49 - Art. 49. The Distress of a Smart Manager



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In the middle of a mountainous area, there stands a single mansion. It is so deep in the mountains that even demons, let alone humans, cannot reach it, and few people know of its existence.

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The master of this mansion is Ohiisama, the fox god who has lived for 10,000 years. And the old fox, Sandile, who serves near the princess. He is a talented manager who is recognized by both himself and others as the Ohiisama's right hand man and instructor.

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Recently, Sandille's concern is the eccentricity of his wife's diet. It is what is called "Onokoshi" problem.

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About a year ago, this fox house began to receive frequent tributes. A boy named Rinos, brought by a white fox sent to the kingdom of Juka, began to offer "o-hagi" (rice balls) and "abura-age" (fried bean curd).

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At first, Sandille did not care for them as food for lowly people, but the ladies of the house, including the princess, ate them, saying they were delicious and tasty. Sometimes, the ladies would fight with each other.

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Sandille reluctantly tried some of these foods. And he was instantly hooked. In particular, "deep-fried tofu" was to Sandille's liking.

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The "deep-fried tofu" delivered from Linos usually comes in two types, one seasoned with sweet and spicy sauce, and the other without any seasoning. Ohisama prefers the sweet and spicy ones, while Sandille prefers the normal deep-fried ones. The normal deep-fried tofu goes perfectly with sake, and I have come to look forward to bringing home the deep-fried tofu from the Ohiisama's house and eating it with my supper.

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Just a month ago, there was a change in "ohagi". They used to be chewy like beans, but now they are less chewy and have a mellower texture. In short, Peris, who became the chef of the Rinos family, took a hint from the Rinos' story and made mochi with glutinous rice and anko (red bean paste) to make a kind of "Akafuku-mochi", which Sandille liked.

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However, the princess did not like the "rice cake" inside the red bean paste, and whenever she received the "New Ohagi", she ate only the red bean paste on top of the rice cake and threw it away. Sandille was not happy about it.

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Of course, this was contrary to the "good manners" that he had always been telling the Omi-sama to show to her. But not only that, this "New Ohagi" is to enjoy the exquisite harmony of mochi and anko (red bean paste). Anko (red bean paste) sticks to the rice cake in your mouth. You swallow it smoothly and enjoy the sensation of it going down your throat. There is an indescribable charm to it.

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Then one day, as usual, "o-hagi" and "abura-age" arrived from Linos. What was different from usual was that there were three new "o-hagi" delivered today. Usually there are two. Moreover, when the "new o-hagi" is delivered, the princesses eat only one of them, and Sandille usually takes the remaining one home with her. This time, too, it was a take-home pattern.

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However, Sandille was a little hungry that day. Then came the "new o-hagi". He popped one into his mouth for the time being. Delicious. How can they make such a delicious food? Human beings are a force to be reckoned with. Thinking this, my hand unconsciously reaches for the second o-hagi. I put it in my mouth. This time, I chew it as if to check its taste. It is still delicious. I swallow it, wondering what kind of drink would go well with it. My stomach is now in check. I am very satisfied.

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I look down and see that there is only one o-hagi (rice ball). I thought to myself, "Oh, I've messed up," but that's the way it always is. Thinking that Ohi-sama would eat only one and half of the o-hagi, I took the o-hagi and the deep-fried tofu to her.

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As usual, she enjoyed the sweet and spicy seasoned abura-age and started to eat the o-hagi. This time it was the "new o-hagi. When she heard that there were three pieces, she opened her mouth wide and ate the bean paste just until the rice cake inside was about to show its face, enjoying the taste.

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"Sandille, another one."

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I would have said, "No leftovers," but I said too much and said, "No, I said to bring more! I don't want him to throw a tantrum. Because there are no more o-hagi. They are already in Sandille's belly. I'm sure she'll bring them to Linos, but there's no time for that now.

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More!

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I'm here to see you, Your Highness.

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What is it?

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"The garden over there, sir, has been recently tended, and the trees have become very beautiful."

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"Garden? Oh, it's beautiful. The trees have been planted at the edge of the pond over there, too.

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While the princess looked away, Sandille turned the o-hagi upside down.

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"Here are some more o-hagi for you, sir."

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Once again, the princess opened her big mouth and enjoyed the sweet bean paste of the o-hagi.

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"Anko (red bean paste) is delicious, isn't it? Sandille, another one."

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I'm in trouble. If I turn over the rice ball this time, a rice cake will come out.

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Ugh...

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"Sandille, another one! Shall we look at the trees in the garden one more time?"

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After that, Sandille stopped complaining for a while, and the princess was able to enjoy her daily life in a relaxed manner.

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