Translated by Jyzciel

On the 29th day of my rural life, I found myself harboring a strange sense of unease.

That Chronos... Was he really just after the food I cook?

After all the effort he put into searching for me, is that the only reason?

Why does this realization leave me feeling so disappointed?

However, if someone were to ask me whether I had romantic feelings for Chronos, I'd honestly admit that it's a bit complicated. Well, I'd rather not dwell on this too much. In times like these, there's nothing like cooking to clear my mind, right?

I opened the refrigerator and my eyes fell upon a particular ingredient. Alright! Let's make that.

"Normally, people use granulated sugar, but... I will to use brown sugar. Adding a touch of honey might be nice. And, of course, there's soy sauce, mirin, and salt."

I quickly blanched the abura-age to remove excess oil. Then, I carefully stretched them out on a cutting board using chopsticks. Afterward, I sliced them in half and opened the pockets, I struggled to get the hang of it and tore quite a few pieces.

"Now, I'll simmer the abura-age in the broth we prepared earlier over medium heat." It may seem like a simple task, but layering the abura-age neatly, so they wouldn't become mushy, was essential for later.

"Ah, it's bubbling nicely. I'll reduce the heat and let it simmer for another ten minutes or so." The next step was flipping the abura-age, which posed a second challenge.

I had to turn them over gently without tearing them. Finally, simmered the mixture until there was just a little broth left, then let it cool. Next, it was time to prepare the sushi rice.

I decided to go for a mixed filling today, even though sesame alone would be delicious. I started by cutting burdock, carrot, lotus root, and shiitake mushrooms, then simmering them in dashi broth.

"All right, now I just need to mix all the ingredients into the sushi rice. Maybe I'll add some chirimen as well."

With all the preparations done, as I was diligently stuffing the rice into the abura-age, a man suddenly appeared.

「Woof woof!」 I heard the joyous barking of the Kuro-mame. It wasn't a hostile sound, so I figured he must be someone they knew.

For a moment, I felt a jolt.

Huh? Could it be that he's showing up out of the blue like this? What should I do if it's Chronos... I need to prepare myself.

Despite these thoughts running through my head, for some reason, I couldn't move from my spot and kept making inari sushi.

And then...

"Hello there. Is Blue Moon not around?" The man said this as he sat down on the veranda. Kuro-mame happily jumped around and played with him.

My hands kept moving, but I turned my face towards the veranda, and there I saw a glimpse of gold. It seemed to be a young fox-like beastman.

He had a large box-like thing on his back and gently stroked Kinako and Kuro-mame as he set it down on the porch.

"You've been well, haven't you? Kinako... Looks like you've put on a little weight, huh?" As he said this, he gently pulled on Kinako's cheek.

A fox-like beastman with a **Kansai accent.

**TL: Related to chapter title. You probably know that in Japanese Hi/Hello is Konnichiwa, however, there are many dialect as there are many region in Japan. The title is まいど read as (Maido) is a Kansai dialect, it is also a greeting equivalent to Hi/Hello.**

He appeared to be around 30 years old, with a dazzling presence, featuring long, golden eyes. Above his head, his golden fox ears stood tall, adorned with piercings, and a bushy tail swayed behind him.

Unconsciously, I stopped making inari sushi.

Completely different from Chronos, a sleek and handsome type, definitely not someone geared for combat.

Unknowingly, I must have been staring so intensely that the man noticed my presence and smiled.

"Hmm? It's the first time we've met, isn't it? Nice to meet you, young lady. Are you a friend of Blue Moon?"

"Ah... yes. I'm his granddaughter, Rinsakura. Um... I'm sorry, but may I ask who you are?"

"His granddaughter, huh? I'm Ronald, running the Kitsune Express. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Let's get along from now on." He waved lightly while winking.

So casual... his appearance doesn't betray his flamboyance.

"Uh, Ronald...san? Kitsune Express, you said?"

"Yep. I came to deliver the items that Blue Moon had asked for and, on the way, hand over the latest catalog... but it seems he's not home?" Ronald said as he placed a box-like object and a catalog, about the size of a phone book, on the veranda.

"Could the young lady take it for him?" I furrowed my brows in a troubled manner. I opened my mouth to say something once but then closed it again.

Ronald seemed to sense something was amiss with my odd behavior. "What's the matter?" he asked with a solemn expression.

I eventually spoke, my words almost squeezed out.

"My grandfather passed away recently."

"What? No way! That can't be... He was perfectly fine the last time I saw him!" Ronald's disbelief was evident, but as the news sank in, he lowered his eyes in disappointment.

"That's unfortunate... I couldn't make it in time." Ronald muttered softly as he gazed at the box.

"Is that the item my grandfather ordered?"

"That's right... It's a product he was looking forward to. It's a bit specialized and took some time to obtain. I apologize, but we can't accept returns. Can the young lady take it instead?"

"I don't mind taking it, but how should we handle the payment?"

"Oh, don't worry. It's cash on delivery. Would you mind paying for it?" Ronald responded, forming a money shape with his hand, his golden eyes glinting mysteriously.

What should I do... I don't have the currency of this country.

"How much is it?"

"It's not money. We usually exchange goods with each other."

"Barter? What would be an equivalent exchange for this item?" With a tremor in my voice, I asked, and Ronalad answered with a warm smile.

"That's right... How about 20 of the inari sushi you just made?"

Is it because he's a fox that he likes abura-age? Is that a bit too cliché?

"Is food acceptable? It's something made by an amateur, you know?"

"If I may be a bit greedy... could you also give me 5 boxes of 'P〇kcy?" Ronald continued. "I really love those."

"Huh? Oh, you mean **P〇cky... the thin, chocolate-coated stick-shaped snacks?"

**TL: Its censored as 〇key**

"That's right. I got hooked on them since the last time I received them from Blue Moon." Ronald scratched his cheek, looking embarrassed.

Grandpa! What are you trading for? Is it okay to exchange items from the other world? More importantly, that P〇cky is popular in the other world... The ultimate snack, perhaps?

"Understood. So, 20 inari sushi and 5 boxes of P〇cky, right."

"Thank you very much!" Ronald, ever the businessman, flashed a dazzling smile.

After the successful exchange, he shouldered the box again and petted the black beans as he said, "Well then, see you. If you want anything in the future, just let me know. Write it on the application form attached to the back of the catalog, and it'll reach me."

With those parting words, Ronaldo disappeared into the depths of the garden. **Even in a different world, the spirit of those Osaka Merchant is here.

Maybe I'll take a closer look at the catalog later... That's what I thought as I took a bite of the remaining inari sushi.

**TL: I put on the literal translation there but if you're confuse read this, if not go ahead. "浪速のあきんど is read as (naniwa no akindo) naniwa is a district in Osaka, while akindo means merchant/trader. Then can be translated as 'the businessman from Naniwa'. The essence of the sentence is that a character or individual, known for their business acumen or identity as a merchant.

Author~

*Regarding the Kansai dialect, there might be some unusual expressions or phrases, but since it's a fictional world, I hope you can read it with a warm heart.

If you like my translations, please support me on ko-fi!