Translator: Dj2203
Editor: Dj2203
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Even in Japan, where many people knew that watermelon was a vegetable, still many people thought that strawberries and melons were fruits rather than vegetables.
However, strictly speaking, fruits were those that grew on fruit trees, and herbaceous plants, whether annual or perennial, but those that had edible parts were known as vegetables. However, the definitions varied depending on the government agency in charge or organizations such as the XX Association.
“By the way, what kind of plant is this?!”
Sylphy-san came over, still excited. She looked straight into my eyes, and I was like… “Ge-Genta, let’s go,” but unfortunately, my last bit of rationality brought me back to reality.
“Um, well, it’s Tochiotome[1].”
I remember that the plastic packaging the jam bread came in said, “Made with Tochiotome strawberries from Tochigi Prefecture.”
“Tochiotome…? I’ve never heard of it…”
Sylphy gave her thoughts on the “Tochiotome”[2] part, pronouncing it in broken Japanese. It’s possible that proper Japanese names don’t translate well, so keep that in mind.
“I think it means maiden of. I don’t know the origin of the name, but it’s a maiden from the Tochigi region… so it’s named after her.”[3]
“Tochigi no Otome… However, no matter how well-made the jam is, it can retain the sweetness and sourness, but it cannot retain the freshness of fresh fruit. However, this jam bread does that.”
Sylphy muttered in admiration.
“The essence of Elf Jam is to simmer a variety of fruits, including cherries, and bind them together like a forest. However, in order to harmonize the various fruits, the process takes time. I realized that this process had caused Elf Jam to lose its freshness and crispness… Elf Jam can be stored for a long time, and therefore, I had not sought the unique fresh flavor of raw fruit… But this jam has that…”
Sylphy muttered with an expression of disbelief.
“Today was the first time I’ve ever eaten jam in my life, but… is this jam really that amazing?”
The receptionist with short hair was sleeping. Hmm, she’s not like a tomboy, she was a tomboy.
“Yes, Manny. This jam is amazing.”
Hmm. Is this receptionist with short hair called Manny? I’ll try to remember.
“Elf jam is made by boiling various fruits to bring out their sweetness. This jam differs from Elf jam in that it uses only one ingredient, Tochiotome strawberries, and there is no need to apply heat for long periods of time to combine the other ingredients, so the flavor of the Tochiotome strawberries remains. The boiling process brings out the sweetness and tartness, while at the same time maintaining a freshness and invigoration…”
The story progressed with an atmosphere that was almost like a commentary on a gourmet manga.
“Next up is this. It’s called anpan. But before we try it…”
First, we had them try green tea. Femi struggled with the bitter taste, but Maon and Manny quickly got used to it.
“This tea has an unusual flavor. It’s refreshing and bitter, with a slight sweetness in the aftertaste…”
As for Sylphy, she enjoyed the sweetness that lingered after the bitterness.
The next sample of anpan was cut into four equal parts. Maon, who had not yet tried anpan, joined in the tasting. Both Maon and Manny seemed to have been very impressed with this anpan.
The bitter green tea cleared the sweet taste of the anpan, and they enjoyed the bun again. The two seemed to get along well as they enjoyed the same way of eating. Sylphy had guessed that the red bean paste in the anpan was made from some kind of boiled beans. To think that the smooth bean paste made from strained azuki beans, which had would be topped with produce from another world… The elven palate was truly impressive…
“I know that this drink and this bread go well together, but…”
Femi enjoyed the bean bun, but she still struggled to get used to the bitter taste of the green tea.
In the end, the tasting event was a huge success, and the girls assured us that they will tell the guild master and they would make our case even stronger. It seems like this was a big step towards getting permission to sell it at the Adventurer’s Guild.
….
“…So it’s time for you to deliver it…”
Right now, I’m sitting at the table with Sylphy-san and Maon-san, continuing our business negotiations. Femi-san and Manny-san have returned to the reception desk. This is assuming that permission is granted, but we’re discussing this in advance to ensure that delivery (actually sales) goes smoothly once permission is granted.
Delivery was at 6am, through the back door… Next we discussed what the price should be.
“The selling price is… well… basically I would like to sell one loaf of bread for five white copper coins.”
“Huh!?”
The three receptionists and Maon-san looked at me in surprise.
“Wait a minute, Genta. I don’t think we’ll be selling them to rich merchants who’ve just struck it rich…”
Maon-san opposed the idea, telling him to reconsider.
“Y-yes. Genta, you meant 50 white copper coins… But that’s still pretty cheap…”
Sylphy-san followed Maon-san’s lead.
“That’s right. Even the kind with mixed ingredients in it costs 70 or 80 gallons of white copper. That’s too cheap.”
“But even I could buy it for that price. Genta, is it okay for us to buy it?”
They came running from the reception desk where they had just returned.
Manny and Femi both gave their opinions. Femi’s tone has changed from the firm receptionist tone from before to something softer. I’m sure she’s speaking in a more down-to-earth tone.
“Yes, of course.”
That being said, Femi was happy after doing it.
“And you can rest assured that you will make a profit. Also, we are planning to sell other flavors of bread, so please look forward to them.”
“Other flavors…. Well, are there any more?”
“Yes, there are things to fill you up… and of course there are sweets too.”
“Something that fills you up! That’s something I’m interested in too. I’d love to try some, bread that fills you up, made by someone who can make such delicious bread…”
“There may be some male adventurers who prefer filling foods, so I’m planning to prepare other foods besides sweets.”
Thus ended the first business negotiation of my life.
Once the guild leader gives permission, they will let us know immediately.
After that, I registered as an adventurer and would soon start selling bread. Other specific details were also progressing smoothly, and I decided to go home for the time being.
I said goodbye to the receptionists and walked towards the door leading outside to leave the Adventurer’s Guild with Maon-san. However, as we got close to the door, a large figure blocked our way.
He appeared to be a male adventurer who was sitting at a table near the entrance.
He’s tall, with a muscular body. His face is so dramatic it’s like something straight out of a manga. Surely this isn’t one of those “senior adventurers bullying newbies” things that are so common in adventurer guilds…
“Brother, wait a moment.”
Those were the words he heard from the man who mercilessly stood in his way. It seemed that this unexpected crisis, which he had hoped would never happen, had become a reality…
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[2] Tochiotome is a popular Japanese strawberry variety known for its bright red color, pointed shape, and balanced sweet and tart flavor. It is a high-yield cultivar from Tochigi Prefecture, which is often called the “Strawberry Kingdom” of Japan. The name is a compound of “Tochi” (from Tochigi) and “otome,” meaning “maiden”.
[3] The name Tochiotome comes from combining “Tochi,” for the native Tochigi Prefecture in Japan, and “otome,” the Japanese word for “young girl” or “beautiful maiden”.