Who Is the World’s Strongest Appraiser? ~Living in Another World With Satisfying Meals~

Here’s Some Miso Eggplant To Go With Your Rice

With a radiant smile, Yuuri served a small portion of miso eggplant to Yakk, who began eating it. The delighted look on his face was unmistakable. The mildly sweet and savory flavor of the miso eggplant was a pleasant surprise to Yakk, who had expected it to taste like miso soup. The bold flavor made it a dish that truly complemented rice, as Yuuri had said. Despite being a vegetable dish, it was as satisfying as a meat dish. After that, the two busily prepared other dishes: soups, side dishes, and grilled fish as the main course. Their efforts paid off, as the miso eggplant they worked so hard to make in bulk was a hit with everyone.

… With one notable exception, for whom it was too much of a hit.

“…More.”

“Hey, Magg, there’s no more left.”

“Why not?”

“‘Why not?’ You ate an entire serving that was meant to be shared!”

“…More.”

“No.”

By now, all the miso eggplant had already been served, and no extra portions were left. Predictably, Magg had detected the subtle kombu dashi hidden in the miso and eaten his entire first serving in silence. Knowing Yuuri’s rule that seconds weren’t allowed until all other dishes were finished, Magg had quickly devoured the other dishes on his plate. Then, he claimed the large serving of miso eggplant that had been prepared especially for him.

After securing the dish, Magg nodded politely and quickly returned to his seat, his uncharacteristically cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to his usual stoic, emotionless appearance. However, after finishing even that oversized serving, Magg returned to request more miso eggplant. For someone so small, his capacity to eat astonished everyone. However, it wasn’t that he had poor energy efficiency or needed the food to function. Magg simply hoarded food, likely due to his upbringing in the slums. The habit of eating as much as possible when the opportunity arose had stuck with him. Coupled with his obsession as a “dashi lover”, it made him a voracious eater.

… Yet, no one could understand why all that food never seemed to affect his physique. Despite eating so much, Magg remained as thin and small as ever, looking perpetually undernourished. It was likely due to years of deprivation.

“More…”

“There’s really no more.”

“…Understood.”

Shoulders slumping in disappointment, Magg retreated. Yuuri felt bad for him, but no amount of guilt could produce more food. Besides, Yuuri worried that eating more might upset Magg’s stomach. As he resumed washing the dishes, Yuuri nearly dropped a plate into the sink in shock.

“Magg! What the hell are you doing trying to steal my plate?!”

“…No.”

“Don’t ‘no’ me! That’s my food, you idiot!”

“…More.”

“You already had an entire large plate to yourself!”

“Camille, help me out here!”

“Ugh, fine! Why’s Magg so obsessed with miso eggplant anyway?”

Urgus, holding the petite Magg in a headlock to protect his plate, called for backup from Camille, who slid the plate closer to himself in support. Magg, thrashing wildly, had indeed gone after Urgus, the person he deemed “acceptable to steal from”. As Yuuri and Yakk had anticipated, Magg’s target was unlucky enough to still be eating when Magg struck.

“…Dashi.”

“‘Dashi?!’”

Urgus and Camille froze at Magg’s muttered word, then turned their shocked gazes toward Yuuri in the kitchen. Yuuri smiled awkwardly and made a small gesture with his thumb and index finger, indicating “just a little”. It was a tiny amount. The fact that Magg noticed it at all was absurd. As the two gaped in disbelief, Magg lunged for Urgus’s plate once more, renewing the struggle.

“Don’t take other people’s food!”

“Survival of the fittest.”

The argument was nonsensical, but this kind of chaos was routine, so no one intervened. In the end, miso eggplant became a new and beloved way to use miso at the hideout.