[ After roaming around the city, they, fortunately, bought cheap spices and oils at a family grocery store; got their hands on some 'leftover' potatoes at a closed store; and successfully bargained with a butcher shop at the end of the city when most of the other shops had already run out of meat.
It was a fantastic feat.
Now that all the ingredients had been inquired, they headed back to his apartment just in time and ready to make dinner. ]
"We're finally home!"
[ Vaccine immediately rushed in, the moment the door was opened. But he was pulled back by ■ before he could even put a step in. ]
Stop right there, young man. Get your shoes off first then think of another.
"Haha… You really are an Asian to the core."
[ The pull has startled him but thankfully nothing got falling off to the ground. Instead, Vaccine was amazed by ■'s active attitude rather than these trivial things. That's great news! It seemed like we had successfully convinced him. ]
What makes you think like that?
[ . . . ]
". . ."
…Anyway, I'll get the broom. If you don't have anything better than standing there like an idiot, do the meat. We don't have time to wait.
[ …■ then went ahead without waiting for Vaccine to respond, until he entered the parlour with a broom and a dustpan in his hand ( a trash bag as well ) did Vaccine regained his mouth to speak. ]
"Why is he angry… Did I offend him in some way?"
[ Vaccine was confused about the drastic change in ■'s tone. Ever since he asked ■ about himself, he has weirdly become more impatient with almost everything. From when they were blocked by a crowd of people before reaching the butcher shop to the bargaining that he did, not once did he stand still. He could somewhat guess the reason but it doesn't make sense to him. But to…
"From now on, let's not think of anything else and prepare the meal," He supposed, as he put all the stuff they got on the dusty table.
So far, he has a general grasp of their whereabouts. Its atmosphere was completely different from the 21st century, with an ancient look that could only be seen in movies and theatres, they cannot be mistaken with any years. However, those could not compare to the products in the late 19th century.
It was frankly a pain in the ass, from the prices to the quality of some daily products. There were so many problems with those things that he wanted to write a full essay of genuine opinions on the supporting feedback.
Thus, as one of the consequences of going back in time, the current technologies haven't advanced yet. One man can't do anything, he just has to deal with it from time to time.
"At least this was doable…" Vaccine relieved.
First, he took 4 potatoes out, washed them over before peeling, and cut them to his desired thickness for the fries. While soaking them in ice water for 2 hours, he moved onto the ribeyes.
"The salt we bought from that grocery store is not a high-quality product, but it could replace it."
He sprinkled a bit of salt onto the ribeyes, and salt brined them in the fridge for 1 hour. In the meantime, Vaccine decided to check out ■'s progress. ]
"Wow! Did you do this on your own?"
[ What greeted him was a cleaned parlour, with no speck of dust remaining on the floor, except for the ceiling. The white clothes on the furniture were also removed and folded nicely on the armchair. Along with the dust gathering in the trash bag and being put in the corner. ]
Yes. Who else could be me?
[ ■ said. His uninterested voice showed how familiar he was with these kinds of chores before.
"Um… What is going on with this novel … for you to twist your face like that?"
[ Vaccine nervously asked ■, who is reading this. . . Oh. ]
This thing underestimates me hm? To the point of forgetting about this?
[ … ]
"Is everything ok…?"
How funny… Do you think I haven't seen what you've just deleted?
[ . . . ]
"Who are you talking about....?"
[ Uh—Suddenly, a piece of dust fell from the ceiling and got into ■'s nose! ]
You fuc– ACCHOO.
[ The sneezing was so loud that even the rats in the wall could hear him. But it's just a theoretical scenario, of course, no one has heard anything from Vaccine's apartment nor does it break anything. If anything, it was this monologue, Vaccine, as well as ■ that almost got blown away to the next page. With only a sneeze, how incredible he could even affect this novel effortlessly. ]
"Are you… allergic to dust?"
[ Vaccine worryingly asked him. ]
…
[ ■ nodded while covering his nose. After sneezing several times in a row ( the real-time impacts had been cut short for convenience ), he has completely lost it.
Seeing him like this, made Vaccine relieved but worried at the same time. It's not a joke how he saw what occurred before him, yet he couldn't fully grasp the concepts behind it.
His consciousness has not grown up much since 'his' death, and he's aware that what he does now is minimal, but it's the best thing he could do for ■. ]
"Let me do the rest, you can go check the steaks in the kitchen."
Sure.
[ Just like that, they've switched their places temporarily. Vaccine did the cleanings, ■ did the cooking.
At first, Vaccine thought ■ wouldn't do anything besides sitting and waiting for him to be done. When he came back, he saw him frying the potatoes for 5 minutes like it was nothing. Even he was wary of the burning oil at 135⁰C, yet ■ pulled that off so easily.
This also continued with the steak that he had prepared previously. Although he had to intervene in the midway since ■ didn't know anything about steak frites, he did it better than he expected.
At last, ■ went back to clean the rooms with a mask on this time; as for Vaccine, he continued the cooking. The steak was halfway done, so he pressed the steaks to create a hardened layer on the top and let the liquid absorb the outside.
Afterwards, he brought the finished steak to sit at the kitchen temperature while he was extracting the yolks from the eggs. Just then, ■ has finished cleaning the bedroom and walked out. ]
Mhm~ That smells good, [ He went to the table, ] The shallot is truthfully one of my favourites.
"It's just a seasoning, you know;;"
[ Vaccine instinctively grabbed the sheet pan, it's like what he had feared, ■ was secretly trying to get a piece of fries!
Unable to archive his scheme, ■'s shoulders slightly dropped, he got on the chair nearby and continued. ]
What do you know about it?
"Uhhhhhh…"
[ "Is it a twisted question?"
Vaccine nervously gripped the whisk. A great prudent, developed by 'his' series of tricky questions, is warning him. But whatever it is, he's ready for it. ]
"Shallot is a small kind of resembles onion. Originating in the Middle East, it is widely used in Southeast Asia and some professional chefs' dishes; that is all I know."
That's it. [ ■ enthusiastically expressed. ]
"Hah??"
[ He was worried for nothing… ]
That's why it is famously known as a sign of a good dish. Its smell could directly boost the cravings for your cook by being a seasoning.
[ ■ took the sheet pan from Vaccine's hand while he's being stunned. Once again, he had to remind himself that they weren't the same.
When ■ fried those fries until golden brown, Vaccine sneakily stood beside him and filled a small saucepan with ⅓ water. Then, it was brought to a simmer and lowered to medium heat. At the time, only the sounds of oils dancing in the pot and the crackling fire underneath the saucepan stayed.
There is no music box in this place. The two stood there in silence, appreciating the peaceful atmosphere at the end of May. Maybe they don't find each other's presence uncomfortable, and they won't even bother to take a glimpse into their thought. ]
"This recipe is quite complicated for a steak and fries ." [ Vaccine noted. ]
For real
[ By the time it's finished, the sky is already dark outside. ■ got their knives and forks ready on the table while Vaccine was slicing the steaks; bringing bearnaise, chives, black pepper and fries with them.
Finally, the dinner was done. ]