New chapter of Ordinary Person is out (2/2 chapters)

Chapter 20

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

‘Gin No.2 Branch Sister Shop’ was a shop famous for Jirou-style ramen. Speaking of Jirou-style ramen, I thought it was obvious that it came without soup, but perhaps not wanting to rely on the customer’s prior knowledge and to avoid misunderstandings, at some point they began including the words “without soup” on the signage.

With names like Soup-less Jirou or Soup-less Jirou-style ramen, just one glance now gave a clear idea of what kind of dish would arrive, reducing the risk of confusion. If someone still complained that their ramen didn’t come with soup after all that, then that person should go to a hospital for their head, not a ramen shop. However, recently, some people had started selling it under names like “mazesoba”, which made me faintly sense the darkness and cutthroat nature of the ramen industry. Maybe there were technical definitions that distinguished them in detail, but they were just way too similar.

As for me, I want to call it Jirou-style ramen all the way. But I do want the word “soup-less” to stay in the name. Because it just makes it so much easier to understand.

And then, finally, the ramen arrived before us.

Behold… the chashuu boldly asserting its presence!

Three thick slices of pork belly, each the size of a thick konnyaku slab, are slapped onto the top. Then there are the noodles so thick you might mistake them for udon! Compared to standard ramen noodles, even a single portion has a completely different gram weight!! And above all else, standing proudly at the center, garlic…! Chopped garlic piled up like a pyramid thanks to the extra extra portion I requested!!

Everything is magnificent—perfect!

I almost lost sight of my original purpose, but somehow managed to hold onto my reason. Just to be safe, I told the three of them to mix everything thoroughly before eating.

“Mix well, mix thoroughly before eating. Okay?” (Kouta)

Since it was important, I said it twice. Tiny Mira-san looked at the ramen and, for some reason, burst into loud laughter. Emilia-san had a deadly serious expression and was mixing it with incredible intensity. Even though her seat was sandwiched between the two, Sofia-san calmly started eating.

Maybe she’s just used to the way those two react.

Once Mira-san began eating, she launched into a storm of exaggerated reactions typical of foreigners. Emilia-san, on the other hand, continued eating with a strangely blissful expression. It was definitely delicious, but the way they expressed that…

“Kouta, how do you manage to take down goblins so effectively?” (Sofia)

“Ah… well, I guess it starts with the knife difference?” (Kouta)

Wow, Sofia-san just keeps on talking, even with Emilia-san next to her eating like that. She’s totally unfazed. It’s just ramen… so why do you look so happy? Over on the other side, Mira-san is repeatedly stirring her ramen with a delighted smile, and I just can’t understand any of it…

“There’s a difference in the knives?” (Sofia)

“Yeah, I was skeptical about it too at first. But there really is a clear difference between knives made on the surface and ones obtained from the dungeon.” (Kouta)

“Hm… I see…” (Sofia)

Sofia-san still sounds skeptical about that. Well, I guess that’s normal. I mean, they’re both just knives, right? But those two are different. That much I know now. The problem is I don’t know how to make Sofia-san understand that.

“And then, maybe… studying marine corps-style knife combat or learning techniques from videos and stuff like that helps too.” (Kouta)

“Ah! That makes sense. There really are a lot of those videos now, huh?” (Sofia)

Personally, I think the difference in the knives themselves matters more, but… To Sofia-san, it seems like the movements and techniques are more convincing. Well, you wouldn’t know until you actually used them yourself, after all.

The two who had been completely absorbed in their ramen and hadn’t joined the conversation. I taught them the technique of changing the flavor with the various seasonings. With this, it would probably be just me and Sofia-san talking alone again for a while.

I shared what knowledge I had gained from experience like how to stay hidden, how to muffle footsteps, and how to track footprints, though I admit it was presumptuous of me.

And then, though it was only speculation on my part, I also said this…

Since there are three of you now, it’d be great if you could coordinate and work well together.

Even though I had always worked solo myself, so there was zero persuasive power behind my words.

 

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