Chapter 46: Gathering
The kitchen blazed with activity.
Oil sizzled and popped in iron woks as assistant cooks shuttled between stoves and cutting boards in constant motion, the entire space alive with bustling energy.
"Head Chef Suoh is back!"
Someone called out, and that shout broke the kitchen's steady rhythm.
The assistant cooks working on preparations finally snapped to attention, realizing the kitchen's command had just changed hands.
"Yeah!"
The momentary pause exploded into even more enthusiastic cheers.
Suoh Tsukasa picked up the chef's knife he'd been separated from for so long, his voice clear and resonant as it cut through the kitchen's clamor.
"Everyone, it's been a month. Let's see if your skills have gotten rusty!"
"Yes, Chef!"
Their unified response echoed like well-trained soldiers, vigorous energy reverberating through the kitchen.
These assistant cooks were all apprentices Suoh had trained personally. Though they worked well with Terada-san, it couldn't compare to being led by their actual master.
"Heihei, turn up the heat a bit more for the second fry, and shorten the time."
"Keisuke, trim more off the ends when you're cutting. We can use the scraps for staff meals and plate garnishes anyway."
"Kotaro, bring me today's prepared sauces so I can check them."
With Suoh's return, the already efficient kitchen rhythm gained fresh vitality. Every assistant cook's movements became sharper and more precise.
In this moment, the king of the kitchen had returned to his throne.
From the moment he'd returned to Terada-ya, Suoh hadn't taken a single break, working straight through until the evening service ended.
The familiar rhythm of life filled him with a comfort and fulfillment he'd deeply missed.
Tonight, a private reception room at Terada-ya that had gone unused for some time opened again, warm yellow lamplight glowing within.
Having shed his smoke-scented work clothes for a light blue kimono, Suoh welcomed his visiting friends and family.
The reception room maintained its usual tidiness. Even during Suoh's absence, like his own room, someone had cleaned it thoroughly every day.
The main table held a simple white porcelain vase with blooming spring flowers arranged inside.
Several branches of cherry blossoms mixed with a few pale purple wildflowers of unknown variety. The cherry blossoms clustered in soft pink and white, the delicate purple interspersed throughout.
The lamplight cast a gentle luminous edge around the spring bouquet.
At this moment, Suoh gathered with Terada-san, Kotama's family, and Matsuzaki's family, and friends surrounding him in lively warmth.
The room had two tables. The adults sat at the main table while the children from both families occupied their own separate table, forming their own little world of cheerful chaos.
The dishes at both tables were basically identical. The main table simply had a few extra warmed sake bottles, while the children's table had additional plates of sweets.
Once everyone was seated, Suoh as host raised his cup first, his gaze sweeping across each friend and family member present, his face filled with smiles.
"It's been far too long since we've all sat together like this."
"Tonight will be just like old times. Eat to your heart's content. Come on, dig in!"
The children at the small table had been waiting eagerly for this meal to begin.
"Let's eat!"
The moment Suoh's words fell, the children immediately cheered.
The adult conversation at the main table held absolutely no appeal in the children's eyes. The exquisite food completely captured all their attention and focus.
Their core mission at every gathering was simple: stuff their little bellies absolutely full.
At the main table, the atmosphere gradually warmed following Suoh's words.
After taking a few simple bites, Matsuzaki Yoshito raised his cup to toast Suoh, his face showing some confusion as he asked.
"I heard from someone that the Shinoreijutsuin requires a full six years of study, with only winter and summer breaks. How did you manage to come back after just one month?"
Originally the Shinoreijutsuin had been a term completely unrelated to his life. But after Suoh's enrollment, he'd quietly sought out a West District Three elder to learn some relevant knowledge.
Only then had he gained some vague concept of that cradle for training Shinigami.
"Mm, that's right. Besides winter and summer breaks, as long as your performance is good, there are opportunities to go out every month."
"And while the standard is six years, you can apply to take exams every year. If you pass, you can graduate early."
Meeting his inquiring gaze, Suoh nodded and picked up the sake bottle to refill Matsuzaki Yoshito's empty cup. He also added some to his own before continuing his explanation.
"Is that so... You can even graduate early."
"Then Suoh, you'll definitely manage it. Do your best!"
Holding the freshly filled sake cup, Matsuzaki Yoshito didn't drink immediately. He repeated the words somewhat absently.
Then he immediately brightened with an encouraging smile and well-wishes, draining his cup in one gulp.
At those words, everyone's movements paused briefly as attention focused on Suoh.
The atmosphere grew somewhat heavy for a moment. No one at the table was foolish. They all understood Matsuzaki Yoshito's current emotions.
Early graduation meant becoming a Shinigami, possessing higher status and brighter prospects.
But Shinigami lived within the Seireitei. That towering white wall was an insurmountable gulf they as ordinary souls could never cross.
Though Suoh might return to visit during holidays and when off-duty, those meetings would inevitably differ from the present.
They felt both happiness and pride for Suoh, yet also sadness about the separation that would inevitably come.
Just thinking about the distance that differences in status and environment would inevitably bring.
A faint, indescribable melancholy quietly crept into everyone's hearts, though they tried not to let it show on their faces.
But how could their feelings possibly escape Suoh's notice? He reassured them calmly.
"Don't worry. Even if I become a Shinigami, I'll come back to see everyone often."
"Besides, Terada-ya is here. My home is in West District Three. How could I not come back?"
"That's right! Tsukasa would never forget us!"
Kotama had absolute faith in Suoh. She smiled sweetly.
"Haha, my fault, my fault! I'll drink three cups as punishment!"
Her words dissolved the knot of anxiety in Matsuzaki Yoshito's heart. He vigorously rubbed his face and drained his cup in one gulp, then immediately downed two more in succession.
"Slow down, slow down. The sake is good, but don't be so greedy for it."
"I think you've just been craving it and wanted an excuse to drink more. Don't overdo it, or I won't want to carry you home later."
"Your boys can't take care of you at night anyway."
Seeing his momentum, Suoh reached out with a half-hearted restraining gesture and teased him.
"Haha!"
This drew laughter from everyone, and the atmosphere at the table completely recovered its previous ease.
Though Matsuzaki Yoshito loved drinking, he'd always been quite restrained before since he was the only adult in his household.
Seeing that no one was dwelling on post-graduation matters anymore, Suoh raised his cup again cheerfully.
"I've got a long road ahead. Don't think about all that. Just enjoy tonight!"
"Yeah!"
His words acted like a catalyst, revitalizing the table's atmosphere. The conversation turned to recent interesting rumors circulating through Rukongai, to Terada-ya's business, to the children's daily mischief and pranks.
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