Chapter 82

The next day, I decided to head out aiming for the opening time of the shop.

Since the only job I have now is polishing glass for a young monk named Thomas from the cathedral, I can finish early. He apparently wants to make something called a telescope, which is becoming popular in the Holy Kingdom recently, but I don’t really understand it.

"Master, shall we go now?"

"Yeah, let's go."

As we left the workshop, we headed south along the road illuminated by the sunset. The frozen road from yesterday's rain had melted, and now it was just a bit muddy. The craftsman's district and the stable street were just a stone's throw away.

"Is this the first time you're going to a bar with me?"

"Because I can't drink alcohol."

"Right, that's true. But, Nobu's food is delicious."

"That sounds nice."

Unlike Hans, who has ordinary brown hair, Hugo's hair and eyes are a deep dark brown. Hans and Hugo have different mothers. Hugo's mother, who came from a nomadic tribe far to the west, couldn't drink a drop of alcohol. It seems the whole tribe is like that, so it must be a trait of theirs.

While talking about the new apprentice's performance, we arrived at Nobu's before we knew it. Shizuno was just putting out the curtain.

"Mr. Laurenz, welcome! It's been a while."

"Yeah, it has been a while."

"And this one?"

"Shizuno, this is my son Hugo. He's Hans' older brother."

"Nice to meet you, Hugo."

"Nice to meet you, Hugo. Please, come in."

We entered the shop as we were guided. Hans looked surprised for a moment but didn't say anything, just nodded and returned to his work.

"Welcome."

After greeting the chef with a nod, Laurenz sat at the counter. He ordered a glass of beer and a non-alcoholic drink for Hugo. After taking a sip from the glass to wet his throat, he looked around the menu. The food here is all delicious, but today he had a different purpose.

"Shizuno, I have a question."

"What is it?"

"Which dishes on the menu can my son make? I want to try his cooking today."

He thought she would tell him easily, but her answer was unexpected. She bowed deeply and declared firmly.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot accommodate that request."

"What do you mean?"

"Hans cannot serve any dishes to customers today."

There's no such thing as not being able to serve. Hans is employed as a cook here and gets paid. If he can't serve, what's the point of hiring him?

"But, the stew he made yesterday was quite good."

"Still, I cannot accommodate that request."

"Shizuno, don't be so mean. I finally brought my eldest son here for the first time, you know?"

But Shizuno wouldn't nod.

Both Laurenz and his son Hans are stubborn, but this Shizuno is quite something.

"No, but..."

"I don't understand. If a customer wants something and the shop can provide it, isn't it only natural to serve it? Or are you not teaching Hans anything at all?"

Ah, this is no good.

He was getting emotional and saying things he shouldn't. He knew it, but he couldn't stop himself.

"That's not it. Hans is a quick learner and a proud employee of this shop."

"Then!"

"...Dad, stop it."

A weak voice came from the side. It was Hugo. His tone was weak, but his eyes were strong.

"But, Hugo..."

"Our workshop doesn't sell apprentice-made items to important customers either."

"..."

That's true. For example, Thomas from the cathedral commissioned work because he trusted Laurenz's skills. Even if the polishing was decent, he couldn't entrust it to an apprentice.

Important customers are important.

If you treat them carelessly even once, you won't get any more work from them. If a customer complains, you can clear your name, but most customers who feel slighted will leave without a word and sometimes spread bad reviews.

That's why he always tries to provide the best service possible as a workshop.

Still, Laurenz had something he wanted to say.

"I understand your point. I know the shop has to treat customers well. But what about the craftsmen? Isn't it true that they can only grow if their work is valued?"

"No, that's not what I meant..."

Hans panicked.

He scratched his head, and something was stuck to his finger.

"What's wrong, Hans? What's on your finger?"

"...This morning, I cut my finger while preparing. That's why I can't cook today."

"...I'm not very knowledgeable about cooking, but can't you cook if you're injured?"

Taisho and Shizuno nodded deeply in silence.

Come to think of it, Shizuno, who isn't a cook, sometimes serves homemade dishes here.

It felt like a letdown, and Laurenz leaned back in his chair. Everything seemed ridiculous. It felt like something had deflated.

Hugo was also chuckling.

"If that's the case, you should have said so earlier..."

"I couldn't find the right moment."

When she smiled, the urge to be angry at Shizuno disappeared.

"Well, if that's the case, it can't be helped. I'll order something really delicious and filling."

"Yes, sir!"

As soon as the order was placed, Taisho started cutting chicken with practiced movements. Hans was preparing the bowls. It's impressive how well they work together.

"Hans."

"What, no, what is it?"

"You found a good place."

His tone was joking, but the words were sincere.

"...What's with you all of a sudden?"

"There's nothing sudden about it. It's only natural for a parent to praise their child's work."

"Well, that's true, I guess."

They hadn't been a normal family, or even a normal parent and child.

Hugo and Hans seemed to have grown up and become adults on their own. Since they grew up on their own, it should be their choice to pick their own jobs.

The pot started to emit a good smell. Taisho quickly sealed the simmered chicken with an egg. The sound and aroma stimulated Laurenz's tired stomach.

"Shizuno, what's today's dish?"

"Today's special is oyakodon. The chicken is the parent, and the egg is the child."

"Ah, oyakodon."

Taisho's mouth was curved into a pleasant smile.

It was a thoughtful touch.

He scooped up the oyakodon with a wooden spoon and took a bite.

The slightly runny egg mixed with the rice. The combination of chicken and egg was excellent.

Indeed, this is a parent and child.

The rice soaked in broth was also good. The fluffy, runny egg might seem unreliable on its own, but it was just right when mixed with the rice.

Laurenz learned a new way to eat.

As a traveling craftsman, he thought he knew more than someone who lived in an ancient city. This will happen, that will happen. When you think you know a lot, you tend to make assumptions.

His younger self would have laughed at such assumptions.

He was surprised by a simple dish at a bar. The world is vast.

As he scooped up the rice with a wooden spoon, he started to feel that many things didn't matter. Eating delicious food made him feel happy.

Whether Hugo becomes a certain kind of craftsman or Hans becomes a cook, it's their decision.

He himself had run away from home at twelve to become a traveling glass craftsman. Compared to that, his sons seemed to be more solidly planning their futures.

"Taisho, can I have a second helping?"

"Sure, I can do that."

While gathering the remaining grains of rice from the bottom of the bowl and putting them in his mouth, he thought about the chicken and egg.

It was a bit unconventional, but the first family dinner in a long time had a soft and gentle taste.