Chapter 77

"Is this the izakaya Nobu where Kurovinkel sings?"

A handsome man who looked like an actor peered inside through the half-open door. He was dressed in flashy attire, but his gentle smile and the simple kindness in his expression were evident.

"Yes, this is Izakaya Nobu."

When Shinobu responded, the man seemed relieved and patted his chest. His exaggerated and theatrical movements suggested that he was indeed an actor or someone in a similar profession.

"Oh, that's good. Kurovinkel's song only mentioned, 'Turn into <Coachman's Inn> Street and walk a little.' I immediately recognized the charming exterior of the shop, but I was worried if it was the wrong place."

Scratching his head, the customer tried to slip inside, but Shinobu was about to turn him away, saying, "We're not open during the day," when she somehow ended up guiding him to the counter. His smile, wiped with a hot towel, seemed familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. If he had been a customer before, Shinobu would remember not just his face but also his voice, height, and aura. The fact that she couldn't recall him suggested he might just look like someone else.

When she tried to take his order, the customer laughed heartily and began to talk.

"Actually, I'd like to enjoy some wine even in the daytime, but I have to perform a play in the square in front of the cathedral later. It's a strange coincidence, but the play is called 'August,' and the main character's name is also August. It's not good for the lead actor to be drunk before his performance, you see."

He talked so fluently, like water off a duck's back. If left alone, he would probably keep talking forever. Shinobu asked, "What would you like to order?" and he cleared his throat as if coming to his senses.

"Something filling, please."

"Something filling, got it."

However, this posed a bit of a problem. Shinobu glanced at Shinnosuke, who frowned in confusion. It was a bad time, right after lunch, and there were no dishes ready to serve immediately. For some reason, the regulars had all come on the same day, and all the tempura, grilled rice balls, and fish had sold out.

There were some leftover rice balls from yesterday, but she had planned to give them to Eifa tonight. As she was thinking this, she noticed Geaunot, who was face-down against the wall. Shinnosuke seemed to notice too and started boiling water in a pot.

"But this old city is a wonderful place. My brother would surely like it."

August finished the braised pork on the complimentary plate and looked around the shop while muttering.

"Hmm, do you have a brother, sir?"

Leontine asked, and August nodded with a broad smile.

"Yes, my proud brother. He works as a retainer for some noble family near the old city."

"What do you mean by 'some noble family'?"

"I haven't seen him in a long time. We exchange letters every month, though. I don't think my brother is wealthy, but he sends me a considerable amount of money every month..."

"That's a great brother."

"Yes, he is. He was against me becoming an actor, and we even had a fight..."

"...You respect him, don't you?"

"Yes, I think he's a wonderful brother."

When he mentioned a nearby noble, it could be the Sacknussemberg family in Arnu or the Brandano family. She occasionally saw retainers from both families, but none of them looked like August.

"My wife is frail, so the money my brother sends is very helpful. I'd like to thank him in person after so long."

Shinnosuke threw pasta into the boiling pot. It was spaghetti prepared for a quick Neapolitan dish, ready to serve Geaunot at any time. The noodles danced in the bubbling water, and this would allow him to serve August without much delay.

"If you're looking for someone, you should ask the staff here. Believe it or not, I was reunited with someone I had been searching for a long time thanks to this shop."

"Really? Maybe I should ask for help too..."

"What's your brother's name? If it's a common name like Joseph, it might be hard to find."

"I think it's a rare name around here. His name is Geaunot."

At that moment, Shinnosuke coughed as if choking.

"Ah, sorry. Maybe it's just dry."

Shinobu was grateful to Shinnosuke. If he hadn't coughed, she would have definitely looked at Geaunot.

"Geaunot, huh? That's a rare name."

Leontine's voice seemed strained. She must have decided not to reveal that the person was right next to them.

"Do you have any leads...?"

"We don't ask every customer their name, you know."

"That's true. And we can't remember everyone either."

Even the regulars of Izakaya Nobu knew Geaunot's name, but she couldn't say that. Shinobu returned to wiping the rice bowls she planned to use today.

"Is there any other clue?"

"Well... my brother lost some vision in one eye when he fell from a tree trying to save a cat, so he uses a monocle. He also went to the imperial university to study law..."

"...I've never heard these stories before."

"Ah, you don't know my brother?"

"No, no. I mean, I've never heard of someone like that. Yes."

Shinobu was nervous as she peeked at Geaunot over the rice bowl. His back was trembling slightly. Perhaps he didn't want his past to be known. Indeed, it was hard to imagine a tax collector climbing a tree to save a cat.

Leontine, who had been trying to act like she was helping with the search, seemed to reach her limit, and an awkward silence filled the shop. Then, Shinnosuke drained the pasta from the pot.

"Here, it's almost ready."

He quickly sautéed the ingredients in a frying pan, transferred the pasta, and added the pre-prepared tomato-based sauce, stirring it briefly.

"Thick-sliced bacon Neapolitan, here you go!"

As she placed the plate in front of August, he let out a sigh.

"I never thought I'd be able to eat pasta in the old city... but this is a strange pasta. I've never seen such a red one before."

Shinobu almost nodded in agreement with August's smile. "My brother also loved pasta," he said. She still loved it, but she couldn't say that.

"Shall we try this old city-style pasta?"

Glancing at the face-down Geaunot, she noticed he was watching August's reaction to the pasta. He must have been curious about how his brother would react to his favorite dish.

As August brought the fork to his mouth, all eyes in the shop were on him.

"What is this?"

August's face, which had been plastered with a forced smile, twisted in surprise. This was his genuine reaction. His eyes widened in shock as he took a second bite.

"What is this..."

He moved his fork absentmindedly, not even noticing that his mouth was getting dirty. He ate the sweet Neapolitan greedily. At that moment, Geaunot, still facing the wall, skillfully pushed out the powdered cheese and Tabasco.

"Huh? Thank you."

He seemed momentarily confused but quickly understood and sprinkled the cheese and Tabasco on the Neapolitan, took a bite, and fell silent.

"...It's a miracle."

He muttered in amazement and began eating voraciously, as if thanking something. It was the same or even more enthusiastic than when Geaunot first visited the shop. It was gratifying to see someone enjoy the food so much.

"...It was delicious. Really, really delicious."

With his mouth stained red, August smiled. He rubbed his belly, and his smile was genuine and very satisfying. This eating style confirmed he was definitely Geaunot's brother. Just before Shinobu could offer a napkin, Geaunot handed him a white handkerchief.

"Ah, thank you, bro... no, kind customer."

Geaunot coughed violently, and August stood up in a panic.

"Thank you. It was very delicious. Kurovinkel's song was true. I'll come back for a meal if I have the chance. Next time, I'd like to enjoy some drinks too. Hopefully with my brother."

He said this in a rush, left a bit more silver than necessary, and hurried out of the shop. The quiet afternoon air remained.

"Y-Yeah, Mr. Geaunot."

Leontine called out, and Geaunot, with an indescribable expression, looked up.

"When did you realize it?"

While pouring water for Geaunot, Shinnosuke smiled mischievously.

"From the beginning, I think. He must have heard about it from someone."

"But he didn't show any signs when he came to the shop..."

"Of course not, sir. Consider his profession."

An actor, indeed. He's a good performer.

He muttered this, drank the water, and stood up.

"Mr. Geaunot, are you leaving already?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, Shinobu. I just remembered something urgent."

Geaunot, who was unusually fidgety, took out his wallet.

"It's in the square in front of the cathedral."

"W-Who said I'm going to watch the play... No, I will go."

In a barely audible voice, Geaunot spoke, and Shinobu reserved two seats for the evening.