"Welcome home, Lord Finn," Noah greeted him.
"I'm home. I'm a bit tired, so please bring me some baked sweets and tea," I replied.
"At once, my lord. It shall be ready directly," Noah bowed.
I went back to my room, changed out of my going-out clothes into something comfortable, and waited for my tea while lying on the sofa. A soft knock echoed through the room.
"Come in," I called out.
"Pardon me, my lord," Noah said as he entered, placing tea and baked sweets on the table.
"Apologies for the delay, my lord. Your tea is served," Noah said, setting down the tray.
"Thanks," I said.
Noah bowed and quietly left the room.
Ahh... delicious. While drinking the tea Noah made for me, I spent some rare, relaxing time.
I spent my days like usual after a few days passed, holed up in the workshop making Magic Tools, or talking with Big Brother Philip about magic and Magic Tools.
Then one day, a letter arrived at the Mansion.
"Lord Finn, a missive has arrived from Prince Wilfried," Noah said, presenting the tray.
"...I have nothing but a bad feeling about this," I muttered.
I opened the seal and read on.
'It's been a while. Are you doing well? Since graduating from the Academy, I've been busy with official duties. I hear Finn is still pushing forward with Magic Tool crafting as always. Recently, you made Breeze and Vent, didn't you! Breeze makes a room cool and comfortable, and Vent makes it elegant yet comfortable. I hear they're starting to catch on at the Academy. I heard from Elusia that Tiana was talking about Finn's new creations. This is the first I'm hearing of it! Why, when you made something so wonderful, didn't you tell me! I'm out here working hard every day in the heat. As a friend, I'd like at least that much information shared with me. Also, you should have already received an invitation to the royal evening party, so make sure you come. If I don't reach out to you directly, Finn tries to skip out. I'm looking forward to seeing you after so long.'
...So they're already starting to catch on at the Academy.
Which means Uncle Alex really is working at a crazy pace to fill all the preorders... amazing.
As for telling you, I was planning to gift them to the royal family first anyway...
Sigh... I was planning to attend the evening party, but if it comes straight to me, I really can't skip out, can I.
I finished reading the letter and set it on the table.
...Should I go to the Workshop and pick up where I left off yesterday? No, I'll take it easy today.
Come to think of it, there was something I've been wanting to eat for a while: a katsu sandwich1. I've wanted to eat one ever since then, but with one thing and another, I never had the chance to teach the Head Chef how to make it.
Alright, today I'll have the Head Chef recreate it.
"Head Chef. There's something I'd like you to recreate," I said, stepping into the kitchen.
"...Lord Finn. What might it be on this occasion, my lord?" the Head Chef asked, looking up.
"It's called a katsu sandwich. It's a dish from another country," I explained.
"Katsu... sandwich? Pray tell, my lord, is it akin to a common sandwich?" the Head Chef asked.
"Yes! The filling is a pork cutlet. For the pork, make a few cuts between the fat and the lean meat, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. After that, coat it in flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs, in that order, and fry it in oil," I replied.
I'm pretty sure that's how you make a pork cutlet.
"Indeed, my lord. In that case, a thicker cut would be preferable. Do you recall how long it ought to fry? Should it be rendered crisp throughout, or prepared so the meat remains tender?" the Head Chef noted.
"Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside!" I answered.
"Very good, my lord. We shall make an attempt at once," the Head Chef agreed.
Saying that, the Head Chef, with practiced hands, seasoned it, coated it in breadcrumbs, checked the oil temperature, and fried it.
For a taste test, I had him cut it into one bite, sprinkled salt on it, and ate it.
"Delicious!" I exclaimed.
The coating was crispy and light, and the meat was surprisingly tender.
Even with just salt, I could really taste the meat's flavor.
I only passed this on based on memories from my past life, and yet this level of recreation...
Head Chef, you're amazing.
"My word... it is indeed splendid, my lord. Surprisingly simple, and it appears it might suit meats other than pork as well," the Head Chef remarked after tasting a piece.
"You sandwich this with cabbage in bread, and apparently you pour on a sweet-and-sour, a little rich sauce... but I don't know the details," I added.
"If a sweet-and-sour taste is desired, shall we attempt using tomatoes, my lord? Adding red wine to that may well impart greater depth," the Head Chef suggested.
Oh... yeah, I think it was something like that.
On top of that, the Head Chef added seasonings little by little while checking the taste, and the first version of the sauce was done.
"Hmm... it's good, but the salt might be a bit strong. I think it could be a little sweeter," I noted after a sip.
"Quite so, my lord. On this attempt, shall we employ a sweeter wine and incorporate additional sugar?" the Head Chef asked.
And then, the second version of the sauce was-
"Delicious! The tomato's tartness and the wine's flavor are just right," I declared.
"This ought to complement meat dishes exceedingly well, my lord," the Head Chef agreed.
"After that, you put the pork cutlet and cabbage between bread, pour this sauce on, and it's done," I explained.
The Head Chef took thinly sliced bread, tucked in the fried pork cutlet and shredded cabbage, and poured on the sauce made earlier.
I had him cut it into bite-sized pieces, and brought one to my mouth.
"...This is it. This is what I wanted to eat," I murmured happily.
The crispy texture of the coating. The tender meat. The sweet-and-sour sauce and the cabbage going so well together.
It wasn't completely the same as my past life. But it was enough to feel nostalgic.
"Shall we present this for the family's dinner, my lord?" the Head Chef suggested.
"Yeah. At dinner, let's serve two bite-sized pieces each. Dad will probably like it," I agreed.
I can't wait to see everyone's reactions.
Trivia:
- Wilfried's letter reveals that even the royal family is kept waiting for Finn's creations, since Finn intended to gift Breeze and Vent to them before anyone else.
- Finn's casual wish to skip the evening party shows how much he avoids noble social life, even when a prince personally insists he attend.
- The katsu sandwich is a quiet link between Finn's past life and his current one, a small comfort he can recreate even though nothing else from that world remains.
Translation Notes:
1 ↩ A Japanese sandwich made with a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet and shredded cabbage. Finn remembers it from his past life in modern Japan, so the dish carries a nostalgic weight that the English name alone does not convey.
Notes:
• Finn - Third son of a marquis family and a magical tool maker. Graduated from an academy and became a full magical tool maker after apprenticing. Currently staying at the family estate during summer. Working on a prototype magical tool that can cool the air, using a fan blower's magical circuit as a base. Has a tendency to forget meals when absorbed in work, though this has improved. Finds the dining room and hallways uncomfortably hot. Wears his shirt with two buttons undone at home. Knows Noah well since childhood. Third son of a marquis family living in the royal capital. Aspiring magical tool maker who retains memories of a past life. Currently working on creating a cooling magical device to deal with an unusually hot summer. Gets absorbed in work and loses track of time.
• Noah - Finn's personal attendant. Has been by Finn's side since childhood. Knows Finn well.
• Philip - Big Brother to Finn and knight. Loves magic and learned Magic Tool crafting from Grandpa. Serves in the Knight Order and often moves between his room and the Captain's office.
• Wilfried - Prince. Close childhood friend of the narrator. Sends complaint letters and discusses Magic Tools.
• Tiana - Younger sister who returns from the academy. Complains about the cold Workshop and worries about their mother. Curious about her brother's inventions.
• Alex - Owner of Lilien Trading Company. Called Uncle Alex by Finn. Experienced merchant with an eye for sellable goods and a close, familiar relationship with Finn's family. Practical about product development and eager to commercialize new magical tools.