After purchasing the supplies, Natsuki Subaru and Rem, their moods gradually calming, strolled on their way back.
As they passed a familiar corner, a stall decorated with various fruits came into view.
Suddenly, a loud voice called out:
"Yo, little bro! Long time no see! You've brought a different girl today, quite capable, huh!"
"Ah... so it's you, Uncle." Natsuki Subaru said, slightly annoyed after turning to see who it was, "Please, don't say things that are so easily misunderstood, okay?"
Standing before them was none other than the fruit stall owner, Kadomon.
He was a sturdily built, martial-arts-type merchant with a scar on his face and a head of green hair that couldn't help but bring the term "forgiveness color" to mind.
Although he looked exceptionally fierce, those familiar with him knew he was a good husband and father who doted on his wife and daughter.
Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but recall that this fruit stall owner was the first person he met after transmigrating to this other world.
Although Kadomon's initial attitude wasn't very friendly, after he and Emilia helped his lost daughter, Kadomon had also provided important information about Felt.
Speaking of which, in the original story's timeline, this place was Natsuki Subaru's most frequent save point, and also a place of lingering shadows.
Thinking of this, Natsuki Subaru sighed inwardly:
Still, I've cleared it in one life this time, so none of that matters anymore.
"Haha... What misunderstanding?" Fruit stall owner Kadomon placed his hands on his hips, his hearty laughter exceptionally loud in the bustling market.
The prominent scar on his face softened with his smile, actually making him seem a bit more amiable.
"It's just that you've brought a different girl than last time, isn't it?"
"Seriously, Uncle, your memory is surprisingly good. It's been almost a month, and you still remember so clearly."
Knowing Kadomon was talking about Emilia, Natsuki Subaru raised an eyebrow at him.
"Oh, a businessman has to have a good memory." Kadomon said, stroking the stubble on his chin proudly, then suddenly showed a puzzled expression, his brow furrowing.
"But speaking of which, that girl from last time, I can't quite recall her appearance... I clearly remember the faces of other customers..."
"I take back what I just said, Uncle's memory isn't that great after all."
Natsuki Subaru said this, but he already understood in his heart.
It was no wonder, after all, Emilia was wearing a Recognition Obstruction Robe that day. With that level of magical item, ordinary people simply couldn't remember the wearer's appearance.
"Hmm... Although I don't remember clearly, I have the impression she was a girl with a very faint presence." Kadomon said, stroking his chin, the muscle lines on his thick arms distinct.
He then shifted his gaze to Rem, who was wearing a qipao,
"In comparison, this young lady is more dazzling. This outfit makes her look as radiant as those noble ladies."
"Hey hey, Uncle, what you're saying isn't right. Emilia is clearly a super beautiful girl too..." Natsuki Subaru rolled his eyes at Kadomon, but his gaze was unconsciously drawn to Rem beside him.
"Of course, Rem today is indeed so beautiful it's hard to look away."
You know, Emilia was a half-elf with silver hair and purple eyes, her peerless beauty and innocent temperament a natural blend.
However, Rem's qipao attire today was also too much of a rule-breaker.
That feeling of purity mixed with a little sexiness.
The two had completely different styles; there was simply no way to compare them.
"Oh, little bro, don't be so serious." Kadomon laughed heartily, "Aren't I just praising your current female companion!"
"Thank you for your compliment." Rem looked at Kadomon and curtsied slightly, "However, Lady Emilia is indeed very beautiful."
"Young lady, take my advice." Kadomon looked at Rem and lowered his voice, "It's better to dump this fierce-eyed kid sooner rather than later, or you'll suffer in the future."
"Subaru isn't fierce at all." Rem covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, her blue eyes curving into crescents, "He is the gentlest person in the world."
"Rem, this is Uncle Kadomon from the fruit stall." Hearing Kadomon tease him like this, Natsuki Subaru deliberately raised his voice and introduced him to Rem,
"Don't mind his fierce appearance; he's actually a good man who works hard at this fruit stall every day for his lovely daughter and beautiful wife."
After saying that, Natsuki Subaru even winked at Kadomon, a sly smile on his face.
"Sorry, Uncle, I'm just a person who likes to tell the truth. Please don't take it to heart."
Who asked you to tease me just now.
Natsuki Subaru added silently in his heart.
"I'll definitely take it to heart!" Kadomon crossed his thick arms, responding in a gruff voice, "Rather, I pay extra attention to what you say, kid. If you hadn't praised my daughter and wife, I would have dealt with you on the spot."
"Don't be angry, Uncle, I was just joking. But, speaking of which..." At this moment, Natsuki Subaru suddenly noticed the mountain of apples at the stall, "Uncle, how's business lately? Why does it feel like there are even more apples than last time?"
"Sigh..." Kadomon sighed helplessly, a rare look of worry on his rugged face.
"How should I put it... It's a bit troubling. Business is getting harder and harder these days, and a few more fruit shops have opened in the Royal Capital."
"Although Uncle already looks fierce enough." Looking at Kadomon's sturdy build and the conspicuous scar on his face, Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but complain,
"But you look especially scary today. Is it because business is bad? You haven't even trimmed your beard."
"How could that be! My wife really approves of my looks; she always says I look very manly like this..." As he spoke, Kadomon somewhat troubledly scratched his messy green hair.
"I was originally thinking of taking advantage of the high foot traffic in the Royal Capital during the Royal Selection period and specially ordered a large batch of apples. Now there are still five boxes left that I can't sell. If I can't sell them soon, these apples will spoil."
"I see..."
Natsuki Subaru nodded thoughtfully, his gaze sweeping over the pile of apples at the stall.
It seems the ordinary citizens of the kingdom are paying extra attention to the Royal Selection.
After all, Lugnica's Royal Selection was a special procedure initiated due to the sudden break in the royal bloodline, and the entire country was anticipating the birth of a new king to maintain stability.
The five candidates had to prove their abilities and also gain the recognition of the Dragon Maiden.
In this atmosphere, the citizens of the Royal Capital would naturally be particularly sensitive to anything related to the Royal Selection. Even a small business like merchant Kadomon's couldn't avoid being affected by this trend.
"Does Subaru have any good ideas?" Rem noticed Natsuki Subaru's thoughtful expression and asked softly.
"Ah, I do have an idea." Natsuki Subaru reined in his emotions, showed Rem a confident smile, then turned to Kadomon, "Seeing as you're the first person I talked to after coming to this world, Uncle, I'll make an exception and help you out!"
"Could it be, little bro... you're going to buy all these apples?" Kadomon's eyes immediately lit up, but then he shook his head, "But there are too many, you definitely won't be able to eat them all..."
"What are you thinking, Uncle!" Natsuki Subaru spread his hands helplessly, interrupting Kadomon's fantasy, "Even if I really bought all the apples, wouldn't it be even more wasteful if they rotted because I couldn't finish them?"
"Then what good idea do you have, little bro?"
Kadomon narrowed his eyes suspiciously, the scar on his face twitching slightly with his expression, his thick arms crossed over his chest.
"Of course!" Natsuki Subaru confidently snapped his fingers, "Such a small problem can't stump me."
"As expected of Subaru, you thought of a solution so quickly."
Rem praised softly, her hands unconsciously clasped in front of her chest, her blue eyes sparkling with admiration, even the tips of her hair swayed gently with her slight forward leaning motion.
"Ahem..." Facing Rem's ardent gaze, Natsuki Subaru somewhat embarrassedly touched his cheek.
"Actually, I'm not sure if this method will work. In my hometown, there's a snack called Bingtang Appuru (candied apples), which is very popular. Although I haven't specifically learned how to make it, I roughly know the steps..."
He remembered seeing the process of making candied fruits and the like when working part-time at a modern convenience store before transmigrating. It shouldn't be too difficult. Although he had only seen the staff make it a few times, the principle should be similar.
"Bingtang Appuru?" Kadomon's thick eyebrows shot up.
"Subaru is probably talking about apples coated in boiled sugar, right?"
Rem immediately understood. Her professional maid skills allowed her to quickly grasp the principle of this dessert.
"That's right." Seeing Rem understood his idea, Natsuki Subaru was instantly energized.
"To make Bingtang Appuru, you only need sugar, apples, and an iron pot."
No sooner said than done.
After preparing the necessary ingredients, Natsuki Subaru, relying on vague memories and improvisation, began to make them.
Actually, this Bingtang Appuru was just apples coated in melted sugar.
First step, a 1:1 ratio of water to sugar, simmered over low heat, without stirring.
He remembered the key was to control the temperature of the syrup; around 115 degrees was ideal.
"But there's no thermometer here, I can only go by feel."
Natsuki Subaru operated while recalling the process of making candied fruit in his mind.
Kadomon and Rem both leaned in curiously to watch. The three of them cast overlapping shadows in the sunlight, and a sweet sugary aroma gradually filled the air.
However——
"How did it turn out like this? It's a complete failure!"
Natsuki Subaru let out a wail, holding his head in his hands and squatting on the ground.
The creation before him was a far cry from the crystal-clear sugar coating he had imagined. The viscous syrup hung unevenly on the apple's surface like melted glue, forming ugly lumps in some places and being almost transparently thin in others. The entire product looked like the brutally ravaged corpse of a dessert.
"I knew this little bro wasn't reliable."
Kadomon crossed his thick arms, shaking his head in disappointment.
"Hey hey, it's normal to make mistakes on the first try!" Natsuki Subaru scratched the back of his head awkwardly, "This kind of delicate work naturally requires more practice."
"Subaru, is this how it's done?"
Rem's gentle voice suddenly sounded.
She was elegantly turning an apple with her slender fingers, the heat for boiling the sugar controlled perfectly, every movement as precise as if practiced thousands of times.
"Eh? The steps are indeed correct."
Natsuki Subaru's eyes widened in surprise, watching Rem's seemingly magical operation.
Amazingly, Rem had perfectly mastered the technique after watching his failed attempt just once.
Is this Rem's cooking skill? She can perfectly replicate it after just one look?!
A moment later——
"It's done."
Rem held up the finished product, her voice soft yet full of accomplishment.
Under the bright sunlight, that skewer of Bingtang Appuru shone with an amber-like luster.
The golden sugar coating was as transparent as crystal, evenly enveloping the bright red fruit. The surface of the sugar coating was as smooth as a mirror, even reflecting Kadomon's astonished expression.
The sweet caramel aroma permeated the air, making one want to take a bite immediately.
"This Bingtang Appuru is too perfect." Natsuki Subaru leaned in to carefully examine the crystal-clear Bingtang Appuru and couldn't help but praise, "Rem, are you some kind of dessert genius?"
He hadn't expected Rem to succeed on her first try making Bingtang Appuru.
As expected, the title of "all-powerful maid" wasn't for nothing. This was too amazing.
"It's nothing, it's all thanks to Subaru's good teaching."
Rem gently shook her head, her blue hair fluttering in the wind.
"It really does look delicious." Uncle Kadomon leaned closer, looking at the crystal-clear Bingtang Appuru, the scar on his face softening.
"If I sell them like this, those five boxes of apples will definitely sell out quickly."
"Thank you so much. Please give the finished Bingtang Appuru to the young lady." Saying this, Kadomon deftly packed a bag of fresh apples and handed it to Rem, "And these, please be sure to accept them as my thanks."
"Hey hey, Uncle! What about my thanks?" Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but interject.
"Little bro..." Kadomon said, smiling and pointing at the charred, failed product, "You can just take those failed apples back. After all, you made them yourself."
""
Natsuki Subaru looked at his own too horrible to look at creation, momentarily speechless.
"Subaru, this is for you."
Rem suddenly handed the finished Bingtang Appuru to Natsuki Subaru, her sapphire-like eyes filled with anticipation.
"Eh? No need!" A warm feeling surged in Natsuki Subaru's heart, and he quickly waved his hand, "Rem wants to try it too, right? You can keep it for yourself."
Rem is always so considerate.
"Then... how about we share it?" Rem tilted her head, thinking for a moment, then held the apple between them, a sweet curve forming on her lips.
"This is the first Bingtang Appuru Rem made; I really want to share it with Subaru."
"Rem, you're so thoughtful."
Natsuki Subaru looked at the gentle blue-haired girl before him, moved. His fingertips inadvertently brushed against Rem's warm fingers, and he instantly trembled as if shocked.
A Rem like this... how could anyone not like her.
"I'm really sorry to interrupt your lovey-dovey moment, but I still have a small business to run." Saying this, fruit stall owner Kadomon rubbed his hands, a fawning smile plastered on his face as he approached Rem.
"Young lady, could I trouble you to demonstrate the steps for making Bingtang Appuru again?"
"Of course."
Rem nodded gently in agreement, a serene smile on her lips as she returned to the fruit stall.
In the following time, Rem deliberately slowed her movements, patiently demonstrating each step for Kadomon.
Her slender fingers nimbly turned the apple, and the syrup in her hands seemed to come alive, evenly coating the fruit.
Sunlight refracted through the sugar coating, casting a crystalline glow on Rem's focused profile.
"Here, Subaru."
During a break in the demonstration, Rem suddenly turned, split the finished Bingtang Appuru in two, and handed half to Natsuki Subaru who was standing nearby.
"Then I won't be polite! ——Wow! This is too delicious!"
Natsuki Subaru took a bite, and the sweet taste exploded in his mouth, making him exclaim in exaggerated praise.
The apple's freshness and the sugar coating's sweetness blended perfectly, enhanced by the warmth of Rem's craftsmanship.
"It's great that Subaru likes it. Then Rem will continue helping Uncle. Subaru can rest on the side."
Rem would then turn her head towards Natsuki Subaru, wink, and show a playful smile.
Her slightly flushed cheeks were even more enticing than the Bingtang Appuru in her hand, her bright eyes filled with mirth.
"Alright..."
Natsuki Subaru nodded, but his gaze constantly followed Rem's figure.
Seriously, I can't resist it at all. Rem's smile is simply off the charts in terms of healing power!
Just then——
"Huh?"
As he casually scanned the market, a bright orange figure suddenly burst into Natsuki Subaru's field of vision.
That bright color streaked past like a meteor, yet it left a vivid imprint on his retina.
___
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