There are two schools of thought on whether to add eggs or rice first when making fried rice.
If you can't control the heat and timing well, then pour the beaten eggs in first, followed by the rice to stir-fry together.
The advantage? Simple and easy.
The downside? The eggs end up uneven and clumpy.
The more advanced frying method is to cook the rice first, then adjust the speed of egg-pouring so the rice and eggs blend seamlessly.
The downside? It's tricky and tedious.
The upside? Perfect integration—every plump grain of rice bursting with flavor!
In the Kitchen
Tohru stared at the golden fried rice finally laid out before her, her face a picture of awe.
And once the aroma hit her—
Her stomach wouldn't stop growling!
Yuzuki smiled and clapped his hands. "You carry this out. I'll grab the bowls and chopsticks. Let's eat outside."
Tohru nodded eagerly.
Then, hoisting a wooden basin the size of a truck tire, she marched straight outside.
Meanwhile, Yuzuki collected the bowls and chopsticks and followed.
By the time he joined her, Tohru was already fidgeting.
Staring at golden fried rice but not being able to eat it? That was torture!
Clink—
Yuzuki set down the bowls and chopsticks, then pulled out packets of pickled mustard greens and chili sauce.
"These make it even better. Try them."
"That's amazing!" Tohru cheered. "I'm digging in!"
She grabbed her bowl and chopsticks, scooped up a heap of golden fried rice, and took her first bite.
And then—
"OH!!!"
Her eyes widened, cheeks puffing as she chewed.
After swallowing, she exclaimed, "So delicious!"
Yuzuki opened the pickled greens and chili sauce, handing her half. "Try this."
Tohru took another bite and immediately ate even more enthusiastically!
For a while,
faced with a mountain of golden fried rice,
Tohru activated excavator mode and devoured it wildly!
Yuzuki ate beside her, two bowls being his limit.
Tohru's cheeks kept bulging like a hamster's, her chopsticks moving nonstop.
Between bites, she kept exclaiming how delicious it was, how happy she felt.
Tears even welled in the corners of her eyes, her face glowing with joy.
Yuzuki felt the same after a few bites.
The first mouthful sent warmth flooding through him like trudging home through snow, pushing open the door to a crackling fireplace, the heat enveloping him, knowing a hot stew waited. Finally shedding his coat, curling up in bed, and savoring rich broth.
He could taste the meat stock filling his mouth.
As it slid down his throat, it warmed his entire stomach.
Pure bliss.
Yuzuki finished two full bowls.
Meanwhile, Tohru beside him couldn't stop showing off.
The golden fried rice mountain was excavated at a speed that would shame construction equipment.
Soon,
the pile was gone.
Not a single grain remained in the wooden basin spotless.
Tohru slumped in her chair, teary-eyed, utterly content.
"This is happiness~~~"
Yuzuki nodded, satisfied.
The golden fried rice's effect was excellent. He was pleased.
His culinary skill made food tastier, irresistible to all creatures.
And the golden fried rice recipe added another layer something beyond mere flavor.
Happiness.
Something no amount of deliciousness alone could achieve.
Aftermath
"How do you feel, Tohru?" Yuzuki handed her a glass of ice water.
Tohru wiped her tears and nodded vigorously.
"Happy! So delicious! I've never eaten anything this good before! Yuzuki-san, you're amazing!"
"Thanks for the praise." Yuzuki smiled.
Tohru basked in the moment, then downed her water.
Suddenly, she sprang up, rolling up her sleeves.
"Now, let's wash the dishes!"
"…?" Yuzuki blinked.
"What's wrong?" Tohru gathered their bowls and chopsticks, eyeing the kitchen sink. "Isn't this part of my job?"
"Ah… yeah." Yuzuki nodded.
He was getting a new impression of Tohru's boundless energy.
She was enthusiastic cheerful, lively, and full of vigor!
"Keep up the good work."
"Leave it to me~!"
Under Yuzuki's watch,
Tohru hauled the giant basin back to the kitchen.
Yuzuki lingered at the doorway, observing.
First, Tohru briskly scrubbed the bowls and chopsticks, poured dish soap, then wiped the counter.
Finally, after confirming everything was ready, she raised a hand
Whoosh
In an instant,
the entire kitchen was spotless. All dishes, clean.
Yuzuki: "…"
He was stunned.
So all that scrubbing and pot-scouring before…
Had just been for diligence's sake?
But the mood afterward was pure relaxation + joy!
Kobayashi's Dragon Maid truly incredible!
No more dishwashing for him!
From now on, he only needed to cook nothing else!
The dark days were over!
"Tohru, you're amazing!" Yuzuki gave her a thumbs-up. "Was that magic?"
"Yes, cleaning magic." Tohru turned to explain.
"The earlier wiping was to mark the cleaning range. Otherwise, the spell might vanish necessary items too."
"Once confirmed, a little magic handles the rest!"
Yuzuki wholeheartedly agreed: "Incredible."
It was incredible.
Now, Tohru was his employee.
Once they signed a contract, he could even learn her spells!
Yuzuki checked his system:
[ External Staff: Tohru the Dragon ]
Beneath it, Tohru's status and location were displayed.
Unnoticed by Yuzuki, Tohru's condition still showed "weak." She must've hidden it to avoid worrying him.
So her earlier hunger had truly weakened her.
Seeing this, Yuzuki nodded and turned back to Tohru.
"Come, Tohru. I'll show you the other rooms and where you'll be staying from now on."
Tohru lit up instantly.