NOVEL NEXT Chapter 146.1
The Apprentices’ Homemade Meal
“Hmm, watching them makes me curious. I want to join in.”
“Rejected.”
“Camille, stop answering so quickly.”
“No, no matter how you look at it, it’s a rejection. Yuuri, today’s your day off.”
“I know, but…”
Sitting on the cafeteria side of the counter and peeking into the kitchen space, Yuuri’s honest thoughts were swiftly cut down by Camille, who was diligently washing vegetables. Slumping over the counter and grumbling, Yuuri found no mercy from Camille. And since Camille was right, no one came to Yuuri’s defense.
Yes, today was Yuuri’s day off. Left to his own devices, Yuuri would endlessly do household chores, so he was periodically given days off. For Yuuri, household chores were enjoyable and didn’t feel like work. It was the same as playing. However, the fact that he worked day after day meant he was told to rest appropriately. …Once, he collapsed from accumulated fatigue, so Yuuri couldn’t argue strongly.
Thus, today, the four apprentices were dividing and working hard on the household chores in Yuuri’s place. They skillfully scheduled chores between their training. Compared to when Yuuri first arrived, the apprentices had become better at managing their time. Household chores are tough if you don’t use your time efficiently.
So, even Yuuri’s beloved cooking was the apprentices’ job. He could have waited elsewhere until the meal was ready, but for some reason, he had taken up a spot at the counter and was lazing around. By the way, unlike his lazy master, Rooks was energetically cleaning the hideout today. A capable slime is different.
Huh? If Yuuri has a day off, shouldn’t Rooks have one too? No, for Rooks, cleaning the hideout is equivalent to a meal, so it’s not just work. It’s a triple win: cleaning while eating and making everyone happy.
“Watching makes you want to do it, right? Why don’t you read a book in the living room?”
“But I’m curious. I want to do it too.”
“No, I won’t let you.”
“Camille, you’re stingy.”
“It’s not stinginess. If I let Yuuri work today, I’ll get scolded by everyone.”
“Boo hoo.”
While dealing with Yuuri, who was sulking like a child, Camille shrugged his shoulders. Indeed, from Yuuri’s perspective, it was like having a toy taken away. But Camille had his reasons. If it was discovered that he made Yuuri work on his day off, he’d be in big trouble. No one wants to be scolded.
While Camille was dealing with Yuuri, the other apprentices were diligently preparing dinner. Lunch was also their homemade creation, but since they did laundry and shopping in the morning, it was a simple affair. Perhaps as a reaction, dinner seemed to be a rather lavish menu.
Or rather.
“Hey, Camille.”
“What?”
“Isn’t the dinner menu kind of… going all out with what the three of them like?”
“Tsk tsk tsk. It’s not about what they like, but about wanting to feed you their best dishes.”
“Well, that’s nice, but what about balance…”
Yuuri couldn’t help but interject because, next to Urgus struggling with meat, Yakk was diligently making mince. Beside him were piles of potatoes and onions. Clearly, Yakk intended to make croquettes. Croquettes and meat together? Isn’t that too much for the main course? Yuuri thought.
Moreover, there was no sign of either of them making side dishes. While it’s nice to eat someone’s delicious cooking, Yuuri was a bit worried about the balance.
…By the way, Magg had been endlessly adding bonito flakes and dried sardines to pre-made kelp stock to make broth. Yuuri thought there was no choice but to make soup with that. The broth believer was energetically focused on broth today.
“Don’t worry, Urgus and Yakk will handle the main dishes, Magg will make soup, and I’ll make a vegetable dish to balance it out.”
“Ah, so that’s why you’ve been washing so many vegetables, Camille?”
“Yeah.”
Camille boasted that he was skilled and could handle anything, but in reality, he was just assigned vegetables because of his consideration for others. Urgus loved meat and was good at meat dishes. Magg, needless to say, was a broth believer. Yakk, for whatever reason, loved croquettes, perhaps due to the strong initial impression. Letting his comrades do what they liked while he balanced things out with vegetable dishes showed Camille’s competence.
Yuuri smiled warmly, and Camille muttered, “What?” with a slightly annoyed expression. While Camille was generally considerate and could adjust things, being directly complimented made him shy, typical of a teenage boy. “I’m just doing what I like!” was his motto. Understanding this, Yuuri didn’t say more.
However, it was evident. Facing Yuuri, who was radiating an aura of “Camille is so kind,” Camille awkwardly washed vegetables. A 14-year-old boy is at a difficult age.
“What are you making, Camille?”
“Hmm? For now, I’m thinking of adding boiled broccoli and carrots as a side to Yakk’s croquettes. Also, adding vinegared cabbage to Urgus’s meat dish, and maybe making one more thing.”
“You’re like the unsung hero.”
“Well, I don’t have a specialty dish.”
Camille shrugged, but it was true. Calling himself a jack-of-all-trades, Camille could competently handle anything, including cooking. He had the skill to make dishes he liked, but unlike the others, he didn’t have a specialty dish he excelled at.
Thus, this time too, he was supporting the others. When the apprentices cooked, it was like a results presentation for Yuuri. “Look, I can make the dishes you taught me deliciously!” Each showcased their specialty, and Camille never insisted on making the main dish.
But he seemed fine with it. “Right person for the right job,” Camille smiled without any pretension or bitterness. He was satisfied with his role of balancing the overall meal. His strength likely lay in overseeing and adjusting things, including his high information-gathering ability.
“Is the vinegared cabbage ready?”
“Yeah. Prepared it first thing in the morning.”
“Impressive.”
“Well, it’s nothing. Yuuri taught me, after all.”
Camille grinned, and Yuuri laughed too. Vinegared cabbage is simple to make but takes time for the flavors to meld. Shredded cabbage is salted, then vinegar is added and left to marinate for half a day to overnight. Considering that, Camille’s preparation showed his thoroughness. He was steadily growing.