Aside from that one Flounder that looked incredibly meaty, the rest of the fish Shiki brought back were Sardines.
They were small and could only be used for making soup.
The only kitchenware Yakumo Ran brought over this time was a large pot.
She was clever; knowing Shiki didn’t have a kitchen and couldn’t use overly complex tools, a large pot that could be propped up on stones was the most suitable choice.
The fresh Flounder was skinned and filleted.
Yakumo Ran only needed to press her fingers against the fish a few times to know the distribution of the bones.
Her small knife precisely separated the meat from the bones.
Two large pieces of boneless fish were set aside, while the bones were thrown into the pot to simmer with two cleaned Sardines.
With a small clump of seaweed added, a primitive but richly flavored fish soup was ready.
The entire process was precise and error-free, without a single redundant movement.
Seeing that the broth was ready, Yakumo Ran placed the two fish fillets into the pot for the final poaching.
“Miss Ran, you seem to be an excellent cook.” Sitting by the fire—it was already dark now—Yakumo Ran had made a bonfire using stones and branches.
Shiki sat by the fire, staring at the bubbling soup in the pot alongside Chen.
Both their stomachs let out a growling sound at the same time.
“I have no choice; I have both the elderly and the young to look after at home.
The elder is a hands-off boss who vanishes the moment she tosses work to me.
The little one is innocent and cute, but she hasn’t grown up enough to be entrusted with heavy responsibilities.” After cleaning the used kitchenware, Yakumo Ran set out three bowls with a faint smile on her face.
Though her words sounded like a complaint, her tone was very gentle, exuding a strong sense of a devoted housewife.
“Alright, please eat first, Lord.
Chen, you wait for yours to cool down before eating.” Handing a bowl full of fish meat to Shiki, Yakumo Ran suppressed the Chen, who was trying to reach out, preventing her from getting burned in her greed.
“Thank you.” With a mouthful of fish soup, the saltiness brought tears to Shiki’s eyes, as he hadn’t consumed salt for several days.
Perhaps because he hadn’t had a proper meal in days, this bowl of soup with just a hint of salt tasted incredibly delicious to him, better than anything he had ever eaten before.
He picked up a piece of fish.
Yakumo Ran had added the Flounder meat last, so it hadn’t been simmered long enough to become tough.
The perfectly cooked meat was like tender tofu that would break with the slightest pressure; it melted in his mouth.
Since there were no bones, he didn’t have to worry about them getting stuck in his throat.
The feeling of eating large chunks of fish was fantastic.
“It’s delicious, meow!
Thank you, Lord Lan, and thank you…
person.” Chen took a small sip of the soup, and the two tails behind her instantly stiffened.
The fresh flavor made her whole body shiver.
She wanted to say thank you, but she got stuck on Shiki’s name; she didn’t seem to know what he was called.
“Ah, just call me Shiki.” Shiki also noticed Chen’s hesitation and introduced himself.
Speaking of which, Yakumo Ran had also been calling him ‘Lord’ all this time without knowing his name.
“Okay, meow!
Thank you, Shiki.” Chen gave a happy cry.
Simple-minded as she was, she didn’t have Yakumo Ran’s level of reverence.
She was just purely grateful to Shiki for treating her to a bowl of fish soup.
Chen planned to catch some mice and bring them over to thank Shiki once she got back.
“Shiki, can Chen come here to play often?” After finishing the soup, the three of them sat around the bonfire.
Chen had reverted to her black cat form and was elegantly licking her paws.
She blinked her large eyes at Shiki; she really wanted to go play in the woods.
To Shiki, the night forest was full of unknowns and terrifying fantasies, but to a cat, it was just like being at home, not scary at all.
No matter how weak or innocent she seemed, a cat was still a youkai.
If she really encountered some monster or ghost, it was hard to say who would beat whom.
And if she couldn’t win, the cat could always call for help; her Lord was quite the fighter.
“Come often?
Let me see…” Shiki pulled out his phone.
He was all for Chen coming to play in Stardew Valley.
He had wanted to keep a pet at home before, but he lived alone and had no one to take care of it during work hours.
Plus, having experienced a roommate keeping a dog in the dorm back in university…
that smell…
even the floor and the mop were soaked in it.
It was horrifying.
But now…
a Chen who could freely switch between human and cat forms wanted to come play at his place.
How could such a good thing happen!
Information for Yakumo Ran and Chen appeared on the Villager page.
However, besides the basic info, the ‘Invite’ option was locked and required meeting certain conditions.
It seemed the Villager page would unlock information as soon as the other person entered Stardew Valley, but further invitations required completing those tasks.
Yakumo Ran Race: Kyuubi (Nine-Tailed Fox) Ability: Ability to manipulate Shikigami Residence: Lost Home Occupation: Shikigami Unlock Condition: Prepare a bowl of Abura-age Chen Race: Nekomata Ability: Ability to use Sorcery Residence: Lost Home Unlock Condition: Sell 20 fish It seemed things were a bit different from his previous thoughts.
It wasn’t that character info appeared only after unlocking; rather, it appeared once he met them.
The unlock condition was specifically for inviting them to enter his world.
The requirements in the unlock conditions were meant to attract them.
Just as cats love fish and Yakumo Ran loves Abura-age, with these things, they would be more willing to come to Stardew Valley.
This unlocking wasn’t just for casual visits like Yakumo Ran’s family was doing now; it was more like an ID Card.
Only with an ID Card could they plant, gather, fish, or even settle down in this world like him.
“Sure, but I need to catch 20 fish before I can invite you.” Shiki reached out, wanting to pat Chen’s head, but then he remembered Yakumo Ran was still there.
Petting a cat right in front of its owner felt a bit awkward.
Moreover, Chen’s human form was that of an eight or nine-year-old girl; it felt a bit like he was asking for a prison sentence.
“Okay, meow!
Good luck, meow!” Chen jumped into Shiki’s lap and rubbed her head against his hand.
She was very smart; seeing Shiki raise his hand, she knew exactly what he wanted to do.
Want to pet the cat?
You treated me to fish soup, so the cat will let you pet her.
Just treat the cat to more fish in the future.
“It seems Chen likes you very much.” Yakumo Ran packed up the kitchenware and put it in the shed for firewood to the left of the small hut.
She didn’t plan to take these tools back; she would leave them here, as Shiki clearly needed them.
“I like cats very much, too.” Shiki held Chen.
Although he had never owned a pet, his technique was already skilled.
The black cat’s fur was as smooth as silk, even reflecting a bit under the firelight.
If Yakumo Ran weren’t here, and if the cat couldn’t turn into a little girl at any moment, Shiki would have really wanted to hold the cat and nuzzle his face against her.
While Shiki and Yakumo Ran were chatting and laughing over here, on the other side, Yukari was being held tightly by Iizunamaru Megumu, looking like she had lost all hope.
She wanted to eat fish too, but why was this person so annoying!
Most importantly, Yukari didn’t dare make a scene; if she attracted a certain gossip reporter, it would all be over.
This is not directed at one of the Great Tengu of Youkai Mountain, the chief editor of the Bunbunmaru Newspaper, the fastest in Gensokyo, the paparazzi reporter, Shameimaru Aya.