A light shining in from somewhere pulls my consciousness out of its slumber.

　When I open my eyes, the light seems to be coming in through the shoji screens.

　Then I look at the angle of the light hitting the shoji and realize that the sun has long since risen.

　I realized that I was much later than my usual wake-up time.

　My dazed consciousness quickly dawned on me, and I felt a rush of frustration.

'Not good!　We have to get to the castle quickly, my men........!

　With that thought, he stood up vigorously and was about to pick up the sword given to him by the general, when he realized it was nowhere to be found in the room.

　With that, the memories of yesterday came flooding back.

'Ah, that was it. I had already quit as a swordsman...''

　I feel like I can't really feel that I've quit being a swordsman, but the loss of the sword in my possession seemed to tell me that I've quit.

　He didn't have to go to the castle early in the morning anymore. No more having to practice, no more taking care of subordinates, no more cumbersome paperwork, no more having to deal with bosses you don't like.

　The thought of that made my heart feel so much better.

I thought about falling asleep with all my might today, but it would be a shame to fall asleep in such a refreshing mood. Shall I go to work on making a bowl of eel and rice today?

　I didn't get much done yesterday because I didn't have time to do anything because I was explaining things to my staff and saying hello to people who have helped me a lot.

　From today, it's time to make eel bowl.

　Once I've decided to do so, I have to act immediately.

　I took off my pajamas and took out my clothes in my dresser.

　However, all you find are kagura clothes with the shogun's family crest on them. I'm not qualified to wear these now that I've quit my job as a swordsman. I don't like the fact that I look like I'm going to work when I'm wearing these, even if I use them as plain clothes.

　It's not a problem if the clothes have the Inaba family crest on them, but the family members are likely to nag me about it.

　After a moment's consideration, I decide to put on my Kagura clothes for going out without the family crest on them.

　After I finish dressing, I leave the bedroom, put on my clogs and go out into the garden.

　The Inaba family's mansion in the morning is very prestigious, and the garden is very beautiful.

　Brightly colored carp swim gracefully through the clean water.

　It was surrounded by stones, and lanterns and pavilions were built in the center of the garden.

　It looked three-dimensional from every angle, and the overall balance was extremely beautiful.

''It's ... beautiful.''

　I've lived in the mansion for over twenty years and I can't believe I'm thinking about that now.

　I laugh at myself for being so strange.

　Taking another look at the view of the garden, I go to the well set up in the garden.

　I throw the tub in and hear it sink into the water, so I use the rope to pull it up.

　Even though magic tools are used in inns and other places now, our family doesn't like them and they are not allowed to use them. It would be better to use something useful than to act on a boring old idea.

　I don't deny that tools that make people feel comfortable are bad, but it's just a matter of having fun and putting the shortened time into our own training.

　The point is that it's a matter of each person's mind, and shouldn't be forced on everyone.

　What a thought, I pull up the tub and wash my face with water.

　Washing my face with the cold water left me feeling very refreshed and my slight sleepiness and frustration with the house dissipated.

　As I was brushing my wet bangs, a towel was quickly offered to me.

　The one who came in front of me is my sister, Kaede.

　The last thing I wanted to see was Kaede complaining about me before I quit my job.

　You can find a number of different types of shoes that you can use.

''What's the matter, brother?''

"Oh, thank you, Kaede.

　I accept a towel from my sister, Kaede, and wipe my face.

　I thought Kaede would blame me for quitting, but I don't have the slightest hint of that vibe.

　Or rather, was it something good?

　Kaede usually has a stern look on her face, but today she is very soft.

　Yesterday, Mother was also strangely kind to me, even pushing me to quit.

　I'm not sure if this means that your mother and Kaede are wholeheartedly supporting me in completing my unadorned bowl of rice.

　I've been told to be strict with them on a regular basis, so it's a glorious feeling to be supported so gently.

''You are very slow today. Are you off-duty from the way you look?''

Off duty?　Haha, speaking of off-duty, it's off-duty. Except, unlike the normal ones, it's off forever!

Yes?　What the hell does it mean to be off forever?

　When I'm making such a joke to match Kaede, she asks me why I'm making such a joke to question her.

''Hm?　No matter what you say, I've quit being a swordsman. What do you call this, if you don't call it an eternal break?

'What?　What?

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with the help of a few of your friends. But I don't have that sword near my waist.

''Ah, brother, where is the sword given to you by Tsuyoshi-sama?''

I gave it back to Master Tsuyoshi yesterday.

'Huh!　Brother, there are things you can say and things you can't say, even in jest!

　When I tell her that once and for all, Kaede says it with a serious look on her face.

　Yeah?　Maybe this guy doesn't know that I quit being a swordsman?

What's all the fuss about this morning?

　As I was thinking about this, I heard a reproachful voice from your mother in the corridor of the mansion.

''I'm sorry, my brother returned the sword given to him by the Shogun, and I wanted to scold him for lying about quitting his job--''

I'm not lying, sir.

What?

　Hearing Mother's quiet words, Kaede raises her voice in a dumbfounded voice.

　Ah, apparently Kaede didn't know. No wonder she didn't complain last night or even now.

''It's a lie, right?　Your mother would never approve of such a thing...

No, I admit it.

..........

　Kaede cringes at Mother's words that fall again.

　Mother does not have the character to lie about such things. Kaede is fully aware of this.

　He finally accepted it as fact.

'Why, brother!

"I wanted to quit being a swordsman and make a new career for myself.

'A new way!　A life of hiding in a mansion and eating and sleeping?

'I've said that before, but that's definitely not true, Kaede.

　I certainly remember saying such things in the past, but I didn't think I'd still remember those words.

　Mother, Kaede, and the other women are the ones who remember things from the past.

'I've found something I want to do more of now.

So what is this new path your brother is pursuing, even if it means giving up being a swordsman?

　I say to Kaede, who gives me a serious look, without averting my gaze.

'The idea is to make a delicious unadoncells bowl. And then open a store to spread the word.

Eel bowl?　Does opening a restaurant mean you're going to be a chef?

'I'm only trying to cook eels, but it wouldn't be wrong to say I'm a chef.

　Even if it's just eel cooking, that's still a great cook.

　It's strange because when I say that, it sounds pretty cool.

　When I was immersed in a faint sense of satisfaction, Kaede let out a snort as if she was dumbfounded.

''It's impossible for your brother, who has nothing but a sword as his only merit and a lack of initiative, to do such a thing.

　d*mn, that's my sister. She hits a sore spot in my heart. Or rather, her words are relentless.

'It's true that I used to be a man who was easily influenced, but now I'm not!　I was changed by meeting an irreplaceable friend. I'm going to make and spread the word about unadorned rice bowls. I'm going to do what I want to do, what I set out to do!

　Kaede looked surprised when I spoke back strongly, but her face quickly turned stern.

''By and large, what can your brother, who can only cook a simple meal, do?　To begin with, the foodstuff we handle is eel, right?　There is no way customers will come to you if you cook and serve those muddy, unpalatable ingredients. Pointless.
"Yes.

　As expected of me, even I, an open-minded person, was pissed off by Kaede's words just now.

''How can you say that when you've never even eaten an eel bowl!

'Eels don't even taste good!　I don't need to eat it to know!

　I say that, but Kaede cuts it off head on.

　Ei, when did this sister become so much less cute?

　She used to be the guy who followed me around and said she would marry your brother in the future.

''-- You two need to calm down.''

　As Kaede and I are glaring at each other, Momma raises her voice of stillness.

　It's not that she's angry, but just hearing her mother's voice naturally makes me stand tall.

'Kaede, if you're going to complain, you should first try Kojiro's eel bowl before you say anything. At least the eel dish Kojirou makes is different from anything you've ever made before, right?

'I never thought my mother would say that...'

　That's what happens when you eat unadon. That's how good unadon is.

Kojiro. Kojiro, prepare enough unadon for the number of people.

I understand.

　Hmm?　Didn't you just say "enough for everyone"?　Does this mean that my mother was going to eat it too?

　As I was wondering if that was the case, she walked away thinking her business was over.