Chapter 107: The joy of being interested in someone

(He really is someone whose depths can’t be seen.)

After a long series of tag matches, Ibuki and the others were able to take a shower before dinner, pushing their bodies to continue training even after their evening meal.

Meanwhile, instead of sparring with Gulf and the others or fighting increasingly ferocious monsters in the night forest, Ishud was meditating alone in a different training area.

“Hm? Ibuki, is there something you need?”

“No, it’s just… I didn’t expect to see you meditating.”

“Ha ha ha! Surprised?”

“To be honest, yes. I saw you and your great-grandfather fight.”

The image of them fighting, unleashing an aura and spirit reminiscent of the word ‘demon god,’ was still vividly etched in her mind.

“That’s why seeing you meditate feels so unusual.”

“I thought so. My personal belief is that in the midst of battle, it’s best to launch the optimal attack without thinking. That’s why I believe that becoming one with a clear mind is one path to becoming stronger… Though, it seems this kind of thinking is rare even within the Regula family.”

“…I agree with your thoughts, Ishud. If you don’t mind, may I join you in meditation?”

“Oh, really? Sure, let’s meditate together.”

Thus, Ibuki decided to meditate with Ishud. A few minutes into the meditation, she noticed that Ishud’s presence seemed to have intensified.

(It’s not that he’s emitting fighting spirit or an aura of dominance. It’s just that his presence has become more pronounced.)

You’re not supposed to think during meditation. The goal is to unify your mind.

Despite this, Ibuki found herself increasingly distracted by Ishud’s growing presence.

(This isn’t good!! Even meditation is training to become stronger. I mustn’t do this halfway.)

She calmed her mind and focused her consciousness on her center… the dantian, the area in the abdomen.

Normally, Ishud would have been interested in any changes in Ibuki. However, he was already fully focused on his meditation, so he didn’t notice her changes and continued to unify his mind until the meditation session ended.

“Whew… Sitting in zazen makes my legs hurt.”

“Once you get used to it, it won’t bother you as much. Still… you even know about zazen.”

If her memory was correct, this term didn’t exist on this continent.

“Hehe, well, I’m quite fond of Yamato’s culture. I haven’t introduced it to cooking yet, but I have rice and pickles.”

“!!! Is that true?!?!”

“Y-yeah. Of course, it’s true.”

Suddenly, her face got close, and I couldn’t help but think, “Beautiful Japanese women really are nice,” as I averted my eyes.

“I see… Well, maybe we can eat it some other time…”

“Oh, want to have it as a midnight snack?”

“A-as a midnight snack…”

The taste of the monster meat dish Ishud had cooked after their training session a few nights ago lingered in her mouth, making her almost drool.

“Ha ha ha, you look excited, don’t you?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Normally, you’d think you couldn’t eat Yamato food while you’re here, right?”

“Y-yes.”

Traveling outside Yamato meant trying new cuisines, which Ibuki enjoyed, but not being able to eat the familiar dishes she was used to also felt a bit sad.

“Well then, let’s go eat.”

Ishud, forgetting to call out to the others training in different areas, headed to the kitchen. 

Ibuki, excited about the prospect of having Yamato cuisine (Japanese food) again, also forgot to invite Michela and the others.

“Alright, first we need to cook the rice.”

With practiced hands, he washed the rice, put it in the pot, and started the fire.

“I’m working with my brother on a magic item that makes cooking rice even easier.”

“Even easier, you say?”

“Yeah. Cooking it in a pot like this is nice, but sometimes there’s inconsistency, right? We’re trying to eliminate that inconsistency.”

“Indeed… That’s certainly a groundbreaking magical item, isn’t it?”

“Yeah~. Though, it’ll probably still be a while before someone can make a proper one~”

Though Ishud has knowledge from his past life, it’s not detailed knowledge.

Furthermore, even if he were to pass on that knowledge to the Regula family members, hardly anyone would truly understand or grasp it.

“…What are your plans after graduating from the academy, Ishud?”

“After graduating from the academy, huh? Well, I’ll probably come back here. I don’t really understand why, but there are still a ridiculous number of monsters appearing, and they’re strong. Even with old man Roberto’s overwhelming strength, we still haven’t been able to pinpoint the cause.”

“Is that so?”

“Though, you know~ Honestly, I kinda want to go to Yamato.”

“To Yamato, you say?”

“Yeah. Other than that, there are dungeons with numerous super floors or ancient ruins whose full extent hasn’t been revealed yet. I feel just as much of a desire to go to Yamato as I do for those kinds of places.”

Dungeons with numerous super floors and ancient ruins whose full extent hasn’t been revealed yet.

Both of those intrigue Ibuki, who has only been involved for about half a year.

But… Ibuki felt that the words expressing a desire to go to Yamato harbored a genuine and strong interest in Yamato.

(Wh-what can I say… Th-this is, um, quite heartwarming.)

There’s a bit of love for her homeland.

However, when someone shows such a strong interest and respect for the samurai, and moreover, for the country of Yamato itself… naturally, it only adds to the joy.

“Alright, it looks like it’s almost done… Right. Rice and pickles alone are a bit dull.”

Standing up from his chair, Ishudo moved to the magic item on the stove and began making tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet) using eggs he had stored, along with salt and sugar.

“There we go.”

Using a tamagoyaki pan crafted by an artisan, he made a beautiful tamagoyaki.

“Alright, let’s eat.”

As Ishudo casually whipped up a dish, Ibuki stood there with a stunned expression, surprised and frozen in amazement.

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