Chapter 31 – The Song of Migrants
The remaining beef would be wholly roasted according to the customs.
Unlike boars and pigs, it was much more troublesome for beef to roast completely.
Among the men, those who were confident with their own physical strength skewered the beef using stakes, hung it up, and began to roast it directly on the fire.
Despite cutting off the roasted outside part of the beef, it will probably take lots of time until the fire fully cooks it.
At that time, one would notice how spirituality and reality combined with each other in a reasonable way.
Before the beef would be done, villagers were served beforehand with hamburgers containing minced beef and pork.
Shouts of joy were heard from the direction of those who were served.
– This is delicious!
– This smell and taste comes from beef and pork, you see. What’s more the ratio of both kinds of meat is 7 to 3. By severing muscle fibers, the stiffness of the beef would reduce, and by using it with the ground bread powder, it would give a fluffy feeling. Also, mixing in the pork will allow you to draw out the taste coming from the fat. As for the beef smell, you deal with it using milk, eggs, and all sorts of herbs. Then you put a thick slice of cheese to add to the taste and combine it together with pickles. Summing up all this balance of taste… you will receive this deliciousness.
Having part of the people filled with wild enthusiasm, the hamburger was favorably received.
Eiji didn’t consider it would be denied; nevertheless, seeing in practice how glad the people became made him sigh with relief.
There were also opinions praising a tougher meat for having more consistency that made it taste better.
Besides that, it is also said that there is the advantage of thoroughly biting while eating the food, as it made the stomach easier to become content.
Even the baked bread had a much different consistency.
The reason for such an opinion is because the people who had hamburgers would switch to the roasted meat from the offering without any dissatisfaction.
Eiji was pleased seeing elderly, who had particularly weak teeth, enjoy the hamburger.
– In other words, does it mean that the strength of my jaw is comparable with those of elderly in this village…?
Eiji had the feeling of suddenly becoming old.
——————–
Has the atmosphere of the festival reached me? – he wondered.
He was aware that within this half of a year he had been tasting the most luxurious foods and becoming tipsy as for this village’s standard.
Kindling the fire, which wasn’t inferior to the chill of the night, and drinking alcohol under the starry sky – this made his heart open.
Her face was blushing from alcohol.
– It’s rare for Tanya to be drinking alcohol, isn’t in?
– No, I just thought it was strange, since you don’t usually drink.
– While we are at it, now ain’t you…
– By the way, what with that alcohol bottle behind you?
– It’s inside my stomach?
Why did it take form of a question?
Her expression became soft and her movements turned completely sluggish.
Was it tiresome for her to sit straightly? Tanya leant against Eiji.
It was probably due to the whole place being warm and the heated atmosphere generated by the people.
Once Tanya put the hamburger into her mouth, her face became filled with surprise.
Her eyes, which looked at Eiji, became serious without showing any sign of being drunk.
-…This, it’s the dish suggested by Eiji, isn’t it?
– I didn’t know you could make such a delicious meal.
– However, by telling other people, it’s proof you can make it as well?
– That is, well…
I give up – he thought.
Eiji scratched his head while trying to hide his confusion.
It seemed that the talk would eventually lead to making it.
If possible, I want to entrust Tanya with the housework – thought Eiji.
– I have a request but…
– I want Eiji-san to tell me about the dishes you know.
– Even If I’m told so, it’s not like I know in detail.
Despite feeling relief because he won’t have to cook, there was yet another problem, which caused him a headache.
Just how many things can I cook? – he wondered.
Because he didn’t know how it would work in practice, he had no confidence.
– Even if it’s just a bit, I want to reproduce the taste which Eiji-san used to savor. You won’t complain about my cooking whenever you eat, but wouldn’t it be better to match it with your preferences?
Indeed, he eats every day.
Rather than thinking it was natural for there to be this few dishes due to this period’s limited techniques, even if it was a just little, matching the taste to one’s palate would add more colors to their life from now on.
Toward Eiji, who was calmly considering, Tanya had an expression filled with suspense while waiting.
– Well, because I will tell you the methods of making, I’ll entrust you with cooking.
– But, considering the number of food materials we have now, it will be harsh.
– However much time it takes, I will master it someday. That’s why, please wait patiently.
Eiji was happy about that gentle side of his wife, who wished for him to have a delicious meal, even if it was just a little bit better.
As expected, Eiji wanted to build a cattle barn as well and arrange the right environment for increasing the livestock population.
– But, let’s do it starting from tomorrow.
– As for drinking, we should be rather moderate.
– Yes.
Seeing her exceptional smiling face, which she didn’t try to hide, Eiji felt attracted without realizing it.
—–
In front of the open space, around 10 people gathered.
I wonder what will be showcased – thought Eiji.
Tanya leant her wine cup while pointing out.
– Ah, they’re about to sing.
– Jane-san is extremely skillful in singing.
– That’s because her voice usually comes from her core, isn’t it? I’m always surprised whenever she calls me.
Was it due to her physical appearance that she could perhaps generate a voice similar to an opera singer?
There were 5 people holding musical instruments and 5 others standing in front to sing, with Jane standing the closest.
End-blown flutes, drums, and instruments similar to guitars started to play a melody.
It was a song of migrants. A song of those leaving their familiar homeland, separating from parents and friends, and departing to new lands.
A song which told about falling into illness, about dropping out due to injuries, but also about not throwing away one’s hope.
I wonder why.
Once he noticed, the feeling of loneliness gushed out from inside his chest. He couldn’t suppress this feeling.
Without giving out a voice, Eiji——— cried silently.
Not trying to sob, he hid his breathing.
Alone——–so as not to be noticed, nor kill the atmosphere of the festival.
It seemed that nobody in this village could understand the meaning behind this song.
It was painful.
And at the same time, it was pleasant.
No one had to bear the same sorrow.
I wonder how father is doing – Eiji thought.
Would they consider him dead? Missing?
He didn’t have many people meeting him and showing courtesy, still, there was someone like that.
I wonder if his condition will worsen due to him worrying.
Eiji could easily imagine his father getting depressed.
He was the sort of person who wouldn’t be able to make most dishes by himself.
Will he be able to continue smithing?
Inside Eiji’s head there were different people, including his friends from his place and people that took care of him, but most of all, he was concerned about his father.
If they can’t find his whereabouts, it will be the same as an eternal parting and considering him as dead.
I want to meet him.
I want to meet him.
A single word was fine, Eiji wanted to tell him about his safety. He truly wished for that.
He wanted to tell his father how he avoided one problem after another that caused him lots of trouble, about him wedding a wife, and also about him polishing his skills as a blacksmith every day.
The song continued.
Suddenly, his head was embraced.
A gentle warmness was transmitted to him.
What came into his view was the sky full of stars and his wife’s smiling face.
– Do you feel lonely?
– I can’t make it possible for Eiji to meet the people you want, but…
As soon her words halted, his head was stroked.
– I’m here for you. I won’t go anywhere, so rest assured.
– I’m serious. However lonely you are, crying is forbidden.
– Sorry, but let me remain like this for a while.
Tanya’s voice too, was in tears.
For that, Eiji was grateful.
The loneliness, that scared him and made his heart empty, reduced in size little by little. He could feel that.
Numerous stars expanded on the sky.
Or perhaps, this is the same planet, but a different period?
He knew that he couldn’t tell his father, nevertheless…
Once he noticed, the song ended with the surroundings being wrapped by thunder-like applause.
Chapter end
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