New chapter of Single Old Man is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

Alexandrite Donburi House

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Now then, today was my day off.

As I was drinking coffee at home, Richter and Yeran came to pick me up.

“What’s this? I expected Richter, but Yeran too?” (Gentoku)

“I have the day off. I heard you are going to make a lot of delicious food, so I thought I would come and enjoy it.” (Yeran)

“You are quite bold. Well then, shall we go?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. The location is one of the vacant houses the Alexandrite Trading Company purchased. It is close to your home, Gentoku-san, so we can walk there.” (Richter)

“Ah, and Rosso and the others?” (Gentoku)

“I already informed them of the place, so they will meet us there.” (Richter)

I placed my donburi recipe notebook in my bag and started walking with Yeran and Richter.

After about 15 minutes from my home, we reached a moderately large vacant house on a street lined with many eateries. It seemed to be under renovation, with beastkin carpenters working outside.

When I entered the building, I nodded in satisfaction. Everything matched the instructions I had given.

“Oh, Ossan!!” (Rosso)

“…Oji-san.” (Ao)

“Oji-sama, good morning.” (Blanche)

“Gentoku, you have arrived.” (Verde)

“Gentoku-san, thank you for coming.” (Snow)

“Nyaau!” (Yuki)

There were the four from Scarlet Camellia, along with Snow-san and Yuki-chan. Snow-san had said that if the timing worked out, Rosso’s group could join us. I was glad they came.

After greeting everyone, I headed to the kitchen.

Inside the kitchen and at the counter seating, about 20 beastkin were gathered. Half of them were pure-blooded beastkin like Tigar-san, and the other half were mixed-bloods like Snow-san. The ratio of men to women was roughly equal, which made for a good balance.

Then, Sandrone emerged from the back of the kitchen.

“You have arrived. Let us get started. Richter, explain.” (Sandrone)

“Yes.” (Richter)

Richter cleared his throat and began his explanation.

 

—

 

This was a new venture by the Alexandrite Trading Company, the food service business. They were not turning every location into a mixed grains specialty shop all at once. Instead, half would operate as ordinary diners or cafés, while the other half would specialize in mixed grains.

The 20 people gathered here were beastkin who had taken interest in my Single Man’s Donburi Meals recipes. Currently, they were training at restaurants introduced by the Alexandrite Trading Company. Though called training, most of them were already experienced in food service, so it was more like keeping their skills sharp.

Sandrone had once taken my recipe notebook home, but it had soon been returned.

Well, given everything that has happened with Michaela, they have not exactly had time for restaurant ventures. This will be the first time the beastkin cooks here would see my donburi dishes in person.

Sandrone led a young female beastkin forward.

“This is Trecena. She will be the head chef here. She is a skilled cook, so please take good care of her.” (Sandrone)

“Ah, I see. I will be counting on you.” (Gentoku)

She was young, probably in her early 20s, with slightly tanned skin.

Her ears had a leopard-like pattern, and her thick tail shared the same markings. Her figure was stunning. Her tank top was almost spilling over with her large chest, on par with Snow-san.

Blonde hair, a model’s proportions, a voluptuous figure, and a leopard pattern. She was quite the sight.

“Fufu. What are you staring at, Oji-san?” (Trecena)

“Eh? Oh, no, it is nothing.” (Gentoku)

“I am Trecena. I used to be Ojou’s personal chef, but since I could leave things to my younger sister, I decided to work outside. I heard you live nearby, so be a regular, all right?” (Trecena)

“Ah, yes.” (Gentoku)

“By the way, I am not a leopard beastkin, but an ocelot.” (Trecena)

This shop might actually become incredibly popular. She was an alluring and confident woman.

Sandrone gave me a sharp glare, so I cleared my throat. After greeting the other beastkin as well, I steeled myself.

“All right, let us begin. I will teach you all the ways of the Single Man’s Donburi Meals.” (Gentoku)

“You are forbidden from saying that name from now on.” (Sandrone)

“W-What?” (Gentoku)

Glaring at me, Sandrone forced me to simply make Donburi Meals.

 

—

 

While giving instructions, I taught the cooks how to prepare each dish.

“Yes, yes, for egg-bound dishes, do not overcook. Stop when it reaches just the right level of softness.” (Gentoku)

“For steak, check the customer’s preference, rare or medium. Confirm it before cooking.” (Gentoku)

“Ah, for gyudon, extra broth makes it better. Though it depends on preference, adding an egg makes it even tastier.” (Gentoku)

“Also, keep the shop windows open. You smell that aroma? Use it to attract customers.” (Gentoku)

“As for alcohol, perhaps do not serve it. It slows down table turnover. Though for evening hours, turning it into an izakaya could work. Trecena, you used to cook at Sandrone’s place, right? I will teach you some recommended izakaya-style dishes.” (Gentoku)

Following my directions, the cooks prepared the donburi dishes one by one.

I also taught them how to cook mixed grains rice. It could be done in a clay pot, but they had apparently imported rice cookers from Azuma. Unlike the one I had at home, however, the Azuma models did not make the rice as fluffy. The heating method seemed a little weak. Perhaps it was due to material differences. I would have to make a few of my own rice cookers and bring them over soon.

Before long, the counter was filled with steaming donburi bowls.

“Rosso and the others, eat as much as you like. Richter, call in the beastkin working outside. This one is on me.” (Gentoku)

“Understood.” (Richter)

The cooks began tasting the food and memorizing the flavors. Quite a few donburi dishes were made. 20 cooks meant 20 bowls, after all.

When the beastkin workers entered from outside, I raised my voice.

“Welcome. Everyone, today’s meal is my treat, so eat as much as you like.” (Gentoku)

“A-Are you sure, boss?” (Beastkin)

“Of course. It would be wasteful to let this much food go uneaten.” (Gentoku)

The workers happily began eating.

Rosso was already on her third bowl. Ao and Blanche gave up after two, and Verde stopped after three. I would have to rely on the beastkin workers to finish the rest. Meanwhile, the cooks began chatting among themselves, exchanging opinions on flavors and techniques. Their discussions were serious.

Then, Trecena approached me.

“Oji-san, would you taste this?” (Trecena)

“Sure… Hmm, this is good. Did you add more fish sauce?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Adjusting the proportions changes the flavor nicely. Would you mind if I add some variations to the recipe?” (Trecena)

“I will leave that to you. You are in charge here, after all.” (Gentoku)

“Thanks… Oh.” (Trecena)

Yuki-chan was eating her oyakodon with a delighted expression. Snow-san smiled softly beside her.

Trecena leaned toward the counter to speak to Yuki.

“Fufu, does it taste good?” (Trecena)

“Nyaa. It is delicious.” (Yuki)

“Thank you, cute little kitty. I will be cooking here, so come anytime, all right?” (Trecena)

“Nyaau. Are you a cat too, onee-san?” (Yuki)

“I suppose I am both a cat and a leopard. I am your feline friend.” (Trecena)

“Nya… I am Yuki.” (Yuki)

“Yuki, is it? Fufu, nice to meet you. I am Trecena.” (Trecena)

Ocelots were part of the cat family, are they not? That is quite charming.

Trecena also spoke to Snow-san.

“Snow, come by when you have time. Bring Yuki along.” (Trecena)

“Of course. I will bring our friends too.” (Snow)

“Nyaa. We have a wolf and a fox friend too.” (Yuki)

“Oh, I would love to meet them.” (Trecena)

The atmosphere was lively and cheerful.

Looking around, I saw Rosso and the others laughing and eating with the beastkin workers, while the cooks continued discussing and experimenting with flavors.

Then, Sandrone came to stand beside me.

“How are the cooks doing?” (Sandrone)

“They are all skilled, and they might even improve on my recipes to make better donburi dishes. I have high hopes.” (Gentoku)

“I agree. By the way, Gentoku, would you like to become this restaurant’s owner?” (Sandrone)

“What?” (Gentoku)

“Trecena is a capable chef. You have more recipes, do you not? Would you consider showcasing them here? As the owner, you would receive a portion of the profits.” (Sandrone)

“Me, an owner? I am a magical technician.” (Gentoku)

“That is fine. You can leave day-to-day management to Trecena. Just visit when inspiration strikes and cook your special dishes. If they are well-received, we could add them to other branches.” (Sandrone)

“…” (Gentoku)

It was not a bad idea.

I still had many of my Single Man’s Meals, including noodle dishes and desserts.

“Alright. I will accept the offer to be owner. But I will only drop by when I feel like it.” (Gentoku)

“That is perfectly fine. Fufu, I am looking forward to it.” (Sandrone)

Thus, the preparations for the Alexandrite Trading Company’s new venture, the restaurant business, were complete. The name of the shop was decided as Alexandrite Donburi.

What a tongue-twister. It is set to open near my home as Alexandrite Donburi House – First Branch. I wonder how it would turn out.

Well, I plan to be a regular anyway.

Speaking of which, I had promised to make something sweet for Rosso and the others, but seeing how satisfied they were with the donburi, I supposed it could wait.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)