GalaxyTL
“May I… call you Meg-chan?”
“Yesh!”
His slightly raspy voice made me feel ticklish. It was strange, the nostalgia it evoked.
“I’m actually… a human. A mere human, from the weakest race with the shortest lifespans.”
“A human…”
I was stunned by the unexpected confession. And I remembered what Kei-san had told me. About the Demon Continent, separated by a sea from the human continent. And that humans were sold there because they were rare.
“I was kidnapped when I was young and brought to this continent. Ah, but I wasn’t treated that badly. The Don rescued me right away.”
Leo-jii spoke calmly, without losing his composure. He said his cooking skills were recognized, and after some training, he was offered a job here at the guild.
“I’m human, so they think of me as… short-lived, like a flower or an insect. They usually avoid hiring someone like me, because they’d have to find a replacement quickly.”
But then, Leo-jii smiled even wider.
『Leo’s cooking is more delicious than anyone else’s. And it’s precious, precisely because it’s fleeting. Humans, because their lives are short, are the fastest growing of all races. Be proud.』
“That’s what the Don said to me. Those words alone… made me feel like it was worth being born.”
Seeing Leo-jii’s heartfelt joy made me realize something.
Oh, I see, he resembles my grandpa.
He didn’t look like him at all, but maybe that’s why I felt that sense of nostalgia. An elderly human man, living his short life to the fullest, with no regrets. He reminded me of how my grandfather had lived.
“But I’m getting old, and I can’t move around the kitchen as well as I used to. I figured I’d be a burden to everyone, so I’m planning to retire next month.”
I see. That couldn’t be helped. Leo-jii had worked here for years, surrounded by demi-humans, in a world with different common sense… he deserved to rest.
“Leo-jii-cha, thank you for all your hawd work.”
Those words slipped out naturally. Both Leo-jii and Gil-san’s eyes widened. I guess they weren’t used to hearing that from a little kid like me! But Leo-jii simply smiled and said, “Thank you.” He really was a kind person.
And I was sad that he was retiring so soon after I’d just met him, so I decided to be a little selfish.
“Um… what awe you going to do… after you wetire?”
“I’m single, so I’m just going to relax and enjoy my retirement at my home near the guild.”
Hmm, that sounds good! I then steeled my resolve and made my request.
“Um… is it ok if I visit you at home shometimes? I wanna cook with you!”
“What…? You’re willing to spend time with an old geezer like me? You’re such a kind child. Gil-san, you did well bringing her back. Of course you can visit me anytime, Meg-chan.”
“Thank you! I’m sho happy!”
The kind Leo-jii had called me kind! I wasn’t kind at all. This was all part of my plan. I whispered to him, cupping my hand around his ear.
“I want to cook some simple meals and make shweets for evewyone!”
Leo-jii chuckled, stroking my head, finding me amusing.
“That’s a wonderful plan. I’d love to help.”
“…What are you talking about?”
“It’s a shecret from Gil-shan! Wight, Leo-jii-cha!?”
“That’s right, it’s a secret.”
“Hmm…”
Gil-san furrowed his brow slightly, but perhaps seeing how happy Leo-jii and I were, he didn’t press further. You’re so cool, handsome man!
And there was one important thing I hadn’t said yet. I looked Leo-jii in the eye and said,
“Leo-jii-cha, thank you always for the yummy food! The powwidge today was vewwy yummy!”
“I see, you liked it. There’s no greater compliment for a chef.”
Phew, I almost forgot the main reason I was here! That was close. And one more thing. I decided to ask the question that had been on my mind the most!
“Also, um… the katsu, the wice… did you come up with those menus, Leo-jii-cha?”
This was it. About the Japanese food that seemed so common in this world, or at least in this town. I knew it wasn’t created by Leo-jii, but he was a chef, so he might know something, so I had to ask.
“Hmm, does Meg-chan like Washoku?”
TL Note: Washoku is the Japanese word for “Japanese food”
“! Yes! I wuv katsu, and fishy, and… evewything!”
Oh, he said “Washoku!” Though it sounded more like “Wa-shoku” from his intonation. I could safely call it Washoku from now on.
“Wa-shoku… the Don brought the recipes back from somewhere. He travels all over, so I’m sure he got them from some faraway land. He also manages the suppliers for all the necessary ingredients and seasonings.”
But apparently, he couldn’t tell me where the recipes came from or even which country. He said he could tell me the origin of the ingredients and seasonings, though.
Hmm, it was hard to say. Maybe the supplier was a former Japanese person, or maybe there was a Wa-shoku culture somewhere in this world. And if there was a contract in place, even if I asked the Don directly, he probably wouldn’t tell me. Not that I’d have a chance to talk to him anyway…
Well, I couldn’t find out any more about Washoku for now. There was nothing else I could do.
And as long as it tasted good, it was all okay! Is that really fine, me?
“You like fish? We’re the same then. Tonight’s dinner is grilled fish teishoku. I’ll make sure yours is deboned.”
“! Thank you…”
“Ho ho ho, there’s no need for you to be so polite, child. It’s my pleasure to put in the effort as long as you enjoy the food.”
Ugh, a true chef! It’s true that it feels rewarding to have people enjoy the food you’ve prepared, to have them tell you it’s delicious! I also have fond memories of making my father happy with my cooking. Thinking back, he was a good husband and a good father.
Anyway, grilled fish teishoku, huh… I was already looking forward to dinner!