After sitting at Tōshirō's house for a little longer, and estimating the time was right, Suō Tsukasa prepared to leave.
Since it was a rare holiday, he wanted to go home early, and getting back to Teradaya earlier meant he could help out in the kitchen.
"Grandmother, it's getting late. I'll be taking my leave now."
"Oh, leaving already? Stay a while longer, please."
Hearing this, the old woman's face immediately showed reluctance, and she tried to keep him.
"It's a rare holiday, and I'd like to go home and see things there early."
Suō Tsukasa explained with a gentle smile.
"That's right, that's right…"
"Good boy, you must come visit often when you have time later, alright?"
Upon hearing his explanation, Grandmother no longer insisted on him staying, but instead held his hand and gently patted it, her eyes full of love.
"I certainly will. See you next time."
"I'll walk you out."
Suō Tsukasa smiled and agreed.
Tōshirō then stood up and escorted him to the door.
"Tsukasa, thank you, really."
"Grandmother hasn't been this happy in a long time."
Stepping outside, Tōshirō suddenly voiced his thanks, his voice deeper and more serious than usual, speaking with solemnity.
These two simple sentences carried a weight far exceeding their literal meaning.
It was gratitude for the joy his friend brought, and a treasuring of this rare friendship.
"Don't mention it. I'm off! See you tomorrow."
"Mhm!"
Suō Tsukasa saw Tōshirō's expression, nodded in understanding, and without saying much, simply patted his shoulder.
After a brief farewell, Suō Tsukasa's body flickered with Shunpo (Flash Step), and his figure vanished from the spot.
Tōshirō watched his friend's figure move away, before turning and going back inside.
Shua—
An almost imperceptible rush of air flashed across the rooftops of the Rukongai residents.
In the space of a few quick movements, Suō Tsukasa was already far from the area where the Hitsugaya house was located.
With his Shindō-style training, his Shunpo skill had improved further.
His speed was extremely fast, and the lives of the people on the streets below were not disturbed by his journey.
The surrounding scenery quickly receded beneath him, and the view before his eyes rapidly changed. Gradually, the familiar contours of the neighborhood became clearer.
In a short while, his figure landed in a small courtyard. Suō Tsukasa called out into the house.
"Matsuzaki, are you home?"
"Coming!"
"Suō, long time no see! Those clothes really suit you!"
A response came from inside the house. Before long, the figure of Matsuzaki Yoshito emerged from within. Seeing his friend, his eyes lit up with joy.
The blue and white centered school uniform of the Shin'ō Academy of Spiritual Arts was very vibrant, a rare sight in Rukongai, and on Suō Tsukasa, it looked particularly striking and distinguished.
Handing over the souvenir he had prepared, Suō Tsukasa glanced at the doorway behind him and asked.
"Mhm, long time no see. This is the gift I brought back. Where are the children?"
"They ran off to play somewhere early this morning."
"Alright, remember to come to Teradaya for dinner tonight. I need to head back now."
"Okay, thanks."
After exchanging a few simple words, Suō Tsukasa didn't stop, turning and leaping towards Teradaya.
Finally, he stopped before the dark blue noren (short curtain) imprinted with the characters for Teradaya.
Preparations for the lunchtime rush hadn't officially started yet, but familiar sounds of talking, laughing, and things clanging from preparation could be faintly heard inside.
The closer he got to home, the happier he felt. The corners of Suō Tsukasa's mouth lifted. He lifted the noren and pulled open the familiar sliding door.
The door axis let out a soft squeak, as if welcoming his return.
"I'm home!"
With a relaxed smile, he called out towards the interior of the shop.
He hadn't taken many steps inside before familiar staff members gathered around him, their faces lighting up with surprise and delight, all talking at once.
"Manager, you're back!"
"Your uniform is so sharp!"
"The studies at the Shin'ō Academy must have been tough!"
"Mhm, I'm back."
Suō Tsukasa smiled and nodded in response to each of them, slightly slowing his pace as his gaze turned towards the counter inside.
"Tsukasa-kun, you're back."
Just then, a gentle voice reached him. Tamaki was quickly coming forward from behind the counter to greet him.
She was still wearing her light pink checkered uniform with a wide, off-white obi cinched at her waist.
A light dusting of powder made her look even more refined, and her dark hair was styled into a neat bun, secured firmly with a wooden hairpin.
With her gentle yet capable demeanor, she looked increasingly like the head waitress of Teradaya.
"Tamaki-san, long time no see. This is a small gift I brought for you."
Suō Tsukasa stopped, took a slender cedar box from his jacket, and handed it over.
"Thank you, Tsukasa-kun."
"The Boss Lady is in the back kitchen. She'll be thrilled to know you've returned."
Tamaki nodded happily, taking the box and carefully putting it away, then pointed towards the back kitchen.
"Mhm, I'll go see her first then."
Suō Tsukasa smiled at her.
As he neared the back kitchen, the rich, mellow aroma of savory broth drifted into the air.
It was a soup meticulously simmered for several hours with pork bones and a whole chicken, then refined the next day by skimming it with finely ground meat and slow-simmered with kombu.
In Rukongai, where there was no monosodium glutamate, this savory flavor—produced entirely through time, patience, and skill—was Teradaya's secret weapon that made many of its dishes popular.
Gently pulling back the cloth curtain that separated the front hall from the back kitchen, a wave of steam carrying an even richer fragrance rushed towards him.
Standing before the stockpot, Miss Terada, wearing an apron and holding a wooden ladle, was concentrating on tasting the soup.
Perhaps she heard the sound of the curtain being drawn, or a familiar sensation made her aware of his presence, she slowly straightened up and looked towards the doorway.
Their eyes met. Suō Tsukasa displayed his best smile of the day.
"Miss Terada, I'm home."
"Mhm, welcome home."
Looking at the young man in the blue and white school uniform, whose posture was now even more upright and handsome, and his perpetually gentle smile, she replied with a smile.
Suō Tsukasa casually placed his bag on the counter, took off his uniform jacket, folded it neatly, and placed it in the cabinet by the wall.
He changed into his head chef's jacket and pulled out a white apron.
Tying the apron, he walked to the stove and pointed at the bag on the serving counter.
"I brought a few things back for you this time. They're all in the bag."
"The holiday is only two days long. I'll take over the kitchen for now. Being unable to cook at the academy was really killing me."
"Alright. The broth is just finished. You should try the flavor."
Miss Terada smiled, seeing his eager look, and handed him the wooden ladle she was holding.
Suō Tsukasa took the ladle, scooped a small amount from the pot, gently blew on it, and took a sip.
The mellow broth, carrying the rich flavor of the bones and meat mixed with the umami of the kombu, chased away the slight fatigue from his journey with its warmth and savory sweetness. He gave Miss Terada a thumbs-up in utmost satisfaction.
"Miss Terada's skill is unmatched!"
"That's good then. The kitchen is yours."
Completely unfazed by his flattery, Miss Terada removed her apron, gave him a small roll of her eyes, then turned and left the back kitchen with the bag.
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