TPMITWON Chapter 25: A Night at the Stall with Pakura

The porridge was thicker than Souta had imagined, with a soft texture yet still having a slight bite from the grains of rice that had not fully dissolved.

Small pieces of eagle meat mixed in looked tender and juicy, soaking up the rich broth. The aroma intensified as warm steam rose to Souta's face, carrying a fragrant blend of distinctive spices.

As the porridge touched Souta's tongue, the taste was truly beyond his expectations. Savory and slightly sweet, with a hint of spicy seasoning that provided a warm sensation in his throat. The flavor of the eagle meat was so tender, creating a delightful contrast with the creamy texture of the porridge.

Unconsciously, Souta began to eat eagerly, enjoying each bite with enthusiasm.

Pakura, sitting across from him, remained silent, waiting for her order while occasionally glancing at Souta, who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his meal.

...

...

...

Souta and Pakura sat facing each other in Takuma's simple stall, enjoying their dinner in peace. The night air coming through the small window carried a faint aroma of spices, mingling with the smell of firewood from the kitchen at the back of the stall.

Souta slowly scooped his still-steaming porridge. Its warmth flowed through his throat, providing a comforting sensation that was hard to describe. This porridge was indeed simple, but the seasoning was just right, and the small pieces of meat inside added a richer flavor.

On the other hand, Pakura was enjoying the freshly cooked desert hyena skewers. The slightly chewy and fibrous meat seemed to pose no problem for her. Souta glanced at Pakura a few times, somewhat surprised by her choice of food. This morning, Pakura had only ordered cheap food, but now she opted for something a bit more expensive.

Souta noticed this pattern. Perhaps Pakura was intentionally saving her money in the morning to enjoy a more decent meal at night. That made sense. Unlike Souta, who did the opposite of Pakura—ordering expensive food during the day and cheap food at night.

After they finished their meals, Souta let out a small sigh and began to tidy himself up. He then pulled out a few bills from a small pocket on his waist and handed them to Takuma.

"Here’s the money," Souta said, casually handing over the payment.

Takuma accepted the money with a friendly smile, his rough hands slightly dusty from working in the kitchen. "Yes, thank you! Please come again!"

"Of course," Souta replied with a satisfied tone, then smiled slightly. "The food was delicious. I’ll definitely come here often."

For Souta, this stall was the ideal place—affordable food, but the taste was more than just decent. He had no doubt he would return here next time.

After Pakura paid for her meal, they both exited the stall and walked together toward the apartment building where they lived. The streets of Sunagakure Village were still quite busy, even though it was getting late.

Street vendors selling various foods and daily necessities were still busy serving customers. Small lanterns hung along the street, casting a dim yellow light.

In between their steps, Souta finally spoke up.

"Hey, do you know when the Ninja Academy will start?" Souta asked casually, trying to lighten the mood.

Pakura turned with her eyebrows slightly raised. "What? Don’t you remember?" she asked with a confused expression. "Wasn’t it explained when we were accepted as students at the Ninja Academy? We’ll start learning in thirty days."

Souta fell silent for a moment. He tried to recall, but of course, he found nothing. That was because he was not the real Souta. Souta was just someone from another world who somehow got trapped in the body of a boy named Souta.