"Mmm, that should be about ready."
Kakashi worked out how much time had passed and lifted the lid off the covered pot. A rich aroma instantly washed over him.
The milky-white broth bubbled like a boiling sea, constantly releasing bubbles laden with a delicious fragrance.
The equally milky-white tofu freely bathed its skin in that sea, its tender skin looking as though water could be wrung from it.
Kakashi nodded, scooped up a spoonful of broth, and gently blew on it to cool it before taking a taste.
When cleaning the sea bass's belly, Kakashi had already removed the parts with the strongest fishy smell: the black membrane inside the belly, the red gills, the teeth in the throat, and the two fishy tendons.
He had also added ginger to remove the fishy smell, along with a little yellow wine.
A rustling sound came from behind him, and a head peeked stealthily around the kitchen doorway.
"That smells so good."
Yugito Nii's rosy lips moved slightly as she spoke softly.
Kakashi put down the spoon, then scooped up a little salt with a smaller spoon and added it to the fish soup.
"All right, get things ready. We're about to eat."
Kakashi had not turned around, but he had still heard what Yugito Nii had just said.
He wiped the steam from his forehead, the corners of his mouth lifting.
It seemed his cooking skills had not slipped much.
Since there were only two of them, Kakashi had not made many dishes.
There was sea bass and tofu soup, Charcoal-Grilled Pacific Saury, and a Vegetable Salad he had also made.
"Yay!"
Yugito Nii's eyes lit up, and she came over of her own accord, reaching straight for the pot of soup.
"Hey, be careful not to burn yourself."
Kakashi reached