-and-savory miso glaze. and miso nikomi udon ³ Miso Nikomi Udon (味噌煮込みうどん) literally translates to “thick wheat noodles stewed in a miso broth”. It is a hearty, piping-hot Japanese comfort food originating from the Nagoya region. !”

“Oh, you’re impressive, little lady. Exactly right. Do you know what this red miso is used for?”

“Hmm? Hmm… I feel like it’s close to the taste of miso soup, but it’s a little different? Huh?”

Oh, the gourmet Lu-chan is actually stumped.

Eh? Me? I can tell the difference in taste, but I can’t exactly act like a gourmet.

“Hahaha. Perhaps I was being a bit mean. Red miso can be used for miso soup as is, but it becomes even more delicious when mixed with white or bean miso. The chefs of Miyako are highly skilled, so they use their own unique blends.”

“Is that so!”

I see; I hadn’t known that. Miso is surprisingly deep.

“So, which one will you be taking?”

“All of them!”

Eh? Buy all of them?

Ah, well, I guess it’s fine. Since things don’t rot if I put them in Storage.

“That’s right. We’ll take all of them. As for the amount… let’s say five barrels of each.”

“Huh?” “Hie?” “Fu?” “He?” “Err, ho?”

In order: the shopkeeper, Tessai-san, Souji-san, Chris-san, and Shizuku-san. Shizuku-san seemed a bit embarrassed, so she was just reading the room.

However, am I the only one who thinks this isn’t that surprising?

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After all, if I don’t buy it now, I don’t think I’ll be able to buy it again for a while. In that case, I think it’s better to buy as much as I can while I can.

“Right!”

Lu-chan looked delighted.

“No, no, no, no, little lady, how do you plan on carrying all that?”

“It’ll be fine if I put it in my Storage.”

“Hah? Don’t come crying to me if it rots.”

Lu-chan whispered a small “ah,” so she must have forgotten about the preservation issue.

“It’ll be fine. Nothing has ever rotted so far. A while ago, those three over there ate stew that had been kept in my Storage for about half a year, and they didn’t get a stomachache.”

“””Eh?”””

Hmm? Why are all three of them so surprised?

“You know, when we went from Yurgu to the Crescent Moon Spring. That stew we ate in the desert—it was made about half a year before. It was stew made by someone who took care of us in the Royal Capital of the White Moon Kingdom. It was delicious, wasn’t it?”

“Eh? A-Ah, could it be… the one from that Apothecary Shishou?”

“That’s the one. It was stew Ma’am made. It was so delicious when I first tried it that I asked her to give me some, pot and all.”

Chris-san’s mouth was hanging open.

Ah, I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve seen her mouth gape like that. When was the last time?

While I was thinking about such trivial things, Shizuku-san and Lu-chan stepped in to help.

“W-Well, it is true that it hadn’t rotted, and the taste was not an issue.”

“T-That’s right! That stew back then was delicious too!”

“Yes. Therefore, there is no problem, so we will buy them.”

“O-Oh. All right. Well, one barrel of each miso is one gold coin, and since it’s five barrels each, that would be… err…”

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“Fifteen coins.”

I answered before the shopkeeper could finish counting on his fingers.

I can at least calculate something this simple in my head.

That’s roughly 750,000 yen. Yeah, for this amount, it’s plenty cheap.

“Err, y-yes. Fifteen gold coins. Fifteen coins!?”

I wonder what on earth the shopkeeper is so surprised about?

“Here you go.”

I handed over the fifteen gold coins, went straight to the warehouse, and tossed the miso barrels into Storage one after another.

After that, I bought massive quantities of soy sauce, sake, mirin, dried bonito, kelp, dried shiitake and other dried goods, staples like udon and rice, vegetables like green onions, and even duck meat—which I suspect had been swimming in the Neginabe River.

I also bought a full set of cooking pots and knives. Of course, I didn’t forget to buy some small trinkets as souvenirs.

“I-I never imagined you’d buy this much…”

“Chris-san? I told you clearly. I came here for a shopping spree.”

“This is… a shopping spree…”

For some reason, Chris-san had a stunned expression. Did she think I was wasting money?

Hmm, I’m not wasting it; I’m going to eat and use it all later, so I think it’s fine.

Honestly, I think this is far more meaningful than being dragged around to a series of luxury hotels by a certain someone.

Author Note

Some of you may be wondering, “How can there be Saikyo Yaki if there is no Saikyo Miso?”

I’d appreciate it if you could just overlook that part.

The term “Saikyo Miso” has apparently become a generic name nowadays and no longer holds trademark protection. However, since it is still the name of a product made by a specific miso brewery, I decided to use a different name in the story.

I-it’s not like I forgot that I had already used the name Saikyo Yaki back in Sakimori or anything! (sweat)