Sakuya Sakuma/Journey of Blooming

Spring Troupe Cooking Class

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Itaru	*yawn*...
	It's already noon... Well, I did play my new game until dawn, after all. It's so good.
	As you'd expect, I'm a bit hungry, so before I go back to playing, I'm going to secure some rations...
Sakuya	Umm, the next ingredient is...
Itaru	Huh, Sakuya?
Sakuya	Ah, Itaru-san! Good morning!
Itaru	What're you doing?
Sakuya	I'm making lunch.
	Both Omi-san and the Director are out right now, so I thought I'd try making it myself.
Itaru	Hmm... Then, I'll help out.
Sakuya	Really?!
Itaru	Sure. I was just thinking of eating something myself, after all.
	Well, it's not really like I can cook anyway, so I'm pretty sure there's going to be a limit to what I can help with.
Sakuya	Don't worry about it! I'm really glad you're going to help me! Thank you so much!
Itaru	So, what are we making?
Sakuya	Umm, the truth is——
Tsuzuru	I'm home~
	Wait, Sakuya and... Itaru-san?
Sakuya	Tsuzuru-kun! Welcome home.
Tsuzuru	What are you two doing?
Itaru	I'm assisting Sakuya in making food.
Tsuzuru	Assisting?
Sakuya	I thought I'd try making lunch myself, so... We're trying to make Napolitan.
Tsuzuru	Ohh, so that's what's going on.
Sakuya	We've only just begun cutting the ingredients, though...
Tsuzuru	Oh, if you cut those mushrooms a bit thinner, then they might be easier to eat.
Sakuya	Oh, I see! I'll give it a try! Umm... like this?
Tsuzuru	Yep, that's good.
Itaru	Tsuzuru-sensei, will you check on mine as well?
Tsuzuru	Yours are green peppers, huh, Itaru-san.
	——Hey, what the heck! These aren't even cut properly. The thin strips of green pepper are still connected to each other!
Itaru	For someone at my level, this was the limit.
Tsuzuru	Jeez, you're hopeless... I'll help out, too.
Sakuya	T-Thank you so much! I'd be happy if you could teach us some cooking tips!
Tsuzuru	Even if you say that, I don't cook pasta much, so I'm not sure if it'll be good or anything.
	For now, let's cut all of the ingredients... Itaru-san, can you boil the water in the pot?
Itaru	Let's go, something I'm actually good at. You can have a front-row seat of watching my first-class water-boiling skills that I trained through making cup noodles.
Tsuzuru	The heck is a "water-boiling skill"...
Sakuya	I finished cutting the sausage, Tsuzuru-kun!
Tsuzuru	Great, then next we'll cut the onions, and then fry the ingredients.
Sakuya	Okay!

Sakuya	It's done...!
Itaru	Well, it at least looks like the real deal, doesn't it?
Tsuzuru	It's hard cooking things I usually don't, just as I thought.
Sakuya	But thanks to the both of you helping me, it looks delicious! Thank you both!
Citron	*sniff, sniff*... Something smells good...
	Ooh! That looks delicious!
Masumi	... What is that?
Chikage	Napolitan, huh.
Sakuya	We just finished making it. We made a lot, so if it's alright, would you guys like to eat with us, too?
Citron	I'd love to! Thankies for the food!
Itaru	Tha~nks for the food.
Tsuzuru	Thank you for the food.
Citron	... Hmm, it seems soggy?
Tsuzuru	Maybe it'd be better to shorten the time the noodles are boiling.
Chikage	I feel like I've also heard that it's alright to boil Napolitan noodles for a while, though.
Masumi	These green peppers aren't properly cut, you know.
Itaru	Ahh, that one's on me. I'm still in training, see.
Sakuya	Depending on the restaurant, there are people who also put grated cheese or Tabasco sauce on it if they like it.
Tsuzuru	We might have some grated cheese. Let's try putting some on.
Masumi	... Actually, why Napolitan?
Chikage	Sakuya, you like Napolitan, don't you?
Citron	Oh~! Masumi, your Sakuya Certification Level fell by 5.
Tsuzuru	What the heck kinda certification is that?!
Sakuya	It's true that it's something I like, but...
	But for the homemade cooking I'm going to give the Director for the second anniversary of the theater, I was thinking of having it be Napolitan.
Itaru	Ahh, is that what is is.
Sakuya	Yes. I usually don't cook, so I also made it as practice.
	I was thinking that I would be happy if the Director also thought of something I like as delicious.
Chikage	That's just like you, Sakuya.
Sakuya	But, it really is difficult. I was able to make this batch because Itaru-san and Tsuzuru-kun helped, but——
	If it's just me, I feel like I won't even come close to making delicious Napolitan...
Tsuzuru	There's still some time left. If you practice, I'm sure you'll be able to make good Napolitan.
Itaru	I agree.
Chikage	I'll help you out where I can, as well.
Masumi	If you feed the Director something half-assed, I won't forgive you.
Citron	You'll master Napolitan even more!
Sakuya	Everyone... Thank you so much!
	I'll do my best!
Izumi	——Alright, I finished up some of my work, so I guess I'll eat lunch soon.
	I'm pretty hungry. There should be leftovers of last night's curry...
	*knock, knock*
	Yes, come in.
	*door opens*
Sakuya	Director, thank you for all of your hard work!
Izumi	Huh, Sakuya-kun?
Sakuya	Would you like to eat lunch soon? I made some food.
Izumi	Wow, Napolitan? It looks delicious!
Sakuya	I'm not sure if it's good or not, but... I did my best to make it, so it would make me happy if you ate it!
Izumi	Thank you, Sakuya-kun. I'll have some right away.
	... Mm! It's good!
Sakuya	Really?! Thank goodness...!
	In the beginning, the rest of the Spring Troupe was helping me make it, but I was finally able to make it on my own.
Izumi	I see. It's really delicious.
CHOICE 1: "It has a somewhat nostalgic flavor" [+] It has a somewhat nostalgic flavor. Sakuya A nostalgic flavor? Izumi Mm, how do I describe it... It kind of has this flavor that reminds me of my childhood, a relieving kind of flavor. It's strange. But, it suits you, Sakuya-kun. I really like this flavor. Sakuya ——! I really love the food you make too, Director!
CHOICE 2: "The texture of the noodles and the seasoning is perfect!" [+] Izumi The texture of the noodles and the seasoning is perfect! Sakuya Really? The truth is, I was having a hard time cutting the ingredients nicely and frying them... But as I kept practicing, I got better and better at it. And then cooking it became more and more fun! Izumi (How very like Sakuya-kun. He has the kind of nice smile that you can see when he's rehearsing.) Sakuya It seems like for Napolitan, there are many different recipes, like ones where you put cheese on it or put eggs in it. I'll do my best to practice and make really good Napolitan, so... If I do, will you eat it again? Izumi Yes, of course! Sakuya ——! Thank you so much!
	Director, once again... Thank you so much for everything you do.
	Reborn MANKAI Company's second anniversary. Us being able to continue on is thanks to you, as well.
	Joining this troupe, meeting the Director. Gathering our friends in the Spring Troupe, Summer Troupe, Autumn Troupe, and Winter Troupe...
	Being able to perform with everyone is so much fun that I can't put it into words.
Izumi	Really, it almost feels unreal remembering when it was just you and the Manager.
Sakuya	From now on too, I want to continue doing a lot of different performances. In order to be able to do better and better performances, I'll do my best!
	Director, I'll continue to be in your care!
Izumi	And I you. Let's continue doing our best, Sakuya-kun.
Masumi	...
Tsuzuru	Masumi, you have to hold it in this once.
Masumi	... I know.
Itaru	Looks like he got better at making Napolitan and made Director-san happy.
Chikage	Sakuya did practice a lot.
Citron	They both seem very happy! Good, good~. Boppily ever after, boppily ever after!

Kou