122 5.11 The Visiting Ex Comrades of Hiko Seijuro (2/2)

”I was planning that since there was the five of you which means 5 houses altogether, I would propose if I clean the house rotationally. Like today I had cleaned the house of Sensei, the next day I would go to Hide-sama's, the following followed by Toshi-sama's, Miroku-sama's and lastly to Kami-sama's.”

”There are two rest days in the week so I could follow up with my discipleship with Sensei or go for an expedition with him. Furthermore, the first day of cleaning would be tedious as I might stay the whole day and break for lunch and return once more. Once the phase had been completed, the rest of it would be just a touch up here and there and just the laundry to take care of.”

”That's true, usually the first day of cleaning would be tedious and rest that follow need to be touched up. Furthermore, our houses are quite nearby and are considered as the front to back with one another, so it cuts down in the travelling time. I am sure this kid would be able to devise a plan somehow. Let him be, these trivial matters are best solved by him alone.”

Toshi-sama spoke again and everyone listened intently. There was nothing to argue about it and everyone seemed to be pleased with what he had said.

”Since he would be coming once every week and that makes it 4 times a month, as for the wages I was proposing 2 silvers per week and that makes about 8 silvers for the total of every month. Furthermore, we would be moving out in 2 days time so the house would be empty by then. So what do you think, guys? A payment of 8 silvers per month for the weekly housekeeping? ”

Hide-sama spoke up regards to the payment as he took hold of his coin pouch that was tied around his obi. He took out 8 silvers and placed them in front of him. The rest all followed and soon, a pile of silver coins were in front of me as I had become their housekeeper.

”This payment is for the rest of this month, the balance you keep as your savings. Your Mr Director is a useless guy and won't be much help to you in providing coins for you to save and purchase what is necessary.”

I can't help but grinned when Kami-sama spoke about Mr Director who was sitting stuffing his face in his director's chair off screen and was having a bowl of steaming Oden as he ignored the remarks made towards him.

”Well, go on and take this money. Keep it, don't spend it lavishly. You can ask from your Sensei money for food et cetera but since he would be here all the time, I'm sure he would supply for your needs.”

Hide-sama spoke as he ushered to take the pile of silvers that was before me. I thanked them and received the money and bowed deeply to them to show their appreciation. Although 8 silvers seems a bit too much to maintain the housekeeping for 4 times a week, it's a start. 32 silvers would amount to 3 gold coins and 2 silvers based on the conversion rate.

I excused myself as I went into my bedroom to store the silver coins. I may need a proper coin pouch by next month onwards to store these coins. I returned to the group after keeping the money safe.

Soon a yatai that was selling his wares came to the front of our house. Some men came forward to buy the Yakitori that he was selling. Kami-sama called out the yatai seller whom he knew from his name and ordered 20 sticks of yakitori and the yatai seller responded that he will deliver it as soon as it is done.

The yakitori came a little over 15 minutes later and after 2 rounds of sake that Hiko-sama sama took from his room earlier. I took a stick and soon enjoyed the simple yet sumptuous supper with the men. The yakitori I had tasted before was incomparable to the one that I am eating now.

It was made by a sizeable amount of chicken chunks that had been marinated earlier before. All the sauces that were being used to marinate the meat had been absorbed well by the meat. When it was brought over, the meat was still sizzling and a sauce was poured over it. The sauce had a bit sweet and saltish taste and the yakitori was served and wrapped in a banana leaf.

Soon someone from the group paid and everyone started to dig in. Soon the yatai left and was replaced by another one selling senbei. This was a version of Japanese prawn, squid or fish crackers that were not fried but were grilled instead. It was rather a light snack that was mainly used as conversational starters in this era.

Since this senbei if were to be rolled out thinly and dried in the sun, when fried in hot cooking oil it will expand up to 2 to 3 times depending on the variety of crackers. Since it was summer, this senbei was made slightly thicker than usual with a mix of flour and other ingredients and thus being frilled instead.

Kami-sama called out to the senbei seller and pointed that he wanted 6 of those and 2 of each kind. In winter, this senbei would be served with a dipping sauce of 3 tastes which was spicy, sweet and savoury like Japanese curry. Soon the smell of the senbei grilling over the fire wafted through the air and there were some women queuing up to buy those since it would be able to be kept under normal temperature for some days.

The seller came and delivered 6 large pieces of senbei grilled crackers that had been sliced and three dipping sauces in three bowls that were made from folding banana leaves and skewered to prevent spillage.

There was some yakitori left and yet another snack came. Another sake had been broken in and served around. It seemed that a single jar of sake would contain as much as 2 litres of sake each and that would be enough to share among 5 people with their dainty little drinking cups.

It dawned to me that Hiko-sama's ex-comrades were into food aficionado as well as me. Well, one day I might surprise Hiko-sama and his comrades about my cooking experiences as well.

After finishing up the sake, there were a few pieces of Yakitori as well as pieces of senbei left. The men decided to leave the food behind since they were quite full and had a large bowl of ramen before getting here. So I cleared the food up and placed them in the kitchenette, placed them on a stoneware plate and covered it up with a food cover.

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The men then excused themselves as they wanted to leave for a long rest as they would be going off for an expedition in 2 days time. I told them that I would be adhering to the schedule and would be there to clean the first house. As the men would be heading for the expedition, I was advised to come the day after as they normally would sleep right till midday tomorrow.

I nodded in acknowledgement and bade them farewell. After their backs had turned down the alleyway I closed the sliding main door and went inside and cleared the jars of sake and their dainty drinking cups.

Hiko-sama was still awake and lying down in his bedroom. ”Sensei, I'm am going to sleep now. I will turn off all the lanterns except the one in your room. Goodnight Sensei, see you in the morning.” I bade him goodnight as he waved me off.

I entered my small bedroom and switched the oil lantern off and soon the room was plunged in semi-darkness. I wondered what the time was and rolled off to sleep soon after.