Tokyo, 1994, starting with medical training

Chapter 42 Charcoal Grilled Pork

Today is December 25th, Christmas Day.

Although Christmas Eve was ruined yesterday due to the blizzard, the snow stopped today, and the festive atmosphere in the city remains strong.

"Kiryu-kun, are you leaving?"

Kenji Tanaka, who was still engrossed in writing medical records, looked in surprise at Kazusuke Kiryu, who had already changed into casual clothes.

"Yes, everything is done."

Kazusuke Kiryu put on a dark black wool coat and wrapped a scarf around his neck.

"I'm so envious..."

Kenji Tanaka looked at the mountain of documents piled up on his desk and let out a lament.

"You should go home early too, it's Christmas today."

"I'd like to too, but Assistant Professor Mizutani asked me to finish organizing this data..."

"Good luck then."

Kiryu Kazusuke patted him on the shoulder, but didn't say anything more.

Saying no is a skill, and also a privilege.

In fact, he had already written the first draft of the paper.

Right after that surgery, he wrote his own notes, which included detailed mechanical diagrams, explanations of the principles, and even a plan for the direction of references.

With a little polishing and the addition of some data, it becomes a first draft of a paper.

want to?

can.

Exchange sincerity for it.

Whether it's money, a position, or some other tangible benefit.

As long as the price is right, there's nothing that can't be negotiated.

I walked out of the hospital building.

The snow on both sides of the street has been cleared to the roadside and piled up into small hills.

The shop windows were filled with colorful lights and Christmas decorations, and the music store was playing Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You".

Although the bubble economy has burst, the business atmosphere remains strong on this day.

People need holidays.

We need a reason to spend, to indulge, and to temporarily forget about the ever-falling stock price and the job we might lose at any moment.

Kiryu Kazusuke walked through the crowd with his hands in his pockets.

Today is indeed a good day.

Not on duty.

No overtime.

I left work at the normal time.

Furthermore, yesterday, Imagawa and Izumi were trapped in the elevator, which triggered a world line convergence, and the system rewarded me with 1 yen.

Although it wasn't much, it was enough to improve a meal.

Although Maebashi is a small place, its pork is of very high quality because it is located near mountains.

In particular, the breed called "Shangzhou Mai Pig" has delicate meat and sweet fat.

He had his eye on a barbecue restaurant deep inside the shopping street for a while.

It is said that the thick-cut pork belly there is exceptional.

I usually can't bear to go, so today is the perfect time to treat myself.

It's not just to celebrate Christmas, but also to celebrate being able to live again.

Kazusuke Kiryu quickened his pace.

He made his way through the bustling crowd, his goal clear.

meat.

A large amount of meat.

The meat was sizzling and dripping with oil.

On this cold winter night, nothing is more comforting than a steaming hot barbecue.

If so, then it's two meals.

……

This is a small shop hidden in the back alley of the shopping street, with red lanterns hanging at the entrance.

Charcoal-grilled pork daifuku

Pushing open the sliding door, a wave of heat mixed with the aroma of barbecue hits you.

The shop was filled with smoke and bustling with noise.

Most of them were salaried workers who had just finished work, loosened their ties, rolled up their sleeves, and drank and ate heartily, releasing the stress of the day.

"Welcome! Just one person?"

The proprietress, wearing a headscarf, greeted us warmly.

Kazusuke Kiryu nodded.

Although eating barbecue alone on a Christmas day seems a bit out of place.

But in this kind of shop full of local flavor, no one would care.

He was seated in a corner of the bar.

In front of me was a small charcoal stove, the iron mesh of which was glowing red from the heat.

"Let's start with a draft beer."

"Two servings of thick-cut pork belly from Shangzhou Mai Pork."

"One serving of beef diaphragm."

"One serving of beef tongue."

"Another large bowl of white rice, and a side of kimchi."

Kiryu Kazusuke ordered everything in one go and closed the menu.

It's so satisfying to order food without looking at the prices.

Soon, the beer arrived first.

Water droplets clung to the walls of the chilled glass, topped with thick white foam.

He raised the glass and gulped down a large mouthful. The icy liquid slid down his throat, taking away all his fatigue.

Comfortable.

Soon, the charcoal stove was brought out, the glowing red charcoal radiating a reassuring heat.

Next came plates of tempting-looking raw meat.

The red and white striped pork belly, the clearly textured beef tongue, and the thick beef diaphragm.

Kiryu Kazusuke picked up a slice and placed it on the grill.

Shila-

As the oil dripped onto the charcoal fire, a small flame rose, and the aroma exploded instantly.

The slices of meat turned from bright red to brown, with the edges slightly charred and curled.

Dip it in the restaurant's secret barbecue sauce, which is made with soy sauce, miso, minced garlic and apple puree, and has a perfect balance of salty and sweet.

Put it in your mouth.

The moment the teeth bite down, the juices burst in the mouth.

The aroma of caramelized fat and the savory flavor of meat combine to create an irresistible sensation.

Take another bite of steaming hot white rice.

"tasty."

Kiryu Kazusuke narrowed his eyes.

This is what it feels like to be alive.

Just as he was about to grill the second piece of meat, the shop door was opened again.

A gust of cold wind blew in, accompanied by the chattering of several women.

"Wow, it smells so good!"

"I told you this place was good! Even though the location is a bit out of the way, the food is absolutely authentic!"

"Since it was recommended by the department head, it must be the right one."

A group of women, about four or five, walked in, still wearing uniforms or dark office suits.

Kazusuke Kiryu glanced at it casually.

Among the group of women, the one at the very back was wearing a dark blue wool coat, a beige scarf around her neck, and carrying a briefcase.

She kept her head down and shrank her body as much as possible, seemingly not wanting to attract anyone's attention.

Isn't this Saionji Mina?

A city hall employee who lives in room 301 next door and has severe violent tendencies and social anxiety.

I never expected to run into you here.

Also.

Today is Christmas and Sunday. For single office ladies who don't have dates, having dinner with colleagues is almost an unavoidable obligation.

If you don't go, you'll be seen as a loner.

This charge is more serious than poor work performance; it's the prelude to being bullied, isolated, and ostracized.

So even if she was unwilling, even if all she wanted was to go home and watch TV in bed, Saionji Mina had to follow the group.

"Hey, there's an empty seat here!"

Leading the way was a woman known as the section chief, who was probably in her thirties and had heavy makeup.

She pointed to the four-seater next to Kiryu Kazusuke.

"Just enough seats."

"Mina-chan, please sit inside."

Saionji Mina was pushed and shoved into a seat against the wall.

It's right across from Kiryu Kazusuke.

The two were separated only by a low wooden partition, and they could make eye contact with each other by simply raising their heads slightly.

So, as soon as Saionji Mina sat down and looked up, she met Kiryu Kazusuke's gaze.

Her eyes widened instantly.

His mouth was slightly open, as if he wanted to say hello, but he held it back.

She glanced at her colleagues around her, then at Kiryu Kazusuke.

Finally, she chose to pretend she didn't know him, quickly lowered her head, and pretended to be studying the menu on the table.

(End of this chapter)