Chapter 936

At this moment, he actually understood a bit 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 actually felt a similar feeling emerging faintly in the bottom of his heart.

But this didn't seem to be something he could blame himself for.

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

Afterwards.

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

For example, 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 smiling faintly from time to time.

The two of them chatted like this while boarding the train, traveling through the dense urban veins of Tokyo.

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

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

Today's shop, just like the last time they saw it, was bustling with customers.

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

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

"Mom, I'm back!"

Behind the counter, that landlady Ando Masako, who had a delicate figure and was full of charm, raised her head at the sound.

When she saw her daughter, a gentle smile naturally flowed onto her face.

"Welcome back, Chizuru."

Subsequently, 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 was enlightened, and the smile on her face became even brighter.

"So that's how it is, it's really fate."

"But since you've come over, Natsume-kun, I suppose it's to retrieve that piece of kitchenware you sent for repair earlier?"

Natsume Chikage nodded.

"Yes, sorry to trouble you."

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

She skillfully pulled open a drawer marked 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 then opened the lid.

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

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

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

【The Tang Shao of the Oden Immortal】

【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 doesn't taste good? Don't say anything else, stretch your head over here!!】

Seeing that the words "broken" had disappeared, and the effect had even recovered and stabilized at the 40% originally described, 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 about it beforehand, he absolutely wouldn't have been able to tell it had once been broken in two.

【Equippable item 'The Tang Shao of the Oden Immortal' detected, would you like to equip it?】

【Yes/No】

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

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

Subsequently.

He couldn't help but raise his head and cast his gaze again toward the kitchen knife that was solemnly hung and displayed on the shop wall, shimmering 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 had now successfully increased to 40%...

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

However, Natsume Chikage knew very well in his heart that with his current culinary level, it was still far from enough for the time being.

Moreover, he rarely made Mapo Tofu specifically on weekdays.

To steadily win this special equipment, he must practice his culinary skills well.

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

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

It seems he needs to find a 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 goes to the coffee shop to work part-time at night, so his time at home is limited, and it's mostly late at night, so it's naturally inconvenient to practice cooking at home.

But it's not a big problem.

The home economics classroom at school 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, it's repaired flawlessly, thank you and the repair master for your hard work."

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

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

"Balance confirmed received. Thank you for your patronage."

"Do you need me to help you wrap the box? This way it's convenient to carry."

Natsume Chikage pushed the wooden box forward.

"Sorry to trouble you."

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 distinguished guest of our shop, this is what should be done."

And Chizuru Ando, looking at the smile on her mother's face that was much brighter than usual, couldn't help but feel a bit strange 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, said goodbye to the Ando mother and daughter, and prepared to leave.

However, he hadn't walked far after leaving the shop.

Chizuru Ando behind him suddenly seemed to remember something important and hurriedly ran out after him.

She was panting slightly, her cheeks flushed from running, and she asked shyly and expectantly:

"Natsume-niisan... didn't you say earlier that you wanted to try challenging the Mapo Tofu test left by my grandfather to win that 'Water-Chanting' kitchen knife?"

"This... is serious, right?"

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

"Mm, it's serious."

"I plan to take time recently to practice my culinary skills well, and when I'm ready, I'll come over to formally challenge."

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

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

She hurriedly suggested, her tone carrying undisguised happiness: