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"Record a video?" Erina paused slightly. "Until my grandfather agrees, it might not be convenient for me to appear, right?"
This wasn't uncharted territory. In the future, during the early stages of Renz's career, he had collaborated with the world's largest video platform. His videos, mostly food-related, were featured prominently on the homepage. However, most people weren't there for the food itself, but for the two of them. Once, when Renz made a cooking video by himself, his fans complained that it "lacked that special something."
"You don't need to show your face; just your hands are fine," Renz said, casting a "caring" gaze. "Who said you had to show your face? We're making cooking videos, not your personal show."
"I know you're beautiful and photogenic, alright?" Renz added.
"No, haven't you noticed? When we recorded those cooking videos, people weren't watching them for our cooking," Erina argued.
Renz froze. She actually had a point. Last time, when he uploaded the cooking video with Mashiro Shiina, the traffic and views soared. Even though Mashiro Shiina didn't show her face, just saying a few words was enough to boost the video's views. So, Erina could also collaborate with him on cooking videos, just like in the future. Not showing her face was perfectly viable. Anyway, his domestic fans had peculiar tastes; they disliked it when faces were revealed but enjoyed the mystery of concealed identities, enthusiastically guessing who it was. Later, once he came to terms with the old man, Erina could formally appear on camera.
"I've got an idea. How about you film me cooking from a 'girlfriend's perspective'?" Renz suggested.
"'Girlfriend's perspective'?" Erina frowned.
"Can you stop nitpicking every single word?" Renz retorted. "Alright, alright, it's a 'wife's perspective'! It's a 'Beloved Wife's perspective'!"
And a 'Jealous Queen' perspective too! Renz thought to himself, slightly annoyed but also amused. Still, it was quite cute.
"Mhm," Erina nodded. "So, according to the process, we should start with cutting the meat. Can you perform elegant knife work now?"
Every industry has its flashy displays of skill. A singer's showmanship involves demonstrating extraordinary vocal range control. Talented individuals, even when showing off, leave their audience refreshed and exhilarated. Those less skilled, however, show off just for the sake of it, making it impressive but not necessarily enjoyable for the audience. Renz's current skill level allowed him to force a display of knife work, but it would be wasteful of ingredients. Several attempts might be needed to achieve one perfect display of skill. However, Renz didn't need to strive for such an effect; cooking was more about taste.
A brilliant idea suddenly popped into Renz's mind. After Erina filmed him cooking from a first-person perspective, they could give the dish to Mashiro Shiina to eat and then film Mashiro Shiina's tasting perspective. However, this would require Mashiro's consent. If Mashiro was unwilling, he could ask Kirisu-sensei next door for help. He could also conveniently visit Kirisu-sensei's apartment with his dish.
"No need for flashy displays," Renz shared his idea. "After cooking, filming the taster's perspective will show whether the dish is good or not."
"Enough talking, let's film," Renz prompted.
"Then I'll pick up my phone," Erina said. "Should I communicate with everyone in Filipino?" Erina knew Filipino. She could speak not only Filipino but also English, which she learned growing up abroad. As for Filipino, it was partly because Renz spoke Filipino, and partly because it has a renowned culinary palate. Erina had many events in the Philippines and had to visit many restaurants and such. Not learning Filipino would make communication very difficult.
"Whatever you want," Renz considered. "This video is mainly about explaining my cooking process. It's fine for you to communicate with me in any language."
"Then, I'll start!" Erina opened her phone and entered recording mode. "Eh, eh, it's been a while since I spoke Filipino, it's a bit rusty. Renz, is it okay?"
Renz listened. Aside from a slightly heavy accent, there was no problem. But wouldn't Japanese people naturally have some accent when speaking any foreign language?
"How about you just use Japanese to communicate with me?" Renz said with a suppressed laugh, hearing Erina's slightly accented, adorable Filipino.
"Speaking Filipino to the audience back home is a sign of respect, right?" Erina pondered.
"If there's anything you can't say, then just speak Japanese," Renz said, not wanting to make it difficult for Erina, but also respecting her wishes.
"It's daijobu!" Erina said from the side. "No problem!"
"Then I'll start cooking. Focus the camera," Renz instructed. He slowly picked up the knife and meticulously cut the meat, step by step. Though slow, the cuts were precise and steady. His knife skills were still developing, but slow and steady work could still yield fine results. They each had their advantages.
The two chatted while cooking, and Erina, holding the phone, zoomed the camera in and out for better cooking shots. After it was cooked, she even took a close-up of the dish. The dish Renz made was a common one: braised pork belly. It was best made with pork belly that had alternating layers of fat and lean meat. The resulting dish was a perfect blend of fat and lean, sweet and soft, rich in flavor, and melted in one's mouth.
That's right. It was the simplest braised pork belly. And Renz was best at making such home-style dishes. He knew how to cook Western cuisine too, but he didn't enjoy eating it.
He sprinkled some chopped green onions on top. "This is the most common meat dish, braised pork belly," Renz pointed out. "It's also the simplest dish to make, but seemingly simple, it still requires some control over heat and time." He then elaborated on a few key points, explaining how to make braised pork belly for a better fusion of flavors between the fat and lean meat.
Mashiro Shiina had already entered the kitchen, drawn by the aroma. Erina quickly pulled the camera away, keeping Mashiro Shiina out of the shot.
"So fragrant!" Mashiro Shiina sniffed, her eyes fixated on the braised pork belly. "Renz, is dinner ready?"
"The rice is still cooking; it should be ready soon," Renz replied. "Mashiro, can you be a food critic and evaluate my cooking?"
"However, this is for a video for online viewers. If you mind, you can refuse."
Mashiro Shiina thought about it but didn't quite grasp the meaning. However, she had been filmed quite a bit at art exhibitions, so she didn't care much. "Okay," Mashiro Shiina agreed quickly.
"To all my fans and classmates, let me formally introduce you to my friend whom I met in Japan, Mashiro Shiina," Renz said, gesturing. He dared not mention Mashiro Shiina living with him, nor that she was his cousin-in-law. Otherwise, tracing Mashiro's identity would easily reveal Erina's background. If he said she was a friend he met in Japan, it could also imply a classmate or pen pal relationship, and fans wouldn't be as meticulous as detectives.
A fleeting introduction.
Mashiro Shiina picked up her personal chopsticks, unable to resist poking the braised pork belly on the plate.
"It's very hot; wait a moment before eating!" Renz intercepted, fearing Mashiro would bite into it and burn her tongue. In England, cold food was more common, and hot food was relatively less so. Renz was worried Mashiro Shiina would eat hot food as if it were cold. Burning one's tongue was not a pleasant experience.
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