Someday, in the Smiling Kitchen - Short Story (3)

Heathcliff: Lord Arthur, is this all the vegetables we need for the rice porridge?

Arthur: Yeah, that should be it. Let’s get started...

Bradley: Well, look who it is. The prince of the Central Country and the little lord from the East.

Bradley: What, it’s just the two of you? Where’s the cook at?

Arthur: Nero’s in the Eastern Country right now with Riquet and the others.

Heathcliff: There’s been some ghost trouble in a town over there. They went to investigate it.

Bradley: Huh. I’m feelin’ a bit hungry, but if Nero’s not here, I’ll just hit up someplace else.

Arthur: How about ojiya (rice porridge)? We can make some for you too.

Heathcliff: Lord Arthur and I were just preparing a light meal together.

Bradley: Heh. A prince and some noble kid cookin’, huh?

Bradley: Alright, I’m in. If you two, who’re used to eatin’ the fanciest crap, are makin’ it, it better not taste bad.

Heathcliff: Haha, hearing that makes me a little nervous...

Arthur: I’ll do my best to make it suit your taste, Bradley. Now then…

Arthur: For the carrots, do you want them shaped like a bear or a rabbit?

Bradley & Heathcliff: Huh?

Arthur: If you don’t mind them looking a little uneven, I can even do a frog shape. I’m still practicing, though.

Bradley: Wait, wait, wait! What kinda ridiculous question is that?

Heathcliff: Lord Arthur, you can cut vegetables into animal shapes?

Arthur: Yes. When I showed Riquet during a camping trip, he was absolutely delighted.

Arthur: On days like today, when Nero isn’t around, I practice occasionally as a way to unwind.

Arthur: …Now that I think of it, Heathcliff, didn’t you once carve carrots into rose shapes?

Arthur: Shino proudly showed it off to me before.

Heathcliff: Ah… I’m sorry you had to see something so embarrassing back then...

Heathcliff: I was so impressed by the rose-shaped carrots made by Blanchett’s chef that I got really into it for a while...

Bradley: Hey, don’t just go getting all excited on your own!

Bradley: I don’t care what kinda shape you make, there’s no room for veggies on my plate!

Arthur: Really? That’s a shame. I thought this would be a perfect chance to show off my skills...

Heathcliff: Um, if it’s alright with you, I’d love to see a frog-shaped carrot.

Heathcliff: I don’t often get the chance to cook alongside you, Lord Arthur… Would that be okay?

Arthur: Of course not! I’d be delighted. Let’s get started right away.

Heathcliff: Yes! Then I’ll start by making dashi with “a touch of kombu.”

Heathcliff: I’ve laid out all the ingredients on the table, so next, we just need to grab the pot—

Bradley: Oi, little lord from the East. You’re forgetting something important.

Heathcliff: Huh?

Bradley: Top-right shelf. Third drawer from the edge, second one from the bottom. Open it.

Heathcliff: Uh... Let me see... This is—!

Arthur: Crystal salt! The kind said to be worth as much as a gemstone with just a single pinch! It’s the finest quality salt!

Bradley: It’s the Eastern cook’s prized secret stash. Don’t forget to add it.

Heathcliff: Hmm, isn’t this the kind of special seasoning you only use for important occasions? Are we really allowed to just use it like this...?

Bradley: Tch. What are you worried about? If it were really that important, they’d at least put a lock on it.

Bradley: Besides, I can’t eat that guy’s cooking. This doesn’t even begin to cover the cost of that.