Chapter 4: Tonkatsu Is a Charm for Victory
During the Industrial Revolution, there was a growing need for skilled technicians to handle new machinery.
To address this, Briticia established night schools and began holding recruitment exams.
This was in anticipation of the transportation revolution driven by steam engines, which was just beginning to take shape.
For common people, being promoted to a technical profession also represented hope for a better life.
“…It’s finally here.”
Wearing a worn, oversized black jacket that didn’t quite fit him, a brown-haired young man named William took his thirtieth deep breath of the day.
In his hand was the exam ticket for the test he was about to take.
He had come alone to Londor from the countryside, working at a factory during the day and attending school at night.
After enduring such hectic days, he had taken the exam… and failed.
Because he believed he had done everything he could, the failure hit him hard.
When it happened twice, it left him bedridden.
Even so, William refused to give up and now faced his third attempt.
“The next exam won’t be for a long time…”
His tension grew stronger.
The overwhelming anxiety gripping him made it hard to focus on anything else.
“I should eat something.”
He wanted to finish lunch early and arrive at the exam venue ahead of time.
Thinking that, William hurried forward—
“Whoa!?”
He tripped and fell.
“…Calm down, calm down. What are you getting this nervous for already?”
He spoke to his trembling legs as he raised his head.
There, he saw a slightly unusual restaurant.
“Alright, I’ll eat here today.”
He grabbed the doorknob and stepped forward before turning it.
“Ugh!”
He slammed straight into the door and fell onto his backside.
Embarrassed under the curious stares of passersby, William quickly slipped inside.
“Welcome!”
The maid rushed over immediately.
William bowed his head briefly in response and followed her to a seat at the counter near the owner.
“What would you like to order?”
Emma asked, and William spoke nervously.
“T-today’s a really important exam, so I need something that’ll help me fight…!”
“…I see. What did you have this morning?”
It was the owner, Tatsuya, who asked.
“I had some bread with cheese…”
Today, his physical condition mattered more than anything.
That’s why he had pushed himself to eat freshly bought bread in the morning.
The tightness in his throat from nervousness still hadn’t gone away.
Even so, he wanted to eat properly.
“I understand.”
Tatsuya replied briefly and began cooking.
Soon, the sound of oil crackling filled the air.
Then came the rhythmic sound of a knife chopping.
But even those pleasant sounds didn’t reach William in his anxious state.
He quietly focused on steadying his breathing.
“Thank you for waiting!”
Emma placed a freshly prepared dish in front of him.
“!?”
William froze.
The dish, served on a glossy black plate, featured a golden-brown crust that immediately caught his eye.
Beside it was a mound of beautifully shredded cabbage.
“This is…?”
The unfamiliar dish was dazzling, prompting him to ask.
“It’s tonkatsu.”
“Tonkatsu…?”
“Try it with salt first, then with the sauce over there.”
He pierced a piece with his fork and examined it.
The cross-section of the perfectly fried pork was a lovely pink.
“…L-let’s see.”
As instructed, he added salt and took a bite.
“Whoa!?”
A satisfying crunch greeted him, followed by a firm yet tender texture.
The lean meat delivered a rich, layered bite, as if the fibers were gently unraveling.
The salt enhanced the natural flavor of the pork, spreading deliciously with each chew.
Despite being fried, it wasn’t heavy.
The lean cut made it light enough that he felt he could eat as much as he wanted.
“Delicious…!”
The words slipped out naturally.
Next, he tried it with the sauce.
It was his first time seeing such a thick, dark liquid.
Driven by anticipation, he took another bite.
“Hah!!”
The rich sweetness and tanginess blended with the pork’s flavor.
The aroma that filled his mouth was something entirely new, born from the combination of meat and sauce.
“I’ve never had meat this good before…!”
Then there was the freshly steamed white rice.
Paired with the flavorful tonkatsu, he shoveled it into his mouth, unable to stop.
In an instant, William was completely captivated.
“Try adding a bit of lemon too.”
Only then did he notice the yellow fruit.
He squeezed it, letting the juice drip down.
When he took another bite, a sharp acidity and refreshing aroma added a new dimension to the flavor.
This unique harmony came from the sauce, made with various fruits.
“Owner, this… this is incredible! It’s unbelievably good!”
His excited voice drew the attention of nearby customers.
But William, absorbed in the tonkatsu, didn’t notice.
His hands never stopped as he finished everything in one go.
Finally, he drank the miso soup and let out a satisfied sigh.
“That was amazing…”
Not once had he paused.
As the gazes around him lingered, Tatsuya spoke.
“Katsu is something people eat when they’re facing an important moment.”
“Why is that?”
“You eat ‘katsu’ to ‘win.’ It’s a kind of good luck charm.”
“…I see.”
William stared blankly at Tatsuya, who somehow seemed like a reliable figure.
He didn’t fully grasp it.
But he had gained strength.
Surprised at the reasonable price, he stood up with renewed determination.
“Well then, I’m off.”
Tatsuya nodded quietly.
“Good luck!”
Emma cheered with clenched fists.
Even the factory workers in the shop raised their fists and shouted encouragement.
With a completely different confidence than before, William left the restaurant and headed toward the exam venue.
“A good luck charm, huh.”
To someone whose entire future depended on this day, it might seem like nothing more than a trivial saying.
“…But.”
There was one thing he was certain of.
“There are people who want me to win. That’s what matters most.”
Before he knew it, not just his stomach, but his heart was full.
“I’ll do it…!”
For the first time, he felt as if something was pushing him forward.
His burning determination naturally quickened his steps.
The suffocating tension that had gripped him earlier had completely disappeared.
“Welcome!”
“Welcome.”
When William entered the restaurant, Emma greeted him with the same bright smile.
Tatsuya was as calm as ever.
“What would you like to order?”
“Hmm… I want something a bit special today.”
“!”
Emma’s eyes lit up as she leaned forward.
“Something special!? Did something good happen!?”
William smiled happily.
“Today… is a victory celebration.”
“Congratulations!”
Emma began clapping enthusiastically.
Tatsuya joined in, and soon the entire restaurant followed.
Blushing slightly, William scratched his head as he sat down.
“Ouch!?”
He bumped his leg against the chair and jumped.
It seemed his clumsiness was simply part of who he was.
This young man would one day play a role in Briticia’s upcoming transportation revolution.
As he hopped around rubbing his leg, laughter and warmth filled Kitchen Mikeneko once more.