949 Episode 3: An Old Woman's Memory

From my mother's perspective, Vulcus was a very strange child.

What are you thinking in the sky, always blurry? She has the same expression as the easterners, so I didn't have a clue.

Besides, he was weak, and when he was younger, he spent more time lying on his bed than when he was awake, and he didn't like crowds for a long time, so I couldn't get him to go to school... so he didn't have much chance to play with children of the same age, so I wonder if he grew up in such a strange person.

However, it was not a child that would cause trouble to parents.

They helped me with the house, they didn't do anything barbaric... and when I was free, it was like sitting in a chair and staring out the window, hiding somewhere.

But as a parent, I was worried about this.

After all, Vulcus is not at all interested in childish play and is always alone... I was more worried that we would be able to stand up for ourselves after we returned our souls.

"Vulcan, what do you want to be in the future?

Fathers who shared the same concern were always asking like that.

Even then, Vulcus looked back at his father blurrily.

"What kind of person... I'm sorry, I don't understand the purpose of the question"

Vulcus has been using very polite words since he was a child.

After all, is that because there were few opportunities to meet children of the same age?

"I am a man who works in a school building, and my mother works to help a tailor. Neither is a job that a child can inherit, so you have to set your own course."

"My Way to Go....."

Do you want to go back to the school building and pursue a bachelor's degree? It may not be bad for you because you seem to be a lot smarter. "

"Hah...."

"Besides, my hands seem clever... but my body is weak, so I don't think it's suitable for craftsmen. Is there anything you want to do for a living?

"By the way... did Dad already aim for a bachelor's degree at my age?

"No, I didn't think so clearly..."

"Then I'm not sure either."

It was like that all along.

It was like a silk book in the wind.

In the meantime, the first omen came when Vulcus was about 12 years old.

After dinner with the three parents, Vulcus leans his head and says:

"Mom, it tastes different again."

I didn't know what I was talking about at first.

My father, too, looks at Vulcus in a silly way.

"No, what's wrong? Was there anything strange in there?

"No, the ingredients used should be the same as three days ago, but they taste different."

Having listened so far, I knew I didn't understand.

I think the dinner served that day was definitely Kimus and vegetable soup dishes. I'm embarrassed, I wasn't so good at cooking... it was a very simple seasoning with salt and chit nuts.

"I don't remember dinner three days ago, but the ingredients that I use aren't that different. Tarapa, Tino, Nenon... and then Mummu."

"Yes, the fruits of Mummu and Chit are different. However, there seems to be another reason... why the taste is so different?

"Yeah, what's the difference?

"Depth... is it? I think it was tastier three days ago."

Then his father frowned and licked Vulcus.

"Vulcus, you don't have to complain about the food you serve. If there is no change in the ingredients I use, there will be no difference."

Vulcus glanced back at his father's face and lowered his head to me.

"I'm sorry I said something extra. After that, I'll squeeze."

After that, Vulcus finished his dinner without saying anything.

But I was very concerned about Vulcan at that time.

Vulcus, who doesn't usually speak up for himself, suddenly said something like that, so he must have been completely surprised.

The next day, around dinner time, I decided to summon Vulcan to the kitchen.

"Vulcus, can you watch me cook like I cooked yesterday?

Vulcus nodded without answering anything.

In front of Vulcan, I made dinner as I did yesterday.

Nevertheless, my cooking is not easy. Kimus skinned meat and vegetables are simmered in an iron pot and finally seasoned with salt and chit nuts, so it doesn't seem like there is anything to see.

"That's it. Would you like a taste?

Vulcus nodded and rinsed the stew into a small plate.

Those green eyes glance back at me blurrily.

Mummu seems to be less than yesterday

"Mummu? Well, that won't be exactly the same because it's divided by the scale....."

"I think the smell of Mummu was too strong yesterday, so I think this one is better. However, I don't think it's deep enough... and I can feel the sourness of the tarapa somewhere."

In those words, I thought of only one thing.

"This is not ready yet, so maybe I'm not familiar with the taste of Tarapa. I think the flavour will be calmed down a bit if you keep it on fire until dinner time."

"... does the time to simmer change the flavor?

"Yeah, probably.... speaking of which, I was a little late starting dinner four days ago, so maybe that's what changed my taste."

The late arrival of his father on that day delayed the start of dinner by about half an hour. In the meantime, I was able to start dinner at any time, and I was warming the iron pot with a much weaker fire.

Well, tomorrow, let's make the same thing about half an hour early. It might taste the same as it did four days ago. "

The next day, I managed to make time for the evening, so I quickly finished my tailoring job. I brought home the sewing work from the tailor, so it was up to me.

Then, after a half-minute long simmer, Vulcus turned to me with his eyebrows closed.

"The taste is different. I think it's pretty close to the taste five days ago."

I see. I knew it had something to do with the time to simmer. "

"But I don't think it tastes the same. The depth is out, and the sourness of the tarapa seems to have calmed down... but this time, I think the pain is disturbing. Isn't the ratio of chit fruit to mummu different?

While saying that, Vulcus put his arms together and thought about it.

"And in the first place, why does it calm the sourness of the tarapa when it is simmered for a long time? If you simmer it for a long time and reduce the water moisture, I think it would be satisfying to increase the depth... but then I think it makes sense to increase the acidity even more."

"I don't know, but I've never heard of a soup that should be stewed carefully."

"What is dashi?"

"If you ask me what it is, I will be in trouble... but is it about the taste and nourishment that comes out of the ingredients?

"The taste and nourishment that comes out of the ingredients... does that mean that the taste and nourishment that comes out of other ingredients calmed the sourness of Tarapa? Even Tarapa is supposed to produce the same taste and nourishment, so why is it pressurized?

"I don't know that much about you."

That's how I laughed at Vulcan.

"Then why don't you make dinner tomorrow? If you do it yourself, you might see something."

Vulcus accepted my offer lightly.

It is the father who won't let go. Anyway, my father has been fed the same dinner for three days, so he's lost his temper.

"Why are you cooking Kimus and Tarapa soup every day? You don't have the bronze to buy caron meat?

"I'm sorry. Can you just be patient for one more day?

The next day, Vulcus made dinner.

Of course, Vulcus has never held a cooking knife before, so I'm here to help. Vulcan carved vegetables as he told me, and set the iron pot on fire... Vulcan is the one who thinks, and I am the one who actually moves.

If you think about it now, would it mean that I served as Vulcan's first cooking assistant?

As far as honor is concerned.

Anyway, the cooking is done.

I cut up my work early that day and cooked it for about half an hour.

Vulcus, who was carefully savouring the flavor until the end, finally exhaled satisfactorily.

"I understand why the sourness of Tarapa calms down. This must be the effect of Kimus's meat stock. Because meat produces more powerful dashi than tarapa, it suppresses tarapa sourness and supports the overall taste."

"Hmm? I don't know, but this is a good finish."

"Yes, if you adjust the cooking time with the ingredients, you may be able to find more harmony."

Perhaps it was the first time Vulcus spoke of "harmony".

Vulcan's green eyes were filled with more serious light than I've ever seen before.

"Another Kimus and Tarapa soup dish...."

During dinner time, the quiet face of his father, who rinsed the broth, was slightly distracted.

"... the taste is quite different. Did you get a new vanilla?

"No, the ingredients are the same. I just adjusted the heat and the amount of ingredients."

From that day on, I started cooking dinner with Vulcan.

Vulcus took in my teachings, like dry sand sucking in water. I think you've become more skilled than me in handling cooking knives, molds and kilns in a month.

Not all the ingredients were still in circulation to Genos at that time, so Vulcus decided to build up a grind with limited ingredients.

If it's vegetables, tino, tarapa, neon, guigo, chatch, pra, nanar - if it's vanilla, meermu, pepe, zozo, pico, chitto - was the seasoning as salt and mammalian vinegar? The amount of tau oil and sugar you can buy from Jagal is still small, and it was a time when it only entered your mouth.

Whatever it is, it has set the course for Vulcan.

At the age of 16, Vulcus offered to work in a restaurant.

"A cook... it's not a shameful job, but I don't think my kid wants to be a cook..."

My father looked a lot harder, but he never challenged Vulcan's determination.

Like me, I would have been more relieved. Vulcan, who was so vague, was able to find his own way forward, so there was no greater joy than that.

However, the subsequent journey was by no means peaceful.

Vulcus, who went to work at the age of 16, changed his workplace three times in just a year.

There are two reasons… First of all, Vulcans still didn't like crowds even at that age, so going to the morning market as a downworker quickly made me feel sick and often caused trouble.

And the other reason... is Vulcan temperament.

As you all know, Vulcans could not decorate words.

When it comes to cooking, I can't bend my opinions or shut my mouth... that kind of temper has become disastrous. I was a family member when I cooked at home, so I didn't have anything to worry about, but as a working person, it's quite inappropriate.

"I think this dish should be revisited for burnout."

"Doesn't this dish have a combination of vanilla breaking the harmony?

"The flavor of this dish seems to be more suitable for caron meat than Kimus."

Because you say such words, people in positions have become very neglected.

When he was released from the third restaurant, his father licked Vulcus with a strict attitude.

"It's Vulcan. Then all the restaurants in Genos will turn their backs on you. So you're satisfied?

"No, I want to be a cook no matter what."

"Then weigh yourself. Now that you're practicing, you can just swallow your opinions and focus on brushing your arms."

Did Vulcus have any thoughts? Then for a while, I couldn't settle down in the same restaurant.

After all, the cook's path is steep. Two years later, and three years later, Vulcus was always a labourer.

And... while Vulcus was training, the situation in Genos changed little by little.

Yes, the ancestors of the Turan family at the time were able to buy a variety of ingredients from various territories.

The ingredients that used to only get into your mouth are becoming more and more available in the castle town.

Not to mention tau oil and sugar, but also the oil of chamchamcham, rohyoy, ma guigo, ma pra, ramapa fruit and lettuce - and I think there's been a lot more herbal variety.

At that time, Vulcus had his eyes shining for a long time.

"When you get tau oil and sugar, the range of flavors increases dramatically. And when I think about vanilla... oh, there's not enough time."

So Vulcus became immersed in something called culinary research.

The job at the restaurant was cut off for salary, and I even started working on the research by myself.

But after all, you shouldn't let go of your connection with others in any kind of work.

I'm sure Vulcus has acquired more skill than usual since that time... but he was never cherished in a restaurant. Even when people of your age are invited to your Mansion and given seats as chefs and associate chefs, Vulcans are abandoned as a single bigotry.

My father was very concerned about the fate of such a Vulcan.

After all, I was watching my child leave with the adage... that flowers that bloom late are big and beautiful.

To tell you the truth, Vulcans at the time seemed to be very satisfied, so you didn't feel comfortable speaking up.

And then a long time passed.

Vulcus often worked in residential stores, so it would have been nice to meet him once or twice a year. In the meantime, I seem to have moved to the shop several times, but it seems that I won't be able to see the world and the wedding every day even during the practice.

The father returned his soul only after Vulcus was thirty.

My father wasn't a tough man either, so he fell ill with his lungs during the rainy season that year and returned his soul after the age of 50.

I often remember Vulcus staring at me in mourning.

"... was it possible for Dad to walk satisfactorily?

"That's right. I had a lot of doubts about you being left behind... but first I think it would have been a satisfying life."

When I answered like that, Vulcus turned his contemplative gaze towards me.

"I went out to work at the age of sixteen, and 14 years have already passed. If I were to return my soul at my father's age... I would have decayed without anything to accomplish."

"I'm sure you'll be fine. The important thing is which way to go... just keep going straight."

Vulcus chewed his lips with an unusual carelessness and then leaned against me.

"I'm sorry I've only spoken of my mood on such a day.... how will mom spend the rest of her life? It's hard to live with the help of a tailor, isn't it?

"I want my sister's house to be my home. I can't keep helping tailors anywhere."

Well then, I'll take care of the delivery...

"It's okay," I said.

"You buy ingredients from your own salary and brush your arms, right? Rather than taking care of your parents, think first of yourself.... even Dad would want that."

"... now, just give me a few more years. Stand up as a cook and greet your mother."

Vulcus left Genos the following year.

I traveled to Sims in the middle of a business group heading east.

I was very distracted that such a frail child would be safe on such a long journey... but Vulcus came back slightly after less than a year.

Tartumai was with you at that time.

"From now on, I want to hold hands with him and pave the way for myself. Please wait a little longer."

Around the following year, the bronze coins for delivery came in.

I have enough bronze to buy ingredients, so don't hesitate... that's what Vulcus said.

Then, about three years later... my sister, who lives in the same house, changed her bloodline and called.

"Hey, my daughter's been asking me about... the cook Vulcus is your sister's son, right?

"That's right. Vulcus is not such a common name, so I think it's probably about my son."

"It seems that a cook named Vulcus has entered my daughter's working mansion. Anything, I want you to compete with a famous Jaguar cook... what kind of noise is this?

Of course, I had no way of knowing.

My sister's daughter worked in the house of the Earl of Turan. At that time, our master was known as a great gastronomer, so you were invited to be a famous Jaguar cook.

It was only three days after Vulcus came to my sister's house with Tatumai.

"Tomorrow I will be working in the mansion of the Earl of Turan. You said you were free to use research ingredients, so you won't be able to handle future benefits freely. So I'd like to rent a place to live and pick up my mom, but what do you say?

"That's a great thing.... but if it were your mansion, wouldn't it be a habitation?

"Yes, that's what the Count told me."

"Then I won't be forced to rent a house. If such an old man lived alone, he wouldn't be able to realize even if he gave back his soul."

"But I can't keep my aunt looking after me forever, can I?

"When my sister's grandson grows up, I'll take care of the cathedral. You don't have to worry about me or anything because you're in an important time."

Vulcus stared silently at me for a while.

"... I will increase the delivery amount, so please give my regards to your aunt. If I could have my own house, I would definitely pick up my mother."

Vulcus thus agreed to work in the residence of the Earl of Turan.

That's when they called me "The Three Great Chefs of Genos." When I asked my sister's daughter, it seemed that she had won a victory over Jagal's famous cook, and that she would be greeted by the princess of the Turan family.

I think Vulcus has finally been able to bloom big and beautiful flowers, and I was satisfied with that alone.

I handed the delivery from Vulcus to my sister as it is, so I am not worried about my shoulders. Then, when my niece's grandson grows up, you can work in the cathedral and return your soul secretly... that's what I was thinking.

Then, should it be about five years later?

The lord of the Count Turan family and his brother were arrested as great sinners.

My niece also left the Mansion and was asked to work in one of the Viscount's houses.

I wondered if Vulcus would be taken over by another Mansion... and if so, Vulcus appeared again.

"I was dismissed as the chef of the Earl of Turan, so I rented a shopping district building to open my own shop. I think I'll live there from now on."

So Vulcus took my hand with a very sorry look.

"It took me almost ten years to pick up my mother. I'm really sorry I kept you waiting."

◇

"... that's why I'm supposed to work here."

When the old woman closed like that, Roy nodded as if he felt "I see."

"It was a very interesting story. I had heard about your encounter with Tatumi at Sims and your confrontation with a Jaguar cook a long time ago... but I didn't know there was such a background."

"Yeah... because she's not really interested in talking about herself."

That said, the old woman turns towards Cyril Row.

"Are you all right, Cyril Lowe? Shall I bring you some tea...?

"No, it's okay," said Cyril Rowe. Her face, which is soaked with woven fabric, is completely wet with tears. Roy shouted in amazement, as Cyril Rowe did.

"Um, what was that in front of your mother's hall... was it like someone else was listening and crying?

"It's not someone else! We are Vulcans' disciples, so are our families!

That said, Cyril Rowe was in the hands of an old woman.

"With Mother watching, Vulcus was able to make such a name... I'm sure Vulcus was even involved in training for Mother."

"No, I don't think so… I don't think Vulcans has gone the same way without me. I wonder if you didn't think about me or your father while you were practicing cooking."

"Ah, I think so too. While you're in the kitchen, you'll only think about cooking, won't you?"

"Shut up! What do you think Vulcan is?

"No, I don't think that person is that cold. This is how I properly picked up your mother's hall."

Roy didn't look bad and showed his white teeth to the old woman.

"While I was in the kitchen, I concentrated on cooking and thought of my mother's hall after I left the kitchen, I'm sure. The presence of your mother's hall was no different from that that which empowered Vulcans."

"Yes... if that's the case, I'm glad."

The door to the kitchen finally opened.

Vulcus, who appeared from there, glanced at Roy's relaxing guests.

"... what are you doing?

"Whatever you're doing, you won't let me in the kitchen, so I'm finally blooming. Are you finished with the vanilla?

"... yeah. If you have the ingredients you need, please bring them."

"Yes, yes. I'm replacing you with a job outside so you can get involved in the research. Please give me a break."

That's how Roy pulled his lips off.

"Besides, I think it would be nice to say that you should leave the kitchen because your concentration is disturbed. I know you're happy to have a new vanilla, but we're your apprentices."

"Then please imitate the noise in the kitchen. You can practice without opening your mouth."

"Well, I'm sorry about earlier! And then I got angry with Roy lightly....."

And Cyril Low lowered his head in a hurry.

Vulcus frowned slightly in comparison to his red eyes and his wet woven fabric.

"... what the hell were you talking about?

"Yes! I was wondering about Vulcan's childhood and his training days! I also want to encourage my family to recognize me one day!

After saluting him like a soldier, Cyril turned Roy's ear, which was still sitting in the chair.

"Let's get the ingredients ready and head to the house of the Vicomte de Madele! As a cook of Silver Star Hall, as a disciple of Vulcan, you can make dishes without shame!

"Stay here!" Stay! "If you're not in such a hurry, you won't get away with your work!

As the bustling young cooks disappeared into the kitchen, Vulcus approached the old woman.

"... mom. Would you refrain from telling your disciples about your childhood?

"Oh, why?

"I don't have to tell you anything like that."

The old woman smiled softly.

"I'm sorry about that. I wanted to talk about my son's pride. I've been doing a lot of outside work lately, and I don't have much of a waitress job."

"... nothing, you don't have to force your mother to work. You can hire as many people as you want..."

"Because if we work together, we'll burn your work to the ground.

That said, the old woman narrowed her eyes happily.

"Please let me do this work while I stand up. I'll keep an eye on your father."