Single Aristocrat: Chapter 7 – Single Aristocrat Grills Meat Alone

“Zirc, how about ending soon?’

　Rouge called out to me, and my consciousness that had been submerged in a sea of thoughts rose back to reality.

　Looking out the window, red evening glow is about to turn into night.

　Even though magic tools that emit light are widespread, compared to my previous world, in this world people do not work as long hours. It’s normal to finish work when it gets dark.

　If I, as the head of the company, don’t stop working, it’ll be hard for Tristan and Rouge to leave.

“……Shall we end here for today then?” 

“After this, how about we all get dinner?” 

　Wiping the ink from his pen tip and carefully stowing it away on the desk, Tristan suggested. 

“Recently, there’s a new place that’s opened serving meat in a different style. They call it ‘yakiniku’ and apparently they provide you with thinly sliced meat that you’re supposed to grill by yourself!” 

“I know that one! Everytime I see there’s always a bunch of people lined up. If I’m not wrong, it’s named ‘Nikubishi’!”

“That’s right! If it’s okay, how does that sound?”

“Yakiniku, huh? Not bad.”

　Listening to Tristan, I felt like having yakiniku tonight.

　I hadn’t eaten much meat recently, and it would be nice to go out and eat as much as I can. 

“Sorry! I have to go home and take care of the kid today, so…”

　Rouge apologises regretfully with her hands clasped together. 

“Eh, can’t you just go for today?”

“I’d like to go, too, but it’s an important period for the kid. I’m sorry.”

　Despite Tristan’s disappointment, Rouge quickly tidied up her belongings and left the workshop.

　I guess she’d been rushing to finish her work because she wanted to leave early today.

　Hearing what she’s said, I can’t forcibly keep her back. 

“Can’t be helped. Then today with the two of us–“

“Should we cancel? There’s no point with two guys.”

“…………If that’s so, thanks for your hard work.”

　Bowing his head to me, Tristan promptly prepared to go home and left the workshop.

　Well, if you don’t want to go, then we don’t have to go. Dinner can be finished at home. 

　Leaving me alone, I put away the work tools on my desk, locked the door tightly, and left.

　It was already dark outside, and the magic tool lamps that had been installed illuminated the street.

　Walking from the workshop to the central district, I see many carpenters and adventurers going out to bars and pubs after work.

　The central district is noisy even after dark. Usually when I go straight home, I take a detour and pass through a quiet residential area, but today I have to do some shopping for dinner.

　This morning when I looked, the insides of the fridge were a little lonely. 

　I walk past dwarves singing a merry song and head towards the stores.

　The smell of savoury meat drifts from the stalls and restaurants that lined the street.

“……After all, I want to eat meat.”

　Tristan talked about yakiniku so my stomach was completely in the mood for some meat.

　I could eat it at home, but it will be a bit of a hassle to buy it now and then have to grill it at home.

　Today, I want to eat grilled meat without worrying about preparation and cleanup.

“Should I go to a yakiniku restaurant?”

　Having decided so, I stop shopping.

　No longer heading to the stores, I turned around and proceeded to a yakiniku restaurant in the central district.

　◆

　In the central district, the restaurant streets. A detached building made of black bricks.

　The white signboard has “Nikubishi” skillfully painted in black letters.

　Probably because it’s dinner time, a large number of people are lined up in front of the restaurant.

　Even so, new customers are not put off and start lining up even farther back

　I guess despite being aware of the long wait, they’re resolved that the food is worth it. 

　Normally, having just arrived, I would have to join the back of the line, but there is no need.

　I ignored the queuing customers and walked through the door.

“Apologies. Please wait in line. I will guide you in due time.”

“Idiot, leave that gentleman alone!”

　An unfamiliar young waiter called out to me, but a well-dressed man came out of the back of the store with an embarrassed look on his face.

“My apologies, Master Zirc. This guy is a recent newcomer”

　While rubbing his hands, the manager of Nikubishi made the newcomer bow.

　The newcomer’s face turns pale when he notices the title I am addressed by. He would probably be feeling miserable. 

“No, I don’t mind. I’m more interested in the fact that your store looks thriving.”

“Yes, thanks to you. I put into practice Master Zirc’s suggestions, and the shop has been doing. I am truly filled with gratitude to Master Zirc.”

　Yes, the recent popularity of the thing known as ‘yakiniku’ is something I proposed to the manager and had him start doing.

　Although this was originally a long-established butcher store, the rise of refrigerators has made it possible to eat a variety of meats.

　The meat of animals and demons that were previously inaccessible are now available, and the number of new restaurants are gradually increasing. 

　Unable to compete with the diversification in food culture, Nikubishi, as a butcher store, started to have its business decline. 

　In such a situation, the manager consulted me, a customer at the time, and they ended up serving yakiniku.

　Providing thinly sliced meat and having customers grill it themselves at their tables was a style that seemed to have never been done before in the Royal Capital, and its popularity exploded. 

　Being formerly a well-established butcher’s they handled meat well, which was a perfect match for yakiniku, leading to huge crowds being drawn in. 

“Don’t mind it. I just mentioned what I myself would’ve liked to have.”

“I still really can’t raise my head in front of you, Master Zirc.”

“Rather than that, is the usual seat empty?”

“Yes, of course. I will show you there right away.”

　Speaking for such a long time at the entrance, my stomach was considerably hungry.

　The manager leads me to the back of the floor.

　It is not an open space, but a private room.

　It’s nice to be lively and grill meat with friends and family, but there are also singles like me who want to enjoy meat in a more relaxed atmosphere. This space is designed to meet such needs.

　In fact, I would’ve liked to have had a space dedicated to solo yakiniku, but it seems that the need for such spaces is still very limited in this world.

　The private room I am shown is for four people. The table, chairs, and door are all black, creating a very relaxing space.

　In the centre of the table is a round hole for containing charcoal. 

　The manager lights the charcoal with a magic tool for ignition and gently places a grill on top.

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　There were initial ideas to set up heating magic tools on each table, but I purposely chose against that because I still wanted to eat over charcoal fire.

　If I told Rouge this, she might say, “even though that would have been a great opportunity to sell magic tools!” and get angry with me, but this is my own personal obsession and I cannot compromise.

“What would you like to order?”

“I’ll start with a portion of red beef tongue, thick-sliced skirt steak, and ribs. For drinks, ale.”

“Certainly, sir.”

　In this world, there are so many different kinds of meat that it’s hard to decide, but if you are going to eat at this restaurant, it has to be red beef. Nikubishi’s ageing, cutting, and seasoning techniques are unrivalled among all the other butcher stores. 

　It’s impossible to come here and not try the red beef. 

　I’ll later start with the soft and flavourful tongue.

　While I was thinking all this, the manager, who usually leaves immediately, was standing there with a lost look on his face.

“……What’s wrong?”

‘Um, are you sure we don’t have to grant you a portion of the profits? Right now, we have enough to repay you, Master Zirc….”

　I see, that’s what he was wondering.

　To be honest, I don’t need any payment in return.

　Fortunately, I am not troubled by money. It’s good enough if I can have a table anytime and be sold delicious meat like this. 

　But the manager is a commoner, and I am the son of Viscount Louren.

　Even if I didn’t care, it would probably be frightening to have to be indebted to a nobleman. 

　The manager should also know my character, but I guess it’s uncomfortable for him after all if he doesn’t provide compensation.

“Got it. If the store’s sales continue like this for three months, I’ll take ten percent.. Other than that, it’s good if you can continue as you have to give me seating priority and selling me the rare meat you obtain.”

　Although this place had recently got back in black, before that, business had been poor. 

　The restaurant must have spent a lot of money for renovation, and I’d be the one troubled if I received something from them now only for them to go under. 

“I understand. I will work hard and definitely return the favour to you, Master Zirc.”

“Yeah, all the best.”.

“Then, I will bring the food to you immediately.”

　The manager smiled and left.

　After that, my order was soon brought.

“What a beautiful colour.”

　While sighing in admiration at the bright red beef, I use tongs to grab a piece of tongue.

　I then place it on the hottest part of the grill, at the centre. 

　While charring the surface, I make sure the flame doesn’t cook through to the middle. 

　Tongue is a special cut of meat where the fibres run in all directions. If you are careless, it will quickly become overcooked and the meat will end up tough.

　To prevent this from happening, when the side you first cook slightly curls up, turn it over and cook it in the same way.

　This is enough to ensure that the heat has passed through and still preserve the tender taste.

　I place the freshly grilled tongue in my mouth.

　The strong flavour and juices of the red beef spread in my mouth. The more I chew, the more the flavour seeps out.

　And then, wash it down with chilled ale. 

　The fat dissolved on my tongue is washed down my throat with cold ale. 

　This refreshing sensation is out of this world.

　In the same way, I continue to carefully grill the tongue and drink the ale.

　I’m just repeating the same process, but it’s irresistibly delicious.

　After finishing the tongue, next is the thickly sliced skirt steak. 

　As for skirt steak, it’s best to grill it at a place slightly away from the centre. 

　The surface of the meat should be crispy, so there should be some clear grill marks.

　However, the inside must be medium rare.

　This allows you to enjoy the aroma as well as the crunchy texture unique to the skirt steak.

　I put the thick, freshly grilled skirt steak in my mouth.

　The special crunchy texture of the skirt steak is delightful. The aroma is rich and the flavour of the meat is wonderful.

　The salt seasoned on the meat adds a nice accent to the flavour and brings out the flavour of the meat.

　Then, with the skirt steak finished, next are the ribs, which had been sufficiently seasoned with a sauce.

　I place the beautiful bright red meat in the centre of the grill where the temperature is higher.

　Ideally, the ribs should be well-seared on both sides, but still with a little redness on the inside.

“…….Right now.”

　I quickly grab the flipped ribs with my chopsticks and bring it to my plate.

　As soon as I eat it, the tastes of red meat, fat, and sauce mix and spread together in complete harmony.

“Delicious!”

　In my mouth the flavour explodes and the savoury aroma penetrates deep into my nose.

“Ah, I want white rice.”

　It’s a pity that the thing known as white rice is not present.

　If there had been white rice, I would have gulped everything down with relish.

　However, it is not that there is no hope.

　Recently, it seems like the Royal Capital has begun to receive a clear alcohol that resembles Japanese sake.

　The alcohol came from a country called the Far East and tasted exactly like sake.

　If there’s sake, then there must be rice, the source of sake.

　Rice has still yet to be imported, but by some chance it might also come.

　When that happens, I want to get my hands on it no matter what it takes.

　And then it must also be added to Nikubishi’s menu.

　It’s a crime to have all this delicious meat but no white rice.

　Thinking of things like that, I grilled the ribs one after another.

　The taste of this charcoal grill is something I can’t reproduce at home. I am glad I came to Nikubishi in the end.

　Without worring about others, I can eat what I like as much as I like,

　This is the joy of eating.

　Just because it’s yakiniku doesn’t mean you have to go with everyone.

　They say that a meal tastes better when you eat with others, but I don’t think so.

“It was right to come alone.”

　This sense of fulfilment would surely not have been possible if Tristan or Rouge were here.

　I downed the ribs with ale and in high spirits, thought about what to order next.

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