A Restaurateur's Mild Fathoms, part 3 (after battle)
…Running this chicken joint, I had forgotten something important…
That's right, the chicken I wanted to cook…
…was something that even my mother could enjoy.
Something to please her extremely particular palate…
……
No, wait…
I knew all along.
The real reason momma wouldn't eat chicken…
…is because we couldn't afford to feed the whole family…
It's why… we always had a stash of coupons at home… Ten of them could be exchanged for a free chicken…
My mother would keep collecting them for me…
You did all that to feed me a chicken you wouldn't eat…
……
Hm?
Oh.
These are pizza coupons.
Son, your momma…
She liked… pizza better…
Agh… My head…
<He's gone back to normal.>
That was a sound plan. The carrot and stick approach. It's an effective tactic often employed in military operations.
That… was a plan? I don't see how it was any different from your usual bawling out and striking first…
It was subtle, and this roo - strapping young lad caught my hint and followed well.
T - Thank you, Captain Outis!
<You almost called him "rookie", didn't you?>
I can't thank you enough. I think I'm ready to start anew.
It wasn't the recipe I needed… As long as I remember to cook from the heart for those I care about… even if it comes in the shape… of a pizza… I know my customers will still appreciate their earnest servings.
Oi, your rival promised us a lifetime vouch for free chicken. What do you have?
I… thought I'd be stuffing my face with drumsticks of countless flavors by now…
……
It's nothing much, but please take this…
The owner of Eunbong's gave us a wrapped-up box.
It's an invaluable treasure of mine, there's nothing else like it…
Could we accept such a rarity from thee?
I wouldn't have been able to reopen my restaurant without your help… So I insist, please take it as your reward.
…And thus, we had resolved the Distortion and claimed our spoils!
……
Pray tell, pray tell! Are you perhaps speechless with astonishment at the glory of our tale?!
"We then embarked to Eunbong's" was where I tuned out.
That means you have heard nary a word!
Why should I bother listening to your embellished drivel when Faust's report will fill me in on all the details I need?
C'mon now, Donqui. Forget about this sourpuss and gather 'round so we can open the box. Heeheehee.
I wonder what's inside~
Surrounded by Sinners full of anticipation, the lid was lifted…
"Meet Bongy, the one and only doll of our mascot. I made it hoping it'd see use one day, but I'm glad to be giving it as a gift of gratitude. ^0^/"
No way… This can't be it. Maybe he hid something in the plush's belly?
<He didn't seem like the kind of person to do that…>
Was probably trying to get rid of it and we were there to take it, eh?
Let's toss this thing in that concinerator.
A hand gently tugged at the doll Heathcliff had gripped with ferocious rage.
Charon likes this passenger.
What's there to like about -
It's got eyes and nothing else.
It's nice.
…Alright. That's that, then. Keep the doll.
That is an incorrect assessment as the doll has a torso and limbs.
Just like that, the chicken plushie we got instead of free food for life earned its seat on the bus…
Yes, Chief Dongrang. The Distortion has been resolved. I confirmed it with my own eyes.
They did seem somewhat unreliable at first, yes… But, I believe it should be okay to speak with them. Yes, I'll bring them over now.
W - What now of all things?
I… dislike sentences that lack a subject.
Once that restaurant reopens, we'll lose our customers… Then I'll miss the quota, and…
You should have started looking for a way to live the moment you put the stolen recipe in a concept incinerator.
Haven't you ever heard the saying: "If you rob a house, make sure the homeowner never realizes it"?
I… I don't know anything about… I didn't…
Yes, of course you wouldn't; I just made that up. Remember it well next time.
I'll see you around.
I have visitors that need greeting.
And before long, we were dragged into a mess of unprecedented scale…