Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 27 - Chapter 4.5

5

“Why, if it isn’t Asuta?! Where in the world have you been hiding all this time?” a booming voice called out from beside a stove as we approached the crowd after Jiza Ruu separated from us. The man was laughing heartily, and there was naturally no mistaking his identity. It was the father of the Rutim clan head, Dan Rutim.

“Oh, Dan Rutim. I was serving people my own cooking at that stove over there. Have you already had some of the food we made with the stone ovens?”

“Indeed! A woman from a branch house brought some over! That rib meat was unbelievably delicious! It hasn’t already run out, has it?”

“No, it hasn’t. I plan to bring out the other half in a little while.”

“Ah, I see! That rib meat was so delicious that I’m gonna have to get one of those stone oven things at our house too!” Dan Rutim remarked with a hearty laugh, and I found myself laughing along with him.

“I heard your leg wasn’t moving right so I was worried. It’s a real relief to see you looking so well, Dan Rutim.”

“Hmm? Yeah, my leg’s not listening to me! Guess I’ll need to use a cane again for the next few days! I’m just glad it’s a break period!” Dan Rutim complained, and then he let slip a satisfied sigh. “Gazraan really has gotten strong. I used to be unstoppable, even in the face of giba, but now my leg’s a real mess! At the next festival of the hunt, Gazraan may well finally beat me!”

“I wish I could have beaten you before your leg was injured, though,” Gazraan Rutim said from behind his father.

When I looked over at him, I let out a surprised sound. “Oh! Ama Min Rutim, long time no see! How are you feeling?”

“It really has been a while, Asuta. I’m glad to see you looking well.” Ama Min Rutim was smiling kindly at us from where she was sitting beside her husband. It definitely had been quite some time since we had last met, and her appearance had changed quite a bit. Her outfit was a full dress, proof that she was wed, and it was really jutting out at the stomach. “Both my child and I are doing quite well. Not long ago, just the smell of meat and fat was unbearable, but that seems to have finally settled down.”

I had learned of her pregnancy back during the violet month last year. It had to have been roughly five whole months since then. I wasn’t exactly knowledgeable about such things, but she must have been heading into the stable stage of her pregnancy.

Though her stomach was definitely bigger, Ama Min Rutim didn’t look any different otherwise, except that her already kind gaze seemed to be overflowing with more warmth and affection than ever before.

“I had some of your cooking too, Asuta, and it was all delicious. Last month, the smell of dried milk melting would have been too much for me.”

“That food will become our child’s flesh and blood,” Gazraan Rutim calmly remarked, gently placing his hand on his wife’s shoulder.

Ama Min Rutim smiled joyfully, but then her eyes opened wide and she said, “Is something the matter, Asuta? Are you feeling unwell?”

“Ah, no. I was just overcome with emotion.” I hurriedly wiped the tears from my cheek with the back of my hand.

Ai Fa seriously furrowed her brow and brought her face close to mine. “I’d say that you simply cry too easily. What in the world were you thinking about?”

“Oh, sorry. I got kinda emotional when I saw the two of them looking so happy. Even more so when I remembered how we first became friends back during their wedding banquet.”

“You are a truly kind man, Asuta,” Ama Min Rutim said with a relaxed smile. “It will still be a few months until our child is born, but I would like to have you hold them when the time comes.”

“Sure thing. I’ll do my best not to make your baby cry.”

With that, Dan Rutim gave another hearty laugh. “If the kid turns out to be a girl, I’d love to have her study cooking under you, Asuta! A kid who’s had your cooking since before birth will definitely turn out to be an amazing chef!”

I couldn’t help but notice Dan Rutim tearing up just a bit as he laughed. He was a really emotional guy, and he had cried a bit during their wedding too.

Raa Rutim and the second Rutim son were also present. Their clan seemed to stick together quite a bit, even at such large banquets. However, there was one member of the main house that I wasn’t able to spot.

“Morun Rutim isn’t with you, huh? I saw her a number of times while I was cooking, though.”

“Yes, I believe Morun is helping Reina Ruu’s group. I think she prepared that whole-roast giba.”

“I see. The folks from the Dom didn’t come along, though.”

“Yeah! They said regardless of how the clan head meeting goes, it wouldn’t do for the Dom to show up at a Ruu banquet! They sure are a stubborn lot!” Dan Rutim said, looking quite amused. “Well, even if the Rutim and Dom do become relatives, the other clans we’re related to won’t be included in that! But still, I don’t see how them showing up at a banquet would cause an issue.”

“The northern clans value the customs of the forest’s edge more than anyone else. I’m just glad that they allowed Morun to stay there.”

It had only been about ten days since the meeting with Gulaf Zaza and the others regarding the matter of Morun Rutim. She had ended up coming back home rather quickly.

“Will Morun Rutim be returning to the northern settlement tomorrow?”

“That she will! If she comes back for festivals of the hunt, wedding banquets, and family members’ birthdays, we’ll still be able to see her around ten times a year! And if we want to see her more, we can always visit her ourselves!”

It was good to see that the whole thing with Morun Rutim hadn’t cast a dark shadow over the Rutim clan. That was unsurprising when it came to Dan and Gazraan Rutim, but everyone else was smiling and chatting away as well.

“I hope your proposal is accepted at the clan head meeting, Gazraan Rutim. At the very least, you have the support of the clans near the Fa.”

“Indeed. The next clan head meeting will be quite hectic, considering that we’ll be discussing marriage, the hunting dogs, and doing business in the post town,” he replied with a relaxed smile.

And then, the second son’s wife returned from the stove carrying two plates.

“Ai Fa, Asuta, you must be hungry, right? Please eat this.”

“Ah, thank you very much.”

It was a dish cooked in tau oil, using giba meat, chatchi, nenon, and onda, and it had a light brown color. It was a rather simple dish for a Ruu clan banquet of late, but it really did look good. When I took a bite, I found myself a bit surprised. Despite the simple ingredients, there was some serious depth to the flavor. It used not only tau oil, but also sugar, fruit wine, and a pinch of myamuu. On top of that, there seemed to be grated gigo in there too. That gave the dish a bit of a viscous feel.

“This is really good. And, how should I put it...? It seems to use some tricks I haven’t seen before.”

Reina and Sheera Ruu tended to ask me to give their dishes a taste test when they were trying out something new. However, I couldn’t recall ever having anything like this.

“That dish was prepared by the Lea and Rutim women. Oh, and a Ririn woman was there too, directing them.”

“A Ririn woman? Was it Uru Lea Ririn, perhaps?”

“Ah, so you knew? That woman seems to be quite skilled when it comes to cooking.”

I could see why Vina Ruu would feel jealous of her. After all, Uru Lea Ririn was apparently skilled enough to prepare a dish that could impress me.

“I can just stay sitting here and have all sorts of dishes delivered to me! Asuta, Ai Fa, why don’t the two of you have a seat as well?” Dan Rutim suggested.

“Ah, no, in half an hour I’ll have to get back to work, so for now, we’ll be walking around to the various stoves ourselves.”

“Well, make sure to come back around before the banquet ends! I haven’t had much of a chance to relax and talk with you two lately!”

I felt a great deal of happiness inside as we headed to the next stove. Those simple stoves were spaced out evenly around the plaza, and they were each offering a number of dishes, so it felt like we were going around to a bunch of different stalls.

At the next place, we found the whole-roast giba. However, all of the meat had already been cut off, and the bones had been stored in jars. It would definitely make the hunting dogs happy to be given those as a treat.

Even the stand for roasting the giba had been taken down, and on top of that stove sat a pot of cream stew, boiling away after being freshly brought out. As it happened, the Ruu clan grandmother, Tito Min Ruu, was the one serving the dish to those who came her way.

“Oh my, Asuta and Ai Fa. Are you finally done with your work?”

“Yeah, I’m taking a little break right now. Weren’t Reina Ruu and Morun Rutim supposed to be here?”

“Once work with the whole-roast giba was done, it became my turn. They’re over there, chatting in the dark.”

I hesitated for a bit, but ultimately accepted a half serving of cream stew before heading in the direction Tito Min Ruu had pointed. Morun Rutim would be leaving again early tomorrow, so I wanted to speak with her a bit now while I had the chance.

They were sitting together in front of a house, outside of the main plaza. As it happened, Sheera Ruu was also there with Reina Ruu and Morun Rutim.

“Good work today, everyone. Mind if we join in?”

“Ah, Asuta and Ai Fa. No, that’s no issue,” Reina Ruu said with a smile after turning in our direction. Apparently, it hadn’t been a serious conversation, so I felt relieved. “We haven’t seen Morun Rutim in a while, so we were just chatting a bit. You two can join in if you’d like.”

“Glad to hear it. Still, why are you talking in the dark like this?”

“Well, we noticed that Morun Rutim had a real serious look on her face for some reason,” she explained, turning back toward the girl from the subordinate clan, who smiled in embarrassment.

“Yes, I suppose I did. I wanted to apologize again for suddenly quitting work at the stalls,” Morun Rutim said.

“That’s nothing to worry about. It’s true that you were a fully trained worker and I’ll miss working alongside you. But what you’re trying to do now could be a major turning point in your life,” Reina Ruu replied.

Morun Rutim had moved to the northern settlement half a month ago. Ever since then, we’d had to have Tsuvai’s mother Oura take her place at work. But even so, the other women were so experienced that we weren’t having any issues.

“You’re doing what you have to, so don’t worry about us and just give it your all. Right, Sheera Ruu?”

“Yes, of course. And if you end up getting permission to marry into the Dom, I promise that our relationship won’t change.”

I hadn’t seen Sheera Ruu either since we had parted ways in Shin Ruu’s kitchen. I had been a bit worried about her, but I was glad to see that she was back to showing her usual kind smile.

It went without saying, but as unmarried women, they were all clad in beautiful banquet attire. Reina Ruu was a looker to begin with, so she was absolutely dazzling now, and Sheera Ruu looked like a lovely spirit from the moon. As for Morun Rutim, she was adorable too. She wore a large number of accessories made from flowers and berries rather than metal, and her dark brown hair was running down her back, done up just at the ends. She was the youngest out of the group, so she had a really innocent appearance.

But even so, she looked a lot more mature than the last time I had seen her. Morun Rutim was a bit plumper than most, with a healthy roundness to her limbs and stomach. Her face was also round like that of an infant, which probably made her look younger than she actually was. And yet, there was a calm composure about her, more so than ever seen from her before.

She had always been as cheerful and bright as the sun, charming in a way that soothed all who saw her, and that remained true. But there was also a clear sense of calm added on top of that now. She reminded me most of all of Mia Lea Ruu, who was in charge of the Ruu women.

“It’s certainly felt lonely since you moved to the northern settlement, Morun Rutim. But I give you my heartfelt blessing to pursue your own happiness,” Sheera Ruu added, causing Morun Rutim to blush.

“But there are over two months left until the clan head meeting, and even if Gazraan’s proposal is accepted, I still don’t know if Deek Dom will want me as his bride.”

“I can’t imagine many men out there would turn you down. You don’t have anything to worry about,” Reina Ruu replied.

“Yeah,” Sheera Ruu agreed. “And I’m really impressed by the bravery you’ve shown. Moving to the northern settlement all on your own is no small thing. It must’ve taken a lot of courage just to open up about having feelings for a man from the north in the first place, I’d say.”

“You’re not wrong. I got a lot of my courage from Sufira Zaza, when I saw what she did because she fell for someone even further out of reach,” Morun Rutim noted with a remarkably mature look in her eyes.

Sheera Ruu gave a little smile that made me think of a moon spirit again. “That makes a lot of sense. You and Sufira Zaza are truly dazzling to me. I’m a real coward compared to the two of you.”

Reina Ruu looked a bit worried about what her cousin had said, but before she could respond, Sheera Ruu continued.

“Well then, I guess we should head back to the plaza. I’m sure everyone else wants to speak with you too, Morun Rutim.”

“Sure.”

With that, we returned to the brilliantly lit plaza, right before Donda Ruu suddenly called out to the crowd once more from atop the stage.

“We’re in the middle of the banquet, but Gazraan Rutim and I have something to tell you all! You can keep eating if you want, but listen to what we have to say!”

Looking in the direction of the stage, I saw that Gazraan Rutim was indeed standing atop it too. As I wondered what was happening, I gestured for Ai Fa to follow me as I headed over there.

“Today is the birthday of our elder! And so, it is also a fitting occasion to discuss this matter! I’d like all of the clan heads under the Ruu to gather here!”

Five men stepped forward: Rau Lea, Giran Ririn, and the heads of the Min, Maam, and Muufa.

“What’s this about? If it’s going to be all stiff and formal, I’d prefer to save it for another day,” Rau Lea said, knowing no fear.

Donda Ruu snorted, “Hmph!” in response. “Unlike you, Gazraan Rutim and I follow basic logic and our customs. Normally, you’d be standing up here with us too, Rau Lea.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Whatever it is, just hurry up and say it.”

Donda Ruu’s shining blue eyes turned toward Gazraan Rutim. The Rutim clan head nodded, then spoke up in a deep and clear voice. “It has not been long since I became the head of the Rutim, but I have come to a decision. And it is one I would like everyone gathered here to listen to. Tsuvai and Oura, come stand before me.”

As the crowd started murmuring, two slender figures—Tsuvai and Oura—stepped forward, placing themselves in front of the ritual flame.

“What’s this all about? I can’t see what we did for you to shame us in public like this,” Tsuvai said, glaring up at Gazraan Rutim and hugging Oura’s arm tightly. However, Gazraan Rutim smiled gently at her in response.

“Oura, Tsuvai... As your clan head, I, Gazraan Rutim, wish to grant you the Rutim name.”

Oura froze in place, as if she had been struck by lightning. Tsuvai looked like she was trying to shout something, but her mouth could only flap open and shut as she was left at a loss for words. The murmuring coming from all around us was growing louder now.

Then Donda Ruu shouted out, “Mida of the Ruu clan, step forward beside Oura and Tsuvai!”

A massive figure then approached from somewhere in the crowd. Mida stared up at Donda Ruu, holding two plates of food in his hands.

“As your clan head, I, Donda Ruu, wish to grant you the Ruu name.”

“Huh?” Mida looked around in confusion.

As he glanced over at the three of them, Rau Lea said, “I see. So that’s what it was. Donda Ruu, Gazraan Rutim, you guys really made this into a whole thing, huh?”

“Silence. You’re the one who was thoughtless enough to grant a clan name the very day a new member joined you.”

Naturally, he was referring to Yamiru Lea.

Rau Lea just casually shrugged in response, so Donda Ruu continued.

“Today, Mida succeeded in becoming one of our top eight for the third time! And I am told Tsuvai and Oura have been living proper lives at the Rutim settlement! Roughly three hundred and thirty days have passed since we welcomed them in as members of our clans. Gazraan Rutim and I believe that is enough time to take their measure! And so, we ask all of you in our extended family for your approval as well!”

At that, an even louder cheer erupted than the one at the start of the banquet.

Quite a few people around me and Ai Fa were lifting bottles of fruit wine up into the air. It took me a moment to come back to my senses, but then I started heartily applauding.

“They and Yamiru Lea still seem to show affection for one another as relatives. However, the Ruu, Rutim, and Lea are all related, so they undeniably share blood ties once again! Accept these clan names, as proof that you have finally shed the ill bonds created by the Suun!” Donda Ruu shouted loudly enough to be heard over the cheers from the plaza. “From today on, you are Mida Ruu, Oura Rutim, and Tsuvai Rutim! Step forward onto this stage, and receive your blessing from our elder Jiba!”

The three of them timidly stepped up atop the stage. Gazraan Rutim accepted Mida’s plates, and then they each knelt in front of Granny Jiba in turn. It seemed the Ruu elder was offering them some sort of blessing, but I couldn’t properly make out what she was saying, with everyone around us still cheering loudly.

Amid all that, Ai Fa leaned in close to my ear.

“Asuta, I told you not to shed tears so easily, did I not?”

“Yeah, sorry. But I can’t help it at a time like this.”

“I really don’t understand you.”

After a few moments of hesitation, Ai Fa wiped the tears from one of my cheeks with her finger. I instantly felt bashful, so I wiped my other cheek myself with the back of my hand. However, my vision remained blurry even so. But with my blurry vision, I saw Mida and the others turning toward us. What were they feeling inside as they looked out at the crowd? I had no way of knowing, but they were undoubtedly even more moved than I was.