水信玄餅

【Food Fantasy】 九龍レトロ (Kowloon Retro)

Song: トーマ (Tohma) Original: sm18821036 Lyrics Translation

“And what have we here? I’ve seen all manner of humans and food souls pass me on this day. But you……are by far the most pathetic i’ve seen today.” Whiskey had idly been watching from nearby. Case by his side, twirling the tip of his dagger upon the palm of his hand. Or so he had been doing. But upon seeing the wheelchair bound food soul, he had now gripped the hilt of the dagger and pointed the tip of his blade in the others direction. 

...Why was he being insulted by a stranger first thing in the morning? The situation was... rather baffling. Though he probably should have felt insulted at being called pathetic, it wasn’t like the other was wrong... So Raindrop Cake was relatively unruffled as he eyed the dagger threatening him, speaking blandly. “Ah... I imagine so. I apologize.”

     Jiuniang was no stranger to loneliness. It was part     of her life for as long as she could remember. It was      not always voluntary, but she found it easier when       it was at least her CHOICE to be alone. That way,      she didn’t have to worry about saying or doing      the wrong thing. As long as she’s alone, she      doesn’t need to fear REJECTION. Everyone was      happier that way, right?

     But it didn’t always work like that. It was okay      when it was just HER who was lonely. But      seeing another food soul looking so forlorn &       sad all the time was… Difficult to endure. She       wanted to talk to him–  She really, truly did.      But she was worried that she might make       him more upset. 

     It took her a good few days to muster up the      courage to approach him, but she did eventually      manage it. Now there was just the matter of…      Actually….. Talking to him.

It was a typical, quiet day as Raindrop Cake sat in silence, feeling the sunshine bathe his skin in a hug of warmth. He was drifting in and out a little from his thoughts, appreciating the calm of the little corner window he had found and claimed, as well as the distant clamor of life and business coming from the other Food Souls. The window had a direct view of the beautifully blooming tree planted just at the side of the road, and his hazy gaze lazily followed the whimsical paths of the plum blossoms as they swayed on their branches.

                   Katsuie frowned —– what was this sudden apology about ? The two of them had only just met ——– what could this Food Soul have done to upset him ? The apprentice chef’s eyes trailed down the Food Soul’s face to…a giant wheel ? Wait —– was this Food Soul resting in a wheelchair ? Was that what he had apologized for ? As the Food Soul began to introduce himself, Katsuie tugged his gaze back up towards his face.

A wagashi chef... ah... how nice. The haze of darkness in his mind cleared for a moment as he felt a faint anticipation stir in his heart; surely that meant his new Master Attendant enjoyed similar tastes to himself? Raindrop Cake enjoyed making wagashi, though it was only as a hobby and to accompany the many hours nursing cups of tea. He was a passable amateur at least, but... He always did wish to refine his craft a little better than his clumsy midnight baking. Perhaps if he were in a better mood, he would have said as much, but as it was he simply nodded in understanding at the other’s introduction, hands folding on his lap and expression not betraying his thoughts.

     Early morrow showers weren’t ever a peculiar sight in the Light Kingdom; the droplets of above were gentle reminders that all of their past fires were able to be extinguished – in one form or another. However, there was a tale that Spam escorted to the back of her mind. Underneath the protection of a see-through umbrella, the young woman brushed over her outfit, ensuring that there weren’t any creases. One’s image had been an important matter for those in the dining business, especially when they set foot outside of their workplace and carried out tasks in the name of their job! 

    Binding her rosette curls with a black rubber band, one that she had conveniently borrowed from Master Attendant Selena, grey irises glanced towards the moving figure to her right. A silent fellow who withdrew himself from all means of conversation, Raindrop Cake wasn’t ever a Food Soul she knew personally. Connections were inevitable in the lifetimes that every Food Soul had been through, yet, he had been one that was obscured from interactions or from her memory. Whichever it was, it would’ve guilted her endlessly if they had met years ago and her memories were murky. 

     Whatever the case may be, Spam rested the metal stem of the umbrella against her shoulder, aimlessly twirling it as if it were a parasol on a sunny Sunday afternoon. And, with the utmost care, she never veered away from the gentleman’s side. Except, there were moments where she’d tug onto the other’s sleeve, nodding her head in the direction of other humans. Of course, she couldn’t ever refrain from assisting others…and that included those that were accompanying her too. 

      Yet, her frail fingertips found themselves tugging once more at the sleeves of Raindrop Cake’s top. Her lips barely parted, her inquiry softly meeting the other’s ears. 

...Perhaps a bit more of an awkward consequence of his task, however, was being paired off with the Food Soul beside him. He didn’t know Spam that well, mainly because there was little opportunity for them to interact, but his impression so far was that she was... kind. She reminded him of... someone long gone, with how she was running around selflessly, trying to help anyone who might be in need. Though it did delay their delivery, he didn’t mind. He was originally slow anyway, so it wasn’t like the food would have been delivered any faster if it was just himself. It was just a bit awkward because, well... he wasn’t sure what to say. Raindrop Cake was comfortable with silent companionship, but he inwardly worried a little that she was taking his lack of conversation as an indication of dislike rather than appreciating the atmosphere.

   it  was  both  strange   …  &.  relieving  to  see  …  himself?  ——  how  the  summon  must  be  so  strange  in  such  events  how  Raindrop  Cake  could  only  stare  at  his  reflection.  ah,  would  not  the  only  witness  the  torment  &.  pain  he  has  gone  through?  they  have  both  experienced  such  wickedness  of  cruel  life.

they  had  both  … .  

This was... certainly a surprise. Raindrop Cake wondered if he was dreaming or hallucinating-- it wasn’t exactly common to meet yourself. It was like staring back into a mirror... except it wasn’t. At a loss for words, his eyes trailed over the other’s form, his heart stirring up with a shared grief and recognition. Ah... The turbulent depression rolling off of the other him in waves was... so familiar. Was he meeting his past self? All at once memories of years in cold darkness flashed behind his eyes. Rain... cherry blossoms... they clung so much to himself still, despite everything. And yet, they clung even more to the version of himself that sat before him.