Take Back that Ultimate Flavor!

Waaaaah!

That's a kid crying. What's going on?

I only bought them because you kept asking for them! If all you're going to do is whine, then don't eat them!

But moooom!

What happened?

My boy kept asking for sweet dumplings from that tea shop over there, so I caved in and bought them.

But then when he ate one, he started throwing a fit. And after I graciously bought them for him too!

Nooooo! I don't want it no moooore!

Oh. You were crying so loud, I thought you were attacked by monsters or something. Do you really not want those dumplings? You've still got plenty left.

No! I wanna throw 'em away!

Throw it away? Not after I bought it!

Your mom's right. You can't just waste food, you know.

Exactly! I mean, the dumplings from that shop aren't known to be great...

But throwing them out?! I'm not letting that slide, mister!

Then you try it!

Ugh. That's very selfish, you know that? Next time you want something, I'm not buying it!

Geez... *nom nom nom*

...Erbuggh!

Whoa?! What's wrong?!

Ahhhhhh! Water! Water-water-water!

Wait! Wait, mommy!

What the... What the heck is up with these dumplings?!

She said she got them from the tea shop up ahead. Maybe it's worth checking out?

So this is the tea shop.

Hi, welcome! Are you a traveler? Come on in!

Um... Do you sell sweet dumplings here?

Yes, I've got different strokes for all sorts of different folks! Would you like one?

I recommend my special Tea Scrap dumpling!

Wait... What dumpling did you say?

My special "Tea Scrap" dumpling!

Never heard of it before... Wonder if it's a specialty in the East?

Okay, I'll have one of those then.

Thank you very much!

Well, they look okay on first sight... Although considering what happened to that mother and child, I'll need to steel myself a little... Here goes!

......

...Ugh! What the heck? This is bitter! *cough* *cough*

As the proverb goes, "good medicine tastes bitter" and all that...

Dumplings aren't medicine the last time I checked! Oh god, my whole mouth stings!

Urgh... It's like I ate a handful of muck!

Then how would you like this to reset your palate?

As long as it isn't teascrap, I don't care!

Whoooooa, ah, ah! Hot! Aaaah, my tongue's on fire!

It's my special DoubleDown Chilli dumplings! A proud specialty of mine!

W-Water! I need water!

Phew... That was terrible. No wonder that kid was crying in agony.

Hmm... I wonder. Why aren't my dumplings more popular?

I think we both know the answer to that.

The bigger question is what's making you sell these things?

Well, this tea shop used to be my father's.

But he was attacked by specters, and...

I see. So you've looked after his store ever since.

Yes. But I just haven't been able to recreate the dumplings he used to make.

I've been getting less and less customers since. I got desperate, which is why I started selling those new flavors.

Which involved making bitter and spicy versions of "sweet" dumplings?

I have a sour, vinegary one too if you'd like!

Yeah, I think I'll pass...

What? Wait. Are you saying my dumplings are no good?!

Honestly, not very...

Oh, no!

Have you like, never tried them yourself?

As my father always said, "Have faith in what you make!"

I know sometimes you just have to throw things at a wall, but I don't think your dumplings are "sticking" per se.

*sighs*... My father's dumplings used to be so popular. We still get our regulars, but every time, I just let them down...

Your father's dumplings must've been good, if they left that much of an impression.

Wait...if they left an impression...

Then of course! There'll be someone who remembers what they tasted like!

Who, another regular?

Yes! He's this old man living in Izana!

He's really particular about the taste... Whenever my father messed up while making it, he was able to tell right away!

He must have a pretty discerning palate. But how is he involved?

He has to know how my father's dumplings tasted like at their peak!

If I can talk to him, I might just get a clue on how to get closer to my father's flavor!

Huh. That sounds like a good plan, actually.

Then no point in waiting around. I'm going to head over there now!

What? Wai, What about the shop?!

...She's a quick one. Can't even see her anymore.

I wonder if she can really recreate it, purely based on what that old man remembers?

...Okay, now I'm getting worried. Maybe I should go to Izana and see what happened.

Please, sir!

Hmm? What's this...

*grumble*

Please, tell me how it's different from my father's dumplings!

*grumble*

Huh... I'm not sure the guy's up to it.

Whaaat...? Flavor? Is it dinner time already?

I guess that's the end of that idea.

No! He's the only who remembers what my father's dumplings tasted like!

Dumplings...? Ah, haven't had those in a while.

So, where's my food, honey?

......

Here. I've tried so, so hard to recreate my father's flavor!

Please have a taste. See how it measures up to my father's dumplings.

Hey, wait. You shouldn't stuff the guy's mouth with that...

Mmpgh...! *munch munch*

...Bleeeeegh! How dare you serve me such blasphemy!

Whoa?!

You call these dumplings?! No, this won't do at all!

This is it! Time for the grand reveal!

Try not to miss the secret behind my father's flavor, Mr. Traveler!

But I'm not the one making the dumplings here!

Girl! Do you know what the most important thing is in a dumpling?!

What?! Um... How good it tastes?

No! No-No-No-No, and No!

It is a sensation akin to being smothered by a soft pillow! Something completely missing from this rock you call a dumpling! No passion, no zest! And where's that secret sauce?!

Secret sauce... There's a secret sauce?!

What, haven't you heard of it? Right, let me tell you a story.

It was way back when I was eating some of your father's dumplings...

He was getting me to try out all sorts of eccentric recipes. Things like honey glazed melon and blueberry green tea. Both your father and I were absolutely stuffed by the end of it. He told me many a thing back then.

What did you talk about?

Many a thing like I said! About your mother and the like.

Like how he proposed to her, what he loved about her, all of it!

Oh, my! Could you tell me a bit more about my mother, like everything you know!

Hold on. You're here for the secret sauce, aren't you? Can't that wait?

Oh! You've got a point there!

Hmph, well aren't you a spoilsport. Very well then.

So about the secret sauce.

It's buried beneath the entrance of the tea shop!

Wait, there?!

He said he used to keep it in the shed. But that didn't help turn it into his secret sauce...

We tried the one he kept in the shed, but that one had no depth or texture to its flavor. But the buried one made for the ultimate sauce, making every bit of the dumpling taste even better!

But what could be so special about the entrance?

I've no idea! But he said it was something passed down from his ancestors. You must bury the sauce stored in the shed in the front entrance for several years...

Then bam! It magically changes into the ultimate sauce with both depth and flavor!

In short, the flavor of your father's dumplings won't magically come back in a day.

But your father buried a bunch of the stuff for when you took over.

He did that for me? Then I'll make sure to bury it just like you said!

And as long as I use that sauce, I should be able to bring my father's dumplings back!

Hopeless girl! There's much more to it than that!

Forget the sauce, these dumplings need sorting out before the magic can happen! Right now, they're like... sea water without the salt!

I see! So does that mean my dumplings need more salt?!

Do you not understand the concept of a simile?!

First of all, the flour you're using is too coarse! It lacks the fineness needed for a soft, plump texture! When you sift it, you gotta put your back into it...

And swish it all about. Swish! Swash!

"Swish! Swash!" Got it!

Sifting the flour is crucial to the process.

I for one was sifted out by my own wife, you see.

She was a heck of a looker back in the day. One look at her, and you'd never look back. She was the center of attention for the all guys around town.

But she had standards let me tell you!

She said to them, "If you really love me, then what can you do for me?"

What a stuck-up, you think? But even then...

We were completely nuts about her! We would do anything, go anywhere for her. And eventually...

I had finally got her heart! Bada-Bing Bada-Boom!

"Bada-Bing Bada-Boom" Got it!

She was quite the femme fatale in that sense. The other boys were jealous of me to no end.

So they all ganged up and beat me to a pulp, naturally.

Bash! Smash!

"Bash! Smash!" Got it!

Heh... As I lied there, battered and bruised, they looked into her sweet, caring eyes as she nursed over me.

It was there that they realized their jealousy had consumed them, and that their chance was gone.

So to conclude! You need to put that same sweet, caring love into your dumplings!

Sweet, caring love... How profound!

So that's the secret to a tasty dumpling!

A tea shop is a place where travelers stop by to rejuvenate. As such, a dumpling must have the power to soothe one's worries. Just like my wife back then!

Are you going to let him ramble on about his love life, or are you going to ask him about the dumpling sauce?

Oh, right! I just got so caught up in the story!

Besides, I'm more interested in how my mother and father met!

That's not what I asked!

Then what do you think made your mother decide to marry your father?

Well... My father was all about dumplings...

So it had to be that! He must've made some dumplings that my mother couldn't resist.

No, no, no! Completely wrong!

I see you don't understand your parents either. Think about it! If you were your mother, what would you love about your father?

Huh. That's a hard one... I don't know...

Oh, wait a minute! His kindness!

Aaaaaargh...

...Hopeless girl! No, no, and no!

Whaaat?!

The thing your mother most loved about your father...

What was it?!

Was his face.

...His face?

His face.

I mean, my father was handsome, but...

See? A good face gets you far in life.

...Oh! So you mean I should consider how the dumplings are presented!

What? No. Looks have nothing to do with taste, obviously.

Oh, okay...

And that, is everything I can tell you about them.

Thank you so much! I shall take your teachings to heart!

Thanks to your wise words, I think I now understand what a dumpling should be!

Indeed. Now go! Go and bring back your father's magnum opus! The best tasting dumplings that there ever was!

Y-Yes sir! I'll do just that!

Okay, Mr. Traveler. Let's head back to the shop and make those dumplings!

...Huh? Wait, is that it?

So, uh... You got what you needed to make the dumplings, right?

Yes, just what I needed! I'll wait for you at the tea shop!

Boy, that was a long tale... You sure talk a lot, gramps.

*grumble* Oh yes, dinner... When's dinner, darling?

And he's back to his old self. I really hope this works...

Okay then! Let's do this!

I'm looking forward to those dumplings.

......

What's wrong? Aren't you going to start?

Mr. Traveler, there's a problem.

All those things the old man said... It all got mixed up in my head!

What? I mean, I don't blame you, but... Oh if this means what I think it means.

Mr. Traveler! If you remember anything he said, then please tell me!

Ugh. I should've known...

Right then, let's see... How did it go again?

I see! Okay, let's try making them like you said!

There we are! Please, give it a try!

......

...Eurgh?!

Huh?! Something's not right...

Urgh...! Looks like I misremembered something.

If you can't remember, we should go ask the old man again!

......

Mr. Traveler! If you remember anything he said, then please tell me!

Better get it right this time...

I see! Okay, let's try making them like you said!

There we are! Please, give it a try!

......

Wow, this is amazing! It's like nothing I've ever had before!

I agree! This is it. This is my father's dumplings!

Oh, this brings really me back... Oh, I'm tearing up...

Now you can carry on your father's legacy Can't argue with that, eh?

Thank you so much!

But it's going to take so much work to rid the shop of the bad reputation I've given it...

Oh...right. It'd be a real shame if these things didn't sell.

I know! Why don't you sell it in town?

That's a good idea! And I'll have to do my best to regain the trust I lost!

Then I better head there right away! Mr. Traveler, would you mind seeing through it to the end?!

Not at all! Now let's head to Izana.

These are special dumplings made with my family's secret recipe. Come and try one!

Huh? Oh, from that shop. I've heard they're disgusting.

I tried some before, but my mouth tasted like tea scraps for weeks afterwards. I'm not going through that again.

Daddy, look! dumplings! Can I have some, pleeeaaase?

Hmm... Those aren't the good ones.

Aw. That's too bad.

......

That bad rep coming in again. And I've got just the plan...

Hey, you don't mind giving me one of those, do you?

Umm... What now?

Oh man. That traveler just bought one.

Poor guy. He doesn't look like he's from around here. He doesn't know what's coming.

*nomming*

Hm! This hits the spot!

To think that such delicious dumplings are just sitting there going to waste!

Mr. Traveler!

If no one else is taking them, then I think I'll take the whole lot!

Hey, daddy! That man looks like he really enjoys them!

Hmm... Maybe it really is that good.

Might as well. One dumpling, please.

O-Of course! Please, in your own time.

What on... This texture... This flavor...

IT'S SCRUMPTIOUS!

Wait? It is?

Wooow! It's so soft and spongy!

*Gulp*

*nom nom* Yes. This is the one.

Sure does bring back memories. Now, about that meal...

I don't believe it... I actually don't believe it! I'm all sold out!

Guess everyone in town was just waiting for your dad's dumplings to come back.

Oh, now my dad's old customers will definitely come back!

I should follow my father's footsteps, and work on expanding our recipes!

Uh. I don't know abo...

Yes! I can feel my creative energies racing!

Mr. Traveler, please come by my tea shop again if you ever find the time!

......

...I better make sure I only order the traditional ones.

Sorry, mister! Could you repeat what you said?!

Mmpgh...! *munch munch*

Hey, I told you not to stuff them into his mouth like that!

...Bleeeeegh! How dare you serve me such blasphemy!

Whoa?!

You call these dumplings?! No, this won't do at all!

This is it! Time for the grand reveal!

Try not to miss the secret behind my father's flavor, Mr. Traveler!

But I'm not the one making the dumplings here!

Girl! Do you know what the most important thing is in a dumpling?!

What?! Um... How good it tastes?

No! No-No-No-No, and No!

It is a sensation akin to being smothered by its softness! Something completely missing from this rock you call a dumpling! No passion, no zest! And where's that secret sauce?!

Secret sauce... There's a secret sauce?!

What, haven't you heard of it? Right, let me tell you a story.

It was way back when I was eating some of your father's dumplings...

He was getting me to try out all sorts of eccentric recipes. Things like honey glazed melon and blueberry green tea. Both your father and I were absolutely stuffed by the end of it. He told me many a thing back then.

What did you talk about?

Many a thing like I said! About your mother and the like.

Like how he proposed to her, what he loved about her, all of it!

Oh, my! Could you tell me a bit more about my mother, like everything you know!

Hold on. You're here for the secret sauce, aren't you? Can't that wait?

Oh, you're right!

Hmph, well aren't you a spoilsport. Very well then.

So about the secret sauce.

It's buried beneath the entrance of the tea shop!

Wait, there?!

He said he used to keep it in the shed. But that didn't help turn it into his secret sauce...

We tried the one he kept in the shed, but that one had no depth or texture to its flavor. But the buried one made for the ultimate sauce, making every bit of the dumpling taste even better!

But what could be so special about the entrance?

I've no idea! But he said it was something passed down from his ancestors. You must bury the sauce stored in the shed in the front entrance for several years...

Then bam! It magically changes into the ultimate sauce with both depth and flavor!

In short, the flavor of your father's dumplings won't magically come back in a day.

But your father buried a bunch of the stuff for when you took over.

He did that for me? Then I'll make sure to bury it just like you said!

And as long as I use that sauce, I should be able to bring my father's dumplings back!

No! There's much more to it than that!

Forget the sauce, these dumplings need sorting out before the magic can happen! Right now, they're like... sea water without the salt!

I see! So does that mean my dumplings need more salt?!

Do you not understand the concept of a simile?!

First of all, the flour you're using is too coarse! It lacks the fineness needed for a soft, plump texture! When you sift it, you gotta put your back into it...

And swish it all about. Swish! Swash!

"Swish! Swash!" Got it!

Sifting the flour is crucial to the process.

I for one was sifted out by my own wife, you see.

She was a heck of a looker back in the day. One look at her, and you'd never look back. She was the center of attention for the all guys around town.

But she had standards let me tell you!

She said to them, "If you really love me, then what can you do for me?"

What a stuck-up, you think? But even then...

We were completely nuts about her! We would do anything, go anywhere for her. And eventually...

I had finally got her heart! Bada-Bing Bada-Boom!

"Bada-Bing Bada-Boom" Got it!

She was quite the femme fatale in that sense. The other boys were jealous of me to no end.

So they all ganged up and beat me to a pulp, naturally.

Bash! Smash!

"Bash! Smash!" Got it!

Heh... As I lied there, battered and bruised, they looked into her sweet, caring eyes as she nursed over me.

It was there they realized that their jealousy had consumed them, and gave up.

So to conclude! You need to put that same sweet, caring love into your dumplings!

Sweet, caring love... How profound!

So that's the secret to a tasty dumpling!

A tea shop is a place where travelers stop by to rejuvenate. As such, a dumpling must have the power to soothe one's worries. Just like my wife back then!

Are you going to let him ramble on about his love life, or are you going to ask him about the dumpling sauce?

Oh, right! I just got so caught up in the story!

Besides, I'm more interested in how my mother and father met!

That's not what I asked!

Then what do you think made your mother decide to marry your father?

Well... My father was all about dumplings...

So it had to be that! He must've made some dumplings that my mother couldn't resist.

No, no, no! Completely wrong!

I see you don't understand your parents either. Think about it! If you were your mother, what would you love about your father?

Huh. That's a hard one... I don't know...

Oh, wait a minute! His kindness!

Aaaaaargh...

...Hopeless girl! No, no, and no!

Whaaat?!

The thing your mother most loved about your father...

What was it?!

Was his face.

...His face?

His face.

I mean, my father was handsome, but...

See? A good face gets you far in life.

...Oh! So you mean I should consider how the dumplings are presented!

What? No. Looks have nothing to do with taste, obviously.

Oh, okay...

And that, is everything I can tell you about them.

Thank you so much! I've taken your teachings to heart!

Thanks to your wise words, I think I now understand what a dumpling should be!

Indeed. Now go! Go and bring back your father's magnum opus! The best tasting dumplings that there ever was!

Y-Yes sir! I'll do just that!

Okay, Mr. Traveler. Let's head back to the shop and make those dumplings!

...Huh? Wait, is that it?

So, uh... You got what you needed to make the dumplings, right?

Yes, just what I needed! I'll wait for you at the tea shop!

Boy, that was a long tale... You sure talk a lot, gramps.

*grumble* Oh yes, dinner... When's dinner, darling?

And he's back to his old self. I really hope this works...

Would you like to take a break? Here are our homemade family dumplings!