VCAM 43

Chapter 43 

 “The Ball and the Okonomiyaki Incident”
(Kai and Rutia’s Summer Vacation, Part XII)

One late-summer afternoon, a glittering envelope arrived at the Duke’s mansion.
The golden wax seal bore the unmistakable crest of the royal capital.

“A… ball?”

Rutia opened the letter and raised an eyebrow.

“Indeed. A royal ballroom gathering hosted by the palace. And here it says—‘Attendance required, accompanied by Mr. Kai Cross.’”

“HUH!? Why me!?”

Kai’s voice exploded through the hall.

Rutia merely shrugged with a serene smile.

“Isn’t it obvious? You’re the hero who saved our lands this summer. And, of course, my dear husband.”
“Stop callin’ me that! And I ain’t no hero either!”

“Well, since the invitation is official, we have no choice. Now then, my husband—let’s go to the capital.”
“Quit the ‘wife mode’ alreadyyy!”

◆◇◆

A few days later, the two arrived in the royal capital.

Wide stone-paved streets stretched before them, lined with luxury boutiques and jewelry shops, bustling with carriages and well-dressed people.
Many turned their heads at the sight of Rutia’s stunning beauty—and then, with curiosity, at the common-looking man beside her.

“Ugh… I feel like I don’t belong here at all.”
“You’ll be fine, Kai. Or rather—dear husband?”
“You said it twice! The second one was definitely on purpose!”

Their first stop was a tailor’s shop.

Inside the grand boutique filled floor-to-ceiling with fine fabrics, an elderly tailor squinted at Kai as soon as he saw him.

“Hoho… your physique isn’t bad. But wearing clothes that don’t fit—now that’s a crime.”
“A crime!? That harsh?”

As measurements began, Rutia stood nearby, grinning playfully.

“Hehe… Kai, are you nervous?”
“’Course I am! I’m standin’ still like a statue while this guy keeps sayin’ ‘Don’t move’!”

After a few minutes, the tailor declared firmly,

“We shall craft a proper tailcoat for the royal ball. It will suit you well.”
“It’ll look wonderful on you, my husband.”
“There she goes again!”

The suit would be ready in a few days.
On the way back, Kai and Rutia wandered into the lower town of the capital.

A savory aroma drifted through the air.

“Oh… what’s that smell?”

Kai’s nose twitched.

From a small food stall, something was sizzling on a griddle—
a batter spread flat, mixed with ingredients, and cooked until golden.

“H-hey, miss… that looks exactly like okonomiyaki!”
“Oko…nomiyaki?”

Kai hurried over, full of excitement.

“Hey, mister! One of those, please!”

He took a bite of the freshly cooked dish.
Crispy outside, fluffy inside—
but… no sauce, no cabbage. Something was missing.

“So close! This could be perfect if—wait, old man, lemme fix this up for ya!”
“F-Fix it!?” The stall owner blinked, confused.

Kai rolled up his sleeves and stood at the griddle.

“Leave it to me! This kinda thing—this is the soul of Osaka!”

Using his own spices and the ingredients on hand, he mixed up a new version.
Batter with chopped veggies, slices of meat, both sides grilled perfectly—
and at last, brushed with a sweet-savory glaze.

“There we go! Now this is real okonomiyaki!”

Rutia took a curious bite—
and froze, eyes wide.

“W-what is this…!?”

Her cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling as she devoured it.

“It’s crisp on the outside, soft within… and this sweet, rich sauce! My husband—this is a culinary revolution!”
“Revolution’s a bit much! And quit callin’ me that while you’re eatin’!”

Soon the smell drew a crowd.

“Delicious!”
“A whole new flavor!”
“Give me one too!”

The stall owner panicked as people swarmed around.

“Master Kai! Please teach me how to make this!”

In the end, Kai had to explain the recipe right there.

“Mix flour and water till it’s gooey, add chopped veggies ‘n meat, grill both sides, then finish with a sweet-savory sauce!”
“Sauce? We don’t have that!”
“Then simmer fruit wine with soy paste—gives ya sweetness and tang. Trust me!”

The vendor tried it—and sure enough, it turned out delicious.
The crowd erupted in cheers.

“Master Kai! Let’s call it Cross-yaki!”
“Don’t rename it! It’s okonomiyaki!”

That night, everyone in the capital was eating Kai’s creation.
By the next day, other stalls were already copying the recipe.

“It’s already spread… dang it!”

Kai groaned, holding his head.

Rutia simply laughed and slipped her arm through his.

“Hehe, my dear husband has created a new specialty of the royal capital.”
“It spread on its own!”
“No, Kai. With you here, this world becomes a little more fun.”

As they walked through the glowing streets—buzzing like fireworks themselves—
Kai let out a long sigh.

(Man… am I really still just a teacher? What am I doin’, spreadin’ Osaka street food across another world?)

But when he looked at Rutia smiling contentedly beside him,
he couldn’t bring himself to say those words aloud.