Chapter 97

"Even though I'm so busy, I'm sorry."

Shinobu, dressed in a dress, stood at the back door, clasping her hands together in apology. She tightly held the letter containing secrets that her mother had given her.

"Tai-sho, table order, ojya!"

"Counter order is also ojya!"

Responding to the voices of Epha and Leontine, I prepared the rice for the ojya. Hans was also busy preparing the pot. At the izakaya Nobu, ojya had become an unprecedented hit. The cause was Emperor Conrad and Empress Celestine, who had recently announced their engagement with great fanfare. Just the news that they had visited a shop had led to a flood of inquiries, and Lorenz had poured oil on the fire.

"The late emperor, the current emperor, and the empress had ojya at izakaya Nobu. They chose ojya over udon for the finale, which means ojya is incredibly delicious."

This rumor spread rapidly throughout the ancient capital, and not only in the Sankunssenbourg territory but also throughout the northern empire. Some nobles even rode their horses to try the unfamiliar ojya. Naturally, Clovinkel and Brantano also came to eat and helped spread the rumor.

When eels had caused a huge commotion, this time it was on a different scale. Despite being just an izakaya, reservations were now required to get a seat. I wanted to open only in the evening, but with the desire to serve as many customers as possible, I started hanging the noren (shop curtain) in the afternoon.

Even so, I sometimes have to ask for unreasonable things from the continuous stream of customers. Asking for shared seating is uncomfortable, but in the ancient capital, it's considered normal, so I haven't heard any complaints yet.

"Should I help out after all?"

"It's fine. We'll manage somehow."

There was a reason I wanted her to go out even if it was difficult. Today, Shinobu was going to meet her family. She hadn't seen them for a year and a half since she had left home in a rush. They had agreed to meet in a hotel lounge rather than at the ryotei Yukitsuna, which would have been too heavy for her. This meeting was initiated by Shinobu, who must have had some thoughts after seeing the recent matchmaking.

"…Really?"

"Just go, go."

As I saw her off from the back door, as if pushing her out, I let out a small sigh. Depending on today's outcome, I might have to run the shop alone. In the worst case, the shop might even close. What would I do then? Seeing the customers' smiles as they enjoyed mizutaki and ojya in the crowded shop, even with shared seating, the thought of closing the shop disappeared instantly. I would continue the shop. I wanted Shinobu to come back, but if she didn't, I would continue alone. No, I still wanted her to come back.

"Tai-sho, please bring ojya here too!"

"Sure thing."

Responding to Epha's voice, I prepared the ojya. It's good that the shop is thriving, but I'm worried that preparing only mizutaki and ojya might dull my skills. Since opening the shop, we've only received orders for mizutaki, ojya, and surume tempura. However, this is likely to change soon.

"Tai-sho, the shop is doing well."

Slipping under the noren, Ignatz and Camille from the Eisen Schmidt Trading Company had arrived. The Sasarika rice used for ojya was sourced from them.

"How is the Sasarika rice selling?"

"It's selling incredibly well. Even Duke Alnu was surprised."

"This is all thanks to you, Tai-sho."

Mizutaki and ojya can be made at home in the ancient capital. The adapted recipes were thought up by Hans without any prompting. The key is to add Burganga fish sauce. While ponzu couldn't be replicated, it's not essential for mizutaki. With the popularity of ojya, which requires reservations, the recipe has spread rapidly.

The reputation is also good. Naturally, Sasarika rice is selling well. Previously unfamiliar Sasarika rice is being accepted without resistance thanks to Alnu's low market prices. Initially, Ignatz and Camille were afraid of losing money on rice, but now they are considering next year's procurement.

"I'd like to say you should eat here too, but it's a bit difficult."

"Yes, it's fine. We're good friends."

They laughed, and there was another rumor about mizutaki. Eating mizutaki can reconcile people. I hadn't heard this in Japan, but in the ancient capital, this story was widely believed. It seemed to be an urban legend that had emerged from various stories about izakaya Nobu. Despite this, I couldn't help but notice that it seemed to have some effect. Seeing couples who hadn't spoken to each other until they entered the shop now sharing chicken, and a stubborn father serving a chicken ball to his son, made me feel strange.

"Maybe it's because people really want to reconcile but lack the opportunity."

Epha's observation, as always, was sharp. Reconciliation requires a trigger, and it might be something small. Thinking about this, I wondered if Shinobu's family dinner today would go well. After the discussion about the next day's Sasarika rice procurement, Ignatz and Camille, who were brothers-in-law, left without lingering.

After that, it was just a matter of serving mizutaki. I wanted to prepare something else for the staff meal, but the customer turnover was too fast. Shintaro, Hans, Leontine, and Epha worked tirelessly, and the last customers left after midnight. Epha was sent home by Bertolt, who had come to check on the shop, and the remaining three of us cleaned up.

"By the way, Shinobu, are you going home today?"

While wiping the tables, Leontine's words made Shintaro flinch. He knew she wouldn't come back today, but would she come back tomorrow? He believed she would and that she would definitely come back.

But.

He couldn't shake off the杂念 (zannen,杂念 means "杂念" in Chinese, which translates to "troublesome thoughts" or "distractions" in English) in his chest. He had intended to sharpen the knives, but decided to do it tomorrow. There had never been a good outcome when he touched a blade in this mood. If he accidentally injured himself, the shop wouldn't run.

Hans and Leontine, sensing Shintaro's state, said nothing. Whether they were being considerate or just tired, the silence was greatly appreciated by Shintaro. With the cleaning done, he thought it was time to send the two of them home. Just as he was about to speak, the back door opened.

"I'm back!"

The unmistakably bright voice belonged to Shinobu.

"Shi, Shinobu?"

"Sorry, I couldn't come back during business hours today."

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, indicating she had been drinking.

"That's fine, but are you okay?"

Leontine had never seen Shinobu drunk before. Since opening the shop, Shinobu had hardly ever drunk enough to get drunk. She must have been under a lot of stress. Shintaro scratched his nose, wondering if he could have done more to ease her burden.

"So, Shinobu, how did it go with your family?"

Hans asked tentatively, and Shinobu made a big V sign.

"We had a big fight."

"Wait, wasn't it supposed to be at a high-end restaurant in the hotel?"

"Yeah, so we only had soup there and quickly wrapped it up, then went to a yakitori place near the station and had a blast!"

Despite the bitter smile, it might have been for the best. Reflecting on it, Shinobu had never fought with her family before. She had been raised in a pampered environment and, upon finally becoming an adult, faced the arranged marriage. Today's events might serve as a trigger for her and for the ryotei Yukitsuna.

"Boss, I'm hungry. Make something."

Shintaro shrugged at Shinobu, who was slouching in a chair, feeling a bit silly for having been so worried just a moment ago.

"Sure, sure. But I can only make ojya."

"I love your ojya! Make ojya!"

It felt good to be told she liked it. After all, Shinobu had "the tongue of a god." Just as he was about to put extra effort into making the ojya, Hans and Leontine got up from their seats.

"I'm tired, so I'll leave first."

"Good work, Tai-sho and Shinobu."

As he saw off the two, who had become a bit closer recently, Shintaro looked up at the night sky of the ancient capital. A shooting star drew a line across the winter sky, where an unknown constellation shone.