Chapter 45: Homecoming
After sitting at Hitsugaya's home for a while longer, Suoh estimated the time and prepared to take his leave.
With the rare holiday, he wanted to return home early. If he got back to Terada-ya soon enough, he could still help out in the kitchen.
"Grandmother, it's getting late. I should take my leave now."
"Eh, leaving already? Stay a bit longer, just a bit longer."
Hearing this, the old woman's face immediately showed reluctance as she tried to persuade him to stay.
"It's a rare holiday. I'd like to get home early and see everyone."
Suoh replied with a gentle smile of explanation.
"Yes, of course..."
"Good child. You must come visit often when you have time."
Hearing him put it that way, the grandmother stopped insisting. She simply held his hand and patted it gently, her eyes full of affection.
"I definitely will. See you next time."
"I'll see you out."
Suoh smiled and agreed.
Hitsugaya then stood and walked him to the door.
"Tsukasa, thank you. Really."
"Grandmother hasn't been this happy in a very long time."
Outside the door, Hitsugaya suddenly offered his thanks, his voice much lower and more serious than usual, speaking with solemnity.
Those two simple sentences carried weight far beyond their literal meaning.
It was gratitude for the laughter his friend had brought, and also cherishing this rare friendship.
"Don't mention it. I'm off! See you tomorrow."
"Yes!"
Suoh looked at Hitsugaya's expression and nodded knowingly without saying much more. He simply patted his shoulder.
After a brief farewell, Suoh's form flickered with shunpo and vanished from the spot.
Hitsugaya watched his friend's figure gradually disappear before turning back inside.
Whoosh.
A barely audible sound of cutting air flashed across the rooftops of Rukongai's residences.
In a few leaps, Suoh had already left the area around the Hitsugaya household far behind.
After Kandou Shiki's training, his shunpo level had improved even further.
His speed was extremely fast. During his journey, the lives of people on the streets below remained completely undisturbed by his passage.
The surrounding scenery flew backward beneath him. The views before his eyes changed rapidly. Gradually, familiar neighborhood outlines became increasingly clear.
Before long, his figure landed in a small courtyard. Suoh called out toward the house.
"Matsuzaki, are you home?"
"Coming!"
"Suoh, long time no see! Those clothes really suit you!"
A response came from inside. Soon Matsuzaki Yoshito's figure emerged from within. Seeing his friend, his eyes lit up with joy.
The Shinoreijutsuin uniform with its bright blue and white colors was quite striking and extremely rare in Rukongai. Wearing it made Suoh look particularly outstanding and eye-catching.
Handing over the gift he'd prepared, Suoh glanced at the doorway behind Matsuzaki and asked.
"Yeah, it's been a while. This is a gift I brought back. Where are the kids?"
"They ran off to play somewhere early this morning."
"Alright then. Remember to come to Terada-ya tonight for dinner together. I'm heading back now."
"Sounds good. Thanks."
After exchanging a few simple pleasantries, Suoh's steps didn't stop as he turned and leaped toward Terada-ya's direction.
Finally, he stopped before the dark blue noren curtain with Terada-ya's characters printed on it.
Preparations for the lunch service hadn't officially begun yet. He could still faintly hear familiar voices chatting inside and the sounds of things clinking as they prepared.
The closer he got to home, the more cheerful his mood became. The corners of Suoh's mouth lifted as he raised the curtain and pulled open that familiar sliding door.
The door track released a soft creak, as if welcoming his return.
"I'm home!"
His face carried a relaxed smile as he called into the shop.
Walking just a few steps inside, familiar staff members gathered around him, their faces breaking into delighted smiles as they spoke all at once.
"Manager, you're back!"
"Those clothes look really sharp on you!"
"You must have worked hard studying at the Shinoreijutsuin!"
"Yeah, I'm back."
Suoh smiled and nodded in response to each of them. His steps slowed slightly as his gaze looked toward the counter area inside.
"Tsukasa, you're home."
Just then, a gentle voice came through. Kotama was hurrying forward from behind the counter.
She still wore that light pink checkered uniform with the off-white wide sash tied at her waist.
Light powder on her face made her look even more refined. Her jet-black long hair was pulled into a round bun, secured firmly with a wooden hairpin.
Her gentle yet capable air increasingly suited her role as Terada-ya's head waitress.
"Kotama-san, it's been a while. This is a little gift I brought for you."
Suoh stopped and retrieved a slender cedar wood box from inside his clothing, passing it to her.
"Thank you, Tsukasa."
"The proprietress is in the back kitchen. She'll be so happy to know you're back."
Kotama nodded joyfully as she accepted it, carefully putting it away before raising her hand to point toward the back kitchen.
"I'll go see her first then."
Suoh smiled at her.
As he approached the back kitchen, a rich, mellow broth fragrance drifted through the air.
This was stock made from pork bones and whole chicken carefully simmered for hours, then on the following day skimmed with fine ground meat before kombu was added for slow reduction.
In Rukongai where MSG didn't exist, this umami flavor extracted purely through time, patience, and technique was the secret weapon that made many of Terada-ya's dishes so popular.
Gently lifting the cloth curtain separating the front from the back kitchen, rising steam carried an even richer aroma rushing toward him.
Before the stock pot, Terada-san wore an apron and held a wooden ladle, her expression focused as she tasted the broth's flavor.
Perhaps hearing the curtain being lifted, or perhaps that familiar presence made her aware, she slowly straightened and looked toward the doorway.
Their gazes met in the air. Suoh's face broke into the best smile of the day.
"Terada-san, I'm home."
"Welcome back."
Looking at the youth in the doorway whose blue and white uniform made his upright figure appear even more distinguished, and that face always carrying a gentle smile, she smiled in return.
Suoh casually placed his bag on the counter and removed his uniform jacket, folding it neatly and placing it in the cabinet by the wall.
He changed into his head chef's outer coat and pulled out a white apron.
After tying on the apron and walking to the stove's edge, he pointed to the bag sitting on the serving counter.
"I brought you back something this time. It's all in the bag."
"This holiday is only two days, so leave the kitchen to me for now. Not being able to cook at the academy has been driving me crazy."
"Alright. The stock just finished. Try the flavor."
Seeing his eager appearance, Terada-san smiled and nodded, passing him the wooden ladle in her hand.
Suoh accepted the ladle and scooped out a small spoonful. After blowing on it gently, he took a sip.
The mellow broth carried the rich fragrance of meat and bone along with the kombu's umami. The sweet-savory aroma mixed with warmth instantly dispelled what little fatigue remained from his journey. Utterly satisfied, he gave Terada-san a thumbs-up in praise.
"Terada-san's cooking is number one!"
"That's fine then. The kitchen is yours."
She didn't believe his flattery even a little bit. After removing her apron, Terada-san shot him a slight look before turning to take the bag and leave the back kitchen.
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