#741 Curry Overtime: The Clash of Powers

Several days have passed since we initiated the curry-making endeavor on our farm, and a small dispute has broken out.

“Today’s meal is curry!” 

“No, it has to be ramen!!!”

Platy and Veil are at odds with each other.

The bone of contention, it seems, is tonight’s menu.

“The illustrious dish, curry! Now that we have mastered its preparation, it should be the staple at the farm! Every day is Curry Day!”

“We can’t possibly consume curry day in, day out; we’d get tired of it! On the other hand, ramen boasts many flavors—pork, miso, soy sauce, and salt. We could simply rotate these and vary the shape of the noodles and toppings. It’s endlessly versatile, so we’d never tire of it, even if consumed daily!!!”

“But what about the myriad possibilities with curry?! Switching the primary meat to pork, beef, or chicken transforms the dish! The options for toppings are unlimited! We can even try adding natto if we want!”

“Don’t just arbitrarily bring natto into the equation!!!”

And so, their disagreement spirals around this theme.

Seeing the long-anticipated curry come to fruition has spurred Platy’s desire for it to soaring heights.

She has developed an insatiable appetite for curry and desires to relish it at any given moment, under any circumstances.

Platy’s aim is to indulge in curry three times a day, much akin to Yellow of the Super Sentai team.

...I wonder if recent Yellow Sentai characters share an affinity for curry.

Meanwhile, Veil is a self-proclaimed devotee of gluten.

Her journey began with baking bread, and for some inexplicable reason, she ventured into creating dishes derived from wheat. Now, she’s even established her ramen stall (though it’s more of a makeshift cart) and has evolved into a culinary craftsman.

The curry-loving Platy disrupted her constant efforts to feed our cherished Junior with her ramen, sparking a battle over whether Junior should be served curry or ramen.

Platy may believe she holds the upper hand as Junior’s biological mother, but Veil, too, showers Junior with adoration since his birth, creating a deadlock that isn’t easily resolved.

Are humans intrinsically bound to conflict? 

The ones fighting are a mermaid and a dragon, though.

It seems all beings are inevitably entangled in the struggle of life.

“It’s curry! I plan on serving Junior a curry teeming with succulent shrimp!”

“No, it’s ramen!!! I’ve prepared a rich broth infused with oyster essence and a supplementary extract!!!”

I wish they would consider a more balanced and nutritious diet for our toddler, Junior, to foster his healthy growth...!

But children seem to have a fondness for curry and ramen, don’t they?

“I love chicken stew with veggiesss.”

However, our Junior doesn’t seem to share the same concerns.

He has already developed a liking for flavors that kids usually shun.

“...Veil, it seems we need to settle this once and for all. We’ve shared many years together, but our bond ends today!”

“Hmph, such audacity from a mortal. Do you really think you can compete with me, the superior species, especially when you’re just a mere mermaid?”

“How long will you continue to brandish your so-called supremacy? You might have forgotten since I haven’t had a chance to use it, but my mother taught me solmization magic, which is enough to compete with dragons, you know?”

“Let’s see if you can back up those big words!”

“Just you wait; I’ll make sure you no longer hold the false title of the strongest on this farm!!!”

Woah, woah, woah!

Are these two actually about to lock horns?!

If that happens, it won’t just be this vicinity, but the entire continent could be at risk.

Veil indeed wields formidable power, but as Platy claims, she is also among the world’s strongest beings. If they clash, it won’t be a minor skirmish, and the collateral damage will proliferate like a raging inferno!

“No! Stop it, you two!”

I had to intervene, as I couldn’t just stand by and watch.

“Dear?!”

“Master?!”

That was a close call.

Veil had already transformed back into her dragon form. Yikes.

“Enough, both of you! How do you think Junior will feel seeing you argue like this?!” 

“Urk.” “Well, that’s...!”

They both faltered when Junior, whom they couldn’t bear to upset, was mentioned.

Junior’s existence seems to be a deterrent against fights. 

Is this the essence of the saying, “Children keep marriages together”? 

“I love buri-daikonnn.”

The very Junior we were talking about is casually enjoying his meal...!

“We can’t let a child witness such a squabble! As adults, shouldn’t we model behavior that showcases harmony and cooperation? Isn’t that our duty as adults?” 

“Cold soup, yummm.” 

“We shouldn’t be arguing like this in front of Junior’s beloved mother and everyone else!” 

“Dozeu soup, delicious.”

Junior...

Can’t you at least pretend to be moved by Daddy’s heartfelt speech?

Fortunately, however, my message has resonated with Platy and Veil.

“You’re right... We shouldn’t be hating each other, especially since we’re Junior’s and Norito’s family...” 

“Master always knows exactly what to say at the right time.”

My reputation has improved once more.

“But then, what should we do...? I still want Junior to eat curry...”

“One main dish per meal. If one doesn’t budge, the other can’t either. We’re at a stalemate.”

Why not make a curry ramen set? 

It seems like a combo you’d find in a ramen shop. But perhaps that’s too much for Junior’s still-small stomach to handle.

“Mackerel miso, mmm.”

And considering how much Junior has been eating, I doubt he has much capacity left...!

No, in that case... I must use my wisdom to fulfill Platy and Veil’s wishes. 

I don’t want anyone at my farm to be unhappy!

“I propose a fusion of curry and noodles!”

Reveal yourself, the bridge between Platy and Viel’s dreams...

Curry udon!

“What?!”

“Curry and udon combined! Is that even possibleeeeeee?!”

Curry udon, combining the desires for curry and noodles, promises to resolve the conflict!!!

The puzzle has been solved!

“As expected of Master! He never fails to swiftly resolve any problem!” 

“And that’s not all! With this, a new genre of noodles has been established! The vast world of ramen now includes the land of curry!!!”

Well, technically, it’s udon, not ramen. 

I did anticipate objections from Veil, who has been stubbornly fixated on ramen, but in the end, they’re all just noodles.

For Veil, the noodle enthusiast, all noodle types are brothers. 

However, 100% buckwheat noodles are not acceptable.

So, a bit of change seems to be within the acceptable range.

“Dear, you’re amazing! I’ve fallen for you all over again!” 

“You should be the first to taste this curry udon, Master! A fusion of curry and noodles Platy and I worked hard to make!!!”

And so, they push the curry udon toward me.

They want me, the creator, to taste it.

Well, that’s fine. I know curry udon is delicious. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made it. 

And since I made it myself, I know it turned out well.

But, umm...! 

The clothes I’m wearing today are all white...!

“Come on, Master, eat up! Eat the curry udon, the symbol of Veil and my reconciliation!” 

“You deserve to eat it!!!”

The pair, now united in heart, strongly urges me to take a bite!

But wait! Depending on how it’s eaten, curry udon can be a disaster waiting to happen!

When you slurp it, the noodles swish everywhere! If the splashing curry broth gets on your clothes, it’s nearly impossible to scrub off!

White clothes, which easily show stains, are the worst match for curry udon.

Wait a minute!

Can’t I at least change into some black clothes where the curry stains won’t stand out?!

Or maybe I could wear a paper apron! What?! We’re not at a BBQ restaurant, so we don’t have anything like that?! Damn it!

“Come on, Master, dig in!” 

“Please taste our creation, made with friendship and love! Go on; don’t be shy!”

I can’t refuse when they’re urging me so passionately.

I have to steel myself and eat.

It’s okay. All I have to do is ensure the noodles don’t swish around.

I carefully move my chopsticks, paying extra attention to slurping this rebellious, easily agitated noodle...

Slurrrrp...

Splat.

Ah.