"That should do it."
As he lifted the fried conger eel from the oil, the golden-brown batter coating the fish was covered in needle-like protrusions.
The scales are standing up?
The fox stared at the spiky batter on the fried eel. Her initial plan to take a bite and run was gradually fading. That melt-in-your-mouth texture was something only this kind of batter could provide, a delicacy she couldn't enjoy whenever she pleased. The only question was whether he would be willing to share a piece with her in her current fox form.
"Let's go. Time to eat."
Muramasa picked up several wooden trays of tempura and, turning his head, gave the pink fox a nod, gesturing for her to follow.
"Hu!"
The little pink fox scampered on her four short legs, pushed off the wall, and leaped down, landing steadily on the ground. She then followed Muramasa's footsteps, pattering her way outside.
The interior of the house was the same as a few days ago, but with a few more Japanese-style decorations. For example, a teru teru bōzu doll now hung by the window at Hailing's strong insistence. A new rack had also been added to the left wall, and including the items in the cabinet below, it now held a complete set... two complete sets of sea fishing gear. According to the locals, it was an inevitable group activity that he had to try.
The table used to receive guests a few days ago had not been put away, only the cushions on the floor had been moved.
"You're done, Muramasa? The soba noodle soup over here is just ready." Hailing sat by the hearth, portioning the noodles into two bowls.
"Yeah." He nodded and glanced at the little fox trailing behind him. "Hailing, could you scoop some from my portion into a small bowl?"
"Eh?"
"A little tail has attached itself to me. I suppose she counts as a guest."
"Hu…"
From the fox's expression, it was clear she wanted to retort but couldn't. Her physical hardware was incapable, and her dignity wouldn't allow it!
"Oh… a little fox has wandered in?" Hailing, looking as if she understood completely, also took some from her own portion. "I'll share some too. You should eat more, Muramasa. Your work is physically demanding all day long!"
"Here." Muramasa placed two fried shrimp tempura in each bowl of noodle soup. He then took out small plates and put a piece of fried eel and a few pieces of fried tofu on each. He used his chopsticks to gently press down on the center of the eel, and the crisp batter shattered, revealing the tender white fish meat inside. He left one piece as it was and topped the other with grated daikon and a drizzle of dipping sauce. The sauce was a 'tentsuyu' that Muramasa had prepared from memory.
A bowl of soba was placed on a cushion on the floor. After a moment, a small plate was also set down, the only difference being the lack of grated daikon and sauce.
The little fox wanted to leave. She wanted to escape this embarrassing place without a second thought. But the sunk cost was too high. If she left now, she would have gained nothing and only been teased like a common animal.
The pink creature, bearing the humiliation, steeled herself and decided to stop thinking altogether. She buried her small head in the bowl like an ostrich and took a retaliatory bite of the shrimp tempura. The batter, softened by the soup, melted in her mouth, yet the inside still retained the unique crispiness of tempura. Deeper still, the fresh sweetness of the shrimp burst forth, its perfectly cooked fifty-degree center elevating its value.
"Hu?"
The deliciousness in her mouth made her briefly forget her humiliation. Her mind was busy cataloging the flavor. Blinking her small eyes, she examined the tempura in her bowl. The evenly distributed protrusions on the batter's surface indicated that it had been perfectly coated and heated. It was just a pity the surface wasn't soft enough, and the temperature was a little low…
She suddenly realized something. Looking up, she saw Muramasa telling Hailing, "Eat the fried eel first. The shrimp was made earlier, so let it soak for a while now."
So, I'm supposed to eat the fried eel first. By the time I finish it, the shrimp will have reached its optimal state for eating.
He even considered this step? He had even prepared grated daikon and sauce to provide a different flavor for one side. But then she looked at her own fried eel, which was plain on both sides, and felt a sense of being neglected.
"Hu Hu~!" She lifted her head and let out a series of sharp, dissatisfied noises. When Muramasa turned his head, she pawed at the plate with the fried eel.
"What? You don't like it?" Muramasa's question made the fox shake her head like a rattle drum.
"Maybe she wants a side dish... or something?" Hailing said uncertainly from the side, which earned her a vigorous nod from the fox.
"This little one really knows her food." Muramasa couldn't help but grin. He picked up her plate and added her share of the side dishes.
After putting the plate down, he instinctively reached out to pet the fox's head. But she didn't let him, quickly stepping back, her eyes staring at him as if guarding her last shred of dignity.
"Not letting me pet you? Even though you're eating so happily. What a stingy fellow…" the self-proclaimed old man said, pouting.
The fox paid no attention to his mumbling and buried her head again, starting to eat with gusto. The tempura was of a quality unattainable by any of the mass-produced shops in Inazuma, and the fried tofu was one of a kind.
After savoring the meal, she finally shook her body in satisfaction and then turned and ran out of the house.
"Ah, she's gone…" Hailing watched with some regret as the beautiful pink fox disappeared. She had actually wanted to keep her as a pet. But then she remembered that foxes were considered divine messengers and felt it wouldn't be right.
"Let her be~" Seeing Hailing's expression, Muramasa didn't seem to mind. "That one will be back. Didn't you see her face? She looked like she hadn't had enough. Still, how come even small animals are coming to this old man for a free meal?"
…
Grand Narukami Shrine
A rare, unconcealable expression of shame and anger was on the Guuji Yae's face, which surprised the shrine maidens for a moment. Surprised, but they didn't dare to ask.
"What a miscalculation…" She pressed her index finger to her lips, her teeth clenched. When was the last time she had lost her composure like this in the past few hundred years? I shouldn't have revealed my true form. If I had known, I would have just visited normally. My mind was affected in that state.
Fortunately, no one had found out. The two who had seen her true form didn't recognize her. Otherwise, she would have had to learn from the current Raiden Shogun, create a 'Plane of Euthymia', and hide until everyone who knew about it had died of old age.
"Hmm… well, at least I gained something. This trip wasn't a complete waste…" She tried to calm herself, but then she caught the scent of fried tofu clinging to her finger.
"Occasionally, occasionally... being treated to a meal isn't so bad."
-------
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