Menu 22: Sushi Chef Kawasaki
In Kawasaki's kitchen, the usual figure of the Cookman was nowhere to be seen. In his place stood Kawasaki in human form, focused intensely on his work.
"Right. Perfect."
He moved a flawless tamagoyaki—not a single singe mark on its golden surface—onto a plate. He cracked his neck, rotated his shoulders, and stretched his legs to loosen up his body.
"Everything feels normal."
The reason for the transformation was simple: the Cookman's hands. It was a lingering mystery how he managed to use a kitchen knife in his original form, but shaping nigiri was a different story entirely. Precision was paramount. He had already sliced the fish and prepared the sushi rice, but he needed to test his finishing touch. Seeing the perfect omelet, he was satisfied that his physical intuition remained intact even in human form.
The downside was that he lacked the boundless stamina and raw strength of the Cookman, and his window of total concentration was narrower. Still, for the delicate art of sushi, this was the superior choice. His fingers were nimble, allowing for the perfect "snap" when shaping the rice. He had compared a test batch between his two forms, and the human-made sushi was undeniably better—the rice held together but melted away instantly on the tongue.
He had extended an invitation to Pandora's Actor and Demiurge as a reward for their help with the ingredients, but their responses had been... typical.
"That would be an honor far greater than we deserve. Simply presenting these ingredients to Lord Momonga is reward enough."
"I wish to earn such a treat through future merits."
These guys are the ultimate corporate drones, Kawasaki thought. They're so focused on the Supreme Beings it's actually a little concerning. He made a mental note to force a reward on them eventually, regardless of "merit."
"Now then... I wonder if Momonga managed to bring Albedo along."
He had told Momonga to invite her. He'd even threatened to kick him out if he showed up alone, but he wondered just how the skeleton would go about the invitation.
+++
Momonga stood before Albedo's door and gave a light knock. A moment later, her voice drifted from within.
(Kawasaki is definitely enjoying this,) Momonga thought.
He didn't quite understand why Kawasaki was so determined to play matchmaker. But the threat of being denied dinner was potent, and Kawasaki's words had a point: "Don't you think you should reward Albedo for everything she's doing for you?"
There was no arguing with that. Albedo was the one keeping Nazarick running, managing personnel and assets with a level of dedication that matched Demiurge's. She deserved recognition.
"Is that you, Shiho?" Albedo asked.
Momonga was slightly surprised to hear Shiho's name. Tabula and Peroroncino designed her settings, he recalled. Maybe they're friends and I just didn't know.
"Albedo, it is I."
"A-A-Ainz?! L-Lord Ainz! One moment, please!"
A flurry of frantic thumping echoed from inside the room. After a short wait, Albedo peeked out.
"Lord Ainz! To what do I owe this honor?"
She held the door open just a crack, clearly trying to hide the interior of her room. Momonga gave a dry smile, deciding it was best not to ask what she'd been doing.
"I'm heading to Kawasaki's for dinner. I was wondering if you'd join me."
Albedo's face lit up with a brilliant, blooming smile. "I would be absolutely honored to accompany you."
She slipped out and locked the door behind her with practiced speed, still shielding the room from his sight. I should definitely not ask what's in there, Momonga decided.
He led her to the room Kawasaki had specified—a spare chamber for guild members. When he opened the door, he froze. The once-empty room had been transformed into a traditional sushi bar, complete with a wooden counter, high-backed chairs, and a professional prep station. Kawasaki stood behind the counter in his human form, waiting for them.
"K-Kawasaki? What is all this?"
"Demiurge put it together in half a day," Kawasaki replied casually.
Demiurge, you're going to collapse from overwork at this rate, Momonga thought, feeling a wave of concern for the demon. He took one of the four seats at the counter as prompted. Albedo sat beside him without a moment's hesitation.
"Lord Kawasaki, what are these?" she asked, looking at the display.
"These are the sushi toppings, Albedo."
Under the glass of the refrigerated display case sat a variety of ingredients. Momonga noted that not a single one looked like the "sushi" he knew from the real world. Some colors were similar, but the textures were worlds apart.
"I'll start with my recommendations, if that's alright?" Kawasaki asked. "Unless you two have any specific requests?"
Momonga looked at the counter. He knew absolutely nothing about real sushi. "I'll leave it to you, Kawasaki."
Kawasaki gave a knowing smirk. He clearly knew Momonga was out of his depth.
+++
Albedo's Perspective
I had been invited personally by Ainz... no, by Momonga. And I was to share a meal prepared by Lord Kawasaki.
(Is this... a date?!)
No matter what anyone said, this was a date. I knew Lord Kawasaki was supporting me, but I never expected this!
"Before we get into the nigiri, I'd like you to enjoy some sashimi. We have Red Sea Bream and Flounder."
Kawasaki placed translucent glass plates before us. On them lay several slices of delicate white fish.
"The sushi is the main event, so we'll start light."
An hors d'oeuvre, I thought. Kawasaki set down small dishes of soy sauce and a mound of something green.
"That's wasabi. It's delicious if you put a little on the fish, but be careful—it'll give you a shock if you use too much. Try just a tiny bit first."
I used my chopsticks to dab a bit of the green paste onto the fish, dipped it in the soy sauce, and took a bite.
"Oh... this is wonderful," Momonga murmured beside me.
The fish was firm yet yielded easily to the teeth. It was fatty but possessed a clean, refreshing finish. The wasabi provided a sharp, bracing sting that cleared the senses. I tried the second fish; it was much more elastic and chewy. I was amazed that two types of fish could taste so different.
"Would you like some sake?" Kawasaki asked, already prepping the next course.
"Yes, just a little for me. Something light, if you please," Momonga said.
"And for me... something a bit drier," I added. Since the fish was so sweet, I wanted something with a bit of a bite. Kawasaki reached under the counter and produced a small carafe and two ceramic cups.
"Don't overdo it," he warned with a grin. "I want you to actually taste the sushi."
"I understand," I replied, taking the carafe to serve Momonga. "Lord Ainz, please."
"Oh, thank you."
I poured the clear, mysterious liquid into his cup.
"Hmm... yes. This pairs perfectly with the sashimi," Momonga said, sighing contentedly. Then, he reached for my carafe. I started to protest, but he stopped me.
"There's no need for such modesty. There are no other servants here; let's just enjoy the meal together."
"I... Yes. Thank you."
Momonga's hand trembled slightly as he poured—he clearly wasn't used to this kind of casual interaction. He poured a modest amount, which was perfect for me.
"It's... it's delicious."
The alcohol sent a wave of heat through me. It was strong, but it felt right, like stoking the fire that already burned in my heart for him.
"Next is octopus. Pandora dove for this one. It's a fine specimen, but since I'm always cautious about raw shellfish, I've parboiled it first."
I knew Kawasaki had gone out with Demiurge and Pandora's Actor, but I wondered what exactly they had been doing.
"I heard Pandora nearly took a double knockout from a Giant Octopus," Kawasaki noted.
"What on earth were you two doing?" Momonga sighed.
Kawasaki laughed it off as "gathering supplies." Momonga took a piece of the octopus.
"Excellent. It's sweet and has a wonderful snap to it."
As a servant, I could not eat before my Lord, so I waited until he was finished before trying a piece with soy sauce.
(This is... indescribable...)
It was tender yet had a unique, crisp texture and a satisfying chew. "Delicious" was the only word for it.
"The island was beautiful and completely uninhabited. Maybe we should take everyone camping there sometime?" Kawasaki suggested.
"I'll have to think about that," Momonga replied. "If there are monsters there that can give Pandora a run for his money, it might be a bit much for a vacation."
"We can just summon some aquatic servants for security, right?" Kawasaki countered. Momonga hummed in thought. I didn't want to interrupt, but the idea of a beach trip sounded lovely.
"Well, keep it in mind. It would be good recreation. Next up: Shrimp. Use just a touch of soy sauce. It has a natural sweetness that's best enjoyed simply. Hold it by the tail."
Kawasaki watched our movements closely, timing the next serving perfectly.
The shrimp was beautiful—the tail still had its shell, while the body was a translucent, pearly white. I followed his instructions, dipping the tail end and taking a bite.
"So sweet..." Momonga and I whispered at the same time.
It was thick and unctuous, filling my mouth with the pure essence of the sea. I felt like I was floating.
"Alright, let's keep going. This is something similar to horse mackerel. It's topped with grated ginger, scallions, and miso. Eat it with the garnishes."
Being alone with Momonga was enough to make my heart feel full, but this food... I couldn't stop smiling. The harmony of the fish and the savory miso was the taste of pure happiness.
+++
Momonga's Perspective
I was eating, but the more I ate, the hungrier I became. It was a bizarre sensation. I was the one who asked for sushi, but I never imagined it would be this elaborate.
"Alright, I'm going to start the nigiri. Ready?"
"Please," I replied, wiping my hands on the hot towel provided. I vaguely remembered a senior colleague telling me that was the proper etiquette.
(Incredible...)
Kawasaki dipped his hand into a bowl of water, scooped a small portion of rice, and shaped it with a rhythmic, fluid motion before placing the fish on top. There wasn't a single wasted movement.
"First, the Kizusu."
Kizusu... a fish from the lake near the Lizardman village, I recalled. I'd never actually tasted it before.
"A good ingredient is a good ingredient, regardless of where it comes from," Kawasaki said. "I thought this would be the perfect starter. It's been cured with kelp."
Since sushi is traditionally eaten with the hands, I picked up the piece, dipped the fish side into the soy sauce, and ate it.
(It's... it's amazing...)
The vinegared rice was sweet and tart, pairing perfectly with the succulent, kelp-aged fish. I'd had many great meals from Kawasaki, but this might be the best yet.
"This is delicious... but the flavor is so complex."
"The kelp-curing adds umami to the fish. It gives it a slightly jammy texture, but it brings out the best in the flavor, doesn't it?"
He was right. The texture was slightly dense, which made the contrast with the light rice even better.
"It's wonderful, Kawasaki."
"Glad to hear it. But we're just getting started."
Kawasaki grinned and reached for the next topping.
"Next is Hiramasa—yellowtail amberjack—that Demiurge and I caught. This one is firm with a clean, light fat content."
This piece had a pale, fleshy tone with a hint of red along the edge. It was beautiful.
"Oh, this is nice... I really like this one."
The Kizusu was great, but this was more my style. The snap of the fish and the balanced fat content worked perfectly with the rice and the sting of the wasabi.
"It's a bit too lean for me," Albedo noted.
It seemed our tastes differed on this one. Kawasaki just laughed.
"If that's the case, try this."
He placed a piece in front of us that looked similar to the Hiramasa but with more vibrant coloring.
"It was so huge I thought it was a full-grown yellowtail, but the flavor is closer to the younger Warasa. The meat isn't quite as soft as a mature fish."
"Even you can't tell for sure?" I asked, surprised.
Kawasaki crossed his arms. "Identifying fish by their growth stages is tricky in a new world. The island we visited had fish that were freakishly large. If this were a mature yellowtail, it would probably be the size of a shark."
He laughed it off and told us to eat. This one was much fattier and had a wonderful, springy texture.
"It's good, but maybe a bit too rich for me," I said.
"I love it! It's delicious!" Albedo countered.
The divide continued. Kawasaki watched us with an amused expression.
"Blue-skinned fish are always polarizing. But I think you'll both agree on the next one."
He set a large block of fish on the counter before slicing it. My eyes widened.
"It's huge. What is it?"
"Tuna. Some people find it too much, but with its fat content, it's the King of Sushi. You can do so much with it—rolls, nigiri, even searing it. I'm going to serve it in three stages: lean, medium-fatty, and large-fatty."
I'd had "tuna" in the real world, but I knew this was going to be an entirely different beast.
"First, the lean Akami. I've already brushed it with soy sauce, so you can eat it as is."
The deep red fish shimmered under the light.
"It's much richer than the Hiramasa," I noted. "And it has such a distinct, deep flavor."
"Tuna has a unique aroma. That's part of the experience," Kawasaki explained. It was leagues beyond any sushi I'd ever tasted, leaving a powerful, savory aftertaste.
"Do you not like it, Albedo?" I asked.
"Oh, no! It's delicious! I'm just... I've never tasted anything like this. I'm struggling to find the words."
She looked genuinely overwhelmed by the flavor.
"Now, the Chu-toro—medium-fatty tuna. This has even more umami than the lean cut."
He sliced into the block again. This time, the meat was a soft pink, marbled like high-end beef.
"Medium-fatty nigiri. Now this is the good stuff," Kawasaki said with a smirk.
"Mmm... oh! This is it!" I blurted out.
"It's... it's truly incredible," Albedo agreed.
It was so soft it practically dissolved, yet it had a powerful presence that stood up to the acidity of the rice.
"Quite different from the sushi you remember, right Momonga?"
"Ugh... yeah."
Knowing this flavor made the "sushi" of 2138 feel like a cruel joke. I finally understood why Kawasaki had been so offended.
"Finally, the O-toro—large-fatty tuna. There's no comparing this to the others, though it's not for everyone."
Kawasaki's grin widened. I couldn't wait. He placed a piece before me that barely looked like fish at all. It was pale pink, shot through with intricate white veins of fat—the marbling was intense. It glistened under the lights.
"Ah...!"
The moment it hit my tongue, it vanished into a pool of pure flavor. The Chu-toro was amazing, but this was on another plane of existence entirely.
"To think the same fish could taste so different," Albedo whispered in awe.
I was equally stunned. This was only possible because of Kawasaki's eye for ingredients and his mastery of the craft.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. But let's take a break for the palate. Here is some special tamagoyaki."
He served us slices of the golden omelet he'd made earlier. It was fluffy beyond belief.
(Wow, this is like a cloud...)
It was sweet, but with a subtle savory undertone.
"Oh, I love this..." I muttered, my professional persona slipping completely. It was sweet, exactly how I liked it. I was already looking forward to the next piece. I took a sip of the sweet sake to clear my palate, feeling more excited than I had in years. Asking for sushi was the best decision I'd ever made.
+++
Kawasaki's Perspective
They were clearly enjoying themselves. While they finished their omelet, I moved on to the next round. Shellfish? Octopus? The sea urchins were massive, but they were a bit too brash in flavor for nigiri. They'd be better grilled. I decided to stick with the octopus Pandora had caught. I sliced a section of the massive leg, halved it, and shaped it over the rice.
"Octopus nigiri. It has a unique texture and a lovely sweetness."
As they ate, I began prepping the shrimp I'd simmered in a sweet vinegar. I split them down the belly, rinsed away the last of the vein, and patted them dry.
(These are some top-tier ingredients.)
These were a far cry from the shriveled, farm-raised shrimp of the old world. They were plump and full of flavor. I placed the shrimp nigiri on the serving board.
"This is delicious too... so springy," Momonga noted.
"The texture is incredible! And the contrast of the red and white is so beautiful," Albedo added.
Shrimp isn't the most complex topping, but it's a crowd-pleaser. Seeing them happy made all the effort worthwhile.
"Alright, try this."
I had been simmering abalone since yesterday, calculating the osmotic pressure to ensure it was perfectly seasoned. I sliced it thick—so thick it almost hid the rice—but I knew it was tender enough to handle.
"Simmered Abalone."
"Is... isn't this a bit too big?" Momonga asked, staring at the massive slice.
"Don't worry. It's been simmered until it's perfectly soft. You'll have no trouble biting through it."
Momonga took a bite. "Wow... it's so thick, yet so tender. The flavor just explodes in my mouth."
"It tastes like the ocean," Albedo added. "So soft... and so delicious."
The act of eating took seconds, but the prep had taken hours. I was glad I'd run those four different test batches to find the most succulent result.
"Next: Eel."
This was the "Nuru" from the lake. When I'd served it to the Lizardmen, it was fine for them, but when I tried it as a human, it was far too tough. I'd used the Kanto-style method—steaming it first before grilling—to ensure it was melt-in-the-mouth soft.
"Unagi nigiri. It's already brushed with a sweet tsume sauce."
Finally, I moved to the rolls. I considered a tuna-and-scallion roll, but decided on something simpler to finish.
"Kappa-maki—cucumber rolls—to refresh the palate."
I sliced the roll into four pieces, placing two each before them. Albedo finished hers and folded her hands.
"Thank you for the meal. It was truly magnificent."
Momonga, however, still looked a bit hungry. Typical of the difference between men and women.
"If you're still hungry, I can make whatever you want. What'll it be?"
Momonga thought for a moment, looking a bit sheepish. "Could I have another Chu-toro?"
I smiled. A grown man needs more than a standard set of sushi. I was glad he asked.
"One Chu-toro, coming right up."
He seemed to like the white fish, but in the end, his Japanese soul couldn't resist the tuna. I shaped the piece and placed it before him.
"This really is the best," Momonga laughed, looking genuinely happy.
As I wiped my blade with a cloth, I thought about how I'd transformed a spare room into a makeshift sushi bar on a whim. It had been worth it.
From that day forward, a new tradition was born in Nazarick. Whenever there was a cause for celebration or a servant achieved a great feat, Lord Momonga would host a banquet of sushi for the guest of honor.
"Albedo thinks it's unfair for just the two of us to eat this?" Momonga asked later.
"Is there something we can serve that everyone can enjoy together for a celebration?" Kawasaki mused.
"How about Sukiyaki?"
And so, Sushi and Sukiyaki became the twin pillars of celebration in the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
***
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