Delicious Rice Balls

I was peaking over to where Enuma said there was something sitting out in the open. 

I ask, “Is it a beast?”

Enuma said, "No, nothing like that, and there is no danger, but that is… uhn? Uhn~ what could it be? "

I’m not sure what he’s talking about. But Enuma noticed something, and his face gradually became shocked. Moreover, he was holding his head.

I anxiously stood up and made my way as it was, to see if there was no danger. I murmured “What, what is it? The heck……”

Then, the trees split apart, and the area slightly opened, and sitting on the ground, something was dropped there.

It was something wrapped in a bag. I said aloud, “… What the hell is that?”

Furthermore, inside the bag was a cylindrical object. Also, inside the bag, I said, “Writing utensils?”

What’s more, there’s a piece of paper wrapped around the cylinder.

I said, “A note? ’Please feel free to eat’ …what?”

It’s not that it was dropped. It was left with a note. Some kind of trap? But for now, let’s see what’s inside.

When I opened the bag, there were about three objects made of rolled up, ball of white rice about the size of a fist. I stammered, “Wh-what the hell is that?”

In addition, what seemed to be yellow and square food cut into bite-sized portions together with the rice.

Enuma said, "It is rice balls and fried egg. This is a portable meal or bento, it is a staple dish in Insei."

Why was it dropped in a place like this, and besides with the note, ‘feel free to eat’. So, does that mean I can eat this?

Enuma clarified, "It does not seem to contain any poison. Eating would be no problem, would it not?"

I replied, “Oh, no, but a-are you sure? It is not a trap?”

To be honest, I don’t know why this was dropped, and it’s too suspicious. However, from the moment I saw this rice ball or whatever, I was so tempted to eat it I couldn’t help drooling.

I stubbornly asked, “Huh? But what about forks and knives? No way, with bare hands?”

Enuma explained, "In Insei, rice balls are eaten with bare hands."

I retorted, “Hey, don’t you get angry because eating with your bare hands is bad manners?”

Enuma placed his face into his palm, calmly "… such a spoiled brat."

I was so used to eating with utensils that I did not know if eating with bare hands allowed. Even though Sadie gets very angry about how I use a fork and knife. But with your bare hands?

Is Insei like a primitive or undeveloped nation? But there’s nothing to poke at it with. So, I grabbed it with hands, I took a hearty bite on this rice ball. I was astonished, “!!??”

I bit on the rice ball, and I wonder what it seeped throughout my body. The taste of each grain of rice is awesome! What’s more, is there something in the rice ball?

In the white rice, there’s something white. Enuma also noticed. "Hoh~ seafood, seasoned with a certain sauce. I see Tuna mayo."

I was drooling at the taste, “De-delicious. So good, what is this? Seriously! Tuna mayo is the best!”

I wonder what. It felt like my tired body was reviving. I blurted out, “I can’t believe you can eat rice like this. This egg. What?! It’s sweet! But it’s great!”

Enuma realized something, "It must contain sugar. Insei’s fried egg is different as the eastern culture uses sugar whereas the western culture uses a little salty with soup stock."

I bragged, “Oh, somehow, I feel calm after eating this gutsy white rice, I quite like it!”

Enuma was curious, "Is that so? As for me, I do not care for sweet fried egg as a meal."

It’s the first time I’ve eaten it. It was a dish that I had never eaten before, even though it was an ingredient I could get in the Imperial City. It’s simple, yet I’ve come to think it’s great. Tuna mayo rice balls and sweet fried egg.

At first, I was suspicious, but before I realized it, I had eaten three rice balls and an egg dish in a few seconds. 

I let out a loud long exhale as chugging the drink, “Ah~, water too! The water is moderately chilled and seeps through my worn-out body! It’s so good!”

I wasn’t full, but it was more than enough to energize the body. It was a recovery that I didn’t expect to achieve today. Although I was satisfied, I calmed down a bit, looked at the empty package and suddenly thought.  “Surely this from Insei. Was it her?”

Apparently, there’s something up with that girl. Enuma described it, "All of a sudden, appeared then absconded, left that in place and disappeared."

I was curious and asked, “Why? Didn’t she go home with her brothers?”

Enuma shrugged, "Who knows. At least there are no other warriors around."

So, she’s on her own, but what is her intentions. Simple good intentions for me?

Enuma brought up something I forgot about, "Hmm? Oi, boy. The note she left earlier. There is still something written on the back, is there not?"

Do not hesitate to eat, I grabbed the paper. When I was reminded. I turned the paper over.

The writing on it was vast:

―― have you replied in the exchange diary yet, I wonder? But I know. I’m sure you couldn’t because you didn’t have any writing tools, right? So, I’ll leave this for you, so use it. I’ll be waiting in anticipation for your reply for as long as it’ll take for me to receive it. I’ll keep on, waiting. On and on, waiting for you ♡

And somehow the ambience of the writing felt a little gushing. As I felt a tremendous chill for a moment, I realized that I had completely forgotten about it.

I said, “Huh, and either way, this writing? Ah, that’s what the writing tool is for.”

I could have thrown it away in front of Aka’s burnt house. After all, it was an exchange diary, and I held on to it.

Enuma chuckled, "While estranged from your real life, it seems you are being cornered by a troublesome woman, boy."

I replied, “Ugh, e-even if you say that…”

To be honest, I’ve never been able to direct my thoughts like this before, and while I don’t feel bad about it, I am a little scared.

Most of all, I don’t know how to deal with this.

Enuma with a somewhat chilly smile. "Boy. For those who are straightforward and heavily infatuated, should you take a half-hearted and suggestive attitude. There is a risk that matters will later become irreparable. No matter what your answer, be sincere."

And finally, my master is in a situation where he even talks about my love affair.

Enuma continued, "And when you give your answer, be sure to know the person you are talking to. Earlier, the things I mention would not trouble you if you had them. Power, money, and so on, but there was still something crucial to consider. It is an eye for people."

I was confused, “An, eye?”

Enuma explained, "This is so. No matter who you are, you do not have to be admired from all sides. Even if you do not have thousands of subordinates, be sure to identify those you can trust from the bottom of your heart and keep them by your side. Whether a loved one or a peerless comrade. They will be the pillar of your life."

Develop the ability to judge people. It made sense and I thought it should not be hard. But I did not think about how it works to have subordinates.

Enuma continued, "I talked of authenticity a while ago. This is not only for items. Cultivate an eye for people. Roaming the world, a child of your upbringing will easily be deceived, so be careful. For example, that Ogre. Not all of them are like Aka."

When I think about it, I certainly wanted Sadie and my parents to recognize me, but I wanted to look back at all the people who saw me.

It is as Enuma says. Even if I’m not recognized by a million people, if there is only one person who can be trusted. If I can identify them. 

I decided to mention, “Hmm. I trust you deeply. It seems, in that sense, I have you now.”

Enuma mocking but acted flabbergasted, "Oh my, so it is. Now what>… fue~."

Yes, even if you’re the Demon King, Enuma now respects, trusts and leads me. I was puzzled, “Huh?”

Enuma waved it off, "huh… ah, aaah it is nothing."

Somehow, Enuma is acting a little strange. “eh?”

Normally, naturally. Ach, I said something really embarrassing just now, didn’t I!? A somewhat cringy thing to do, and I spontaneously.

Enuma still with a mocking tone, "Eh? Wh-What was it? Right now, were you speaking? Fuhahaha, apologies. Since my passing I occasionally get a little hard of hearing."

I steel myself “Oh, yeah! No, I didn’t say anything, so never mind!”

Enuma chuckled, "Oh, it is so! Well, then this conversation has come to an end! Well, this is a fine day today!"

It became awkward, and incoherent so we mutually backed away from the subject.

But, yes, I can’t be helped because Enuma was a deaf demon king. Yeah. Because he says he can’t hear me, so I can’t hear him, yes!

So, let’s get back on track. Time to act like men. 

Changing the topic, I said, “So, erm, what were you talking about? Oh yes, being heavily infatuated, this and that?”

Enuma replied, "Um, surely it was!"

I was interested in Enuma's past, “Ah. But, the way you talked just now, like it’s from an extremely personal experience? By any chance, in the past, were you deeply in lov-“

Enuma interrupted, "Now, boy! After an intake of carbohydrates, it is better to exercise moderately than to remain idle! So, I shall instruct you on the proper gymnastics!"

Eh? I was only half joking, but Enuma suddenly changed the subject as if he got flustered.

Ah? It might be the first time I’ve seen my master like this, right? Surely Enuma's past love was terrific, I wanna hear!

Enuma declared, "Great Demon Gymnastics No.1! First of all, begin with a large stretching exercise! Hoping exercise of both feet! One, two, three, close, open, close, open!"

However, to me, frantic deception notwithstanding, while performing strange gymnastics. I turned to the other item on my agenda. 

It’s something he suggested, so I’ll write my reply to the exchange diary within the range that can be answered. You must take responsibility and respond to her questions.

Above all, she gave me aid when I was in a pinch with hunger and thirst. I didn’t have any grudges against Vin, and I didn’t dislike her, so I decided to answer my exchange diary.

►My father and mother, and a maid who was just like my family

► Imperial Warrior Academy dropout

►I don’t have any favorite subjects, but I don’t have any subjects that I dislike.

► Become a strong man

► Recently, Image Training

►My favorite food is Omelet Rice. The food I dislike is green peppers and broccoli.

► She’s normally cold and easy going, but is really affectionate

►4 years old

► Shopping in town

►I want to eat a homemade lunch in the park.

► If the moment felt right.

►White

► Bra and panties. What’s a loincloth?

►3

► Holding hands is possible. The kiss is-

Then, my hand gradually stopped.

Yes, when I looked at each question, they started out bland but got more and more embarrassing.

“This, I guess I can’t just suddenly answer this! Or rather, don’t ask a man his favorite underwear color!”

Enuma said, "Noticed it sooner, huh? Also, the loincloth is underwear peculiar to Insei, it is wrapped like a belt around the waist and crotch and, more importantly, you went shopping with a woman in town."

I replied, “That’s about it! Well, with Sadie. I tagged along while shopping for dinner.”

Enuma thought on it. "I wonder if it counts. Also, did you not simply do the shopping?"

I explained, “Well, that’s… that I got candy from a street stall.”

Enuma had a dumbfounded look. "No, wait. How old were you at the time?"

Damn, even I could have gone on at least one date. if it was true but since I joined the Academy, Sadie’s malicious streak increased, and at the Academy, she always just teased me.

Enuma asked, "Incidentally, not just the maid, what about at the Academy? For example, after lectures to walk home from school with a girl."

I stammered, “I didn’t! At the Academy, I had to deal with the Princess Uriko's whims and accompany her, and all around my classmates would giggle.”

Enuma decided to place his face in his palm. "Hoh~"

Yes, there’s a reason I spent my youth so lonely, that Enuma was amazed with me.