One of them was the miniature altar that decorated the wall by the counter.
Even though the task of cleaning before the store opened was left to Shinobu and Eva, Taisho was the only one who cleaned this wooden shrine everyday.
Once, when Eva accidentally came on an off-day and peeped into the store, she saw Taisho cleaning the altar alone. Even though Eva did not understand what was happening, she watched as Taisho touched and paid special respects to the shrine.
Near the outer wall where Eva lived, there was also an old, small shrine that enshrined the deity Aruvu.
There were high-quality and near transparent slices of salmon, similar to those that were served in the store. There were also fresh tree branches with thick and lush leaves, and a piece of fried bean curd.
Eva had not known what fried bean curd was until she came to ‘Nobu’.
There would always be a piece of it on the altar, without fail. Once, when they ran out of stock by mistake, Taisho flurriedly prepared something different.
Why was fried bean curd placed as an offering at the altar?
Eva, who had been concerned about this for a long time, asked Shinobu for the reason.
「Eva-chan, well that’s because…God’s messengers like fried bean curd the best.」
Speaking of God’s messengers, they would probably look something like the angels with wings that were depicted on the ceiling fresco of the church. It was somehow strangely interesting that fried bean curds were the favorite food of those solemn angels in the fresco.
Even though Deacon Edwin didn’t seem to follow it much, the church had certain days when meat was not supposed to be eaten. It was funny to see the deacon run away to Nobu on those days.
Even angels would get tired of just eating bread, wine, and vegetables.
When Eva opened the sliding door, broom in hand, the spring breeze felt comfortable.
Even though it had felt like it was still winter a few days ago, spring had finally completely arrived. There were even times when she sweat under the hot sun.
Since Taisho had left to stock up on supplies and Shinobu had gone for a casual stroll, Eva was left alone in ‘Nobu’.
Eva diligently cleaned under the counter, the tables, and corners of the store, places that one might easily overlook. She believed that if the store was clean, one’s spirit would also feel cleansed.
Even though the task of cleaning the store before it was opened was serious business, she enjoyed it as well.
Since they knew Eva did not have breakfast before coming here, Taisho had prepared it specifically for her.
Everyday, there were always three big rice balls that were prepared and wrapped in seaweed.
Even though Taisho was reluctant to make a seemingly blasphemous rice ball filled with tuna and mayonnaise, he still made them, since it was Shinobu’s favourite.
Since Eva had finished sweeping, she was trying to take a chair down to wipe it when something white crossed her line of sight
「What’s that?」
What appeared in front of Eva, who was still holding a broom, was a little white fox.
When the white fox glanced at Eva, its nose twitched and it ran away, towards the back door.
「Wait!」
That fried bean curd was something important to ‘Nobu’.
She did not know what would happen later if the offering was taken without the angels’ permission. Among the stories that she had heard in the church, there were many that talked about divine punishments that were brought upon those who had neglected their offerings to God.
「Please wait!」
Eva leaned the broom against the table and chased after the white fox.
Even though it was usually properly locked, Shinobu had opened it a little for ventilation.
Eva hesitated.
Although the Old Capital was a city that had many guards, there were still many areas that could be considered dangerous.
There could even be kidnappers who would abduct young, little girls like Eva.
‘Should I chase after it? Or not?’
‘But, what will happen if I do not chase after it? It would be a serious matter if the angels of God were craving fried bean curd all of a sudden. Won’t divine punishment fall upon Nobu?’
It would be extremely dangerous if Izakaya Nobu ended up facing the wrath of Heaven. It wasn’t difficult to realize which one was more unpleasant.
‘As I stand around, the fox will just keep on running. I have to catch up to it and get the fried bean curd back.’
Eva made up her mind and opened the door.
Smelly.
No, this wasn’t an unpleasant smell. It was just somewhat stifling.
Eva abruptly stopped when she saw a horseless carriage pass by at an unbelievable speed in front of her eyes.
There were many hollowed out stone buildings that didn’t have any connection points or joints at all.
(TL: Wood houses have connection points like this.)
Was this really the back alley?
However, this was not the time to be worried about such things.
She faintly caught sight of the fox’s tail and started running after it.