Tsuki – Chapter 386: Onigiri rolling around

The eatery that was opened by the Kuzunoha Company. 

It is the place that Mio is helping out with, and the people who like cooking have been called from Asora to work there.

The mood I intended for it to have was like the stores that sell okonomiyaki or takoyaki when you enter a super, but the skills of Mio had at some point in time risen to where she is now famous…and even before the store opens, there’s already acquaintances of Mio, adventurers, merchants, and even tourists who would be lining up.

The boxed lunches for takeout and the onigiris are especially popular with adventurers. Looks like the lineup of the menu that came to be from the fierce onigiri war that unfolded with Tamaki is doing plenty well.

“Isn’t it a bad idea to copy this?” 

“It is not like Mio-san is going around saying that others are not allowed to make them, right? Everyone does that, so she won’t mind.” 

There were two men who were carrying a big amount of onigiris that’s excessive for two people. 

Judging from what they are talking about, it is about the eatery? 

Copy the onigiris…it isn’t really bad, you know.

Whether it is the boxed lunches or the onigiri, we honestly have no intention of claiming any special rights on them.

In the first place, just think about it. 

This is Tsige.

I will be straight and say that it is a place that has no connection with rice in the culinary front. 

Also, onigiris and boxed lunches have such a wide expanse of varieties that it is not something that could be called a special dish of Mio.

If you want to imitate it, you can do so freely. Rather, it would even make me happy if this contributes in having more people in Tsige aside from adventurers to have a custom of eating rice.

Eateries that deal with rice have slightly increased and the Kuzunoha Company also has them, but right now the most they do with rice is to use it in salads on some rare occasions.

What’s mostly eaten by a long shot is bread and something that resembles dim sum. 

“Also…”

“What is it?” 

“I have never stocked on rice. I don’t know how to use it either… It also bothers me that there’s rarely any other place aside from this where you can find it.” 

“Meaning?” 

“If it is a difficult ingredient that only cooks of the Kuzunoha Company can prepare, it would be too much for us.” 

“…Then, why are you competing with them?” 

“T-That’s…” 

“Orosha, I know that you are careful not because you are a coward. Do you understand the situation we are in right now?” 

“R-Right at the edge-ssu.” (Orosha) 

“Exactly. So you get it. If Batoma-san gives up on us this time around, we won’t be able to do business here.” 

Batoma?

I see. So these two are from the…if I remember correctly the flock…crowd…Alliance Company! 

That.

I have heard that it has been messy lately. Is there some sort of problem?

“Y-Yeah.” (Orosha) 

“Have any other good ideas aside from onigiris to compete against the others?” 

These two give the air of big bro and little bro. 

The guy called Orosha seems to be the lower one.

“…I can’t think of anything-ssu.” (Orosha) 

But it actually seems like he has thought up something.

What is it I wonder? I am a bit interested. 

I left the inside to Shiki-sensei and was thinking about having a bit of a walk to get a change of pace, but let’s listen in for a little bit more.

“That face… You actually have an idea, right? We got no other options, so just say it.” 

“…Actually, this is something that I thought after hearing about this ‘station’ stuff from the Boss-san.”(Orosha) 

“Ooh, tell me.” 

“I was thinking that maybe it would be a good idea to have drinks in a portable container to sell.” (Orosha) 

“!!” 

“But that by itself would be weak, and if we don’t think about the insides a lot, it would soon end with it being copied…” (Orosha) 

…I see.

Drinks are a good point to notice. 

Also the point of making countermeasures or it will be copied immediately is realistic…

“Drinks, huh! That sounds good, Orosha!” 

“But Bro Ets, it is not like we know that much about drinks-ssu. We don’t know how to deal with alcoholic drinks either.” (Orosha) 

“We sell them as a set with onigiris! Like a subtype of boxed lunches! About containers…we can watch what the adventurers use and research!” 

“Set… T-That’s a good idea-ssu!” (Orosha) 

“Alright! Then, first of all is wood! We are getting some, Orosha!” 

“Wood?” 

Wood?

Where did the onigiri that was supposed to be the main thing go?

“If we talk about a container that can have drinks and food, it would be wood, right? For drinks, it can be whatever like tea, water, and something sweet. For onigiris, we will just boil the rice in water, and then make it into a ball! It will be easy as long as we solve the matter of the container!” 

“Eeh?!” (Orosha) 

“As if!! Don’t look down on rice!!!” (Makoto) 

“Eh?” (Orosha) 

“…Ah.” (Makoto)

I ended up speaking out on the ridiculous statement. 

I couldn’t see the Bro Ets that has already run off. 

He must have run off to look at the wood.

I feel like his ability to act is impressive for a merchant. 

Let’s just say he has guts.

The little bro that turned around and was looking at me, Orosha, is the prudent type. 

I feel vibes of negativityi from him like the kind of guy that goes ‘but but but’.

These two would bounce off each other real well if they do it properly.

“U-Uhm…” 

“…Sorry about that. Your conversation entered my ears, and I ended up saying something unnecessary despite myself.” (Makoto)

“Don’t worry about it! Could it be…uhm…” 

Achaa…

We are close to the store, so of course he would know me, huh.

“Yeah…” (Makoto)

“A person that knows in detail about rice or beverages?!” 

…Aah, there’s that too, huh.

So embarrassing!! 

It is super embarrassing that I thought he knew about me because I have gotten a bit famous lately! 

“Y-Yeah, that’s right. Actually, my homeland had a custom of eating a good amount of rice.” (Makoto)

“Rice! Then you came to this establishment seeking the taste of your homeland?” (Orosha)

“Something like that.” (Makoto)

“…Ah, sorry for just barraging you with questions. I am from the Resily Company that is currently affiliated with the Batoma Company. Name’s Orosha.” (Orosha)

“I see, Orosha-san, huh. I am someone who is putting down the cargo of the Kuzunoha Company, name’s Ra…Mako…Magot.” (Makoto)

“Ramakomagot-san, huh. If you are doing transactions with the Kuzunoha Company, you must be quite busy.” (Orosha)

Ramakomagot?! 

“…Nothing like that. By affiliated to the Batoma Company…do you mean the Alliance Company that I have heard of?” (Ramakomagot)

“Yeah. I am impressed you know about it. The companies that are mostly doing food stands are just the low of the lowest in the hierarchy of the companies that are companies in name only.” (Orosha)

The tone of Orosha was self-deprecating, but it must be the reality.

The Batoma Company encloses weak companies.

There’s the side of protecting them so they don’t get crushed, but there’s also the side of keeping them till they die. 

In the first place, it is difficult to survive in this city as a company on your own.

That Bro Ets and Orosha are pretty young, but…their dream of surviving in Tsige is also strong because of that, huh.

“But it seemed like you guys were having a fun talk just now.” (Makoto)

“Fun…in a way, but it isn’t only that. The policy of the Batoma Company has changed recently. It seems like he is thinking about cutting off the weak companies that can’t properly do business in Tsige.” (Orosha)

“Fumu…” (Makoto)

“It is true that this is a chance. It is a project to have only the young and weak companies compete with each other to see which ones will be chosen to be close or inside of the facilities called a station that will be located in streets everywhere.” (Orosha)

I see.

He intends to organize the Alliance Company, huh.

Looks like Batoma-san is also thinking up a variety of things to adapt to the new Tsige. 

Well, if the Batoma Company were to get washed by the wave of change just like that, they would just get their power shaved away, and it might end up with Ates earning more money than him in her idol job.

The father must work hard too. 

“So that’s why you had your eyes on the onigiri.” (Makoto)

Quite the good eye you got. 

Having the rice spread in Tsige and having onigiri sold at the stations would make me happy. 

I was honestly satisfied with just having Ryan-san at the butcher adding rice, but spreading it even more would make me happier.

“It seems like Bro is thinking about making meals from it. I am unsure about a lot of things, but he is a person with a lot of decisiveness, so it is also true that he is reliable… I am the type of person that just overthinks everything and can’t bring myself to begin, prolonging it more and more.” (Orosha)

“Both are necessary in marketing. Moving, stopping, believing, and doubting.” (Makoto)

“…Uhm…Ramako…Rama-san.” (Orosha)

It is barely the original name already?! 

Well, speaking to someone who doesn’t know my name and face is a fresh feeling, so Rama-san is fine. 

But hiding my name while talking with someone just feels strange. 

Orosha and Bro Ets are most likely in their late twenties, and are older than me.

I ended up speaking formally because of the age. 

It is already in my nature. 

If it were as my Raidou persona, I would be able to speak with a bit more care though.

“…Is something the matter?” (Makoto)

“I can’t pay you much, but could you help us out in our competition?!” (Orosha)

“As in…?” (Makoto)

“I want you to teach us how to handle rice, and at least the basics of it! Bro said something about a set meal, but just boiling and sprinkling salt wouldn’t be enough, right?!” (Orosha)

Aah, so that’s what it is.

If it is just how to cook rice, the dwarves have worked pretty hard with the cooking tools for that, so even I can teach that to a certain extent. 

A business discussion about a meal set, huh.

It reminds me of the butcher. At that time, as a result of that, the smokeless roaster-like device ended up selling quite a bit.

I don’t think it will go so well this time, but it wouldn’t be so bad to lend my help to these two who want to find the possibilities of onigiris.

This might be a bit of a long change of pace, but let’s try tagging along in between this so called project. 

“I also would like to lend my help to the people who praise onigiri as a person who loves rice. I can’t spare too much time, but I would like to support the endeavor of you two if it is okay.” (Makoto)

“T-Thank you very much! Then, let’s go! To the office of our Resily Company! I will guide you there! It is a small place though!!” (Orosha)

Orosha pulled me by the hand and we went through the congested streets of the city.

I don’t know if the Batoma Company will be allotting other companies in the stations after placing a few of his own.

But it would be interesting if there’s one that sells rice. 

Let’s teach the Tsige people the way to cook rice as the mysterious rice lover Rama-san! 

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102 thoughts on “Tsuki – Chapter 386: Onigiri rolling around

  1. The guy doesn’t even know the face of his competitors, nor can he even remember a “beneficiary’s” name.
    This guy was doomed from the marketing angle from the start.
    Well, he’s getting his revival chance thanks to that thick-headedness though…

    1. I hope so. I think train station box lunch sets should be introduced everywhere!
      My first introduction to “Caulerpa lentillifera” was in a train station box lunch.
      ‘S a pitty that I live so far from the ocean, and more the pitty I don’t live near Japan. …Not that the weird best-asian-race undercurrent doesn’t still exist, and enduring it where noticable isn’t exhausting… Maybe I’ve just a knack for stumbling into those places; been yelled at a few times.
      But the food usually tastes good!
      …would give the fermented bee larvae a pass if offered again…
      Volcanic soils are a blessing for agriculture, not so much for stability in an earthquake-prone region of steep slopes (and the resulting shear/slides). Morioka area would be a nice compromise…

      …Box lunches! Yeah, they’re needed.

  2. I feel like someone is gonna show up in the middle of Makoto helping them or just after and recognize him, the reaction of the other 2 will be great if that happens

    1. “Short on substance?”
      Didn’t you read all that stuff about Rice Appreciation?!

      All Isekai works need AT LEAST one chapter where the MC discusses proper Rice Appreciation, and dismisses cultures dependent on wheat as a staple. If they don’t, they get their Real Japanese cards revoked.

      I think we got off pretty lightly. There were more speakers than the MC; I feel like the requisite narrative was just shoehorned in to a lightweight side story.

    1. I’ve never understood how they can be so fanatical about rice while simultaneously operating more classical bakeries than any other country… except possibly France.

      Department Store? Bakeries.
      Train Station? Bakeries.
      Shopping Street? Bakeries.
      Near a School? Bakeries.
      Convinis? Bakeries.

      A visitor’s understanding of hiragana and katakana is a MUST, or you’ll end up with a baguette filled with mayonnaise…
      But you have a hankerin’ for Pan du Chocolat in the middle of Kyushu? Your salvation is just at the next bus station, where the local patisserie trained in Paris.

      1. Everywhere you go, ‘do you eat rice? Can you eat a meal without bread?! How do you know what chopsticks are? Don’t you want soda instead of this delicious tea?…’

        Honestly, I miss grits. I’m sure there’s a specialist somewhere I’ve not met, but Nixtamalization doesn’t appear to be common knowledge outside the Americas.
        ‘Corn? Yeah, we got corn: put it on a pan pizza with sliced hotdogs and charge $40 for it! It’s a bargain!’

        No… do you know where I might source some Cal? Calcium hydroxide? No? Aww…

    2. Well, I am an Asian, and I have to admit that having meal without rice for just one day or two is already suffering. It is something that I have been eating since I was a toddler, and now no other food can give me the same satisfaction. Seriously, if I have to eat without rice for a week, I would rather not eat at all.

  3. I’ll be honest, I like this chapter more than the previous few. Like I don’t care about trying to work out train schedules and whatever. I much rather prefer this where Makoto is more or less just messing around and his ideas give struggling businesses a second chance or similar things.

    That said I’m surprised that these guys didn’t recognize Makoto. In a world filled with supermodel-level pretty people, a normo like Makoto stands out and everybody should know that the head of the Kuzunoha Company is not particularly handsome. Also man he ended up with such a tongue twister fake name huh? Might as well have gone with Rama-lama-ding-dong >.>

    1. what I think is more surprising and great, that he helps other hyumans wholeheartly again, a step in the right direction getting away from his subconcious diskrimination towards hyumans

  4. it’s curious.

    Hyumans who didn’t show any dislike towards makoto.

    Do they think he is a demihuman? And for another lake they know nothing of the competition in tsige, much less can they remember a name.

    I think we are facing real fools hopefully. Who knows they will become the best of tsige now that he has the god of wealth makoto.

    From Iroha that appear hyumans with spark and not so castrous.

  5. now im imagining Mio appear outta nowhere while they’re in the middle of making their own bento boxes cuz they ‘kidnap’ Makoto

  6. Did those siblings just employ the CEO of the Kuzunoha Company as a part-time cook? Also, they seem nice people for not calling Makoto ugly despite his appearance. Yeah, they’re gonna be successful as fuck.

    1. Maybe its also thanks to famous kuzunoha company employing demi humans that tsige people are so used to non-hyuman appearance. Like it has maybe already a norm and it’s a good development~🌟

  7. I am getting flashbacks from a bunch of series. One where the MC has aliases for each industry under a different name. From Kazuya Soma to Tatsuya to Vandalieu to even some Wuxia characters.

    Imagine if the people start devoting prayers to each one of Makoto’s persona’s. He could theoretically divert power away from BUG and empower himself (on top his self-enhancement with archery). LOL imagine the confused historians trying to piece these guys origins.

  8. Thanks for the translation.

    I wonder when the real story is going to start again and be done with these slice of life side stories? I think the author forgot about the plot by now. At least I have The Weakest Mage to fall back on and that plot is on fire atm.

  9. Thanks for the chapter desu~

    Touching Rama—Raka Samoa’s hand like that…

    I can’t easily forgive their transgressions…

    But if Ra—Waka-sama consents to it and it’s only for spreading rice throughout Tsige, then I suppose I can overlook it.

  10. Speaking of Onigiri, anyone remember when the old English Pokemon episodes the dub referred to it as a “donut” haha. The people in charge of localization’s have zero clue who their audience should be and believe all anime is for kids.

  11. I also was thinking about drinking with the station so I like that the thought will happen. And it feels odd to me read that Rama is a lover of rice, because in Fate GO Ramais a lover of bananas.

  12. And one day soon, Mio will wander by the stand they have, and make a comment. “This is godly, Waka-sama would LOVE this.

    She orders 20 for Waka, and others at the stores, suddenly they can’t stick or cook the rice fast enough. And the demand has them inside the station within a month after,

    Wait… did you already meet Waka? He was talking about wanting to eat this exact thing…

    Haha haha
    No, it was just Rama-san who consulted.

    That is… and Mio somehow KNEW…

  13. thanks for chap
    lol he butted in at end ,that was comical

    also the way he went to tell raidou ,then makoto then a fake name and it all got added up

      1. Personally I prefer Pasta or Potatoes but I guess we can do some gumbo or jambalaya but I like rice dishes as well just more African or Caribbean hell even a Paella, Not just plain rice

          1. no shit, im at Vietnam but we never eating cooked rice with Milo. Just who in the hell infect you with that way of eating rice ?!

          2. I feel like Filipinos took the idea of Champurrado and just replaced the flour with rice lol. Sounds good though!

  14. [If it is just how to cook rice, the dwarves have worked pretty hard with
    the cooking tools for that, so even I can teach that to a certain
    extent.]

    asians and their obsession with rice cookers, when a pot and a fire are all that is needed.

    1. Tbh, I prefer rice cooked with actual fire. Rice cooker rice kinda off because of the lack of attention to it but I’m too lazy to make it stovetop these days.

      1. Well if you want to cook rice with fire you would need steamer tho, also you need to boil the rice a little to soften it and remove excess starch, the rice texture would depend on how much water you put in steamer

        1. Hmm no you don’t need a steamer. You do need to open the lid a slight bit when it’s boiling and needs more attention, but the flavor of the rice cooked this way is different (better imo). Rice cooker is rice is… tastes like it’s sanitized. It’s like comparing hospital food vs restaurant.

          1. It doesn’t need that much attention imo, for example for Mexican rice you toast the rice in the pan first, add equal amount of water to the rice, add spices, let boil, then let it cook on the lowest heat 10mins for electric stove, 20 mins for normal stove and bam it’s done, no need to look over it and stir or something.

  15. This filler chapter about a filler food that only fills you for a short time is amusing.

    Filler on Filler about Filler.

  16. only me or this arc and previous arc completely turn this novel from fantasy adventure to modern world building ? Im okay with slice of life but its kinda feel odd when other major powers and bug’s side got ignored for so long…

  17. Was he about to call himself Magot? Sounds like Maggot, and… That is in no way a flattering name… No well, he dislikes disease and curses, stuff like that… Injuries, basically. Makoto, in a way, likes to heal people. Maggots themselfs doesn’t heal wounds, but they do eat dead flesh and stuff that needs to go the fuck away, so… Hm… No I am overthinking it

  18. I love Slime Tensei…. and this story sort of had it’s own flavor of going about a similar fantasy setting, until now it’s just all boring ass logistics… feels like sitting in on a boring ass meeting, they aren’t even creating or doing anything all that interesting. I WAS looking forward to the conclusion of this story but it’s really heading downhill now, with SO many rich characters and possibilities the author is just squandering and seems bored of they’re own story. What’s up with the Hero’s, Demons, the other Apostle? Let’s hear about how Hibiki plans to some how contend with Raidou now that they seem to oppose one another… Their could be so much cooler shit to write about in this world that the author spent ALL THIS TIME setting up. Feels like such a waste…

  19. And what ever happened with the knew Sofia, and Trashmoki? What’s up with all these new characters that don’t really add to the story in any meaningful way? shoot

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