NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 109.1
Sautéed Yam With Butter And Soy Sauce As Snacks
Yuuri, working alone, was peeling yam skins with a peeler, the crisp sound filling the kitchen. He didn’t seem to mind being the only one there, focused solely on peeling. The reason Yuuri was doing this solo was simple: it was after dinner, a time when everyone else had finished eating and cleaning up. The rest were relaxing—some in their rooms, others in the bath, or lounging in the living room.
Yet, Yuuri remained in the kitchen, preparing a snack.
Not because anyone had asked him to. Not even a hint. He simply decided to make something to share.
The reason? Some of the members had been on a mission, unable to join dinner, and had eaten out instead. They seemed a bit down about it. While Yuuri personally thought eating out was fine, his clan members apparently didn’t feel settled unless they ate his cooking. It wasn’t that his meals were particularly extravagant or especially delicious. They just said things like, “It makes me feel at home” or “It’s comforting.” Classic homestyle cooking vibes.
Tonight’s menu: sautéed yam with butter and soy sauce. A dish that works both as a side and as a snack for drinking. If they ended up asking for bread or rice to go with it, he’d prepare a modest amount. Yuuri was soft-hearted when it came to people who genuinely appreciated his cooking.
“…Will half a yam be enough?”
Yuuri muttered to himself, eyeing the crowd drinking in the dining area. Notably, none of the quiet, sophisticated drinkers were present.
Lelei, gulping ale from a mug larger than her head, was the loudest of them all. Despite her delicate appearance, she could drink double digits worth of ale without getting drunk.
“Don’t say that—I’ll want some too,” grumbled Kurresh, sipping a low-alcohol drink while lightly chopping Lelei on the head. His liver wasn’t strong, so he stuck to his limit. Occasionally, though, the heavier drinkers would drag him into their pace, leaving him hungover the next day.
“I…want some too,” sulked Barloi, a frequent visitor to their hideout, holding an even larger mug than Lelei’s. His drink? Straight, high-proof alcohol. His robust wolf-beastman body could handle it without issue.
“You’re all noisy,” said Archette, lightly whacking everyone on the head while sipping wine from a tiny glass. She wasn’t there to drink but to keep an eye on Barloi. Her comebacks were sharp as ever. For Lelei and Kurresh, her taps made a light patsound, but when it was Barloi, it landed with a whack.
The group assumed Yuuri was prepping for tomorrow’s breakfast, unaware of his actual plan. Oblivious to their misunderstanding, Yuuri worked at his usual pace.
After glancing at the lively bunch, Yuuri reached for the other half of the yam. It was clear that just half wouldn’t be enough, mainly because Lelei and Barloi looked likely to devour it all, leaving Kurresh with nothing. Archette probably wouldn’t complain, but she might steal some from Barloi.
“Well, as long as they enjoy it.”
Yuuri sliced the peeled yam into neat strips with practiced hands. The rhythmic sound of cutting went unnoticed by the boisterous group. They had everything they needed—alcohol, pitchers of water, and snacks like nuts and crackers—but those weren’t satisfying. Cries of “Yuuri’s cooking!” could still be heard now and then.
While ignoring their antics, Yuuri heated a frying pan, added butter, and let it melt. When the butter started sizzling, he tossed in the yam and stirred it around. The rich aroma of butter filled the air. This didn’t go unnoticed by the group, who simultaneously turned toward the kitchen, but Yuuri paid them no mind.
Since yam can be eaten raw, he cooked it only until it had a light golden crust. Overcooking would burn the butter, which would be disastrous. He finished with a drizzle of soy sauce, quickly mixing it to coat the yam evenly. The savory aroma of soy sauce and butter wafted through the kitchen, making Yuuri’s stomach growl slightly.
Once done, he plated the dish onto a large platter, sprinkling it with dried parsley for color. Fresh toppings like green onions or radish sprouts would’ve been nice, but the fridge was empty of those.
Yuuri tasted a small piece to check the flavor. Perfect. The yam was tender and coated in the savory butter-soy glaze. At home, it served as both a side dish and a snack for drinks, so it should suit their tastes just fine.
“All right, snacks are ready!”
“Yuuri!?”
The group, drawn by the delicious smell, cried out in unison as Yuuri appeared with the platter. “Hang on,” he said with a smile, grabbing small plates and forks for everyone. Forks were easier for handling the slippery yam, even if Yuuri preferred chopsticks.
The group froze at first, staring at the plates and forks handed to them, but quickly recovered. Lelei and Barloi, spurred by the enticing aroma, were the first to move.
“Let’s eat!”
“Yes, let’s!”