Unrequited Love for Karaage

Potato starch is the best!

Well, I really want to eat soy-marinated karaage for a change.

Who do you think is the one doing the cooking?

...P-please, I'd love some tatsuta-age.

I, Naru, have been living with Mitsuki for three months now. From the moment we started dating, our hobbies, tastes, and lifestyles matched perfectly, and I thought I had found my ideal partner.

That's why moving in together was such an easy decision, but then this problem came to light.

Deep-fried chicken means tatsuta-age, and nothing else. Anything else is heresy.

I was stunned by Mitsuki's unexpected obsession. Back at my parents' house, far away, chicken meant soy-marinated karaage, and it was my favorite dish. However, my cooking skills are so clumsy that even my mother and my sister, Kumi, have given up on me, so I have no choice but to follow Mitsuki's lead here.

Admittedly, Mitsuki's tatsuta-age is delicious. It's a flavor that could rival any local diner.

But it's just not the same. The richness of the soy sauce in that batter is what makes my cheeks drop.

So, one day, I put a certain plan into action. The day before the menu was set for tatsuta-age, I hid the potato starch. It takes 15 minutes by bike to get to the supermarket. I figured she wouldn't go through all that trouble just to make tatsuta-age.

Today, I'll surely be able to eat karaage. With a light step, I hurried home to our apartment.

I'm home!

Welcome back, Naru.

The moment I entered the room, an unexpected smell of vinegar hit my nose. Why? How?

Listen to this! I was going to make tatsuta-age, but I completely forgot to buy potato starch! I mean, what is even going on, right? I had no choice but to use the ponzu I had on hand to make simmered chicken in ponzu sauce. I'm so glad I had that ponzu.

No, 'what is even going on' is what I should be saying.

If you're preparing for tatsuta-age and you're out of potato starch, obviously you make karaage, right? Why simmered chicken!? I, who had come home completely craving karaage, laughed to hide my agitation and said.

That was a disaster, but what quick thinking! Kurage.

It seems it will be a while before I can taste the 'Kurage Special Fried Chicken' I've been dreaming about. Oh, woe is me.

(End)

#UnrequitedLoveLiteratureClub
#PotatoStarchLiteratureClub
#WhatAreYouTalkingAbout

I am applying to Naru-san's project in the back alley.
You can't complain about this now, right? (lol)