Chapter 234: The Bamboo Forest and the Go Player!
The stream was shallow and clear, meandering over smooth pebbles. A few fish darted past, stirring up tiny ripples. On both banks, lush shrubs were dotted with unknown wildflowers, emitting a faint, grassy fragrance.
Not far away, a waterfall cascaded from a high cliff like a silken ribbon, kicking up a hazy mist that drifted on the wind, bringing with it a hint of coolness. When the sun slanted in, a faint rainbow could be seen.
Eating barbecue and drinking ice-cold beer in this environment, Ryohei Tanaka felt completely content and comfortable.
"This is truly one of life's great pleasures!"
He raised his beer mug, exclaiming in satisfaction, his face beaming.
The air was thick with the rich aroma of grilled meat, but within it, a unique, roasted scent was still distinct. The grain-like aroma of the "rice fruit" and the fresh scent of the bamboo had blended perfectly, made even more enticing by the charcoal fire.
Ryohei glanced at the two bamboo tubes on the grill. The parts over the fire were charred black, but the tops remained a vibrant, alluring green, with steam and fragrance wafting out.
"The bamboo-tube rice is about ready!"
Ryohei's nose twitched, his eyes flashing with anticipation. He deftly grabbed the bamboo base tray he had prepared—a section of thick bamboo cut in half lengthwise and polished into a cradle.
He placed the tray steadily in front of him and nodded at Lucoa.
She understood immediately, rising to pick up the hot bamboo tubes and setting them securely in the cradle. With a casual flick of her fingers, she lifted the bamboo lids.
"Hiss—!"
A-burst of steam and aroma erupted violently!
The grain scent of the "rice fruit" mixed with the clean fragrance of the bamboo, interwoven with the savoriness of the "Jingwei chicken," the richness of the mushrooms, and the sweetness of the "green beans" and "carrots." It was an olfactory storm!
"Mmm! What a rich, unique fragrance!"
Lucoa was hit full-force by the aroma, completely mesmerized. She looked ready to drool.
"But of course!" Ryohei handed her a wooden spoon.
Muttering, "It's really been years since I've had bamboo-tube rice," he scooped up a spoonful of the other-world-style mushroom and chicken rice. He blew on it lightly and put it in his mouth.
The moment it entered his mouth, he was overwhelmed by the deliciousness.
The "rice fruit" was soft, sticky, and perfectly chewy, each grain having soaked up the chicken's savory juice and the mushroom's deep, mellow flavor. It danced on his tongue.
The chicken was unbelievably tender, melting in his mouth with the slightest pressure. The occasional "carrot" bits were sweet and crisp, while the "green beans" burst with a fresh sweetness, adding a bright note to the overall profile.
But the most wonderful part was the faint, lingering bamboo fragrance, like a wisp of clear wind that added a refreshing, wild mountain essence.
Ryohei couldn't help but take another huge bite, tilting his head back with a satisfied groan. "This is just too good!"
With that one bite, he felt the trip to this world was completely worth it.
"This is... so delicious!"
Lucoa's stunning, heterochromatic eyes were wide with amazement. If Ryohei's usual rice was 150% delicious, this bamboo-tube rice was 300% delicious!
"The mushrooms release a rich, earthy flavor that blends perfectly with the fat from the chicken, forming a 'flavor bomb' that... just exploded on my tongue!"
"The 'Man-eating plant' roots (carrots) and fruits (green beans) perfectly balance the savory, salty taste... and that fresh, elegant bamboo aroma... It's impossible to stop eating!"
Her eyes glistening, Lucoa's face was flushed with satisfaction as she savored the rice, one mouthful after another. The barbecue she had been enjoying just moments before was completely forgotten.
The incredible flavor built up, pulling her consciousness into a culinary mirage.
...
In her daze, Lucoa felt as if she had become a Go player.
Sunlight dappled through the bamboo forest, dancing on the stone Go board. The white jade piece between Lucoa's fingers suddenly hovered in mid-air.
She realized with a jolt that the "white dragon" on the board had been cut into three pieces by the black stones. Its scattered scales were being swallowed by a black tide.
At the same time, her clothes were suddenly torn open in several places.
"Your turn," the young man opposite her reminded her, his voice gentle but carrying an undeniable pressure.
"Mmm..." Lucoa hummed, pondering how to turn the tide of the game. After a long moment, she placed a stone.
Almost simultaneously, her opponent's black stone struck a star point with the force of a thunderclap.
The sharp click echoed through the bamboo, and the white stones on the board collapsed like an avalanche.
Lucoa glanced down, crying out "Not good!" internally as another large section of her clothing vanished.
This is really, really bad!
The game was lost. The black stones had formed an iron wall, and her white stones were cornered, routed, and utterly defeated.
...
"Ah! It's all gone!"
Her consciousness snapped back to reality. Lucoa scraped the last few grains of rice into her mouth, chewed, and looked at Ryohei, still wanting more. "Ryohei-kun," she whined, "I want more, what should I do~?"
Ryohei, who still had a third of his rice left, checked his phone. It was 3:05 PM. They still had time to make another batch.
He looked up. "You go gather more ingredients. We can make another batch, and we'll all have various kinds of bamboo-tube rice for dinner tonight."
Rice this delicious had to be shared.
"Great idea!" Lucoa's eyes lit up. "I'll go get the ingredients!" she said, vanishing in a whirlwind.
...
Meanwhile, in the Main World, at the Stardew Valley Ranch villa.
Yurine Hanazono closed a fashion magazine.
Finished another one.
It was the second magazine she'd finished today. After picking blueberries with JII in the morning and playing some video games, she'd had nothing to do but read.
She had already spotted a purse, two outfits, and a new face mask she wanted. She was just waiting for Ryohei to get back and pay for them.
After all, someone had gone out alone with Lucoa today. Something definitely happened. Asking for a little compensation wasn't too much, was it?
Thinking of Ryohei, she picked up her phone to check the time.
They should be back soon, right? He said around 4 PM...
The screen read: 3:05 PM.
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