Things I Want to Make
—Afternoon Tea Time.
"Now, shall we hear the details?"
Mother began the conversation.
"Um, you mean about the lunch bag, right?"
I pulled the lunch bag out of my storage.
"Yes, exactly. Was that something common in your past life?"
"Yes. In my past life, from the age of six, we attended school—what you'd call an academy here. Until the age of 15, we had something called 'school lunches,' where meals were provided at school. From 16 onwards, the schools we attended didn't provide lunch, so we either ate at the cafeteria or brought our own lunchboxes. Some working people also brought their own lunches."
"Wait, you went to school from the age of six?!"
Brother Noel looked shocked.
"Yeah, from six to 15, it was compulsory education. We studied things like reading, writing, math, and history."
"Ah, so it's like having a tutor before going to the academy here.”
Brother Aran chimed in.
"Something like that, yeah."
"So, you brought lunchboxes when you went to school or work? But there were cafeterias, right?"
Mother asked.
"Yes, but bringing lunch from home was more economical, and some people did it for health reasons too."
"Health reasons? What do you mean?"
Vee looked confused.
"Hmm, like people who wanted to lose weight or, conversely, build muscle. Cafeteria food could be high in calories, so bringing your own lunch helped with managing your diet."
"What do you eat if you're trying to build muscle?"
Brother Aran seemed intrigued by the idea of diet management.
"Well, if you're trying to build muscle, you'd eat things like chicken breasts or tenderloin—parts with less fat. But you also need to eat vegetables for balance. Oh, and boiled eggs too."
I didn't know all the details, but I remember a senior who was really into fitness always eating that kind of stuff. He used to look longingly at my convenience store bento and takeout burgers while eating his own meals. It was tough to watch.
"I get that chicken breast is the chest part, but what's 'tenderloin'?"
Brother Gene asked.
"Um, I think it's a tendon inside the breast meat."
I only ever bought it at the supermarket, so my memory is a bit hazy.
"Anyway, we'll sell the lunch bags. This size is convenient. Are there any other things from your past life that don't exist here but would be useful or that you'd like to make?"
Mother asked.
Well, there are *plenty* of things! A hand mixer, blender, cocktail shaker, cookie cutters... Oh? All kitchen tools. Other things... a bonito shaver, chopsticks, lunchboxes, water bottles... Oh dear, I can't seem to get away from food.
*Chuckle chuckle.* "That look on your face says there's a lot. What kind of things?"
Brother Noel noticed.
"Well, there are a lot of things, but I just realized they're all related to food... Ehehe."
"Why is everyone nodding in understanding?!"
"Because you love eating, don't you?"
Brother Noel said.
"And you love cooking too, right?"
Brother Aran added.
"You're a foodie.”
Brother Gene chimed in.
"Well, you are Joan.”
Vee said.
I don't get it... And what does Vee mean by "Well, you are Joan"?!
"Anyway, could you list them out and explain what they are?"
"Huh? Can we make them?"
"That depends on the item. Nancy, paper and pen, please."
After that, I listed out the things I could think of, sometimes drawing illustrations to explain. I'm still not used to writing, so Brother Noel wrote it down for me.
"Hmm, let's call in some craftsmen to make these. Noel, Gene, go to the dorm and bring Gan and Martin."
“”Okay!””
"Um, Mother? Why Gan and Martin?"
"Oh my? Didn't you know? Gan's family runs a carpentry and woodworking shop, and Martin's family are blacksmiths."
"Is that so?!"
"Madam, did you call for us?"
After a while, Gan and Martin arrived.
"I'm sorry to trouble you, but could you both go to your families and bring someone who can discuss some things with us?"
"Um, may I ask what the discussion is about? Depending on the topic, the person we bring might differ..."
Gan said.
"Ah, right. My apologies. Joan has some things she'd like to have made, and we need to consult on whether they can be made or not."
"So, someone who can judge whether the items can be made. Understood. We'll head to our families now."
"Yes, thank you. Nancy, prepare the carriage."
"No, that's too much..."
Martin tried to protest, but Mother cut in.
"Oh? But we're asking your families to come all this way while they're busy. Besides, it'll be faster this way, won't it?"
“"Thank you very much.””
They both said before leaving the living room.
Mother is so decisive and action-oriented. She's so cool~! She really gives off the vibe of a capable working woman. And letting commoners use our family carriage... It feels like she'll use whatever's necessary to achieve her goals. It seems like her values and mindset are similar to mine from my past life, so I can really relate to her~!
What do you think about this chapter?
