Chapter 14

"What? You can't make it?"

The baron, stunned, is politely apologized to by Shinobu.

"I'm very sorry, sir. While we can make it, the yudofu is a dish that should be enjoyed warm, taking into account the cold surroundings. We cannot serve it to you in its best condition."

"Hmm..."

Although he didn't intend to corner her, Shinobu's tone naturally became firm. After all, she was being obstructed in her business. A little retaliation was justified.

Glancing sideways, Shinobu saw that Shino was already starting the preparations for the next day, humming a tune. Epha, who seemed to still not understand the situation, was staring at her with her mouth agape.

"Alright, let's do this."

The baron clapped his hands and plopped down into his chair.

"I'll give up on the yudofu. Eating something out of season could tarnish my reputation as a gourmet. However, I'm quite hungry, so I'll order something else."

"Thank you."

Shinobu bowed deeply. The little man from earlier glared at her with hatred. Shinobu stuck out her tongue at him, making sure no one saw.

"Schweinshaxe."

"Schweinshaxe, you say?"

The dish the baron mentioned was unknown to Shinobu. It sounded familiar, but she couldn't recall it immediately. She looked at Shino, but he, who mainly specialized in Japanese cuisine, only shook his head slightly.

"I want to eat Schweinshaxe. You couldn't provide the dish on the menu, so I think it's reasonable to ask for this."

Shinobu couldn't refuse. She looked at Epha, hoping for some help, but she only shook her head.

"Understood, I'll prepare it."

Shino answered.

"However, since we don't usually serve this dish, it will take some time to prepare."

"That's fine."

While the baron nodded nonchalantly, Shinobu ran to Shino behind the counter.

"Are you okay, boss?"

"I'll go to the barracks and ask what Schweinshaxe is. There are many regulars there, so someone must know."

"Got it. I'll watch the store while you're gone."

"Take care of the store and Epha."

"Come back as soon as you can."

"If it gets late, feel free to make something for the staff meal."

"Preferably something with the stock, right? Got it."

Putting on his jacket, Shino rushed out of the entrance, where the men were packed.

"Is the chef of this restaurant going to hunt a pig to make Schweinshaxe?"

"No, it seems we're out of some ingredients. The market should still be open at this hour, so he should be back soon."

While patting the anxious Epha, Shinobu answered. The baron spread his arms in exasperation. He then seemed to lose interest and started a makeshift card game with the little men.

The thoughts of the nobility were beyond Shinobu's understanding.

With nothing to do, she started thinking about what to make for the staff meal. Something that Epha, who wasn't yet used to Shino's cooking, could eat easily, and something that used the stock.

Since Shino said she could make anything, there were no restrictions on ingredients. However, she didn't feel like making something too complicated in this situation.

"I know. It's a bit of a shortcut, but let's make this."

"Shinobu, what is 'this'?"

"Hmm, it's a surprise. Epha, can you help me?"

"Sure!"

Shinobu minced the abundant stock without hesitation and mixed it with mayonnaise. Epha was tasked with drying the chopped lettuce and tomatoes and arranging them on a slice of bread with mustard mayonnaise.

The sandwich was simple to make. To avoid boredom, she also made a lettuce and tomato sandwich in addition to the egg sandwich. Epha's work was surprisingly efficient, and before they knew it, they had made more sandwiches than they could eat.

"Girl, what are you making?"

The baron, curious about the counter, stretched his neck while holding a card.

"It's our staff meal."

"To leave hungry customers and prepare a staff meal is quite something. Perfect, give us some too."

"It's a staff meal, but would you like it?"

"I'm a baron, and I don't mind. Bring it over quickly."

Since she had made more than enough and was enjoying the process, Shinobu didn't mind sharing with the baron. She cut the sandwiches into bite-sized pieces and brought them to the card table.

"What is this? Just bread with fillings?"

"Yes, it's called a sandwich."

"Never heard of it. By the way, I don't see any forks or knives to cut it."

"You don't need them. Sandwiches are meant to be eaten with your hands."

"With my hands? You want me to eat this with my hands?"

"Yes. I thought it would be a good dish for the current baron."

Saying this, Shinobu grabbed a few cards from the discard pile with one hand and a slice of sandwich with the other.

"Sandwiches can be enjoyed while playing cards."

Despite thinking it was bad manners, Shinobu took a bite of the egg sandwich in front of the baron. The rich flavor of the egg, combined with the slight spiciness of the mustard mayonnaise and the pepper, was a perfect match.

"Interesting, you've thought this through."

The baron, still playing the game, reached for the sandwich. After one bite, he paused. Despite the sandwich not moving, he quickly finished the rest and reached for another slice.

Shinobu poured milk into glasses for everyone and placed them next to the game.

Despite serving a large amount, the plate was soon empty. The baron's hand, still looking at the cards, reached out for more sandwiches but found nothing.

"Girl, are there no more sandwiches?"

"There are, but they're our staff meal."

"Then, can you make more?"

"If you order, I'll make them, but what about the Schweinshaxe?"

"Schweinshaxe is for another time. By the way, can you put something other than eggs in the sandwich?"

"Some combinations don't work, but you can put other things in."

"Then, I want something more filling. The choice is yours, but please make it quickly."

"Understood."

Considering what sandwich to serve next to the baron, who was now completely hooked on sandwiches, Shinobu thought about the options. There were many ingredients, but the choices for something filling were limited.

"Well, Epha, it's a customer's order."

"Huh...?"

Forcing an agreement from the confused Epha, Shinobu took out a special piece of pork loin from the refrigerator. It was a high-quality piece that Shino had bought to fry for his own staff meal. There was no reason it wouldn't be delicious when fried.

As the oil in the pan started to heat up, the good smell of oil began to fill the store. The baron and his companions, who seemed restless, were glancing at the kitchen while playing cards.

"Hey, girl, what are you doing?"

"I'm making the sandwich filling."

"Is that really a sandwich filling?"

"Yes, it's very delicious."

There was a method to put shredded cabbage in the sandwich, but Shinobu considered it a deviation. A powerful pork cutlet could stand on its own.

Frying the pork cutlet and placing it between thick slices of bread with plenty of tonkatsu sauce, Shinobu's special pork cutlet sandwich was complete. The sensation of cutting through the cutlet with a knife was satisfying.

"Here, it's ready. Please enjoy!"

The baron and his companions put down their cards, held the cutlet sandwiches with both hands, and slowly took a bite.

"...Delicious. This sandwich is truly delicious."

"Thank you. I'm honored."

After savoring and finishing the sandwich, the baron took out a leather bag from his pocket.

"This is the payment for today. Please take it."

"Wait, what about the Schweinshaxe?"

The baron smiled wryly at the surprised Shinobu.

"You know, don't you, miss?"

"Um, no, I don't..."

"Never mind. I had a meal here and was satisfied. There's no problem with paying for it."

"Thank you."

The leather bag was small but heavy.

"By the way, miss, is the sandwich your recipe? I've never heard of it before."

"No, it was invented by someone long ago."

"Is that so? Do you have no intention of promoting it as your own recipe?"

"Not at all. It might not be known here, but someone did invent it. It would be disrespectful to claim it as my own."

"I see. Thank you, it was a good meal."

With that, the baron and his companions left. Shinobu saw them off, just like any other customer. Shino and Deacon Etovin were running towards the store from the direction of the barracks.

"Shinobu, what happened with the baron? I just learned how to make Schweinshaxe from Etovin."

"They ate sandwiches and left."

"Sandwiches? The staff meal?"

Shinobu asked the puzzled Shino.

"So, what is Schweinshaxe?"

"It's basically a pork cutlet."

Shinobu checked the contents of the leather bag the baron had given her. The coins inside were not silver but gleamed gold.