A Former Police Officer Who Died And Get A Second Life!-Chapter 77: A Taste of Home

That one also seemed to be well received, so they decided to serve it with bread for breakfast that day.

"Qiong Xing, what about this one?"

The portion that had been set aside earlier could be diluted with alcohol or water and used as syrup and the fruit that remained was also delicious eaten as it was.

"They say sweet things are good when you’re tired, and lemon should be just right when it’s hot."

It was tastier than drinking plain water and would also work well for hydration.

"That’s nice! The children would probably love it too."

Laughing as he agreed that Cari would surely be happy as well, they carried the breakfast they had all made together to the dining hall.

"We tried making something called jam. One is raspberry and the other is lemon, so please try spreading whichever you like on your bread."

When he explained this to everyone, who had been wearing expressions that said, What is this?, they each spread the jam however they liked and began eating.

"Joa and Elias, I recommend the lemon. Leander, if you like, try the raspberry. As for Cari... either one seems fine."

He couldn’t help but laugh when he saw Cari already eating bread topped with both.

The way he stuffed his cheeks while eating with complete focus was cute, just like a hamster.

"Is it good?"

"Mm, nnhh."

He couldn’t tell what Cari was saying, but from that smile, he could tell that Cari was saying it was delicious.

Thinking that it was good to hear that, he gently patted his head and when Qiong Xing tried eating it as well, the lemon’s sourness had been mellowed by simmering it with sugar, giving it sweetness that made it easy to eat, with a refreshing aftertaste that was delicious.

Leander and the others also said it was tasty, and the residents were pleased as well.

"Let’s try making juice tonight."

"Mnhuu?"

Even while chewing away, he seemed very interested.

"It’s easy, so will you help too, Cari?"

"Nnk, let’s make it!"

They finished breakfast while telling each other how good it was.

"I really want to eat food from my previous life."

Bread was delicious, and since his body was young it was fine even if meals with meat continued, but since his mind was that of an old man, he was starting to crave food from his previous life.

There was rice, so he could make plain rice, but what about miso soup and grilled fish?

Fish didn’t seem to be a problem, but there was no miso, which was necessary for miso soup.

Even if he knew how to make it, he lacked the ingredients.

"Is koji something that’s sold?"

He had seen soybeans in town the other day, but what about koji?

Deciding that there was no choice but to go and check, he asked Joa for permission to go out, and was told to take Elias along as a safety measure (actually, a measure against getting lost).

So the two of them headed to town while gathering medicinal herbs along the way before going to the guild.

Since he didn’t come to the guild as often as before, the staff were quite worried, but when he explained that his living situation had changed, they reluctantly accepted it.

Qiong Xing laughed, thinking how kind they were to a mere adventurer, but in truth it was dissatisfaction over losing their source of healing.

With only shopping left to do, they headed to the market.

"Soybeans... and, ah, hello, sir."

It seemed he had come all the way to the edge while searching for koji.

When he greeted the man whose displeased expression he recognized again, the man returned the greeting in his own displeased way.

"You again, looking for something this time too?"

"I’m looking for something called koji. Do you know where I could find it?"

Since it was convenient, he bought soybeans while asking whether he knew about koji and was told quite plainly to go to a liquor shop.

"The only places that’d have that are ones making booze."

That made sense.

He had been searching only with the idea of making miso, but indeed, he had forgotten that koji was also used in making alcohol.

When he asked for a recommended shop, the man introduced one run by an acquaintance, so Qiong Xing thanked him and headed there.

"?"

"......"

After arriving, he spoke to someone who seemed to be a shop clerk, but another problem arose here.

The clerk’s voice was so quiet that he couldn’t hear it.

When Qiong Xing spoke to him, it looked like his mouth was moving, so it seemed he was responding, but his voice was far too soft to make out.

"Um, I heard that you handle koji here. Would it be possible for you to sell me a little?"

"..."

...He couldn’t hear it.

"He’s saying, ’We have it, but who told you?’"

As Qiong Xing hesitated, wondering if he should step a little closer, Elias who is unable to watch any longer, offered help.

"Who told me? Ah, sorry, I don’t know his name. He’s a man who runs a shop near the edge of the market."

Only then did Qiong Xing remember that he had forgotten to ask the man’s name, but perhaps that explanation was enough, because the clerk lifted the face he had been keeping lowered. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

His short brown hair had oddly long bangs that hid his eyes, and whether it was natural or not, his softly curled hair bounced and swayed fluffily every time he moved.

Perhaps because of his line of work, his body was small but well toned, which was something Qiong Xing could only envy.

"...We, have it."

"Hm?"

"Koji... we have it."

He looked somewhat timid and uncertain, but even so, he answered more clearly than before.

"That’s good to hear. Would it be possible for me to purchase some?"

"Y-yes. Um, it’s fine."

After he said that, he then turned his back, likely going to fetch the stock and Qiong Xing watched him go.

He looked like he might trip several times along the way, which made Qiong Xing worry.

Somehow, Qiong Xing smiled, thinking that he might be able to become friends with him.