Mitsuri nodded thoughtfully, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she looked at Teiichi.
"That's so cool! I want to be like you when I grow up!"
"..."
During their conversation, the two arrived at the restaurant from the previous night.
Teiichi opened the door and said to Mitsuri:
"Alright, come in!"
Having said that, he went inside first.
Mitsuri hummed in agreement and followed after her.
After entering the room, Mitsuri sat down cross-legged opposite Teiichi.
While waiting, Mitsuri slightly parted her legs, keeping only her legs crossed, and then placed her hands on the insteps of each foot.
Then, under Teiichi's watchful gaze, Mitsuri's body began to sway.
"Ta-da! Udon noodles, hurry up! Chicken skewers, I love them too! And all that other delicious stuff..."
Mitsuri hummed her own little food-themed tune while swaying her body.
This is one of the three happiest moments of her day.
The other two times are breakfast and lunch.
"..."
Teiichi sat opposite Mitsuri, his right elbow resting on the table, his hand loosely clenched into a fist and pressed against his cheek, just looking at Mitsuri.
No, although I know Mitsuri loves food, is she really that happy?
They've even started singing...
Under Teiichi's watchful gaze, Mitsuri gradually stopped her little food song, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
"W-what's wrong?"
Teiichi moment, Ding Yi still asked the question.
Is having a meal really that enjoyable?
Mitsuri stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Of course! Eating is a joyful thing, and if it's delicious food, it's even more enjoyable! Mr. Kato, don't you feel the same way?"
"No, I don't feel that way at all." Teiichi slowly shook his head, which was resting on his hand.
"Huh? How is that possible? Don't you like to eat delicious food?" Mitsuri looked incredulous.
Teiichi explained, "It's not that I don't like good food, but it's not to the extent that it makes me happy, like you said!"
"How is that possible? You clearly ate more than me yesterday!" Mitsuri raised her voice, her brows furrowed tightly, her eyes full of suspicion.
"Whether you eat a lot or a little is a matter of appetite, and whether you enjoy eating them is another matter!" Teiichi replied calmly.
Mitsuri found it hard to accept Teiichi's answer.
She couldn't believe that someone could dislike delicious food.
"But the joy that food brings is real! Like every time I eat a sweet dessert or delicious udon noodles, I feel like all my previous worries disappear!"
"Hmm, maybe!" Teiichi nodded perfunctorily.
I don't want to continue this topic.
Mitsuri's behavior of eating delicious food has already told Teiichi that she is genuinely happy when she eats it.
But Teiichi honestly didn't feel happy about eating something delicious.
However, Mitsuri clearly didn't want to let Teiichi off so easily. She pouted and said angrily:
"Everyone has the right to enjoy delicious food, and it's normal to smile when you eat something good. You must have never eaten anything truly delicious to say that."
Teiichi glanced at Mitsuri and said, "I've been traveling around a lot these past few years, and I've probably eaten more things than you think!"
"What good is eating a lot if you eat nothing but bad food!" Mitsuri crossed her arms, looking indignant.
"... Maybe!"
Mitsuri looked at Teiichi and said seriously, "Hmph, you wait for me, I will definitely let you eat something delicious, and make you exclaim in amazement at the food!"
"Well, okay!" Teiichi replied casually, not taking it too seriously.
Soon, the villagers brought out today's dinner.
Unlike usual, Mitsuri didn't eagerly devour the food as soon as she saw it. Instead, she sat quietly at the table, staring intently at Teiichi across from her.
Teiichi remained calm and picked up his chopsticks, stirring the steaming udon noodles in the bowl slowly and deliberately.
The delicate and elastic noodles tumbled in the broth, soaking up its delicious flavor.
Then, he picked up a mouthful of noodles with his chopsticks, gently put it in his mouth, and with a "slurp," the noodles slid into his mouth.
After Teiichi the noodles in her mouth, Mitsuri pouted with a look of resentment.
Damn it, I didn't see a single happy expression on his face.
Mitsuri angrily picked up her chopsticks and took a pinch of udon noodles.
With a "slurp," the noodles slid into Mitsuri's mouth.
The soft yet chewy texture instantly spread throughout her mouth, the wheat aroma of the noodles blending with the delicious broth, tantalizing Mitsuri's taste buds.
Mitsuri's eyes immediately narrowed involuntarily.
"Mmm, this is so delicious!" Mitsuri exclaimed indistinctly.
Just like she said, she forgot all her troubles after eating the delicious food.
"..."
Sitting opposite her Teiichi silently picked up her chopsticks and started eating new noodles.
The slurping sound continued to echo inside the room.
Halfway through the meal, the village chief came over and sat down at one end.
" Lord Kato, Lady Kanroji, how are you feeling?"
Mitsuri nodded repeatedly, her long pink and green hair swaying gently with her movements.
"Mmm, this is so delicious! I'd love to live in the Swordsmith Village forever!"
"Hahaha... If Lady Kanroji likes it, he can apply to the Master during the next troop rotation to be stationed in our Swordsmith Village!" the village chief laughed.
"Mmm! Slurp~" Mitsuri replied while continuing to slurp her noodles.
"What do you think of Lady Kanroji's Nichirin Blade?" the village chief asked.
Teiichi glanced at Mitsuri, whose cheeks were puffed out like a squirrel's, and seeing that she was busy enjoying her food, he spoke up for her:
"I've already spoken to Mr. Tetsumoto, and he'll be forging it for Mitsuri later!"
"Oh, that's good!"
The village chief nodded slightly. Although he had already guessed this would be the result, he still breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Teiichi's confirmation, and his smile became even wider.
"If you two need anything later, please come to me!" The village chief stood up, preparing to leave, but didn't forget to give the two men this instruction.
Teiichi, then suddenly seemed to remember something important, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes, and asked:
"By the way, where is the ore used to forge Nichirin Blade?"
Upon hearing Teiichi's question, Mitsuri temporarily stopped slurping her noodles and looked over curiously with her emerald green eyes.
Upon hearing this, the village chief paused slightly, having already risen to take his leave. He sat back down, a hint of doubt in his eyes, and looked at Teiichi, asking:
"Is Lord Kato asking about Crimson Red Iron Sand and Crimson Red Ore?"