Chapter 48

After a moment of hesitation, Shinno chose to serve the simmered sole.

Compared to what he had obtained yesterday, it was slightly inferior, but it was still good enough to be served as sashimi.

He wanted to serve the simmered sole, seasoned in the style of the old capital, to Tawara.

He paid great attention to the presentation and carefully prepared the dish.

Tawara gazed intently at the plate served to him and casually confirmed the aroma.

He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite.

He closed his eyes and chewed slowly.

After a moment that felt slightly shorter than eternity, he opened his eyes quietly.

"...There's some hesitation in the flavor."

Tawara's words pierced Shinno's heart.

Indeed, there was hesitation. That's why he changed the flavor every day.

To be seen through in an instant made his knees tremble.

"But, it's a good hesitation."

"...A good hesitation?"

"Yes, you're wavering between the taste I taught you and the taste you aim for. Isn't that right?"

"Yes."

While picking up the second bite with his chopsticks, Tawara's lips were smiling.

"How much you cater to the customers' preferences, where you set the roots of your own taste, and what is truly right. I also struggled with these questions when I was your age."

"Really?"

"I'm human too. I didn't start as a chef from birth. I also had my doubts and struggles."

It was unexpected.

Since high school, Tawara had been like a parent to Shinno. It was hard to imagine that he had been different in the past.

"There's a term, 'Shu-Ha-Ri.' It means to learn, break, and depart."

"Shu-Ha-Ri?"

"Yes, you are at the 'Ha' stage now. You're trying to break out of the shell of my teachings. It's the most crucial time."

"...Break and depart."

"There's no answer written anywhere. You have to find it yourself. While being nurtured by your customers."

The phrase "being nurtured by your customers" resonated deeply with Shinno.

Was he really making dishes that truly delighted his customers?

Was he just creating exotic dishes with ingredients not found in the old capital?

"Arrogance is scary. It can rust your skills without you noticing. But, in Yuzawa's case, I doubt that will happen."

"No, I'll keep improving."

Hearing Shinno's response, Tawara nodded and took a sip of beer.

It was a good smile that made Shinno want to drink along.

"By the way, Yuzawa. Let's stop the serious talk for now."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Could you cook the octopus from earlier with anchovies, garlic, and red pepper in olive oil?"

Shinno was surprised to hear Tawara mention anchovies and olive oil. Tawara had never shown anyone that he ate anything other than Japanese cuisine when he was at Yukitsuna.

"We don't have anchovies in our store."

"What, Yuzawa, this is an izakaya, not a ryotei. I understand, I understand. Use salted squid instead of anchovies. I haven't tried it, but it should turn out like a pseudo-ajillo."

"Ajillo?"

He had heard the name before. It was a Spanish oil-cooked dish.

"It's good with wine, but it also goes well with beer. The octopus from earlier is a bit firm, but it has a good flavor. It should hold its own against the garlic and red pepper."

"I'll give it a try."

Shinobu kept olive oil in stock for making pasta.

While cutting the ingredients and cooking them in olive oil to transfer the flavors, he added the octopus cut into bite-sized pieces. Since it was his first time, he used a small amount of salted squid.

Then, an indescribable aroma began to fill the kitchen.

"Can't resist this smell, can you?"

"Yes, it makes me hungry."

"Breaking off a piece of baguette and dipping it in this is even better."

At the right moment, he tasted a piece of the octopus.

It was delicious.

He was a bit unsure about the salted squid, but it indeed had a flavor similar to anchovies.

The combination with garlic and red pepper was excellent.

"Isn't it delicious?"

He served the octopus ajillo in a small plate and added another bottle of beer from the refrigerator.

This flavor would definitely make the beer flow.

"Well, you should try various things. Consult with Miss Shinobu too."

"Miss Shinobu...?"

"Hey, hey, Miss Shinobu... Well, never mind. She has a discerning palate inherited from the previous generation. Don't waste her talent."

"Yes."

Indeed, Shinobu's sense of taste was sharp.

If he had her taste the dishes, the research for flavors suitable for the old capital would progress much faster.

"Thank you for everything today."

"No, it's fine. Both the young president and the head waitress, well, they were worried about you. They were relieved to see you looking well."

"Are you not going to see Miss Shinobu?"

"I want to, but if she gets attached to the village, it could cause problems."

"Oh..."

The crisis at Yukitsuna was not over.

If Shinobu returned to the store now, the problems would likely resurface.

No one wanted that to happen.

"Well, I've been a bother today."

"Please come again."

Tawara ruffled Shinno's deeply bowed head.

"Next time, I want to taste Yuzawa Shinno's cooking after he has departed."

"Yes!"

As Tawara left through the back door, Shinno was already thinking about the seasoning for a new dish.

He would definitely create his own flavor and impress Tawara.

Just as Tawara turned the corner and his small back disappeared, Shinobu arrived.

"Hey, boss. Did you try something new? It smells delicious."

"I was trying ajillo with the octopus from Linehold."

"Ajillo? The Spanish dish? That's rare. Are you going to let me try it too?"

Looking back at the counter, Tawara had already finished everything.

The octopus in the frying pan was also eaten by Shinno under the pretext of tasting.

It was that delicious.

"Ah, well, but we have pudding..."

"I can't eat anything with such a delicious smell!"

"S-Sorry..."

In the end, Shinno had to make ajillo again for Shinobu, and it also ended up being served to Etvin the deacon, who had been drawn by the smell.