New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

A Good Beginning…

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

It was Saturday.

After attending the university for three consecutive days, the weekend had finally arrived.

I felt slightly restless. When I closed my eyes, the system clock displayed 9:50. It was about time to go. I rose from the sofa.

Before that, I looked around the living room. There was no trash or clutter lying about. Good. I decided to open the window. I did not think the air was stale, but since I had been here the whole time, it was difficult to notice such things myself.

When I descended to the first floor and stepped outside, I caught sight of Lirin-san’s back as she was heading out. I wondered where she was going, but no, I should not call out to her.

I slowed my pace and stepped out a few moments later. She was walking southward.

Good. My direction is east. Convenient.

I reached the main street. This was my destination, though I was not going anywhere else.

Ah, perfect timing.

A railway carriage approached and slowed to a stop at the station. However, no one disembarked, and after a short while, it departed again. I leaned against the wall of a building beside the sidewalk and closed my eyes.

About 10 minutes later, the sound of the rails creaking drew my attention, and I opened my eyes. Another carriage had glided into the station.

Ah, there she is.

She stepped down, wearing a light white dress and a wide-brimmed straw hat, carrying a woven basket upon her arm. When she spotted me, she waved lightly. Once the carriage departed, the person I had been waiting for crossed the main street at an unhurried pace. She was truly graceful.

After exchanging a polite bow, we turned into the side street.

“Leon-chan, thank you for coming to meet me.” (Adele)

“Adele-san, welcome. Allow me to carry your things.” (Leon)

“Yes, please.” (Adele)

It was unexpectedly heavy.

“What do you have in here?” (Leon)

“Hehe, that will be your surprise later.” (Adele)

I had gone out to meet her because I did not want her to be questioned or stopped at the boarding house entrance.

We returned, climbed the stairs, and entered my room.

“My, my, you keep your room quite clean.” (Adele)

“Well, Lirin-san cleans it for me.” (Leon)

“What? Not only the laundry?” (Adele)

“Yes.” (Leon)

She puffed her cheeks slightly, looking displeased.

“By the way, what brings you here today?” (Leon)

When I had visited Oji-san house, she told me upon parting that she would come to my lodging around ten o’clock today. But she had not said for what purpose. When I tried to ask, Lotte-san arrived, and the conversation was interrupted.

“Well, you gave me such a wonderful gift, so I thought I should thank you properly.” (Adele)

“A thank-you gift?” (Leon)

Ah, it must be for the crystal pen.

“Saturday meals are not provided here, right?” (Adele)

“That’s right. I was going to eat out.” (Leon)

“No. I’ll make lunch for you instead.” (Adele)

“What!” (Leon)

“Look, I brought the ingredients.” (Adele)

She placed the basket on the table and opened it. Inside were several vegetables and a lump wrapped in magnolia leaves.

“But I don’t have any pots or cooking utensils.” (Leon)

We would have to borrow some from downstairs or perhaps go buy them.

“Honestly, Leon-chan, do you really think I would forget such things?” (Adele)

Yet apart from the ingredients, nothing else seemed to be in the basket. Adele-san walked toward the kitchen area.

“You haven’t opened the cupboard under this sink, have you?” (Adele)

“No, I haven’t.” (Leon)

“Just like a man. Hehe.” (Adele)

Adele-san crouched down and opened the cabinet.

“See? There are kitchen knives, large and small pots, a frying pan, strainer, bowls, a spatula, a ladle, and all the basic seasonings as well.” (Adele)

“Oh, I didn’t know that. I thought there were only dishes.” (Leon)

Lirin-san never mentioned that. Then it must have been Madam Therese’s doing. Still, for Adele-san to have noticed this during her previous visit, she certainly paid attention to detail.

“Now then, Leon-chan, you can sit over there and read a book.” (Adele)

“No, I’ll help.” (Leon)

“You said before that you’ve never cooked, didn’t you?” (Adele)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Well, that makes sense. Your father is quite wealthy, and with both the chairman and vice-chairman at home, I imagine there are plenty of maids.” (Adele)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Not just maids, there was even a personal chef.

“I came here intending to cook as thanks, but men should know how to cook too, especially if you plan to become an adventurer. So, Leon-chan, you shall be my assistant.” (Adele)

“Understood.” (Leon)

“Let’s start by cutting the vegetables. First, fill the bowl with water and wash the maksai.” (Adele)

She placed the cabbage on a wooden board and sliced it vertically into halves, then quarters, then eighths.

“Now, hold this knife.” (Adele)

I stepped forward.

“No, no, that’s not how you hold a cooking knife.” (Adele)

She took my hand, guiding my index finger to rest gently along the back of the blade.

“Hmm, something’s still off. Ah, it’s your stance. Don’t stand straight, turn your body slightly sideways and draw your right side back a bit.” (Adele)

Ah!

Adele-san pressed close behind me, placing her hand over mine.

Whoa.

Her soft warmth pressed against my back, and the sweet scent that had lingered faintly since earlier grew stronger.

“Leon-chan.” (Adele)

“Y-yes?” (Leon)

“You’re handling a knife, so focus.” (Adele)

Impossible.

“Keep your back straight.” (Adele)

No, I couldn’t help leaning back slightly.

“What is it? Ah! I got too close, didn’t I? I always teach Lotte this way, you see.” (Adele)

She quickly stepped back.

“N-no, it’s fine.” (Leon)

“Sorry. I’ve never had any siblings, so I’ll be more careful.” (Adele)

Her face flushed red. Clearly, it had not been intentional. Of course not, there was no reason for her to do such a thing deliberately.

“Now, curl your fingers on your left hand and rest them against the side of the knife while you cut. Yes, just like that.” (Adele)

Hm? Somehow…

“Well now, this is strange. You’re actually doing quite well.” (Adele)

Indeed, I felt as though I were cutting rather skillfully.

“You truly have never done this before?” (Adele)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Perhaps Reo’s experiences were surfacing subconsciously. But of course, I could never say that aloud.

“I see. That means you have a natural aptitude.” (Adele)

After that, Adele-san handled the main cooking, while I was responsible for cutting vegetables and watching the pot. During that time, she seasoned the dishes and performed other culinary tasks I had never seen before, completing two plates of food in no time at all.

By the time she finished, nearly all the cleaning was done. Adele-san was remarkably efficient. Even I could tell she was truly accustomed to cooking. When I praised her, she smiled shyly and said that it was because I had helped her.

We carried the pot and tableware to the table and sat down together.

“Well then, let us eat. Ah, start with the soup.” (Adele)

“Yes.” (Leon)

The amber-colored soup served in deep dishes had a surprising thickness when I dipped the spoon into it. I blew on it gently, cooled it slightly, and took a sip.

Ah.

The sweetness came first, the napa cabbage had melted halfway, infusing the soup with its flavor. As it spread softly across my tongue, it faded, leaving behind only a deep, pleasant richness.

“It’s delicious.” (Leon)

“Hehe.” (Adele)

Adele-san smiled serenely.

“I’m honestly surprised. You finished cooking in less than an hour.” (Leon)

“Oh? Did you not believe me when I said I could cook?” (Adele)

“No, that’s not it.” (Leon)

“Then, have some of the meat as well.” (Adele)

What is this dish?

She had grilled the meat first, then stewed it in the pot as though making a stew.

I moved the plate closer and cut into the meat, the knife slid through effortlessly. I took a bite.

“Wow, it’s so tender and delicious.” (Leon)

The sauce was slightly spicy, yet within it lingered a refreshing sweetness.

“Hehehe.” (Adele)

“How did you make it so tender?” (Leon)

“I prepared it last night. If you soak it together with a certain fruit, it softens. I wrapped it in leaves and brought it like that. That’s why it’s so tender.” (Adele)

“I see.” (Leon)

The word enzyme crossed my mind.

“Blanche-san’s cooking was wonderful too, but yours is just as good, or perhaps I prefer yours, Adele-san. Ah, I mean your cooking, of course.” (Leon)

“Hehe, I know what you mean. But I’m happy to hear that. I’ll come cook for you from time to time.” (Adele)

“Truly?” (Leon)

“Yes. Until you find a good partner, Leon-chan.” (Adele)

“The,n I suppose I won’t be finding one.” (Leon)

“Who knows? Hehehe.” (Adele)

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)