NOVEL NEXT Chapter 68:
Grilled Spiny Lobster And A Surprise
The unison dining with Ruu and me continued. No, like this, Ruu has been smiling so happily all along, so it's hard to determine when to stop… "Coach, how about some fresh boat sashimi next?"
"Sure, then let's go for some lean tuna."
Watching us like that, Nina-san and Serai-san are exchanging wry smiles. But even they, with that kind concern for Ruu, have the faces of really good older sisters.
"Ready, set… (chomp)."
"Yeah, delicious!"
"It's tasty, isn't it?"
The lean tuna, "The Tuna," as they call it. Even though it's not like they caught it around here, why does it taste so much better when you eat it near the sea? Well, given that it's red, it's three times tastier than usual.
"Coach, what's next?"
And Ruu is all excited. And she keeps calling me "Coach." I was curious and asked her why she insisted on calling me that, and she said it was too embarrassing to call me by my name.
"Well… let's try the spiny lobster next, shall we?"
"Yes, please!"
I pick up the split, grilled spiny lobster tail in my hand, while Ruu skillfully uses chopsticks to pick at the meat.
"Ready, set… (chomp)."
"(munching) Yeah… well, it's okay, I guess?"
"(munching) Yes… it's just average."
Ruu and I exchange subtle expressions as we chew on the spiny lobster meat.
Spiny lobster. With its incredibly celebratory appearance, finding it in a dish makes me surprisingly happy, and my excitement higher just by seeing it. But when I taste it, the flavor isn't anything special and leaves a rather delicate feeling.
But it's not spiny lobster's fault. Its appearance is so extravagant that it naturally raises the expectations for its taste, leading to disappointment. Yeah, its opulent appearance makes us automatically assume it's delicious. So, spiny lobster isn't at fault. Even so, Ruu's chopsticks halt in midair.
(Hmm, but if this continues, the spiny lobster will be left feeling too pitiful.)
Just living normally and taken away from its home, split in half, and grilled. If it's left uneaten and abandoned, it would be beyond unbearable.
(Alright! How about I show off one of my tricks here?)
"Ruu, watch closely. I'm going to perform a magic trick…"
"Yes, what is it…?"
I move my hands behind my back as if hiding something, and then, fluttering my hands as if nothing happened, I reveal them again. And above the grilled spiny lobster Ruu is eating, I slowly rub my thumb and forefinger together.
(Skill: [Salt]… activate! Alright, sprinkle, sprinkle…)
"Wha?… Huh, what's happening?"
Ruu's eyes widen in surprise.
"Oh, it's out! It's master magic salt!"
"What's this magic salt? Isn't it different from Crazy Salt?"
Serai-san, who had previously tried this salt on a hamburger, immediately takes an interest. As for Nina-san, she tilts her head, wondering what's going on.
"Ruu… well, I can make salt come from my fingers. But I'm sure this should have made spiny lobster even more delicious than before, so give it a try."
"Huh? Oh, sure. (sprinkle. bite.) Mmm!?"
"So, how is it? It should taste completely different from before."
"Yeah! The taste that was a bit vague feels more distinct!"
"Hahaha, that's right, that's right♪"
"Hey, hey, master~! Can you sprinkle some on my spiny lobster too?"
"Coach… can you sprinkle some on mine too~♪"
Hahaha, to have Serai-san and Nina-san asking me for a sprinkle after Ruu is quite something. Well done, well done. Very well. Then, let's generously sprinkle away.
[sprinkle, sprinkle…]
"(chomp) Mmm… delicious ♡"
"(chomp, munch) Really… why does it become so delicious with just a bit of salt and lemon?"
As I watch everyone's surprise, I sprinkle some salt on my spiny lobster and bite it. (munch, munch)… As Ruu mentioned, the somewhat unclear flavor before is now sharp and vivid. It's good.
"Hey, hey, Coach… You know, I'd love to enjoy this squid sashimi with that salt and a bit of lemon, and pair it with some sake… (sidelong glance)"
"Oh, that's quite the plan, Nina-san. Well then, I'll provide a small dish for the salt, so please request the sake as well."
"Thank you so much ♡"
I received the biggest smile from Nina-san today. Yes, she looks alluring.
…..
9:00 PM.
Hotel Hatozuki's guest room. The four of us are enjoying a relaxed time sipping tea after dinner.
"Ah~ I'm so full. It was delicious♪"
"That's right, Coach. It was delicious."
The staff tidied the meal, and we laid the futons. So it's time for a relaxing moment before sleep.
"You're so sly, Coach. If you have such good salt, you could've shared a bit with us too…"
"Oh, I'm sorry. If you liked it that much, I'll share some with you later."
"Really? You promise, coach ♪"
"Yeah, I'll make sure to give you some. But you seem to have liked it."
"Because… that salt was something… Haha!"
"Haha, hahaha!"
Nina-san bursts into laughter at her obsession with the salt, and the laughter is contagious as we all start laughing together. On this trip, I feel like I've become closer to Nina-san too.
"Um~ Is it about time? Right, master? Stand up, stand up ♪"
Serai-san, who seemed to be checking the time anxiously, prompts me to stand up.
"Huh, what's going on?"
She comes closer and takes my hand, guiding me to the futon. I don't know what's happening, but I comply and stand up.
"Alright, come this way~."
(Hey! Wait, Serai-san! Why are you leading me towards the futon where you laid hands on? What's going on?)
With Ruu watching, Serai-san, in her yukata, leads me by the hand onto the futon. Just the situation of a girl leading me onto the futon causes my heart to race strangely, and I feel flustered.
And then, for some reason, Nina-san and Ruu follow behind me. W-what could this be!?
"Alright, Sensei, lie down here ♪"
"Huh… um, okay… (settles down)."
"No, no, that's wrong! Lie face down! (pats!)"
"Huh? Really…?"
I lie down as instructed, but strangely, I'm patted on the head instead. Unreasonable.
"Um… is this okay?"
I ask Serai-san in a prone position. This time ensuring I don't get patted.
"Um… a little higher… Yes, that's good right there♪"
Hmm, what…? Even though I did what she said, I still don't quite understand…
"Alright, here we go. Ready, set…"
"Coach! Thank you for bringing us on this trip! Whooaah~! (clap, clap, clap)."
Oh, what's this? Is this what they had in mind?
"Um… well, we can't offer much of a thank you, but the three of us would like to present master with a massage session you like. Please accept it."
"(clap, clap, clap~) Coach~♪ Thank you so much!"
"Coach! Thank you so much for everything!"
"Yeah, that's right! Thank you! I'm so happy!"
I wish they had told me about this before having me lie face down. But I think maybe it witas a b embarrassing for them to express their gratitude directly. So, this order probably makes sense after all.