I woke a little earlier than usual today. Yoshi-san was still asleep, so I slipped quietly out from beneath the futon, careful not to disturb her.

Wanting to fully wake myself, I headed toward the well to wash my face. Outside, the world was still dim. Not even the birds had begun to sing.

For a brief moment, it felt as if I were the only person left in this world.

And then without warning, I remembered the day I first arrived here. If I hadn’t met Yoshi-san back then, I never would have been able to live peacefully in this place.

I had been so anxious, so lost… but thanks to her, I had somehow managed to keep going.

Once I felt a little more steady… I should try looking for a way back to my own world. With such thoughts lingering in my mind, I scooped up water from the well and washed my face.

“ …Ahhh! So cold! ”

I had expected it, but the water was far colder than I imagined. My body jerked in surprise. Still, the chill cleared my thoughts instantly. I wiped my face and slowly lifted my gaze.

Beyond the well, mountains rose in quiet layers. From behind them, the red edge of the morning sun was just beginning to show itself.

The sky held a deep blue still clinging to night, blending with the dawn’s red glow until the clouds turned a faint, mystical violet.

It felt like I was seeing something sacred. It had been a long time since I last looked up at the sky like this.

“ …Beautiful. ”

I’m glad I woke up early today. Maybe I should do this more often.

As I stood there, quietly renewing my resolve for the day, I suddenly heard a voice behind me.

“ You’re up awfully early. ” Startled, I turned around.

There stood the same handsome man who had once driven off the wolves for me. How long had he been there?

He began walking toward me, and I instinctively stepped back. He was apparently a friend of Tokitsugu-san… but I still kept my guard up. Something about him unsettled me.

“ …May I ask what brings you here so early? ” He stopped when he noticed I had moved away.

For some reason, he was smiling— quietly amused. 

What was so funny? A faint crease formed between my brows.

“ I brought something for you. ” he said, lifting a small jar in his hand. 

“ It’s something I quite like. ” A jar…? What on earth was inside?

“ I’d like you to cook with this. Something that goes well with alcohol would be nice. And also… the rice balls and sake you made yesterday. ”

I couldn’t possibly prepare it right away. I still had to get ready for the shop, and there were other tasks waiting as well.

“ I can’t make it immediately. ” I replied carefully. 

“ But I should be able to prepare rice balls by noon. As for the sake from yesterday… without rice malt or sake lees, I can’t recreate it. ”

What I had made yesterday, the amazake was nearly gone anyway. Barely enough for two cups remained. And I had already used all the rice malt I’d been given.

The man only smiled, unconcerned.

“ Don’t worry about the ingredients. Tokitsugu… I think that’s his name… will bring them by morning. ”

He hesitated slightly when saying the name. Just for a moment, it felt like he was recalling it on the spot. Would someone really forget a friend’s name like that?

Still, if the ingredients were coming later, I could manage.

“ If the ingredients arrive in the morning, I should be able to finish by evening. ” I said. 

“ Would you like the same rice balls as yesterday, or something different? ” He tilted his head slightly, thinking.

“ Same is fine for now. The plum ones were good… but I especially liked the shiso ones. It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten anything like that. Thank you. ”

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. What kind of life had he been living, to speak of food like that?

The way he said thank you carried an unexpected weight.

“ I’m glad you liked them. ” I managed.

Just rice balls… but he had been so genuinely pleased.

“ If this continues. ” I thought…

“ it might become a regular order. ”

In this shop, I had only ever served simple rice porridge. I had never taken proper orders before. Or rather… no one had ever asked.

Perhaps expanding the menu wasn’t a bad idea. I should ask Yoshi-san about it.

I blinked—realizing I had drifted into thought and nearly forgotten he was still there. I was at work. I couldn’t afford to lose focus. 

Especially not in front of a client.

I have become far too careless lately. I needed to tighten myself again.

Something had been bothering me since earlier.

“ …May I ask what’s inside the jar? ”

“ Why don’t you see for yourself? ” he replied. 

“ You can even taste it. If there’s any left over, it’s yours. If it runs out, ask Tokitsugu for more. ”

I opened the lid. Inside is packed tightly to the brim— it's umeboshi. Plums. Just… plums.

“ …Do you like plums? ” I asked.

“ Not particularly. ” he said lightly. 

“ Probably second only to alcohol. ”

Second only…? What kind of priorities was that?

“ Don’t hesitate. Try one. ”

He was watching me. Waiting.

And somehow, I had a feeling he wouldn’t leave until I did.

With a small sigh, I picked one up and placed it in my mouth.

“ …S-so sour! ”

My body reacted before I could stop it. And yet…“ but it’s delicious… ”

The sourness was unlike anything I was used to. Sharp, yes— but refined. Almost elegant. I couldn’t properly put it into words, but it was easily the best umeboshi I had ever tasted.

Even the ones I remembered from my own world couldn’t compare. This… I might actually get addicted to it.

The man smiled faintly, clearly satisfied with my reaction.

“ …It really is delicious… I’ll gratefully use it. ” 

I said, a little stiffly. For some reason, it felt like I had lost something.

“ Glad to hear it. ” he said. 

“ Consider it payment. Tokitsugu will come to collect the order this evening, so please take care of it. ”

Then, glancing once toward the forest, he handed me a small pouch, likely containing payment, and then disappeared between the trees before I could even ask his name.

“…He left before I could even ask…”

I looked down at the pouch. And immediately froze.

This is… too much. It was nearly double what Tokitsugu had given me yesterday. Even if I wanted to return it, he was already gone. I would have to give the change to Tokitsugu later.

“ …Giving more change than the payment itself… what even is that… ”

And now that orders like this might continue… I really needed to ask Tokitsugu about that man’s name.

Well then. What should I make with these plums?

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