SWNOVELXO Chapter 72.2
Nutritious Sticky Pasta
That’s right, Yuuri had forgotten, but depending on where people live, some may not be able to tolerate sticky foods.
Since it was delicious and full of nutrients, Yuuri hadn’t thought much of it, but upon reflection, this was a different world.
Moreover, it was a world with more of a Western style.
Yuuri recalled that the residents of this world had often reacted with unfamiliarity to Japanese ingredients before.
…Maybe, just maybe, sticky foods were a no-go.
“Um, today’s lunch was going to be this sticky pasta, but…”
“”…Sticky?…””
“Yeah. It’s made with chopped okra, mekabu, and grated yam, seasoned with soy sauce, sake, and dashi.
You’re supposed to mix it with the pasta and eat it, but…”
“”…””
“…But if anyone doesn’t like it, I can make a different flavor now.”
Just as Yuuri was about to continue, Magg interrupted him,
securing his own plate, and whispering a polite “thanks” before digging in.
He even gave a thumbs-up, signaling how delicious it was.
Once again, this boy, captivated by dashi and umami, was in top form today.
He didn’t care if it was sticky. If it had dashi, it was the best thing in the world to him.
“Magg, at least wait until everyone else starts eating?”
“They won’t eat. It’ll get cold.”
“So, you’re saying since no one else will eat it, and while I’m making another flavor, you’re just going to eat?”
“Yes.”
“Magg, how about speaking a little more clearly so people can understand you?”
“…?”
Magg gave a look that seemed to say, “Why?”
He thought he was expressing himself just fine.
However, with his unique tone and usual expressionless face, it didn’t come across well.
In any case, it seemed Magg enjoyed the sticky pasta, as he began eating in silence.
As this happened, a strange atmosphere began to spread—like, should they really reject it when someone was eating it?
Everyone knew Yuuri’s cooking was delicious. They knew it well.
But the unfamiliarity of the sticky texture left them unsure if they could eat it.
Breaking through that tension was Lelei, who cheerfully entered the dining hall.
“I’m hungry! Yuuri, what’s for lunch today?”
“Oh, Lelei. Today is sticky pasta, but are you okay with sticky foods?”
“Hm? I’m fine with it! My dad always said, sticky foods are full of good stuff for the body!”
“Wow, your dad’s pretty amazing.”
“And also, adventurers shouldn’t be picky eaters, he said!”
With her usual bright smile, Lelei said it, and a few people shifted their gazes elsewhere.
It hit them right in the weak spot, like a dagger.
Completely unintentional, of course.
Lelei didn’t mean to insult or blame anyone. She was just stating what she thought.
Not bothered by anything, Lelei said “Thanks for the meal!” and started eating.
Since she kept saying how delicious it was, the others decided to eat too.
Yuuri, not wanting to force anyone to eat something they couldn’t stomach, told them to speak up if they didn’t like it.
After all, meals should be enjoyed, and even if something’s nutritious, forcing yourself to eat something you hate isn’t right.
With things settled, Yuuri started eating the sticky pasta too.
He twirled the pasta, coated in the sticky mixture, and took a bite.
The flavor of soy sauce and dashi, combined with the perilla leaves, nori, and bonito flakes, was delightful.
The grated yam clung to the pasta, and the okra and mekabu followed.
The slight crunch of the chopped okra and the chewy texture of the mekabu added a nice contrast.
In conclusion, it was delicious.
“Yeah, the sticky stuff is really tasty.”
No one particularly agreed, but they all kept eating normally, so maybe they didn’t mind it as much as they thought.
They just hesitated because they weren’t used to it.
Yuuri, now convinced, silently decided to keep using sticky foods from now on.
It was going to get hotter soon, so he wanted them to get proper nutrition from sticky foods, after all.
After finishing her pasta, Lelei suddenly spoke up.
“Yuuri, this sticky stuff… I bet it’d be great over rice! Do we have any rice?”
“Ah, so you’re thinking of a sticky rice bowl? That’d be delicious, but we don’t have rice today.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“…Please make a sticky rice bowl next time!”
Seeing Lelei slump her shoulders in disappointment, Yuuri promised her he would.
She was apparently shocked that she couldn’t try the delicious meal she had just thought of.
…By the way, after devouring her portion of sticky pasta, she still wanted to eat a sticky rice bowl?
Lelei’s stomach was a force to be reckoned with.
A few days later, when Yuuri made the sticky rice bowl, he added a soft-boiled egg as an apology for the last time and Lelei was absolutely thrilled.