So, this is what you call a Petosey?
Yeah. That's the slice. I named it Toya, by the way.

　It's in the kitchen of Yasue's house.

　There are eight people here, including our party and Yasue, who is not at the restaurant at the moment.

　The four of us who were already watching were looking at the meter-thick slices of petosi on the table and opening our mouths in some kind of disgust.

　But that's only a fraction of what we have.

　We left Silas' and Freddy's portions, as well as the head to prove that we had defeated them, at the guild, but as for our portion, Ketra asked us to take it all back to ...... if we could, as it was a bit difficult to process. I'm taking it all home.

"Hey, Nao. "Hey, Nao, did you find this in the river there?

"Yasue, do you know it?　It's a little far from here.

I've only seen it from a distance. My husband told me not to go near it. Considering what's swimming around, I can understand your caution.

　Yasue nodded, saying, "I can't kill this thing.

I'll tell you what, this is not normal, okay?　A normal monster eel is about a meter in girth at most.

But it's still big enough!　When you have children, you must train them to stay away from it!

When they're babies, but when they start to play outside, they're a bit dangerous. Even if it's a normal size, a child could swallow it in one gulp.

　There are many dangerous places in this world, and it is impossible to reason that the government is at fault for not putting up fences in dangerous places.

　Since there are dangerous places and dangerous monsters everywhere, raising children seems to be quite difficult.

　It would be nice if parents could stay with their children until they become sensible, but maternity and childcare leave is up to them, and the more they take off, the more they lose in income, so it goes without saying that it is quite difficult.

But then, it's a bit too big, isn't it?　Why is it so big?

"Unknown. You said it might be a mutation.

　If it is a demon, it is said that occasionally abnormal individuals appear, but the monster eel is still classified as an animal, not a demon with a magic stone.



　I'm not sure what to make of it.

There's no record of it in the past, so I don't think it's a common occurrence, but it's probably best to stay away from Yasue.

I'm not going. I'm not going. ...... It's a shame you can't play in the river with your kids, though.

It's a shame that you can't play in the river with your kids.

　I'm sure you'll agree that it's a great idea to have a child.　I'm sure you'll want to play like that.

　The difficulty of leisure is probably the most difficult part of coming here.

If you're old enough to play and we're around here, we can take you out.　The Noria River is reasonably safe.

　Haruka thought the same thing, and made such a suggestion to Yasue, who widened her eyes in surprise.

I'm not sure.　It's a good idea.　Isn't there a demon or something?

There are some, but they're safe enough for us to swim in.

That's right. Let's go back when it gets hot again this year. I didn't take Mehta and Mary with me.

Swimming in the river!　I'm looking forward to it!

I wonder if I'll ever learn to swim. ......?

You'll be fine. Neither of us is athletically challenged.

　Mitya looked happy, and Mary looked a little nervous, but still happy.

　I'm not sure what to make of that, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

You guys have already experienced this?　You guys have already been through it? --I've had a hard time.

I've been having a hard time." "Because Yasue is trying to pick a fight with you?　If you had asked for help, I would have at least given you some advice. We didn't have the luxury of time, so I don't think we could have taken care of you.



"Ugh. ...... I know, but... I'm not sure what to say.

　As Haruka sighs, Yasue slaps her desk to express her displeasure, but when she hears Yuki's next words, she snarls, "Mmm.......

But Yasue. If it wasn't for that, you wouldn't have caught your husband, would you?　You're a real man with a kid now, right?　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

It's all or nothing. If you're happy now, that's fine. It's more constructive to think that way.

...... That's right. That's what I'll think.

　It doesn't make any sense to talk about the past now.
　Yasue seemed to think so too, and changed the subject with a sigh.

"So, Nao, what are you going to do with this fish?　Are you going to share it with us?
"Do you want it?　I don't mind if you want a piece.

　After that, we cut up the Petosi into pieces of about this size, and each of us was allotted about four pieces.

　In other words, there are three more slices in my share alone, and I don't mind if I get a slice.

　That's what I thought when I said that, but Yasue's mouth twitched a little in dissatisfaction.

You're being stingy. Why don't you at least give me one for my family?
"Hmm?　Oh, no, no, no. Here's a slice.
"What, ......?

　Yasue paused for a moment, looking at the huge slice on the table and at my face.
　Then he twisted his head, thought for a while, and then, as if he understood what I meant, he shouted.

It's too big!　This is not a piece!　It'll go bad before you can even consume it!



I can save it in my magic bag while we're here.

"...... What?　What is that? Not only do magic bags hold a lot of stuff, but they also don't go bad?　Isn't that foul?

　Yasue didn't know about the magic bag and was surprised when I brought out the Petoshe fillets, but she was surprised again when she heard that it could preserve food.

He was surprised again when he heard that it could preserve food. "It doesn't stop time, but it makes it flow much more slowly, so the food lasts longer than you need to worry about if you keep it in there.

Wow. That's a coveted item for restaurants. --Can you give it to me?

　I've been rehabilitated. I've been rehabilitated, so I'm not going to be overbearing and ask for it, but Yasue is looking at my magic bag quite covetously.

　I'm not saying you can't have it, but I'm saying you can't have it.

I'm not saying no, but I wouldn't recommend it.
"Why ......?

　I'm not saying no, but I don't recommend it.

This is a very valuable item.

Yes, yes. It's like, 'I'll kill you to get it! That's right. If you have it, you might be in danger.

We're high-ranking adventurers, so we're usually armed and spend a lot of time out of town.

On the other hand, Yasue will be in town all the time, and she'll have a baby. She'll be able to fight better than a normal person, but ......

I'll stop. If she dies,......, no. If she gets killed or something, it won't do any good.

　After listening to Haruka and the others' explanation, Yasue patted her growing belly and shook her head slowly.

That's wise. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to use it in secret, but if you use it in a store, people will definitely know.

Well, if we serve it at the restaurant, we can consume it while we're there.

Otherwise, we won't be able to finish it. But how am I supposed to cook this?　It's an eel, isn't it?



"Yes, it is. It's a monster eel.

"The only eel I know how to cook is kabayaki. I don't remember eating much of it because it was so expensive over there. I don't remember eating much of it because it was so expensive over there. ...... You can't make it into kabayaki with this size, can you?

"Formally, yes.

　The origin of the word "kabayaki" is that it resembles an ear of a stag beetle.
　The word "kabayaki" comes from its shape, which resembles the ear of a kabayaki.
　It is not kabayaki when it is already cut into pieces.

"In the first place, it doesn't look good without soy sauce.
"Yes, there is soy sauce.

　There is soy sauce." Yasue, who had been looking disappointed at Natsuki's simple words, blinked widely.