Ingredient (2)
"Hm…"
[ Vaccine turned to the left. ]
"Hmmmm…"
[ Then he turned to the right. ]
"Hm?"
What is it?
[ ■ asked. He has been seeing Vaccine doing something weird again. Apart from his extremely attaching, he's been looking around since they left the building. ]
"Is it just me, or are they closing off their house a bit too early today…"
[ Vaccine pondered. In his memory, humans are usually slower than this. Even if it's May and the day is longer than the night, they don't always lock up around 5 pm. What's more, they also pulled the curtain, taking their hanging clothes, and some went as far as bringing their plants to the window inside. This early closing has piqued his interest since then. They were trying to hide from something… ]
Maybe it's past their working hours? Well, no surprise since we have to buy some stuff at this hour because of someone.
"Ugh…"
[ Even in this situation, ■ could calmly remind him of whose fault it was.
"How can you even say that… Aren't we into this together?"
[ He tried to find some sympathy from ■, but we all know what's going to happen. ]
You're on your own for this, Vaccine.
You've offered it.
[ Vaccine dropped his shoulders and sighed. He, too, caught up with the idea that he couldn't prepare anything beforehand. But is it even possible to get anything with everything that happened previously? Guess not. It would have driven him nuts if he had not taken a rest before. ]
"Why did I get myself into this…"
You seemed distressed, Vaccine.
[ Even if the world falls, ■ can tease him till the very end. ]
"Then at least help me out! You're also gonna eat too, you know?"
Fine.
[ ■ pointed at a small family grocery store in between two other houses, just a few steps ahead of them. ]
"That's fast?!"
[ At the entrance, the store displayed some household goods for purchase on two sides. With many barrels and boxes stuffed in, the way in was exceedingly narrow that only one person could move around. To pay the bill, the cashier was right at the end of the store, which can be seen through the blurry glass door. Behind the counter, a variety of spices and herbs were put on the shelves.
Upon entering, they encountered an old man who had an unlit cigarette in his mouth while reading today's newspaper. Seeing its brand, Vaccine was startled.
The newspaper was from the
Does that mean… we're in Glasgow now? How did he —]
Since we are going to make steak frites, the first thing we need would be that.
[ ■'s sudden speech interrupted Vaccine's thoughts. That's right. That matter is not important right now. They needed to get those ingredients fast.
"Let's see…" ]
* * *
"Excuse me, sir!"
"Woah! Did my perspective just shift?"
[ Vaccine called out to the old man. Hearing his call, he peeked up from the newspaper, eyeing Vaccine up and down before asking about his intention.
"What is it, young lad? Trying to buy some
"This is new… As if my thoughts and actions didn't line up at all. It felt like I was watching and moving myself simultaneously —
[ "You hear me, lad?" The old man waved his hand in front of him. ]
"Yes… And I've already quit smoking, sir."
[ Vaccine shaked his head, which surprised the old man back. He then handed him a paper with a smile. ]
"I'm here for the salts and oil. Can't cook without those, can I?"
[ "Haha… You're funny." The old man took his joke half-heartedly, which Vaccine relieved for. Before he went further in for the oil in the paper list of ingredients, the old man told him a few things that Vaccine was curious about previously.
"Are you living in the countryside by chance, young lad? People are always going home before 6 pm since the working hours have reduced significantly this year."]
"Is that so?"
[ "Yes." He nodded, "Another thing was because it's truly dangerous after 6 pm. It could be stealing or something but there's been a few attempts to break in recently!"
"You better be careful, young lad." ]
Not bad for an act.
"Wai–what are you doing?!"
[ When the old man came back with all the spices on the list and a large bottle of oil, he found a black cat on the counter, staring at his newspaper intensely. Its tail unintentionally slammed on his newspaper, leaving some fur behind. Although he's not allergic to cat fur, he quickly shooed it away before asking Vaccine about it, which he utterly denied in embarrassment.
After giving those salts and oil to Vaccine for £2.89 in total, he took his time to hold Vaccine back for his concern.
"How old are you again?"
There it is. ]
"Um…"
[ The question was a bit sudden but that's not all. Vaccine was hesitant, or rather, he didn't know how old he actually was.
The time in the 4th wall has completely messed up with his sense of time. Furthermore, JD had never told him about his age. He was already a young man from birth. Without any other choice, Vaccine looked at the cat, hoping to find his answer to this question. ]
27.
"27?" [ 27? ]
[ Everyone fell into silence for a while, and the old man was the first one to speak.
"Bloody hell! You have gotta be nuts! Hey, mind if you could share with me some tips on how to quit smoking?" He pointed at his wife in the back of the store, "I got her watching me behind my back you see."
His voice was half joking, half serious. It's rare to see such a man exist around here, in this era. Vaccine wants to wish him the best, however… ]
"I'm sorry but I have nothing to share…"
[ "Is that so… that's a bit sad. I guess my journey won't end soon." He sighed.
Poor the old man, a small enjoyment is too far for him to reach at this point. For his family, his health, and himself, he was determined to give up on this hobby once and for all. ]
What a good man.
"Yeah…"
[ Seeing such a determination from an old man like him, even the cat felt respect for this man, who's ready to sacrifice himself for his family. Vaccine bid his farewell to the old man and continued his journey to the next store. ]