Surprise Party

To confirm whether there are any changes in the completion fees, I head toward the Adventurers' Guild building. After checking the request slips, I confirm that there are no changes to the completion fee for Vaz grass. If I plan to live in the village for a while, I may need to handle some errands and interact with the villagers, but for now, ensuring my livelihood is the priority.

It's still early in the day, so I can see a few other adventurers around. As a newcomer, I feel occasional glances from others. Honestly, since I know my limitations as an out-of-shape middle-aged man, I don't think too much about it. From what I can see on the request slips, there's nothing particularly efficient. For now, I'll leave before any trouble arises.

As I walk toward the northern forest, I start thinking about the future and my relationship with Rizatia. If we were to get together, the possibility of starting a family would be a big step forward.

Honestly, if asked about preferences, she's right in my wheelhouse. My PC's folder for Nordic beauties is on fire. She's not a child, doesn't have lolicon attributes, and having some bust size would be nice.

As for the past and returning home, I'll just have to tell them honestly. It's not something I can keep hidden from those close to me forever.

"Hmph... Time to make up my mind..."

I turn back and head toward Ast's house.

"Ah? Welcome back. Did you forget something?"

I inform Teisha that I'll be making dinner tonight.

"That's kind of you, but is everything okay?"

"The wife's cooking is delicious, which is a blessing, but isn't the husband's cooking also something to look forward to?"

"Ah? Oh, I see. Alright then."

She smiles slyly, like a Cheshire cat.

"I'll need some materials. Could you tell me what we have?"

"Certainly. We have flour, goat butter, salt, pepper, vinegar, dried rosemary..."

"Do you eat fish?"

"Not often since hunting is our main source of food, but everyone likes it."

For now, the plan is set. Since there's no sugar here, I'll have to buy some.

"I'll be back soon."

"Alright. Looking forward to dinner!"

She smiles warmly as she sees me off.

Alright, time to get serious.

I arrive at the swamp I visited yesterday. Checking the goblin remains, they've been eaten and are almost skeletal.

"Should be fine for now."

Using my 'Perception' skill, I start harvesting Vaz grass. While working silently, I think about tonight. Honestly, after the divorce, I never thought about marriage again. The cause of the divorce was my erectile dysfunction. It started when I began doubting whether an ugly guy like me should even touch his wife. In the end, my wife filed for divorce, and I agreed. I lack confidence in myself, and I worry that the same situation might repeat itself. I never felt any desire to remarry. But there's also a part of me that wants to change. Being met with such straightforward affection is something new for me.

As I think aimlessly, I've already harvested 150 Vaz grass. Working for three hours straight without feeling much fatigue. I pack 30 bundles into a satchel and leave the forest. I head south, keeping an eye on my surroundings, and safely reach the path leading back to town without incident. After eating the lunch Teisha prepared earlier, I take a break.

"There were no goblins today either."

I don't sense any monsters or animals around. It's days like this that exist too, I guess. I head toward the village.

Entering the guild building, I approach the appraisal counter. The same man from yesterday is on duty.

"Vaz grass, right? Let me check. Please wait a moment."

After about 15 minutes, he finishes his inspection.

"The completion fee for Vaz grass is 24,000 Wael per 30 bundles. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes, please."

"Please present your card."

He processes it through the reader.

"Registration complete. There are no changes in rank this time. This brings your total completions to 51, so you're halfway there."

So, promotion comes after 100 completions?

"Like yesterday, I'm surprised. Please continue to do your best."

I receive four 5,000 Waruru coins and four 1,000 Waruru coins.

After exchanging pleasantries, I leave the guild.

I head toward the tavern, which also seems to sell alcohol.

"Welcome! Dining?"

A sturdy man in his 50s is the owner.

"No, I'd like to buy a bottle to take home. Do you have any good white wine?"

"We don't have much white left. How about red?"

"Can I taste it first?"

The owner pours a small amount into an earthenware cup. It's quite light—probably a Pique. The taste itself isn't bad.

"This bottle is fine. Could you also pour me a cup of something stronger?"

"Sure, this one."

The red wine poured has no sediment and feels hearty.

"Pack it into a small bottle for me."

"That'll be 3,000 Waruru total."

I hand over a 5,000 Waruru coin and receive two 1,000 Waruru coins in change.

"Thanks. See you again soon."

Next, I head to the fish shop. Rainbow trout... they have some.

"Can I get three of those rainbow trout?"

"That'll be 600 Waruru."

"Do you think you could fillet them for me?"

"Certainly. Please wait a moment."

They take care of scaling, gutting, and everything else.

"There you go."

I hand over a 1,000 Waruru coin and receive four 100 Waruru coins in change.

"Thank you."

From the fish shop, I move to the vegetable stand. Carrots and cauliflower are available.

"One carrot and one cauliflower, please."

"That'll be 400 Waruru."

I hand over four 100 Waruru coins.

"Thanks for coming."

Finally, I head to the general store. For some reason, sugar is sold here too.

"I'd like some sugar."

"How much?"

"What's the smallest amount you have?"

"This should do it."

The container is about half the size of a coffee shop sugar dispenser.

"How much is that?"

"5,000 Waruru."

Sugar is expensive after all. I hand over a 5,000 Waruru coin.

"Thank you. We look forward to seeing you again."

My shopping done, I head back to Ast's house.

"I'm back."

"Welcome home. You must be tired."

"I'll borrow the kitchen."

I light the stove and fill a pot with plenty of water to boil. In the meantime, I prepare the carrots and cauliflower. When the water boils, I add the carrots. Once they're tender enough when pierced with a skewer, I add the cauliflower.

Meanwhile, I season the rainbow trout with salt, pepper, and rosemary, then coat them in flour. I heat butter in a pan and start cooking the fish skin side down over high heat. After searing the skin, I reduce the heat, flip the fish, and baste the flesh side with melted butter using a spoon.

When the cauliflower is bright in color, I drain it, add salt, sugar, and butter, then mix on low heat to prevent burning.

Just as the trout finishes cooking, the two return home. It seems they caught a wild boar in their trap, and from the looks of the load, it's bigger than the one we caught earlier.

"Big catch today."

Ast says cheerfully.

"Mmm. Smells great. Mom, are you making dinner?"

Riza sniffs the air.

"Fufu. Akihiro is cooking tonight."

Teisha still has that sly smile on her face.

"What? Akihiro is going to cook in the kitchen?!"

She's clearly surprised. I guess men don't often cook here.

I plate the rainbow trout.

I pour red wine into an empty pan and boil it over high heat to burn off the alcohol, then add salt and vinegar until it comes to a simmer. Once the liquid has reduced by about two-thirds, I pour it over the trout. I serve it with glazed carrots and cauliflower on the side.

There's leftover Roggenbrot bread, so I set that out too. I pour some Pique Red Wine into cups and get everything ready for dinner.

After everyone is seated, I speak up.

"Before we eat, there's something I need to say."

Taking a breath, I look at Ast seriously.

"After thinking it through, I've found a solution to the issue that's been on my mind. Financially, everything seems manageable. I would like to ask for your permission to start a relationship with your daughter with marriage in mind. May I have your blessing?"

Ast looks a bit stunned but then smiles warmly.

"We don't object at all. Please take good care of her."

Looking at Riza, she's blushing and looking down.

"Let's celebrate! It's not every day Akihiro cooks, so let's enjoy the meal while it's hot!"

Teisha starts the dinner.

"What is this? The carrots and cauliflower are sweet... and when I bite into them, they burst with flavor... What is this?"

Riza smiles broadly as she chews.

"This... This is rainbow trout, right? The crispy skin feels great, but most importantly, the sauce! The buttery aroma with a subtle tang..."

Ast eats in stunned silence.

"Astonishing. I've never eaten anything like this before. Riza gets to eat such delicious food every day now—how enviable!"

Teisha teases Riza with a sly grin.

The surprise dinner was a success. Sitting around the warm dinner table, thinking about how these people will become my family, I feel a comforting warmth in my heart. I'm sure we'll build a happy family together. I make up my mind and resolve to do so.