Autor's shoulders relax. "You do?" he asks, easing into a smile. "I'm so glad."

He sips his broth, and licks his lips, surprised. Autor considered using the milder shiromiso, but he's glad he sprung for the dark, rich awasemiso. The salty, earthy taste is something he's never experienced before, and he absolutely plans to make more recipes with it--especially since Miss Kuriyama seems to approve.

"Do you often have miso, then? I'd never heard of it before this. Or tofu. Or udon."