Chapter 581

At this moment, he actually understood a little why many old fathers would show that expression of wanting to tear the other person apart after seeing their daughter get a boyfriend.

Now, he even felt a similar feeling vaguely emerging in the bottom of his heart.

But this didn’t seem to be his fault.

Now that his parents were both dead, he, as an older brother, naturally had to look after his only sister more.

Afterward.

Ando Chizuru excitedly told Natsume Chikage many interesting things and daily life of Natsume Ruri at school.

Such as how she was respected in the Art Club, how excellent she was in her studies, how friendly she was to her classmates, and so on.

Natsume Chikage listened with great interest, nodding or showing a faint smile from time to time.

The two chatted while boarding the train, traveling through the dense urban network of Tokyo.

Soon, the train arrived near Kappabashi Kitchenware Street in Taito Ward, Tokyo.

The two got off, walked for a while, and returned to the familiar “Ando Cutlery & Repair Workshop.”

Today, the shop was still as busy as seen last time.

Many cooking enthusiasts or professional chefs were carefully selecting and trying out various kitchenware in the shop, the air filled with a faint scent of metal and wood, mixed with low discussions.

As soon as Ando Chizuru entered the door, she shouted happily toward the counter:

“Mom, I’m back!”

Behind the counter, the landlady Ando Masako, with a graceful figure and full of charm, looked up at the sound.

When she saw her daughter, a gentle smile naturally appeared on her face.

“Welcome back, Chizuru.”

Immediately, her gaze fell on Natsume Chikage beside her daughter, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

“Oh my, isn’t this Natsume-kun? I really didn’t expect you to come over with Chizuru.”

Natsume Chikage bowed slightly politely and explained briefly:

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Ando. It’s a coincidence, I met Ando-san at the train station.”

Ando Masako realized, and the smile on her face grew even brighter.

“So that’s how it is, what a coincidence.”

“But since you’re here, Natsume-kun, you must be here to retrieve the kitchenware you sent for repair earlier, right?”

Natsume Chikage nodded.

“Yes, sorry for the trouble.”

Hearing this, Ando Masako turned and walked toward the cabinet at the back specifically for storing repaired items.

She skillfully pulled open a drawer labeled with a number and took out a dark brown rectangular wooden box from inside.

The surface of the wooden box was polished smooth, carrying the warm luster of time.

She placed the wooden box gently on the counter in front of Natsume Chikage and opened the lid.

And in the center of the cushion, a ladle lay quietly.

The ladle body glowed with a unique, restrained, and warm metallic luster after careful repair and maintenance, the fracture seamlessly connected, and it was almost impossible to distinguish the traces of the previous damage with the naked eye.

Natsume Chikage’s gaze fell on the void above the ladle, where translucent text that only he could see appeared.

【Oden Immortal’s Ladle】

【Quality: White】

【Effect: The dishes you make have their taste improved by 40%!】

【Introduction: I’ve been making Oden for over thirty years, you dare say my Oden isn’t delicious? Don’t say another word, stretch your head over here!!】

Seeing that the words “damaged” had disappeared and the effect had even been restored and stabilized at the initially described 40%, Natsume Chikage felt an irrepressible excitement in his heart.

He carefully took the ladle out of the box and held it in his hand.

The touch from the handle was warm and comfortable, and the repair craftsmanship was so exquisite that if he hadn’t known beforehand, he absolutely wouldn’t have been able to tell it had been broken in two.

【Detected equippable item ‘Oden Immortal’s Ladle’, do you want to equip it?】

【Yes/No】

Natsume Chikage knew that the effect of this equipment was limited to when making dishes and would not cause any external anomalies.

He muttered in his heart and chose 【Yes】 directly.

Afterward.

He couldn’t help but look up, his gaze once again cast toward the kitchen knife hanging solemnly on the shop wall, glowing with a faint, strange light.

【Water-Chanting Kitchen Knife】

【Quality: Blue】

【Effect: Every fifteen seconds, you can release an invisible slash that follows your heart.】

【Introduction: One slash, two pieces—this is the bond between me and the kitchen knife!!】

Since the effect of the ladle has now been successfully increased to 40%…

Perhaps, he could really try to challenge making the Mapo Tofu that would be recognized by the old gentleman Ando Toshio, thereby obtaining the blue-quality kitchen knife as a reward?

But Natsume Chikage knew very well in his heart that with his current culinary level, it was still far from enough.

Moreover, he rarely made Mapo Tofu specifically on weekdays.

To steadily win this special equipment, he had to hone his culinary skills well.

After all, the effect of the equipment only improves the dimension of “taste.”

If the basic skills of the dish itself, such as heat control, seasoning, and knife work, are not up to par, even if the flavor is improved, the overall result will still be unsatisfactory.

It seems he has to find time to practice systematically.

It’s just that the kitchen at home is basically “managed” by his sister Ruri.

Plus, most of the time he has to go to school during the day, occasionally has Shogi tournaments, and often works part-time at a coffee shop at night, so his time at home is already limited, and mostly late at night, so it’s naturally inconvenient to start a fire at home to practice.

But it’s not a big problem.

The school’s home economics classroom can be applied for after-school use according to regulations, as long as it is cleaned up after use.

At this moment.

Ando Masako asked with a smile:

“How is it, Natsume-kun? Are you satisfied with the repair effect?”

Natsume Chikage carefully put the ladle back into the box and nodded affirmatively.

“Very satisfied, the repair is flawless, thank you and the repair master for your hard work.”

Saying this, he took out the prepared 2,000 yen balance from his wallet and handed it over.

Ando Masako took it with both hands, counted it carefully, and put it away.

“Balance received. Thank you for your patronage.”

“Do you need me to help you wrap the box? This way it’s easier to carry.”

Natsume Chikage pushed the wooden box forward.

“Sorry for the trouble.”

Ando Masako gently wrapped the wooden box with the prepared plain wrapping paper, tied it with a thin string, and smiled:

“Not at all, you are a valued customer of our shop, this is what I should do.”

And Ando Chizuru, looking at the smile on her mother’s face that was much brighter than usual, couldn’t help but feel a strange feeling in her heart.

Although her mother is polite and thoughtful when receiving guests, it seems she rarely smiles so… gently like today?

Natsume Chikage, knowing that his culinary skills were not yet enough to challenge, put away the wrapped ladle and said goodbye to the Ando mother and daughter, preparing to leave.

However, he hadn’t walked far from the shop.

Ando Chizuru behind him seemed to have suddenly remembered something important and ran out chasing him.

She was panting slightly, her cheeks flushed from the running, and she asked with a hint of shyness and anticipation:

“Natsume-brother… didn’t you say before that you wanted to try challenging the Mapo Tofu test left by my grandfather to win that ‘Water-Chanting’ kitchen knife?”

“This… is for real, right?”

Natsume Chikage stopped, turned to look at her, and nodded seriously.

“Yeah, it’s for real.”

“I plan to take time recently to hone my culinary skills well, and when I’m ready, I’ll come over to officially challenge.”

Hearing this, Ando Chizuru felt a surge of excitement in her heart.

She was just thinking about how to get closer to Natsume Chikage, isn’t this an excellent opportunity?

She quickly suggested, her tone carrying undisguised happiness: