Chapter 89: The Xiaolongbao Served by My Mother-in-Law (Long Chapter)
Shizuka's father was named Hiratsuka Yuren, and her mother was Hiratsuka Sachiko. Both appeared to be somewhere between their late forties and early fifties.
Judging by his looks, Shizuka's father might have been the slightly older of the two.
Akishin took a moment to observe the couple who were just beginning to enter the autumn of their lives. Her father had a silver-grey crew cut and wore a pale, well-tailored suit. He had deep, defined smile lines on his face, giving him the air of a friendly neighborhood uncle whenever he grinned.
Hiratsuka Sachiko, on the other hand, was the quintessential traditional Japanese woman. She wore a deep yellow kimono adorned with a pattern of red maple leaves, her hair swept back into a neat bun held by a wooden hairpin. With only a light touch of makeup, she radiated the elegant aura of a Yamato Nadeshiko.
Perhaps due to her age, faint wrinkles traced the corners of her eyes and forehead, and her hair lacked the vibrant luster of youth, yet she carried a soothing, composed presence.
After the introductions were finished, Akishin took his seat across from the couple, sitting beside Shizuka.
"Chishima-kun, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you?" Shizuka's father asked.
Akishin glanced at Shizuka, who was currently occupied with her teacup, and nodded. "No, sir. Not yet."
"Good. Let's talk over some food, then."
Yuren gave Akishin the impression that he wasn't exactly a "typical" Japanese person—not just because of the choice of tables and chairs, but even in the way he spoke. It was a subtle feeling, hard to put into words, but definitely there.
After checking with Akishin, the man pulled a small cord behind his chair, which triggered the soft chime of a wind bell.
"Chishima-kun, Shizuka mentioned you're quite the expert when it comes to Chinese cuisine. Are you used to having steamed buns for breakfast?"
"Ah, yes, it's a bit of a habit of mine. Please don't worry about me, Mr. Hiratsuka. I'm quite easygoing when it comes to food."
Unsure why the man was asking, Akishin answered as calmly as possible. Realizing the other party didn't seem intent on giving him the "overprotective father" intimidation routine made him feel, ironically, a bit more nervous.
Half a minute later...
Knock, knock.
The sound of rapping on wood preceded the sliding open of the door. Four servers dressed in black kimonos entered, carrying large trays. The first two approached the table, setting down two stacks of bamboo steamers that billowed with hot vapor.
Just from the scent alone, Akishin already knew what was inside.
When the servers lifted the lids and the steam cleared, they revealed small, white, almost translucent soup dumplings—Xiaolongbao. Each layer held over ten pieces, with four layers in total from the two steamers.
The first two servers bowed and retreated, replaced by the two behind them. On their trays were four bowls of clear white porridge, four small dishes of pickled mustard greens, and two large plates of fried dough sticks.
They were genuine Youtiao, smelling exactly like the ones Akishin had made just yesterday.
Four bowls of porridge were placed before them, followed by the pickles, with the dough sticks and Xiaolongbao positioned in the center.
This is...
Akishin stared at the spread. It was an unmistakably authentic Chinese-style breakfast. If there were a bowl of soy milk on the side, the set would be complete.
A thin film had formed over the surface of the white porridge, and the bowls weren't too hot to the touch. It was clear the chef had timed the customer's wait perfectly, preparing it early so it could cool to the ideal temperature.
Hiratsuka Sachiko stood up to distribute the chopsticks, spoons, and small side plates. As Yuren began to separate the stacks of steamers, Akishin immediately stood up to assist. "Mrs. Hiratsuka, please don't trouble yourself. I can do that."
"Don't worry about it, Chishima-kun." Shizuka's mother handed him his chopsticks with a gentle, faint smile. "Besides, there's no need for 'Mrs.' It sounds so distant. You're Shizuka's friend, and I'm her mother. You can just call me 'Auntie'—it feels much more natural."
Yuren chimed in, "Exactly, Chishima-kun. Make yourself at home. No need for 'Mr.' either; calling me 'Uncle' sounds much better."
Akishin glanced at Shizuka again. She was still nursing her tea. After a second of hesitation, Akishin let out a small smile. "Understood. Then, if you'll excuse my rudeness, I'll call you Uncle and Auntie."
"Good, good."
The couple seemed genuinely pleased by the familiar titles. Yuren himself placed a serving of Xiaolongbao in front of Akishin.
Shizuka continued to sip her tea, her face visibly flushing. Her parents exchanged a glance and shared a subtle, knowing nod.
Akishin took this opening to present his gifts. "Uncle, Auntie, these are some cookies I made myself and a bit of tea. It's just a small token, but please accept it."
"Oh? Homemade cookies from Chishima-kun?" Sachiko stood and accepted the gift with both hands.
"Let's eat. Chishima-kun has been waiting long enough," Yuren said, picking up a Xiaolongbao.
Shizuka finally set down her teacup and picked up her chopsticks to grab a dumpling.
"Shizuka, what are you doing? Chishima-kun hasn't even started yet and you're already digging in? Where are your manners?" Sachiko chided, shooting her daughter a meaningful look.
Manners? For this? Shizuka stared at her chopsticks, then at Akishin, who was looking right back at her.
She wanted to snap back, but she accidentally caught a "dangerous" look from the Great Mother that clearly said: Try talking back and you're dead!
"!!!"
Shizuka gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and placed the Xiaolongbao she was holding onto Akishin's plate. Stifling her embarrassment, she muttered, "Chishima-kun... here, eat."
Sachiko nodded in approval. "There, that's more like it."
"Shizuka-chan, that's..."
"Don't talk, just eat the dumpling."
Shizuka cut him off. With a bright red face, she quickly grabbed another Xiaolongbao for herself.
Under Sachiko's gentle gaze, Akishin gave a hesitant nod. He picked up the dumpling and took a bite. His eyes widened slightly; the dumpling was unexpectedly delicious!
The skin was thin, the filling generous, and it was bursting with rich broth. One bite filled his mouth with a savory, fresh flavor—a blend of pork, shrimp, cabbage, and mushrooms. Even with his own culinary skills, this was the absolute peak of what could be achieved. Anything more would just be overcomplicating it.
After swallowing, a slight saltiness lingered on his palate, which was perfectly balanced by a sip of the plain, mild porridge.
He tried the pickled greens; the sharp, tangy sourness was incredibly appetizing. Then the Youtiao—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, easily rivaling his own handiwork.
This was the first time Akishin had found food elsewhere that matched his own quality—he rarely ate out—and as he looked at Hiratsuka Yuren across the table, he began to understand why.
Noticing his gaze, Yuren looked up and smiled. "Chishima-kun, how is it?"
"It's excellent."
"I'm glad. I was worried you might not be used to it. What do you think of this place? The atmosphere..." Yuren gestured around the room, clearly referring to the teahouse itself. After a brief pause, he smiled again. "I don't mean anything by it, I just hope you'll answer honestly."
Shizuka and Sachiko both looked over. Shizuka seemed confused, while Sachiko gave her husband a light kick under the table.
Akishin looked around, recalling his earlier suspicions. After a two-second hesitation, he shook his head.
"It's not particularly... comfortable."
"Haha, is that so? I feel the same way. It feels a bit stifling. However, the Chinese breakfast here is the best there is. I've searched all over Chiba, and this is the only place that truly hits the spot."
So... Akishin realized Hiratsuka Yuren really wasn't an ordinary Japanese man.
Yuren watched Akishin with a smile and asked, "Are you wondering why I eat Chinese-style breakfast, Chishima-kun?"
Akishin nodded tentatively, fearing he might be rude. Ever since they met, Yuren had given him a peculiar vibe; several of his actions didn't feel quite like a typical Japanese person.
"It actually has to do with my youth." Yuren ate a dumpling, followed by a sip of porridge, and explained, "I spent most of my adolescence and early adulthood in our neighbor, China. I didn't move back to Japan until I was twenty-five, so I picked up a few habits over there. Shizuka mentioned you were fond of Chinese food, and I wanted to treat you to the best, so I ended up choosing this place. Please forgive the choice of venue."
"No, not at all. You're being far too modest."
What else could he do? With the host being this accommodating, Akishin could only bow back in respect.
"Don't worry about it. Chishima-kun isn't an outsider, after all."
"Exactly. Don't pay it any mind, Chishima-kun. Yuren just likes to experiment with different foods."
The couple's attitude was almost too good—it was likely even a biological son wouldn't get this kind of treatment. It made Akishin feel a bit guilty for having suspected them earlier.
Given that Yuren had lived in China for so long, it explained why his mannerisms differed from the local norm.
Shizuka, hearing her parents' words, could only grit her teeth with a burning face. She glared at her father, wanting to speak up, but with Akishin right there, the words wouldn't come out.
She could only clench her small fists under the table—Dad, Mom, what are you doing? I thought this was just a normal meal! And what do you mean by 'not an outsider'?!
Sachiko noticed her daughter's agitation and let out a faint smile, using her chopsticks to place another dumpling on Shizuka's plate.
From the moment Akishin entered, Sachiko had been observing him. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became. His posture was upright, his manner was warm, his face was quite handsome... but most importantly, there was her daughter's reaction.
She had never seen Shizuka act this way.
In the past, they had accompanied Shizuka on Omiai (arranged marriage meetings). During those times, Shizuka wouldn't just skip the makeup; she wouldn't even bother with a basic skincare routine.
This morning was different. Sachiko had only dropped one hint, and Shizuka had immediately gone to get ready. Not only was she wearing elegant makeup, but she had also ditched her usual white lab coat for a dress she rarely touched, and even her hair was washed and neatly tied.
She had even carefully selected her shoes. At that moment, her mother had genuinely wondered if her daughter had been replaced by an impostor.
That was only the beginning.
During past meetings, even with both parents present, Shizuka would just focus on eating—stuffing her face as if she hadn't seen food in days. If asked a question, she wouldn't answer, or she'd give a one-word reply. She wouldn't even look at the man, treating him as if he were invisible, creating an atmosphere so awkward it was painful.
And that wasn't even the worst of it. Sachiko remembered one specific meeting where the man's parents were trying their best to stay friendly despite the tension. The parents decided to give the two youngsters some space to talk. They left the table but stayed close enough to watch from afar.
And then they saw it...
Thinking the parents were truly gone, the man offered a strained smile and prepared to speak. With a loud thud, Shizuka slammed her foot onto the chair beside her in a completely unladylike manner.
She then produced a cigarette, popped it into her mouth, and pulled out a lighter, spinning it expertly in her hand to demonstrate a "high-level" lighting technique. Her form, her expression, and the smoke rings she blew were more professional than anything seen in the movies. According to her father, she looked exactly like a female bandit leader.
After that stunt, no matter how much the man's parents wanted the match, they didn't have the face to stay a second longer. Her father nearly ended up in the hospital out of sheer frustration.
And that was when they were supervising her.
When Shizuka went alone, she once ended up actually hitting the man. Even though it was just one slap triggered by the man's rude comments, it made Shizuka's reputation in those circles absolutely abysmal.
—Once her father found out about that specific incident, he used his influence to dismantle the man's family business. I don't even dare to hurt my only precious daughter, how dare you bullies touch her!!!
After that, the number of people willing to go on a date with her dwindled to almost zero.
But Shizuka didn't care. She didn't belong to that social circle anyway; people could say whatever they wanted, and she'd stay true to herself. The couple had nearly given up hope.
But then, out of nowhere, a friend of theirs who liked Kendo called and said they'd seen Shizuka on TV. They quickly turned it on and saw Shizuka at the Kendo Tournament.
Even though she was just in the stands, she was in the front row. Then they saw her walking with a man, the two of them chatting and laughing as if they were very close.
They didn't take this lightly. They immediately reached out to someone Shizuka knew at school. That's when they learned Shizuka might be in a relationship with a new teacher named Chishima Akishin—the very same Kendo champion from the TV. Rumors were circulating quietly at school that they were dating.
Why quietly? Because the students were afraid of Akishin's retribution.
The parents were overjoyed and immediately ordered an investigation into Akishin's background. While they trusted their daughter wouldn't be easily fooled, they couldn't take risks. They couldn't let the past repeat itself; they couldn't let their daughter be hurt again.
The results put them at ease. A graduate of a formal teaching university, excellent academic standing, a responsible educator—which is why he was transferred to the prestigious Sobu High.
As for relationships, aside from one high school girlfriend he broke up with after graduation, his record was clean. No history of visiting hostess clubs or anything of the sort.
His parents had passed away when he was in middle school, and he had put himself through school using subsidies and grants.
Though they didn't know where he learned Kendo, this information was enough. Being a Kendo champion was just a bonus. Even if they didn't care about titles, having achievements was always better than having none.
—Love without a solid foundation won't last; one shouldn't believe the misleading "sweet quotes" on the internet.
Shizuka assumed her parents had only investigated after she told them about Akishin. In reality, they had lied to her. If she knew they had gone behind her back to dig into her friend, she would have been furious.
They knew their daughter far too well.
Today's meeting was meant to officially see what kind of man Chishima Akishin truly was. As long as his character wasn't rotten and their daughter liked him, they could accept it. They didn't need money; they only feared their daughter making the wrong choice again.
Though the odds of that seemed very low now.
...
At the very least, from the moment the meeting began, Sachiko's impression of Akishin was very good. Not reckless, not arrogant, possessing a unique aura, dressed formally yet simply without being over-the-top.
—It must be admitted that a person's outward appearance and dressing habits can represent their personality and habits to a significant degree.
Sachiko felt satisfied. She felt that her daughter, who had waited all these years, had finally found the right person. With a happy heart, she served another Xiaolongbao to her daughter.
Now, it was just a matter of waiting for the father's assessment. When it came to reading people, her husband—who navigated the cutthroat business world daily—was surely far more skilled than she was.
In truth, Akishin's guess was right on one point: the Hiratsuka couple had chosen this place as a sort of "initial pressure test," but not in the traditional sense.
They didn't reveal their true identities, but brought him here so he could see the surroundings. As long as he wasn't an idiot, he'd guess they were people of high standing.
They wanted to see Akishin's reaction in such a setting. Being materialistic isn't necessarily a sin, but if he ignored Shizuka for the sake of material gain, then Shizuka would be better off marrying someone from her own social class.
Even if Shizuka had leaked the secret beforehand, it didn't matter. What they were evaluating was Akishin's own response.
...
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