SADGM 07

Chapter : 07

The Bachelor Noble Eats Yakiniku Alone

“Jilk, don’t you think it’s about time to wrap up?”

Hearing Rouge’s voice pulled my consciousness back from the sea of thoughts I had sunk into.

I glanced at the window—the scenery was shifting from sunset to night.

Although magical lights were widespread, this world didn’t have the long working hours I was used to in my previous life. It was normal to finish work once it got dark.

If I, as the top, didn’t stop working, Tristan and Rouge would probably feel awkward about leaving.

“…Alright, let’s call it a day for now.”

“How about we all go eat together afterward?”

Tristan made that suggestion while wiping the ink from her pen and carefully storing it on the desk.

“A new restaurant that serves unusual meat dishes opened recently. It’s called yakiniku—they slice the meat thinly and grill it yourself!”

“I know that place! There’s always a line whenever I see it. I think it’s called ‘Nikubishi,’ right?”

“That’s the one! Would you like to go?”

“Yakiniku, huh? Not a bad idea.”

Listening to Tristan talk, I suddenly felt like having yakiniku tonight.

I hadn’t been eating much meat recently, so enjoying a good meal outside sounded perfect.

“Sorry! I have to go home and take care of the kids today,” Rouge said, putting her hands together apologetically.

“Oh, come on, it’s fine just for today!”

“I’d love to go too, but it’s an important time for the kids right now. Sorry.”

Though Tristan pouted, Rouge quickly packed her things and left the workshop. Judging from her earlier urging to finish work quickly, she probably wanted to go home early today.

I couldn’t force her to stay.

“Can’t be helped. Just the two of us then—”

“Then maybe we shouldn’t. Two guys going together wouldn’t make much sense.”

“…………Yeah, you’re right.”

“Well, then, good work today.”

I nodded, and Tristan quickly packed up and left the workshop.

Well, if we weren’t going, that was fine too. I would just have dinner at home.

Left alone, I put away my work tools, locked up carefully, and stepped outside.

The street was already dark, illuminated by magical lamps.

As I walked from the workshop to the central district, I saw carpenters, adventurers, and others finishing work, heading en masse to taverns and eateries.

The central district remained lively even at dusk. Normally, I would take a quiet residential route home, but today I needed to buy dinner.

The fridge looked a little empty when I checked it this morning.

I walked past dwarves singing cheerful songs and headed toward the shopping area.

The aroma of roasted meat wafted from the lined-up stalls and restaurants.

“…Yeah, I really want some meat.”

Tristan’s talk about yakiniku had completely put my stomach in a meat mood.

I could cook meat at home, but thinking about buying it now and grilling it at home seemed a little tedious.

Tonight, I wanted to enjoy grilled meat without worrying about preparation or cleanup.

“Let’s go to a yakiniku restaurant.”

Decision made—I abandoned the shopping plan. I turned around and headed to the yakiniku restaurant in the central district.

In the food and drink district of the central area stood a standalone building made of black bricks.

On a white signboard, in elegant black letters, was written: “Nikubishi.”

Perhaps because it was dinner time, a large crowd was lined up in front of the restaurant.

Even so, new customers joined the line without hesitation.

The long wait didn’t deter them; they must have a firm belief that the food was worth it.

Normally, I would also have to line up at the end, but that wasn’t necessary.

I ignored the waiting customers and stepped through the door.

“Excuse me, sir. Please wait in line. We’ll guide you in order.”

“Idiot! That person is fine!”

A young staff member I hadn’t seen before called out, but a burly man rushed out from the back, his face pale.

“Apologies, Lord Jilk. He’s a new recruit, just joined recently,” the Nikubishi manager said, rubbing his hands together and making the newcomer bow.

The young staff member went pale realizing he had used an honorific after my name. Poor kid.

“No, it’s fine. More importantly, your restaurant seems busy.”

“Yes, thanks to you, Lord Jilk. We applied the suggestions you made, and now this is the result. I truly appreciate it.”

Recently, this popular yakiniku trend had started because I suggested it to the manager.

The shop was originally an old-established butcher’s, but with the rise of refrigeration, various types of meat became available.

They could now get meat from animals and monsters previously unavailable, and new eateries were emerging rapidly.

Nikubishi, unable to adapt, had been struggling.

Seeing this, the then-customer me had advised the manager to start yakiniku.

Serving thinly sliced meat and letting customers grill it at their tables became explosively popular in the capital.

The old butcher’s expertise in meat management made the grilled meat taste perfect, hence the current buzz.

“Don’t worry. I only mentioned what I thought would be good.”

“Lord Jilk, I truly cannot thank you enough.”

“By the way, is my usual seat available?”

“Yes, of course. We’ll guide you there immediately.”

Talking at the entrance was enough; my stomach was growling.

The manager led me to a private room at the back.

While it’s fun to grill meat with friends or family, some prefer to enjoy their meat quietly, like me. Nikubishi caters to both.

Ideally, they’d also have single-person yakiniku booths, but apparently, the demand isn’t high yet.

The private room was a four-person setup, with black tables, chairs, and doors—calm and refined.

In the center of the table was a round hole with charcoal.

The manager ignited the charcoal with a magical device and gently placed the grill above it.

Initially, there was an idea to use a magical device to heat the meat, but I preferred charcoal grilling. It might upset Rouge, who would say, “You could’ve sold a magic device!” but I wouldn’t compromise on this.

“What would you like to order?”

“Start with one portion each of Red Beef tongue, thick-cut harami, and kalbi. For drinks, ale.”

“Understood.”

With so many types of meat in this world, choices are tough. But at this restaurant, Red Beef is essential. Nikubishi’s aging, cutting, and seasoning techniques are unmatched.

Starting with the tender, flavorful tongue seems best.

The manager, who normally steps aside quickly, lingered with a troubled look.

“…Is something wrong?”

“Um… are you sure you don’t want a share of the profits? Even now, we could give you a fair portion…”

Ah, that’s what he was worried about.

Honestly, I didn’t need the money. I’m fortunate enough, and as long as I get a seat and good meat, that’s enough.

However, the manager is a commoner, and I’m the son of Viscount Luren. He might feel uneasy not providing some compensation.

“Alright. If sales remain steady for three months, take ten percent. Otherwise, continue as usual—priority seating and access to rare meats.”

Although the restaurant had recently become profitable, it had previously struggled. Renovations had cost money, and taking funds immediately might have destabilized them.

“Understood. We’ll do our best to provide fair compensation to Lord Jilk.”

“Good. Keep it up.”

“Then, I’ll bring your order right away.”

The manager smiled and left, and soon, my order arrived.

“What a beautiful color.”

Admiring the deep red of the Red Beef, I picked up a slice of tongue with tongs.

I placed it in the hottest spot in the center of the grill.

The tongue has fibers running in all directions; it cooks quickly and can become tough if overdone.

Once the first side slightly curls, I flipped it to cook the other side similarly. Perfectly cooked, tender tongue.

I took a bite.

The rich flavor and juices spread in my mouth. The firm, chewy texture was enjoyable, and the flavor deepened with each bite.

I washed it down with ice-cold ale.

The fat that had melted on my tongue was swiftly carried down by the cold drink. Pure bliss.

I repeated this process with the rest of the tongue, savoring every bite.

Next, thick-cut harami.

I grilled it slightly off-center where the heat was high, searing the surface while keeping the inside medium-rare.

This preserved the harami’s unique texture and aroma.

Taking a bite, the crisp, satisfying texture and rich flavor filled my mouth. A pinch of salt accentuated the taste.

Finally, kalbi, marinated in sauce, went on the hottest spot.

I seared both sides while leaving the inside slightly red.

“…This is it.”

I lifted a piece with chopsticks onto my plate.

The combination of lean, fat, and sauce exploded in flavor.

“Delicious.”

The aroma filled my nose, making me wish for white rice.

If only there was rice—I could have eaten with even more gusto.

But hope wasn’t lost. Recently, the capital started receiving seishu, a sake-like alcohol from the Far East, which implies rice is available. Perhaps it will arrive someday, and I’ll make sure Nikubishi adds it to the menu.

For now, I continued grilling and savoring the kalbi.

Charcoal grilling produces flavors impossible to replicate at home. I was glad I came here.

No one to worry about, just eating whatever I wanted, however much I wanted.

This is true dining happiness.

One doesn’t need companions for yakiniku. The notion that eating with others is better is overrated.

“Coming alone was the right choice.”

This satisfaction wouldn’t have been possible with Tristan or Rouge around.

I washed down the kalbi with ale and happily thought about my next order.

[Author’s Note]

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