| “ | Do good deeds and worry not for the future. | ” |
Bio[]
A very cool, collected person who always gives people a sense that there's more than enough. He observes his opponent's movements from the shadows, never taking any challenge too lightly. To his master, he's mostly quite loyal, but if he feels the attendant isn't worthy of respect, he will sever the relationship, without giving the attendant a chance to speak. Although he's getting on in years, he still looks forward to growing as a person.
Food Introduction[]
Yuba vegetable spring roll was introduced in Japan in the Heian Period by a monk and subsequently developed into part of Japanese cuisine. Through a process of constant improvements, it has developed into the form it is today of tofu skin wrapped around vegetables. It is a versatile dish in Japan that is enjoyed as both a main dish or a snack to take alongside alcohol.
Other Info[]
How to Acquire[]
Associated Events
- Stormy Afternoon
- Countless Threads
- Rebate in Progress
- Encore Party VIII
- Encore Party X
- Mid-Autumn Encounter
- Encore Party XVII
- Encore Party XIX
- Encore Party XXIV
- Encore Party XXXII
- Encore Party XXXVI
- Encore Party XL
Initial Stats[]
 Soul Power
|
2890 |
|---|---|
 Attack
|
128 |
 Defense
|
33 |
 HP
|
519 |
 Crit Rate
|
1125 |
 Crit Dmg
|
1864 |
 Atk Spd
|
1551 |
Skills[]
| Hail of Bullets | Basic Skill | |
|---|---|---|
|
Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll tosses his rifle, then fires off a burst of shots as he catches it with his left hand, finally tossing the rifle back to his right hand, dealing 40% (80%) ATK as damage plus 100 (1300) extra damage to all enemies, meanwhile dealing 10% ATK as damage per second to the nearest enemy unit, lasting 5 (45) seconds. | |
| Sharpshooter Sanction | Energy Skill | |
|
Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll advances forward and adjusts his glasses with his right hand as he snaps into a sniper's pose and takes aim at all enemy units and fires punishing bullets that deal 40% (80%) ATK as damage plus 422 (5486) extra damage to all enemies, meanwhile lowering ATK and attack speed by 5% (25%) for all enemies, lasting 5 seconds. | |
| Super Sharpshooter Sanction (Future Update) | Link Skill | |
|
Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll advances forward and adjusts his glasses with his right hand as he snaps into a sniper's pose and takes aim at all enemy units and fires punishing bullets that deal 60% (120%) ATK as damage plus 506 (6578) extra damage to all enemies, meanwhile lowering ATK and attack speed by 25% (45%) for all enemies, lasting 5 seconds. | 
|
blue = lvl 1
red = max lvlVoice Lines[]
| JP | CN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contract | I don't believe we've met. I am Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll. Our meeting is probably fate, is it not? Heh heh... I expect I have much to learn from you, Master Attendant. | ||
| Log In | Ah, you've returned. An ancient saying goes, "Seeking the Tao will sustain you, but seeking sustenance will not lead you to the Tao." As long as you stay on the path, you will most certainly be taken care of. Although, be that as it may, when you venture out, you should still try to be a little careful.[1] | ||
| Ice Arena | Aagh...! It's so cold here... I'm getting on in years and not suited for such climes! | ||
| Skills | One lamp lights a corner! Ten thousand light the nation![2] | ||
| Ascend | Unimaginable... I can actually keep progressing... What a blessing! | ||
| Fatigue | Attendant, might I rest for a moment? ...At times like these, I must marvel at how unforgiving time is. | ||
| Recovering | I'm mostly recovered. I'll be back at your side momentarily. So, just wait a little longer, okay? | ||
| Team Formation | Under my command, victory is assured! | ||
| Knockout | Uh...! Master Attendant... Very... sorry... | ||
| Notice | The cooking is done. Master Attendant, would you like to have a taste? This dish is quite delicious. | ||
| Idle 1 | Without realizing it, so much time has gone by... All the foolish things we did back in the day are too numerous to count... but thinking back on it, they weren't all bad memories... | ||
| Idle 2 | Having a little down time like this once in a while isn't that bad. To keep one's composure, mental relaxation is a must. | ||
| Idle 3 | I know I can... keep improving. As long as I'm honest with myself and disciplined, and accept and accustom myself to various different ways of thinking, I know I can. That's right... First, I must accept Master Attendant, accept his needs, and respond to his thoughts... but, it's not enough... his reliance on me is still not enough... | ||
| Interaction 1 | Ack...!? M-master Attendant, it's you! Nothing, I was just thinking some thoughts... Huh? What thoughts, you ask? Just trivial matters. Like what shall I eat tonight, this and that. Master Attendant, would you like to have dinner with me tonight? | ||
| Interaction 2 | Hm? Master Attendant, what's the matter? I can set out for you at a moment's notice, but is that why you've summoned me now? Heh heh... | ||
| Interaction 3 | Fried Tofu Puff? He's an earnest lad, although, I was he would reign in that ego of his a bit. If he spent some time with you, Attendant, I'm sure he'd mature quickly... Ah, but we mustn't say that out loud to him. If he knew we thought of him as a child, he would get angry. | ||
| Pledge | Till this very day, I've been feeling out whether you're worthy of my service, and the answer is quite clear... I cannot express enough gratitude at the favor you bestow on me, and your faith in me has caused my heart to race with excitement. I am humbly yours from here on out, Master Attendant. | ||
| Intimacy 1 | "The epitome of altruism is to forego the self for the sake of others"... This quote is talking about a person just like you, Master Attendant, but still you shouldn't push yourself so hard. Today, have a rest. Seeing Master fit and healthy is my prime hope.[3] | ||
| Intimacy 2 | The thought of you sends my heart into a jumble. And in such a state, I don't know whether I should be happy, or sad. Perhaps... it's both. | ||
| Intimacy 3 | Yes, I shall always be by your side, until forever. To wait upon you is my duty, and also my greatest aspiration. Please do not forget this point, Master Attendant... | ||
| Victory | An expected result. However, although victory is in our grasp, we mustn't grow lax. | ||
| Defeat | I apparently still have a long, long way to go... I must continue improving...[4] | ||
| Feeding | Is this... for me? Then I'll try a bite... Ah, it's not just the taste of the food that concerns me. The mere fact that you thought of me enough to give me a present already makes me happy. Thank you. | ||
Skins
| Summer Festival | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| TBA | |||||||
Notes
- ↑ Log In: Original text for "Seeking the Tao will sustain you, but seeking sustenance will not lead you to the Tao.": 道心中有衣食，衣食中无道心。As long as the Way is in the heart, then worry not for material goods. In pursuit of material goods, there is no heart of Way.
- A saying from Japanese Zen Buddhism, which I've utterly butchered here. The concept of 道心 ("heart of Way") is one borrowed from Chinese Taoism, and refers to a state of enlightenment. If one is enlightened, then they have no need for material goods and luxuries; all that is in their heart already. But if one is concerned with the material word and physical possessions, then they cannot achieve that enlightenment.
- ↑ Skills: Original text: 一灯照隅，万灯照国！A single light may only illuminate a corner, but together, a thousand lights can brighten a country!
- Yet another saying from Japanese Buddhism. Even though you alone may have a small effect on the world, the combined efforts of many people can make a big difference.
- ↑ Intimacy 1: Original text for "The epitome of altruism is to forego the self for the sake of others": 忘己利他为慈悲之极也。Selflessness and altruism is the foundation of mercy.
- Another saying from Japanese Buddhism. Directly translated, it teaches that we must "forget ourselves" and "benefit others".
- ↑ The term translated here as "improving" is actually the Buddhist concept of viriya: the quality of willingly engaging in wholesome activities and self-improvement.
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Main[]
Sprites[]
Sprite Animations[]
Normal[]
Other[]
Backgrounds[]
Other[]
Illustrations[]
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Contents of this page has been fan-translated by BasilCosmo and may not be completely accurate. Official translations will be added whenever it's available. |
I. Another Person
When I was summoned into this world, I immediately felt a strong sense of discord. It was because behind my Summoner stood a person who looked as though they were on the verge of disappearing.
"Nice to meet you, Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll. I am the one who summoned you."
The Summoner's hand reached out toward me, strong and firm, accompanied by a warm smile that inspired trust. If it weren’t for that fleeting moment of unease, I might have felt reassured. But I couldn’t find peace—because of the man standing behind the Summoner.
His name was Braised Beancurd Skin. He simply watched me with an impassive expression, never even offering a greeting. Like me, Braised Beancurd Skin was a Food Soul born from yuba[1]. After the Summoner brought yuba back from the Light Kingdom, he had been attempting to summon a Food Soul from it. That was how Braised Beancurd Skin came into being.
The Summoner had expected him to possess strong "combat abilities." But things didn’t go as hoped—Braised Beancurd Skin was not suited for battle. Instead, if anything, he possessed "healing abilities." And so, the Summoner summoned me.
"I'm glad I was able to summon you. Braised Beancurd Skin may be capable, but he’s not suited for battle. It wouldn’t be right to keep bringing him to fight against the Fallen Angels."
"So come with me now.", the Summoner said. There was no room for doubt or refusal.
"If there is anything I can do to be of service, I await your command. You may use me as you see fit, Summoner."
I bowed respectfully, yet my mind remained fixated on Braised Beancurd Skin.
"Come with me"—those words shouldn’t have been meant for me, a newcomer, but for the experienced Braised Beancurd Skin. The situation left me feeling uneasy.
This isn’t right, I thought.
The Summoner surely sensed it too. But no one knew how to break the cycle.
"Welcome home, Summoner. Welcome home, Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll."
Braised Beancurd Skin always knelt at the entrance, bowing deeply to greet us upon our return. He never voiced his thoughts, but I knew—he wanted to be of use to the Summoner. I could see the frustration in his eyes.
I had even spoken to the Summoner about this once. But the Summoner simply told me that he didn’t want Braised Beancurd Skin to get hurt. I imagined a different possibility—if Braised Beancurd Skin were there to support me, we could take bolder actions. Instead of fighting while constantly worrying about avoiding injuries, having him assist me would be far more efficient.
But a Summoner’s orders are absolute. The most I could do was make suggestions. The Summoner cherished Braised Beancurd Skin in his own way. But to Braised Beancurd Skin, it was nothing more than proof of his uselessness. I wanted to find a way to sever this vicious cycle.
"Braised Beancurd Skin, the moon is beautiful tonight. Care to join me for a drink?"
"No, thank you. I don’t have a habit of moon-gazing."
His words were cold, carrying an unmistakable sense of distance and rejection. Though we were both summoned from the same ingredient, he deliberately kept his distance, making the gap between us feel all the more profound.
—If only we could get along.
Was this divide truly unbridgeable?
As I watched his solitary figure fade into the night, I couldn’t help but wonder.
II. Helplessness
After defeating the Fallen Angels with Master Attendant, we returned to the temple—only to find that Braised Beancurd Skin was nowhere to be seen.
Where did that guy go?
I wandered around the temple for quite a while before finally finding him in the meditation hall. His expression was serious, lost in thought. I stood at the entrance, silently observing his every move. Not long after, Braised Beancurd Skin stood up and slowly turned around.
"Do you need something?"
His voice was low as his gaze slowly shifted toward me. A direct, piercing stare.
"Not really, I just couldn't find you earlier and got curious about what you were up to."
"What do you think I was doing?"
"Meditating?"
"If you already know, why bother asking?"
There was a sharp edge to his words, and as he spoke, he moved to leave.
"Braised Beancurd Skin..."
I called out to him as he passed by me. He ignored me at first but then let out a sigh and stopped in his tracks.
"What else do you want?"
His back was turned to me, his impatience evident.
Does he really dislike me that much?
I sighed as well, shaking my head unconsciously.
"I just wanted to have a chat."
"I don’t."
"Come on now—I've got some good wine. Just have a drink with me."
I didn't need to say anything more. I knew he would follow, so I simply left the invitation and walked ahead. Braised Beancurd Skin opened his mouth as if to protest, but in the end, he only sighed and quietly followed behind me. After a sip of wine, Braised Beancurd Skin brushed his bangs aside.
"You're as forceful as ever."
Perhaps it was the alcohol, but his tone had softened. Whenever he encountered conflict, he always gave up resisting far too quickly. That’s how he ended up here, drinking with me. But instead of enjoying the good wine, he drowned himself in it, downing cup after cup as if drinking alone in misery.
"I still don't understand you. Could you maybe open up to me a little?"
"You don't need to understand me."
"We were both summoned by the same Master Attendant. That makes us brothers, doesn't it? No need to be so cold."
"…Brothers? If only we were truly able to rely on each other."
"Is there something wrong with that?"
He clicked his tongue in irritation and held his empty cup out to me.
"Master Attendant doesn’t need me."
"That’s not true—"
"Today, Master Attendant didn’t take me out again… Ever since you arrived, it’s always been like this. Isn't that proof enough that I'm unnecessary?"
Braised Beancurd Skin glanced at me sideways. I shrugged and poured him more wine.
"Master Attendant just doesn’t want you to get hurt."
"No matter how bad I am at fighting, I’m still a Food Soul. I can go into battle—I can protect you."
"That’s true."
"Then why am I still being left behind? It means he doesn’t need me."
Braised Beancurd Skin held out his cup again. I meant to refill it, but my hand hesitated mid-air.
"Master Attendant is just worried about you. When we're together, he always brings you up."
"Probably just complaining about summoning such a useless Food Soul."
"Could you stop twisting things around like that?"
"You… What do you know? If Master Attendant doesn’t need me, then there’s no point in my existence."
"Braised Beancurd Skin…"
I didn’t know what else to say. So, I slowly poured him another drink.
"A Food Soul like me… might as well not exist."
"Don't say things like that."
This was all just a misunderstanding. The truth was, they both needed each other. But because they cherished each other too much, they only ended up pushing each other away.
At times like this, what could I do for them?
A restless frustration built up inside me.
How powerless I was.
As that thought crossed my mind, the bright moon above suddenly seemed to lose its luster. Even the fine wine in my cup tasted dull and flavorless…
III. Distance
Braised Beancurd Skin is actually very remarkable. He treats everyone fairly, using his outstanding gentleness and intelligence to support those around him. Whenever I see him, I can’t help but feel respect, and my fondness for him only grows.
But his gentleness is never directed at me. Thinking of this, I can’t help but chuckle bitterly. At that moment, Braised Beancurd Skin, who was helping the Attendant’s apprentice, turned around and shot me a cold look.
"What exactly are you laughing at?"
He asked in a low voice. I shrugged, the corners of my lips curling up.
"You’re still as cold as ever."
"Right now, there’s no reason for me to be kind to you."
"So your gentleness only appears under certain conditions?"
"…I don’t understand what you’re trying to say."
His brow furrowed slightly in displeasure as he walked toward me.
"You can smile so warmly at others, but when it comes to me, you always keep a stern face. As your brother, I find it a little sad."
"…Because you always irritate me."
Stopping beside me, Braised Beancurd Skin looked visibly annoyed.
"Sigh, you only act cold toward me because I hold a special place in your heart, right?"
"That’s right. You are indeed special—more than anyone else, you make me angry."
After saying this, Braised Beancurd Skin let out a long sigh. His deliberately distant attitude made me feel an undeniable rift between us. I could only watch him and shake my head.
"Braised Beancurd Skin."
The Attendant’s apprentice called out to the man beside me.
"Thank you very much. Thanks to you, everything went smoothly."
"It was nothing. If you ever need help, feel free to ask."
Braised Beancurd Skin gave a respectful bow, then cast me a brief glance before leaving.
"…You seem to care a lot about Braised Beancurd Skin?"
"Well, we are brothers, after all."
"That might be a rather heavy statement for him to bear."
The Attendant’s apprentice smiled as he looked at me.
"You seem quite sharp, yet when it comes to Braised Beancurd Skin, you act rather clumsily. I thought you would have a better way to get close to him."
"He’s a difficult and stubborn man. I don’t know how to handle him."
"But I find him quite straightforward. Maybe that’s where your differences lie."
The apprentice spoke slowly, then suddenly invited me for tea. Having no reason to refuse, I followed him. As we sat down, he took a sip of tea and suddenly made an enigmatic remark.
"To me, you both seem quite pitiful."
"…Pitiful?"
"It all started because of Master."
His voice was unwavering. I was surprised by how bluntly he criticized the Attendant.
"Don’t get me wrong—I deeply respect Master. But… as a human, even he has his shortcomings."
There was a trace of bitterness in his words as he handed me a bowl of tea. I lowered my head respectfully and accepted it.
"It’s true… Even though the Attendant cherishes Braised Beancurd Skin, his feelings have never reached him."
"Exactly. That’s the problem."
He continued, speaking slowly.
If only the Attendant’s feelings had been conveyed to Braised Beancurd Skin, then he wouldn’t have to suffer like this.
Then my relationship with him wouldn’t be so distant.
We could get along, he said.
"If that were possible, it would be wonderful."
But reality isn’t that simple.
Still, he wasn’t wrong—there’s far too little communication between the Attendant and Braised Beancurd Skin.
"How do we untangle this problem?"
I had advised the Attendant about this many times. He understood the situation but was unable to act on it.
"Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll, I’m planning to leave here and return to my temple."
"What?"
His sudden statement caught me off guard, making my throat involuntarily tighten.
"I intend to take Braised Beancurd Skin with me. And… he has already agreed."
"You… You mean…"
I was stunned. I couldn’t speak. Normally, I wouldn’t lose my composure like this, but when it came to Braised Beancurd Skin, I couldn’t stay calm. Maybe he really is my weakness. I let out a self-deprecating chuckle. The fact that Braised Beancurd Skin would soon be leaving… truly unsettled me.
Why am I so shaken by this?
"Master entrusted Braised Beancurd Skin to me. So, naturally, it is my responsibility to take him away."
"I… I see."
The agreement between the Attendant and him wasn’t something I could interfere with.
"But I worry for you both. I hope you don’t end up like me and Master—drifting apart due to misunderstandings."
He spoke as though he had already "given up" on the Attendant. The Attendant had always regarded him as special. And as his apprentice, he had always respected and admired the Attendant. Yet between them, a rift had formed—one that could no longer be mended.
"Braised Beancurd Skin… Since Master entrusted him to me, I know his heart must be wounded. When I look at him, it’s like seeing my past self—I can’t help but sympathize. That’s why I can’t let him stay here."
It was the truth. I couldn’t refute it. But… if I just stood by and watched him leave, I would regret it. The sooner, the better—I needed to talk to Braised Beancurd Skin properly—before he leaves this place.
Sipping my tea, I silently made my decision.
IV. Turning Point
"Master Attendant, are you alright?"
Hearing my voice, the Master Attendant lifted his head. Just moments ago, we had been organizing documents in the study, but he suddenly stopped what he was doing, lost in thought.
"Ah… it's nothing, just thinking about some things."
"I see."
Lately, he had been sighing constantly. And I already knew what was troubling him. A few days ago, the Master Attendant's apprentice told me he was leaving. That was what had been weighing on his mind. I felt the same way. Because as that apprentice's attendant, Braised Beancurd Skin would also be leaving this place.
"Are you not going to stop him?"
I leaned forward slightly, finally voicing the question I had been holding in for so long.
"S-Stop him…?"
The Master Attendant was startled, looking at me nervously.
"Forgive me if I overstepped. But I already heard about everything a few days ago."
I relayed to the Master Attendant everything I had learned from the apprentice.
"If you already knew you would be this saddened, why didn’t you just express your feelings openly?"
"…This is his decision. No one has the right to interfere."
"But if you don't say it, how will he ever understand?"
"That…"
"Do you truly believe that letting him leave is the right choice?"
The Master Attendant was taken aback. I was sure he already knew the answer deep down. I felt the same way. Drifting further and further apart from Braised Beancurd Skin was painful for me as well. I was summoned as his replacement, and because of my presence, he felt inferior.
"Forgive me for speaking out of turn again. Braised Beancurd Skin has always believed that the Master Attendant does not need him, and it has caused him great pain."
"But I never thought of him as unnecessary…"
"As a Food Soul, not being needed by one's Master Attendant is more painful than anything else. I hope you will be honest with him about your feelings…"
This was not something I could help with. If the Master Attendant did not say it himself, Braised Beancurd Skin would never waver.
"…I will think about it."
"Thank you very much."
I bowed deeply. The Master Attendant took a deep breath and looked at me.
"I must have been too afraid… more worried about being hurt myself than about hurting others."
"Being able to reflect on that is one of your strengths."
"You must think I'm pathetic. I can never face my own emotions properly…"
The Master Attendant laughed self-deprecatingly and picked up his brush once again. It seemed he had made up his mind. Now, it was my turn.
Under the moonlight, I shared a drink with Braised Beancurd Skin.
"This will probably be the last time we drink together, huh?"
As always, he spoke in a calm, indifferent tone while savoring the liquor.
"This bottle is worthy of our last drink. It took me quite some effort to get my hands on it."
Hearing that, Braised Beancurd Skin suddenly started drinking a little faster. I still felt uneasy, but seeing the soft smile on his face, I decided to let it go.
"The Master Attendant spoke to me… He said he treasures me deeply. He only summoned you because he worried about my lack of strength and feared I would get hurt…"
"Yes, the Master Attendant often told me the same thing."
"I never doubted you. But hearing him say it to me directly… made me feel much better."
He rarely spoke so openly. Perhaps this was proof that he was truly in good spirits today.
"Then why not stay? A Food Soul belongs at their Master Attendant's side."
"No, I will leave. This will be a turning point for me."
His expression was resolute, unwavering.
"Thanking you feels a little uncomfortable… but today, I'll be honest—thank you."
"Why the sudden gratitude?"
"The Master Attendant said you pushed him to speak to me. Even though I hate to admit it… I'm glad he finally told me those things."
Then, Braised Beancurd Skin picked up his cup and offered it to me.
"Let’s drink to our heart’s content tonight. And let me apologize for how I've treated you until now. I know you did nothing wrong, but I just couldn't accept your presence."
"It’s only natural."
If I were in his position, I wouldn’t have been able to accept it either. So, I bore no resentment.
"You’ll be leaving soon, right? Before you go, let’s deepen our friendship."
"We’ve always been friends. Even if we part ways, that won’t change. We may have conflicts in the future, but I hope we can always be open and honest like this."
And so, Braised Beancurd Skin, as the apprentice’s attendant, left the temple. We made a promise to meet again one day, and I watched him go.
For now, my duty was to stay by the Master Attendant’s side and support him.
In the future, when that duty came to an end—without a doubt—I would reunite with him. Looking forward to "that day in the future," I spent what was, for a Food Soul, an exceedingly brief moment by the Master Attendant’s side.
V. Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll
Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll was summoned to Sakurajima by a monk who was the grandmaster of a certain sect. This monk had deep ties with the Light Kingdom, and Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll learned much about knowledge and human emotions from him, spending fulfilling days in his company.
However, both the Master Attendant and Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll were troubled by the relationship between him and another Food Soul summoned before him—Braised Beancurd Skin.
At first, Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll also harbored doubts about the Master Attendant, but over time, those doubts naturally faded. The Master Attendant was somewhat clumsy, but he was a man of virtue with a kind heart.
Decades passed after the Master Attendant’s disciple and Braised Beancurd Skin left the temple, and throughout that time, Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll remained by his revered Master Attendant’s side until the very end.
"Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll, are you there?"
A frail hand reached out as the Master Attendant called his name in a hoarse voice. Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll bowed respectfully, approached the Master Attendant’s bedside, and smiled gently.
"I’m here, Master Attendant."
He took the Master Attendant’s hand in his own, feeling the weak but deliberate grip in return.
"My time is running out. Perhaps because of that, there is still a lingering sense of regret within my otherwise peaceful heart. But that is fine…"
The Master Attendant smiled as he spoke.
"It’s just… when I close my eyes, I think of those who left. I wonder how they are doing. That is the only thing that weighs on my mind…"
"As for those who left… I don’t know either."
Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll took a deep breath, speaking slowly.
"But everyone respected you, Master Attendant. Even if they didn’t at first, they left with gratitude in their hearts."
"Is that so? If that’s true… how wonderful that would be. In the end, he never became my successor."
The Master Attendant had once hoped to pass his legacy to his most cherished disciple, but in the end, that disciple never returned. Braised Beancurd Skin, who had left with him, had also never made contact again since that day, gradually drifting apart from Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll.
"I wonder if Braised Beancurd Skin is doing well, if he’s still by his side…"
The Master Attendant and Braised Beancurd Skin had exchanged letters from time to time. Even though misunderstandings had arisen between them, in the end, they reconciled. Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll had always worried about their relationship. He also knew that he himself was one of the reasons for their discord.
That was why he felt relieved and happy that they had kept in touch. Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll often thought about Braised Beancurd Skin. Perhaps the rift between them had never truly disappeared. Without realizing it, Braised Beancurd Skin had become just as important to him as the Master Attendant.
"Master Attendant, once you depart, I will also set out on a journey."
"Oh? Where will you go? You have never left before—if you find life elsewhere uncomfortable…"
The Master Attendant’s gentle words made Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll smile.
"I want to see Braised Beancurd Skin. It has been a long time… He was the Food Soul you summoned before me, and to me, he is also someone special."
"I have troubled you so much with our complicated relationship. Now, I don’t even know how to apologize…"
"There’s no need to apologize. The fact that you could make him smile is more than enough."
"Hearing you say that… I feel at peace."
The Master Attendant smiled at Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll.
"I’m glad you two can get along. Give him a message for me—I will always pray for your well-being."
Not long after, the Master Attendant passed away. With no more lingering worries, he left this world with a serene expression. Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll set off for the temple where Braised Beancurd Skin was supposed to be.
However, when he arrived, Braised Beancurd Skin was no longer there. He had heard that Braised Beancurd Skin was now working for the Chef’s Guild, so it wouldn’t be difficult to find out his whereabouts soon.
At the temple, Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll met Fried Tofu Puff and Adzuki Jelly. They seemed to be particularly close to Braised Beancurd Skin. When he mentioned that he was going to find Braised Beancurd Skin, for some reason, he and Fried Tofu Puff ended up in a fight. In the end, the two of them decided to travel together. Fried Tofu Puff was clearly someone who had been raised with much love and care. Seeing him made Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll feel a strange itch in his heart, but in the end, he still agreed to journey alongside him.
Along the way, Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll also started keeping in touch with Adzuki Jelly regularly. Despite her small stature, she had the air of an older sister when it came to Fried Tofu Puff and Braised Beancurd Skin.
"Yet whenever she talks to me, she always has a sharp tongue," Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll thought with a chuckle.
Perhaps, to Adzuki Jelly, Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll was the kind of friend she didn’t have to be cautious around—the kind with whom she could speak her mind freely. Maybe it was because, to her, Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll wasn’t someone who needed protecting. That thought made him feel a little wistful. However, sensing a familiar air of Braised Beancurd Skin within Adzuki Jelly also made him happy.
"Hey, how long are we going to keep missing Braised Beancurd Skin?"
They had already found out where he was. But due to hesitation and Braised Beancurd Skin’s busy schedule, they had unknowingly kept crossing paths without meeting.
"Soon," Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll said as he picked up a brush.
He began to write—
"To Braised Beancurd Skin—how have you been?"
Would he get a reply?
Feeling a mix of emotions akin to a young girl writing her first love letter, Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll let out a small laugh.
"We have another request today. Let’s go, Fried Tofu Puff."
"Got it! With me here, we’ll finish any request in no time!"
Soon, their reunion would come.
…But that would be another story. Until that day arrived, Yuba Vegetable Spring Roll and Fried Tofu Puff continued to deepen their bond.
Notes
- ↑ Yuba, also known as tofu skin, bean curd skin, or beancurd sheet, is a Japanese and Chinese ingredient that is a thin, sheet-like film of coagulated soy protein that forms on the surface of heated soy milk.