Ripped Favorites and Wasabi Woe
Sizzle-crack—I stared endlessly up at the clothes torn by Han Yeoreum. Losing my two favorite outfits like this left me feeling utterly hollow. It was strange to rank clothes so highly, mere garments after all, but I couldn't help it. These two pieces I'd lost today were special ones I'd worn since my original world.
"Keh."
One would have been bad enough, but both at once? Despair sapped the strength from my body, and I toppled forward.
Plop!
My light frame bobbed on the pond's surface like a buoy. Opening my eyes underwater, I spotted flatfish clinging to the bottom. You guys have it so peaceful. I grumbled inwardly, but deep down, I knew it too. Clothes were disposable consumables, meant to be discarded eventually. Maybe this was just me whining—a whine I could only voice because Han Yeoreum made me feel so at ease. If she were truly terrifying, I wouldn't dare show such discontent.
Gurgle-rumble.
To think I'd grown comfortable enough with her to feel this way. Even losing the clothes didn't sting like a real loss. They were going to be tossed someday anyway.
At least I have a few more things from my original world.
Don't get too down. I was steeling myself to stand when I felt arms wrapping around my waist.
"G-Gyeowol..."
With Han Yeoreum's voice came my body being hauled upright. Rubbing my eyes to clear the water, I saw her apologetic expression. Had she jumped in because of me? Guilt twisted in my gut instead.
"Sorry, sis tore your clothes so suddenly—you must've been shocked."
"No, it wasn't that shocking."
"R-Really...?"
"Yeah. I was just bummed about losing two outfits at once."
I spoke as I clambered out of the pond. Han Yeoreum lifted me easily, sparing me the wall-climb.
How did it rip exactly in half like that?
The top was precisely split left and right. How much wringing could cause this? As I examined the two halves, she patted my shoulder.
"Sis'll buy you new ones."
"It's fine. They were all worn out anyway."
"Still feels bad. This one's totally on me, so no refusing."
"Okaay..."
Trading old rags for new? Not a bad deal. I nodded, gathering the split shirt. If sewn right, maybe it'd be good as new.
"By the way, Sophia."
"Hm...?"
"Ever seen anyone stealing Gyeowol's clothes?"
Sophia, who'd been watching quietly, shrugged. She didn't know either.
"My physical abilities are below even an average human's. I fear I cannot aid thee in that regard."
"...I see."
She wanted to catch the thief who'd taken my clothes. I agreed, but first things first—stitching these up. Laundry first, though.
"Gotta run for something urgent!"
Back at the container, I hurriedly hung the laundry and was patching the shirt with thread and tape. That's when Sophia opened the door and stepped in.
"What had thee rushing off alone so hastily?"
"Just fixing this shirt."
I showed her the rag of a top. Crudely stitched with thread and tape, but it'd pass as clothing.
"Dost thou truly intend to wear that?"
"Yeah. It's my favorite."
"Even favorites have limits..."
Sophia sighed, taking the shirt from my hands. Skin peeked through the tears here and there, but whatever.
"Sorry. A friend gave it to me as a gift."
"...A friend? Hast thou a friend?"
"I-I do...?"
What did she take me for? Even I had friends. Back in my previous life, anyway.
"Right, I've heard Gyeowol has friends."
Han Yeoreum entered, black bag in hand. A fishy smell wafted from it.
"Y-Yeah, I really do have friends..."
"Yep. You were gonna introduce them to sis."
Introduce friends from another world? Possible if dimensions connected like Sophia's realm. I pictured my old friends living carefree across dimensions and quickly changed tack.
"B-But what's that? Smells like fish."
"Oh, this? Flatfish sashimi. You were staring at the flatfish underwater, right?"
How'd she know? And where'd she get sashimi? As I pondered, she set it on the table in the corner.
"Isn't flatfish sashimi pricey?"
"Nah, not really. We raise 'em in the pond."
"Ah..."
That guy I saw down there. Probably asked the guild's chef to slice it.
"Gyeowol, eat with sis. Sophia, join us."
"Hm..."
If she'd bought it, fine, but pond-raised? No guilt there. Saliva flooded my mouth as I sat at the table.
"But can Gyeowol eat sashimi?"
"Yeah, I've eaten raw fish plenty."
"Uh..."
Han Yeoreum sat, eyeing me oddly. No clue why the sudden stare.
"Like, ripped it raw and ate it...?"
Ripped raw? What, am I a savage? Wanted to deny it, but yeah, a few times.
"A couple times, sure."
"How truly feral."
Sophia sat beside me, impressed. It was just hunger desperation, not barbarism. My lips pouted in annoyance.
"Mostly grilled, though."
Freshwater fish had parasites—always cooked those. Raw was mostly saltwater. I tried explaining to Sophia, but she patted my back first.
"Well done."
Pat-pat. No malice in her gesture. Frustrating, but sashimi time.
Sashimi after so long.
Why was that fishy scent so good? Feeling my tail swish freely, I spotted orange stuff by the sashimi.
Hm?
Clumped orange grains. No smell. Fish eggs? Curiosity won; I scooped a big chopstickful.
"Gyeowol, that's—gasp!"
Before she finished, I shoved it in. Instant regret.
"......!"
Spicy. My nose burned, tears welling unbidden.
"Uwaaaah."
Wasabi. Why was the wasabi orange? Pain wracked me; I clutched my head with a tiny scream.
"Aigoo, silly child. Spit it out quick."
Sophia held her hand to my mouth. But spitting food on someone's hand? Rude.
"Ughhh..."
Don't chew—just swallow. Eyes squeezed shut, nose pinched, I gulped the wasabi down.
"G-Gyeowol! Why swallow it?!"
Han Yeoreum thrust a water cup at me. Gulps later, it eased.
Phew. Thought I was dying. Panting, I gripped the empty cup.
"Sophia, is Gyeowol okay?"
"She'll be fine. Beastkin stomachs are sturdier than humans'."
"G-Good, then..."
Han Yeoreum caressed my cheek, gentle as a doctor checking a patient.
"First time with wasabi, huh, Gyeowol."
"......"
Obvious, but not my first wasabi. First orange wasabi. What kind of world has orange wasabi? Felt like a clueless kid scarfing it down. Face burning, I stared at the floor.
"Sis should've explained better. Sorry."
"N-No..."
Satisfied, she smirked and pushed the sashimi closer.
"Gyeowol doesn't know a lot of foods, huh. Better ask sis before trying new stuff from now on."
"Ask you...?"
What, treating me like an illiterate bumpkin? Unfair, but... not wrong. I was clueless about this world's cuisine.
"Yeah. Lots of raw foods that're dangerous."
"Aha..."
I knew that. Still, nodded. No desire for round two.
Chewing sashimi in sullen silence.