Today, I came to the mountains alone to gather wild vegetables, while Yoshi-san was busy doing laundry. Yoshi-san seemed reluctant to let me go alone, but I insisted that it would be okay and headed out.

On my way back, I met Yasu-san, who was carrying a basket filled with a large number of eggs.

"Good morning. Are you heading to the mountains now?" I asked, noticing Yasu-san was going in the opposite direction from where I usually gather wild vegetables. I was curious about what he was doing with the eggs.

"Good morning, Sacchan. Actually, I'm going to dispose of these. One of the wild birds I was keeping died. Eggs are no good to eat, but wild birds can be eaten, you know." Yasu-san explained while lifting the basket.

Eggs can't be eaten? What does that mean?

"Don't you eat eggs?" Yasu-san shook his head.

"Eating eggs is out of the question. Birds are messengers of the gods, and if you eat their eggs, you'll be cursed."

Isn't that contradictory? You can eat birds, the messengers of the Gods, but you can't eat their eggs? According to Yasu-san, the birds he raised were pheasants, so they were allowed to be eaten. But for some reason, their eggs were not allowed. I couldn't understand the reasoning. It didn't make sense.

Eggs... they're so delicious. I want to eat eggs. I wonder if Yasu-san would give me some.

"Yasu-san, would it be possible for me to have those eggs?"

"I don't mind. It saves me the trouble of disposing of them."

I received the basket of eggs from Yasu-san and hurried back home. I was delighted to have eggs to eat since I had only been eating brown rice and wild vegetables lately. I couldn't stop grinning.

I told Yoshi-san that I had received eggs from Yasu-san.

"What on earth are you going to do with those eggs? Planning to eat them, perhaps?" Yoshi-san asked.

As expected, Yoshi-san understood me well. Eggs are versatile and delicious.

"Hahaha~ Yes, I wanted to eat them, so I got them from Yasu-san." Yoshi-san looked surprised at first and then sighed.

"When you make something with them, make sure to let me have some too."

People from this era believe that eating eggs brings curses, and yet, Yoshi-san was willing to eat them.

"But they said it brings a curse, and I thought maybe I should eat them alone."

"I don't care what they said. If my daughter says she's going to eat them, how can her mother not eat them too?"

A warmth surged from the depths of my throat, and tears streamed down my face. Yoshi-san embraced me, gently patting my back as if comforting a small child.

After I stopped crying, I proceeded to prepare the shop and make breakfast. I decided to chill the eggs in the well water, intending to eat them for dinner tonight.

Considering how hot it was, I thought they might spoil quickly, so I opted to cool them.

Right after opening the shop, Yasu-san and Tokiji-san arrived. I thanked Yasu-san for the eggs.

"Yasu-san, thank you for the eggs."

After Yasu-san took a sip of the water I brought, he hesitated before speaking.

"About those eggs I gave you, you're not planning on eating them, are you?"

Caught off guard, I became visibly uneasy. I thought that even if I lied, I would be easily found out, so I answered honestly.

"Um, well... yes. I do intend to eat them." Yasu-san sighed and muttered, "I thought so."

"I didn't expect you to ask for eggs or express a desire for them. So I was wondering if something was up."

Was it a mistake? But they really are delicious, and I heard they are nutritious too. Tokiji-san, who had been silent until then, spoke up.

"Why do you want to eat them? Sai-san, you're aware that eating eggs brings bad luck, right?"

I'm sorry, Tokiji-san. I just learned about that a little while ago.

"Well, you see, I had them before, and they were really delicious. I wanted to eat them again. Oh, and I think I read in a book that they're very nutritious. Probably..."

I had been debating whether to say this, but I decided to express what I had thought earlier.

"I find it strange that it's okay to eat birds other than chickens, but eggs are considered entirely off-limits. Also, I believe discarding eggs might be more disrespectful to the gods. So, I thought it would be better to express gratitude to the eggs and the birds and eat them without wasting."

Tokiji-san seemed to understand, nodding in agreement. Yasu-san also nodded in agreement when considering this perspective. While smiling, Tokiji-san reassured me and shared a recent story he had heard.

"I heard a tale recently about someone who came from across the sea, sent sweets made with eggs to a certain lord, and it was greatly appreciated. Since then, eggs have slowly started circulating."

I felt a sense of relief. It's good that using eggs is acceptable. I think the sweets made with eggs are probably like castella.

Tokiji-san's smile, transforming from an expressionless face, was a bit hard on the heart. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but be impressed by how well-informed he was.

Yasu-san gave his approval, slapping his knee.

"Let me have a taste of those egg dishes too."

Surprised, I exclaimed, "Really?" Tokiji-san chuckled and said, "Please prepare some for me as well."

"When would you have them?"

"I was thinking of having them for dinner tonight, so I would be delighted if you could come in the evening."

"Evening, huh? Understood." Tokiji-san is smiling a lot today. I guess he really wants to eat those egg dishes. I need to prepare myself.

After having spicy miso soup with fu for lunch, Yasu-san and Tokiji-san were about to leave for work when Tokiji-san stopped me.

"Um, Sai-san, could I bother you for a moment? There's something I'd like to ask." I wondered what it could be.

"What is it?" Invited by Tokiji-san to come closer, he put his hand to my ear and began speaking.

"Actually, my friend wants to eat the plum onigiri you made yesterday and would like you to make it again. If possible, please keep it confidential."

Tokiji-san's voice and breath tickled my ear. I managed to overcome it with a business smile. It's a good thing I'm used to being a corporate slave.

The person I made onigiri for yesterday was Yoshi-san and that scary person. I didn't expect Tokiji-san to be friends with that scary person. It's a bit surprising.

I don't really want to make it for that person, but it's Tokiji-san's request, so I can't help it.

"Sure, understood. I'll make sure to give it to you on your way back in the evening."

"Thank you." Tokiji-san bowed deeply and returned to his workplace.

Well, first, I have to do my daytime work diligently.

Author~

Thank you to everyone who bookmarked and gave feedback. I appreciate it! There's more to come, so stay tuned!