It’s Not Like I’m Worried or Anything… (Part 1)
A Bloom Time-Lapse Event Side Story
The True Charm of Sakura Viewing
Kokona: Zzzz… I wanna use this photo too…
Shizuka: Even in her dreams, Kokona is editing the video.
Kathrina: She’s quite a hard worker, isn’t she? But what do we do? Kokona and Panda said they’ll be the hosts, but now they both are asleep.
Shizuka: Well, the main part of the programme is over. I guess, it should be fine to just enjoy the drinks and foods while taking in the view?
Shamo: Say, Shizuka-chan, I heard, you and Kathrina-chan prepared today’s meal?
Shizuka: Shamo-san? Yes, we did.
Shizuka: Kokona started with it, but then we took over, so we mostly made it together. Why do you ask?..
Shamo: That must have been quite challenging, right?
Kathrina: Kokona handled the preparations, so it wasn’t particularly difficult…
Shizuka: Why are you being shy?
Kathrina: I-I ain’t being shy.
Shamo: All the dishes were great, so I wanted to thank you.
Noa: Yeah, they really were… Especially the tamagoyaki! Hiccup…
Shizuka: Uwa, aren’t you drinking a bit too much?..
Noa: Not at all. The dashiʼs* very good, sake goes with it perfectly. Though a bit of grated daikon would have made it even better…
Yae: The fried shrimp was crispy and yummy too!
Kathrina: I feel indebted to everyone in Sirius, so if I can do at least this much… I’m really glad.
Chisa: Actually, I’ve also made something.
Kathrina and Shizuka: Huh?!
Shamo: Oh, it’s a layered lunch box? Fufu, it looks quite elaborate.
Shizuka: Thatʼs exactly what makes me nervous, though…
Chisa: Take a look. It’s a special hanami lunch box!
Kathrina: These really are somen noodles! Who even makes a somen lunch box?
Chisa: Hey, at least try it before complaining. Hanami somen is a great dish.
Kathrina: However you look at it, it does look appetizing…
Shamo: Well, well, then why don’t we all try it?
Yae: I’d like to try it too!
Kathrina: Well, then me too… Huh?! I-it’s really good?!..
Shamo: I thought the noodles might have dried out and stuck together, but that’s not the case at all.
Chisa: They are coated with sesame oil. I’ve also prepared a variety of mentsuyu**.
Noa: The umeshiso roll*** won’t make for a satisfying finishing dish, but the taste’s refreshing.
Kathrina: The portions are small enough to eat in one bite. And you can even customize the flavor to your liking with toppings…
Shamo: The salt-pickled sakura blossoms are so elegant… For mentsuyu, I’d prefer a light flavor similar to dashi rather than a strong one.
Chisa: I made this one with the image of today’s sakura viewing in mind. Enjoy the taste of spring.
Shizuka: W-woah, the taste really evolves in just the right way…
Chisa: Shizuka, evolution knows no right or wrong. However, the truth of this harsh world is that the weak are weeded out.
Shizuka: Not sure if your words are convincing, but they are strangely poignant…
Kathrina: Hate to admit it, but I can’t deny your cooking is brilliant.
Chisa: I’m glad you could understand the charm of somen noodles.
Kathrina: But if you had the time to make it, you could have helped us make the lunch boxes, you know?
Chisa: Oops, the plates are empty already. But it’s okay. There’s more. Tell me if you want seconds.
Noa: Sasuga, I’d like a second helping.
Chisa: Aye, here you go!
Kathrina: She ignored me… Well, whatever, I’ll have some more too!
TL note
* Dashi is a family of stocks used in Japanese cuisine. The most common form of dashi is a simple broth made by heating water containing edible kelp and shavings of preserved, fermented skipjack tuna or bonito to near-boiling, and then straining the resultant liquid.
** Mentsuyu is a Japanese soup base used in soba and udon noodle dishes. It’s made from sake, mirin, soy sauce, kombu, and dried bonito flakes.
*** Umeshiso roll is a roll made with Japanese plum and shiso leaf.