Kallen had not extended his sleeping hours just because he was leaving for the Dinge District that night. He came out of his bedroom at seven in the morning. Breakfast was simple: two sandwiches and a glass of hot milk.
Mr. Giotto's funeral would begin at nine that morning. Xili and Mrs. Lake were busy washing and preparing ingredients. After breakfast, Kallen came over to oversee the preparation of the light meal.
The meal would be served buffet-style, so the dishes did not need to be complicated.
Kallen's menu listed four cold dishes: Spicy Boneless Chicken Feet, Chilled Pig Ears, Chilled Shredded Jellyfish, and Vien Sauce Beans.
Of these, Vien Sauce Beans was a cold dish that never failed to appear at everyday Vienese gatherings.
There were six hot dishes: Braised Short Ribs, Chicken with Edamame, Eggplant Fritters, Spring Rolls, Candied Sweet Potatoes, and Lion's Head Meatballs.
The staples were flatbread and Chow Mein, with White Fungus Soup for dessert.
This was not the first funeral Kallen had organized at the Pavarro Funeral Society, but it was his first time preparing a meal. On the previous occasions, either he had not expected guests or he had known outright that none would come.
Alfred was busy with Pike and Dinkum out front, checking the final details, while Kallen led Xili and Mrs. Lake in making preparations in the kitchen.
Just then, a young face peeked around the kitchen doorway. It was Aisili.
Although gathering at Kallen's place before heading to the Church Administration Building together had practically become an unspoken squad rule, she had still arrived rather early today.
When she passed through the front hall earlier, Alfred had been leading Pike and Dinkum through the final touches to the arrangements, so he had let Miss Aisili go in herself without