#ryouri

Rewatching KNB for the nth time, I pick up some things (and food for thoughts) that I think is worth noting here. I will be talking about Ryouta and Riko (since they are my favourites), but overall in the meantime, I will write about other characters and how seeing them makes me understand about their characterization and relationship of each other.

Ryouta

The differences was well shown in manga that he really loved his team, that “Kise Ryouta of Kaijou” has a nice ring to it, that he will use all of his ace cards and give it all although he (theoretically) can only lasts for two minutes. He has changed so much: high ego (although still now) and superiority complex (well he had the right, though) to being the first-line—Kaijo’s ace—that would bring them to victory. I think he never really mind bearing the burden, but this one is rooted from his deep connection weaved by experiences with his current team. Those experiences—the defeat during friendly match with Seirin and at Interhigh with Too, and how his senpai(s) did not blame him for it instead—shape him to how he is now and rewire the shits in his brain. Life is not just about victory, not about the ends justify the means. It IS about the process, the bond he ties with his teams and coach through respect and training and defeat and victory and endless practices and constant pulsing of his strained knees. It strikes me that he is someone who sees that respect is earned (thus he cannot work in some corporate environment, I guess haha). Him being humbled in those ups and downs and restless nights (sometimes) brings him to respect and bonding with the senpai(s); after all, he is the only first-year member as a key player. He is still young and volatile and such what a high-schooler can feel about with abundant, swirling emotions and hope. He knows his capacity, but compared to the other GOM members, he is the weakest. He has confidence, but that shattered when Kagami shows up (I think it still affects him a bit sometimes, although they’ve been in good terms and they respect each other). His motivation is driven by the accumulation of those and the fact that WC is the last time he will be playing with the 3rd year senpai(s). I think … they are just the normal high-schoolers who want victory BECAUSE it’s the moment they fight side by side, the bond, the memories slipping between each practices and sunsets, the hopes (and maybe the hope of happiness), a bit of a career planning, and a revenge for the Interhigh, for cherry on top. That is what they are—full of hope, optimism, solidarity, and passion.

The conclusion is … I am happy that Ryouta finally learns on how to appreciate the seniors and their bonds, not because he is obligated to, but because the deep rooting for his “home” (other than GOM, of course).

Riko

Riko is still the same as ever. The anime does not show her changes drastically though. However, I want to point out how she has been resilient after their defeat in Interhigh. I remember one episode where she was crying because she cannot bring her team to victory, and Junpei reassured her that it was not her fault (I forgot if it’s pre- or post-WC, might check it later). She learns, observes, analyses, and plans thoroughly, just like she always do. I think it’s not her being slip off when she said underestimating Kaijo during 15-points gap, but observing her character throughout the anime, it makes sense for her to think so. She has cards in her sleeves, of course, but when things go south, she can be too hard to herself. I love when the Seirin boys reassure and encourage her to not thinking about it—that she do her very best for the team (Riko needs more appreciations, really. She carries the team, just like Izuki said).

2020/12/27

【木頭の年末年始：こんにゃくの気配】

年末になり、地域を歩いていると、ん？この匂いは！！

あ！無人の湯気が出ている羽釜を発見！この匂いはこんにゃくだ！

そう、木頭では、年末にこんにゃくを作ります。

こんにゃくじりという、こんにゃく畑があって、こんにゃくいもを10月くらいに掘り出して、1週間から20日くらい天日干しして、水分を飛ばします。

でもここで、気をつけないといけないのが、寒さでしびて黒くなってしまわないように。霜が降りるまでに終わらせておかないといけません。

「昔はいもを売りよったけんの。干したら軽うなるけん損するとか言いよったのぉ。ははは。まあ、干したら水分が飛んで、うまいこんにゃくができるらしいわ。」

私は、木頭で暮らしはじめてから、こんにゃくの作り方を知りました。

・炭酸ナトリウムよりも木灰の汁を使ったほうがおいしい

・塩分を少しでも入れてしまうとかたまらない

・よく味がしゅむ

・まあまあ保存できる（冬の場合）

などなど

またこの手作りこんにゃくを食べるともう、手作りのんでないとダメになってしまう。

手ちぎりして、イノシシや大根と炊くと、よう味がしゅんで美味しいのです。

「こんにゃくじょうに作って、近所にふずくり（配る）よったわだ。」

戻ってきたおばあちゃん。やっぱりこんにゃく作りをしていたんだそう。

「灰水でこっさえたけんどの。うまいぞ。」

田んぼの苗を分けていただいていたので、お礼の羽釜で炊いたご飯を持って行ったのに、またできたてのこんにゃくをもらってしまった。

「寒いくに水につけて置いといたらの、えっと持つぞ。3日ほど経ったら、また沸かして置いといたらええけんの。水を変えよったらまあまあ持つわだ。」

木頭は、基本、外が冷蔵庫より寒いので、外の流しのところへ置いておくと、いい環境なのです。

こうやって、木頭では、こんにゃくを年末に作り、正月まで食べます。

これで、私も年末年始用のこんにゃくができました。