Translated by Jyzciel

The first onigiri would feature bamboo shoot rice, the star from today. Originally meant for my dinner, but there was no choice. I gathered a bit of bamboo shoot from the container and shaped it into a triangle.

For the second onigiri, I decided to use the spicy miso with butterbur that played a role today. I placed rice in the palm of my hand, topped it with the spicy miso and butterbur in the center, and shaped it into a triangle.

Now, for the third one, I wanted to change the flavor a bit. Since both were miso-flavored, I wanted to make a refreshing onigiri. Then, I remembered there was pickled plum in the jar at the bottom. Yoshi-san said I could use it however I wanted, so let's use it.

To avoid it being just a plain pickled plum onigiri, I decided to use my freshly picked myoga (Japanese ginger) and uwabamisou. I removed the seed from the pickled plum and kept only the flesh.

Next, I thinly sliced the myoga. The scent of myoga tickled my nose. It was a pleasant aroma. Succumbing to the temptation, I took a small bite.

I resisted the urge to eat another and moved on to the next step. It seems that *uwabamisou is very easy to eat. I chopped it finely, placed all the cut ingredients in a slightly larger bowl, and mixed them.

**T/N: Tbh, I don't know the exact plant of this uwabamisou, but it seems similar or likely to be perilla leaves. If you know, please do tell.)

Though it already looked delicious, I added rice and a little salt. Using a rice paddle, I mixed it all together. Once it was well-blended, I placed the mixture in my palm and shaped it into a triangle. And there you have it, the completion of three-color onigiri.

They look incredibly delicious, especially the pickled plum onigiri. I can't wait to give it to him and then make some for myself. I made a little extra, so making pickled plum onigiri should be possible.

I quickly wrapped the three onigiri in bamboo leaves and hurried to the well.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Here are the onigiri, please enjoy." The man, who had been sitting by the well, stood up.

"Oh, thanks."

Taking the onigiri from me, he chuckled. I glared at him, wondering what was so amusing.

"It's great to be engrossed in cooking, but remember, I can see it all."

He patted his chest. I looked at my own chest and remembered that I had loosened my collar. Panicking, I quickly adjusted it. Although not everything might be visible, undoubtedly, he must have seen at least some cleavage.

I knew my face turned red. It was too embarrassing, and I couldn't believe I didn't notice it myself. Moreover, if he knew from the beginning, he could have just said something!

He found my reaction amusing and left with the onigiri I made.

I wanted to see his surprised expression when he ate the onigiri, but there was nothing to be done. Maybe it's good that he left quickly, he was a bit scary after all. Looking around the well, I noticed the dead wolf's body was already gone. I wondered who cleaned it up but decided not to dwell on it, thinking that maybe the man had taken care of it.

Despite the earlier frightening experience, I nervously finished drying myself since it was interrupted. Afterward, it was the long-awaited onigiri time.

I managed to make two pickled plum onigiri. One was intended for Yoshi-san, to share the deliciousness. I handed Yoshi-san the three-color onigiri I made, similar to the one I made for the man. Though I gave away my bamboo shoot onigiri, making it two, it was okay. Yoshi-san seemed suspicious, but I brushed it off, saying I wasn't very hungry today.

I started by eating the butterbur miso onigiri. The pungent taste of the miso had seeped into the butterbur, and the spiciness whetted my appetite. It paired exceptionally well with the rice. I devoured it quickly.

Finally, it was time for the awaited pickled plum onigiri. How well would the pickled plum and myoga complement each other? I took a big bite.

This was incredibly delicious. For someone who loves myoga like me, it was a taste of happiness. The sourness of the plum and the unique flavor of myoga blended perfectly.

It was an onigiri for those who love pickled plums and myoga. The umabamisou had a mild taste that didn't interfere with the plum and myoga. Overall, it was a refreshing dish, perfect for summer. Once again, I finished it in no time.

Yoshi-san was coincidentally eating a pickled plum onigiri as well. She seemed to be savoring it, and I couldn't help but feel anxious about her reaction.

"I was already full after the second onigiri, but this one is so refreshing that I ended up eating the whole thing."

Yoshi-san seemed to really like it. That was a relief. I wondered if the man was enjoying the onigiri right now. I recalled the handsome young man I met in the evening. Part of me wanted to see the surprised expression on his face, but at the same time, I might not want to see him again.

All because of the pickled plum onigiri I made at that moment, I would find myself entangled with a person whose name I didn't even know.

Author~

"I have corrected the typographical errors. The content has not been changed. I apologize for the frequent occurrences."

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