“I see.
It seems the Japanese language contains many details deserving careful attention.”
After listening to Kazuomi’s tactful explanation, Fine Motion nodded solemnly to show that she understood.
“No.
To be honest, I think the problem lies mostly with your maid.”
Kazuomi quietly muttered to himself.
What kind of person deliberately taught someone such wildly incorrect common knowledge?
“Hmm?
What did you say, Mr.
Asama?”
“Nothing.
I was merely talking to myself.”
Kazuomi paused.
“Come to think of it…”
He could not conceal his delight as he asked tentatively:
“What did you just call me?”
Fine Motion did not understand why he was asking, but she answered obediently.
“Mr.
Asama.”
“Oh.”
Kazuomi instantly looked as though a refreshing spring breeze had swept across his face.
He carried himself with renewed pride and vitality.
He enjoyed the title far too much.
Of course, he was not yet a proper member of the staff.
Fine Motion tilted her head.
“Ahem.
My apologies.
I was merely reflecting upon something.”
“Reflecting upon what, Mr.
Asama?”
She said it again.
Kazuomi’s emotions rose and fell uncontrollably.
“Mm, upward… mm, downward…”
He coughed.
“No, you don’t need to address me so formally.”
He feared he might lose control of himself.
“If possible, simply call me Asama.”
Kazuomi bit his lower lip firmly, refusing to allow the muscles in his cheeks to twitch upward into an uncontrollable grin.
The form of address made him feel as though he were floating.
However, his current job title still required the word trainee in front of it.
The remnants of his reason repeatedly reminded him of that fact.
“Very well, if that is what you prefer.”
Fine Motion could not possibly have understood the complicated emotional journey Kazuomi had completed in those few minutes.
She merely nodded naturally.
“There is something else I’m curious about.”
Kazuomi changed the subject.
“You mentioned a maid earlier.”
Fine Motion nodded gently and offered him a graceful smile. New chapters come out on g.com first.
“Yes.
My family home is in Ireland.
My daily needs have always been handled by a personal maid appointed by my family, so I ask her whenever I have questions about commoner life.”
“That’s right.
You mentioned earlier that you were an exchange student.”
“Yes.
Although I am not Japanese, I have always been deeply interested in the culture here.”
Fine Motion spoke warmly.
“Mother has always supported the choices I make.
For that reason, I deliberately decided not to attend a European racing academy and applied to Tracen Academy instead.”
“I see.
It’s obvious that you truly love Japan.”
“Yes!”
Stars seemed to shine within Fine Motion’s eyes.
“I have always possessed a profound interest in the ordinary culture of Japan.”
“Before studying here, I specifically requested my family’s permission to live without relying upon the assistance of others.”
“I want to learn independence and experience all kinds of commoner activities for myself.”
The excitement with which she discussed the subject made her love and curiosity toward unfamiliar things unmistakable.
She resembled a canary that had been lovingly protected inside an ornate cage for its entire life, finally experiencing the joy of spreading its wings beneath an endless blue sky.
However, the girl’s heart appeared as pure as an untouched sheet of white paper.
Seeing how thoroughly sheltered she was, Kazuomi could not help worrying about her future life at Tracen Academy.
“Now that we’ve discussed all of that, why don’t we enjoy some Japanese cuisine?”
“I studied how to use chopsticks before leaving home.”
Fine Motion held them with proper form.
“I also memorized the relevant table manners.”
Unlike many foreign exchange students, Fine Motion displayed a remarkable ability to adapt.
Her grasp of the language, her study of the culture—despite certain misunderstandings—and her knowledge of etiquette all demonstrated how seriously she had prepared.
However, as an aristocratic young lady accustomed to European cuisine such as foie gras and caviar, she still encountered numerous unfamiliar elements in Japanese food.
“This is a raw egg.”
Kazuomi noticed her hesitating with her chopsticks and began explaining.
“Tap it lightly against the rim of the bowl, then pull the shell apart with both hands.
Let the yolk and white fall onto the rice together.”
Fine Motion had likely selected the set meal based only upon the picture on the menu.
After hearing Kazuomi’s explanation, she immediately understood.
She nodded in realization.
“So this is the raw egg over rice that appears so frequently in Japanese works?”
She learned quickly.
Kazuomi smiled and nodded.
“Exactly.
However, the eggs used for this are specifically prepared to be eaten raw.
If you use the wrong kind, you can easily become ill.”
“Is that so?
I understand.
I have learned something new.”
Fine Motion listened intently as Kazuomi explained facts that were technically common knowledge but deeply fascinating to her.
“Once you’ve done that, you can add seasoning according to your preference.”
“My personal recommendation is a little soy sauce. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Then break the yolk with your chopsticks and mix everything together.”
“If you like, you can also add some mentaiko.”
Kazuomi glanced toward the cafeteria’s side-dish display.
“Hm?
I only just noticed.
It looks like they have some here.”
He gave Fine Motion a mysterious smile.
“Please wait a moment.”
When Kazuomi returned, he carried a small plate of fresh pink fish roe.
“This academy really is incredible.
They even have spicy mentaiko from Fukuoka.”
He muttered as he walked.
“This is dangerous.
If they raise my expectations too high, I’ll never survive my future life of poverty.”
The thought of tightening his belt and living entirely upon instant noodles in the coming days nearly brought tears to his eyes.
“Is that… fish roe?”
Fine Motion studied the food in his hand with fascination.
Every unfamiliar discovery excited her.
“Correct.
This is spicy pollock roe from northern Kyushu.
It tastes excellent with raw egg over rice.”
Kazuomi placed the tender mentaiko over the mixed rice.
Then he added a small amount of sesame oil.
“There.
This is the completed form of rice with raw egg.
Try it and tell me what you think.”
Fine Motion slowly lifted a spoonful into her mouth.
As she chewed with refined delicacy, her eyes gradually began to shine.
“This!”
She covered her mouth with one hand and stared at the bowl in surprise.
“The ingredients are so simple, yet the flavor is remarkably complex.”
“The thin membrane of the fish roe blends with the egg yolk.
The texture is soft and pleasantly sticky, yet there is also a refreshing salty heat.”
“Because of the egg white, the grains of rice feel smooth and delicate.”
“And afterward, a faint sweetness remains between the lips and teeth…”
“Oh, you understand it very well.”
Kazuomi became enthusiastic.
“This is definitely the best combination for rice with raw egg.”
“The small bowl of chilled soba and fresh clam miso soup on the side completes the meal.
The flavors are impossible to resist.”
“Some people add natto instead, although that can be rather difficult for foreigners to accept.”
Seeing Fine Motion gaze at him with open admiration, Kazuomi naturally became increasingly pleased with himself.
His explanation grew more animated by the second.
Admittedly—
As far as his professional career was concerned, he seemed to be heading in entirely the wrong direction.
Still, when he saw how happy the girl looked—
Perhaps it did not matter.