“You are not the type of man to save time by sacrificing quality, nor would you waste food,” she said. “But I must admit, I am a tad disappointed that my first Japanese meal in some time is grilled fish.”
It was actually a very simple dish to prepare. All I had to do was rub some salt onto it, then cook it over a medium heat. I had a feeling she would like it, though.
Wridra topped off the fish with some grated daikon, and the skin ripped open with a crackle as her chopsticks sank in. She then tossed the meat in her mouth without hesitation.
It was an eruption of flavor. The fat content was, astoundingly, over thirty percent, comparable to that of toro. It was the best time of year to have saury, and the delectable fat spread throughout the Arkdragon’s mouth. Her eyes shot open at the aromatically charred skin and rich fat content from the thin meat.
“Oho! Mmm!”
As she chewed, it became obvious that there was no bitterness to the fish guts. Instead of the distinctly bitter taste, the organs were filled with luscious sweetness. This came as another surprise, and this time, she squeezed her eyes shut.
The salt and grated daikon removed any fishy odor, leaving a refreshing aftertaste. It was no wonder there were so many fans of saury with its appetizing aroma, crispy skin, and rich, fatty meat.
Wridra swallowed at last and mouthed the word “delicious.” She then vigorously downed her beer with audible gulps, as if her body demanded it, and slammed the glass on the table. That was when she finally voiced her review.
“Deeelicious! And it goes perfectly with alcohol! Mmph, ’tis the perfect dish to go with a postbath beer. It seems autumn is the season to come and visit Japan.”
“I’m glad it suits your palate. Marie should like it too then,” I said.
Wridra shot me an accusatory look that said, “Did you use me as a guinea pig?” But that didn’t stop her from continuing to eat and drink. Eating good food usually made people forget about everything else.
Sure enough, she eventually leaned back on her chair with her chest puffed out and let out a satisfied sigh. She mumbled something about saury, which I took as a good sign. Then the door finally slid open, and Marie peered in. She took in the savory scent, then noticed the beer and grilled fish.
“Hey! You started eating without me?” Marie complained as she walked over. But ten minutes later, she enjoyed the flavors of autumn as she sat in the same position as Wridra and slid down her chair with her butt protruding from the edge.
I was happy that the visitors from the fantasy world thoroughly enjoyed the combination of rice cooked with ginkgo, wild vegetables, saury, and beer.
“Oh, you went to a model kit shop? Come to think of it, I think I saw one in the shopping district. I forgot it existed since I rarely go there.”
While they were taking a bath, I had been taken aback by the strange combination of ginkgo and a tank on the table. I was dying to know how they had spent their time and where, and they had happily obliged. Having enjoyed plenty of food and drink after her bath, Marie now flashed me a somewhat inebriated smile.
“Wridra and I had so much fun making the tank. The old gentleman there was kind enough to teach us how to put it together,” she said.
“Behold, Kitase. This tank is our creation. Do you have the eye to recognize the authentic quality?”
The drunken Arkdragon moved the tank closer to me. She looked like she was expecting compliments, so I had to oblige.
“It’s hard to believe you two are beginners at this. The attention to detail is really impressive. If you ask me, it looks like a pro made it,” I said.
After a slight pause, the elf and dragon’s smiles widened even further. Maybe they had discovered the joy of creation because they were always so serious about having fun. Overjoyed, they shivered and squirmed a bit. They were clearly satisfied with their work, so it was my turn to praise their accomplishment and make them feel good.
“Hehe, I knew you would understand what a masterpiece we’ve created,” Marie said happily.
“Yes, he certainly has a discerning eye, if not much else. Hah, hah!” Wridra agreed.
Their joy was adorable and infectious. They squirmed some more and flashed their pearly white teeth, making my lips curl into a smile. Then I glanced to the side and noticed an unfamiliar toolbox, which was presumably used to build the model kit.
“You mentioned you borrowed tools from the shop owner. Do you want me to go with you when you return them?” I asked.
“That’s okay,” Marie replied. “I know you’ll be busy with work again tomorrow. We’ll be fine on our own.”
“Yes, and that place smelled like cats. We just may play with a different guest tomorrow,” Wridra said.
“Ah! Really? Oh, oh, I can’t wait!” Marie exclaimed, clutching Wridra’s sleeve and rocking her side to side. Maybe it was because she looked different from humans, but Marie used to be apprehensive about going out. So, I was relieved to see so much improvement in that regard.
She was usually fine if Wridra or I were with her, but she had found a new friend in the model kit shop owner. I hoped she would keep expanding her horizons this way so she could go on a walk anywhere without worrying.
Another thought occurred to me: Since the Arkdragon could create anything, what if she made a tank in the other world? That would be completely unacceptable. Tanks and robots would completely ruin the fantasy world, so I would have to sit Wridra down for a long talk and make her reconsider if that ever happened.
It was time to wash the dishes after the meal, but I became the target of concentrated fire from the tank in the drunkards’ hands. It tickled, so I wished they’d cut it out.
I took a seat next to Marie.
Maybe she had gotten too carried away, or she was just exhausted from creating her masterpiece, but she was face down on the table, fast asleep. I put my hand on her back, then she hugged me back as if she were already used to the routine. Her body was warm from being sleepy, and she breathed softly into my ear. I noticed her sweet smell as I rose quietly.
She was as light as usual. I picked her up with ease, and her hold around me tightened. Marie had been worried about gaining weight recently, but she really had no reason to be concerned.
I tried not to make a noise as I stepped across the floor, then lowered her onto the bed while supporting her head. Her lips formed a smile, and her breathing pattern became more rhythmic. She once told me it felt like she was floating in the air.
I knew she enjoyed being carried to bed like this. I pulled up the blanket to cover her exposed belly button, and she smiled again. I patted her on the stomach, then stood.
“Now comes the hard part,” I said to myself.
I turned around to face the other woman lying face down on the table.
I had a suspicion Wridra was just pretending to be asleep. After all, I’d never heard of an Arkdragon drinking herself to sleep.
Should I carry her to the bed too? But Wridra was someone’s wife and a mother, so I had some reservations about putting my hands on her. I thought about it for some time, then spoke to Wridra, her eyes still closed.
“I did say I’d spoil you tonight. Miss Wridra, shall I carry you to the bed?”
One of her eyes peeked open, then she burst out in laughter, unable to hold it in anymore. Chuckling, she said, “Yes, very well. You shall carry me with the utmost care. You are one fortunate man... I do not recall any human being allowed to carry an Arkdragon.”
“As you wish. Even if I might stumble a bit if you’re heavy, so be careful,” I said.
“You absolute fool!” she scolded, then cleared her throat and closed her eyes again. Her breathing became regular, as if she were preparing to sleep, and my special mission had begun.
I placed a hand behind her knees and the other behind her back, then slowly rose. I was a bit surprised that she was much lighter than I had expected. Here was this woman with unfathomable power, whom I had yet to see unleash her full strength, now being lifted in my arms. It was surreal.
No, I have seen her go all out just once. When I snuck into her dwelling, she released a fire breath that evaporated me in an instant. It was a funny story to look back at now, and we’d likely laugh about it while having a drink as long as we hung out.
There were two fateful events that day: I met Marie and my friend Wridra, and I began my days of adventure. Wonders surrounded me before I knew it, and call me greedy, but I couldn’t bear to let go of any of it.
I quietly set Wridra down on the bed, then realized she had really fallen asleep. She and Marie breathed rhythmically, snoozing away in the pleasant autumn evening.
After preparing to depart into my dreams, I joined the other two in bed. It was warm from their sleeping bodies, and Marie embraced me unconsciously as I went under the covers. I could tell I would fall asleep in no time, and I opened the door to the dream world with Marie nuzzling up to my forehead.
As an aside, my present for the next day was a hexahedron puzzle. Marie’s intelligence shone with this toy as she put it together with breakneck speed. Wridra and I had gotten worked up and challenged her repeatedly, but we found out there was another thing I could never beat Marie at.
Even so, I felt astoundingly good about it.