Chikage Utsuki/Necessary Sacrifice

BBQ Essentials

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Izumi	(Hmm... which one should I take with me...)
Chikage	I'm home.
Izumi	Welcome back, Chikage-san. You're home late today.
Chikage	Things got a bit busy at work.
	... What’re you doing with all these spices laid out on the counter, director-san?
	Don’t tell me you’re planning on making curry at this hour?
Izumi	Nope, you know I’d have it made by now.
Chikage	Haha, I’m kidding. So, what in the world are you mulling over about?
Izumi	...... Chikage-san, will you listen to me over some curry?
Chikage	Sure thing.
Chikage	So that's why. You’re wondering about which spices to bring to the camp.
Izumi	We’re gonna have barbecue at the next training camp. I really think bringing spices is a must.
Chikage	Can’t say I don’t feel the same way.
Izumi	Right! But which ones suit the barbecue the best, I wonder?
	The more I think, the more I don’t know.
	I’m not sure if I should choose some of these or just take them all. I’m thinking about buying some new ones......
Chikage	Then, why don’t we go buy some spices together?
Izumi	Eh, you don’t mind?
Chikage	I don’t, I was thinking it was time for me to get some new ones too.
	Besides, it’s better to look at the actual product in the store. I can advise you better there than I can here.
Izumi	Thank you, I really appreciate it!
Chikage	We ended up buying a bunch. You happy?
Izumi	Yeah! Chikage-san, thanks to your advice I found lots of good ones, so I’m really satisfied.
Chikage	Glad to hear it then.
Izumi	Chikage-san, you bought a whole lot too, right? Which ones did you get?
Chikage	Oh y’know, stuff that director-san and everyone else can’t handle.
Izumi	I-I see...
	(In other words, some really painful spice...)
Chikage	I can bring them along with me to the training camp if you’re interested.
	You can give some a try at the barbecue.
Izumi	I have a feeling it’d make my life flash before my eyes, I’ll do it when I’m brave enough...!

Tenma	Are these all of the ingredients?
Tasuku	I think so. Let’s start cooking up the hard vegetables first.
Izumi	Alright then!
Chikage	Director-san, did you remember to bring the spices?
Izumi	Of course! I’ve got them all lined up over there.
Homare	Ooh, such a diverse and large array!
Izumi	You’re all free to use them if you want to.
Taichi	Aw nice! I’ll borrow these when I wanna add some more flavor!
Azami	Still, ain’t this a bit too much.
Izumi	Ahaha, Chikage-san and I went to a spice store together and we got carried away......
Chikage	Well, the more the merrier for the sake of flavor, I guess.
Izumi	So true!
Tsuzuru	I’m gonna move on to cooking the meat then.
Tenma	Looks like we’ll be eating soon. I’m gonna go grab myself a plate.
Tasuku	Don’t just take only the meat with you.
Taichi	Mmm~ it’s so good!
	Freshly cooked is the best!
Izumi	(With this many people, all the food will vanish in no time. I’d better cook some more.)
Tsuzuru	Huh, director-san are you cooking a new batch?
Homare	It would be in our best interest to take our turns.
Izumi	No, it’s fine for now. Everyone, eat some more before it gets cold!
	I’ll ask someone else to take over later.
Azami	Gotcha. I’ll grab a bite first then.
Chikage	Director-san, you’ve been cooking the entire time. You haven’t eaten at all, have you?
Izumi	Ahaha, I got completely absorbed with the cooking.
Chikage	Knew it. Well, I’ll take over so get yourself something to eat.
Izumi	Eh, I’m still good though.
Chikage	If you say so, but you’ve turned down everyone else’s offer.
	Most of the time, you think we’re all more tired than you are so you always end up doing something extra...... maybe I’ll try a more effective approach.
Izumi	Uh...
Chikage	Well, seems like you don’t mind if you don’t end up using the spices you brought with you, guess I should leave you be?
Izumi	I-I do mind!
Chikage	Then go ahead and eat already.
Izumi	If you insist like that, fine... please pick up where I left off here.
Chikage	I got it.
	Should’ve known director-san wants to try out the new spices right away.
Izumi	Of course I do. It’s a special recommendation by Chikage-san from the store.
	*Chewing*... mm, it’s so good! Chikage-san this tastes delicious!
Chikage	Good to hear.
CHOICE 1: It goes well with the meat. [+] Izumi It’s perfect with the grilled meat! Chikage ‘Course it is. They’re spices I recommended to director-san for the barbecue like you requested. Izumi ...... Ah. This spice probably works just as good in curry! Chikage Haha, called it. It all goes back to curry in the end for you, director-san. ...... Well, I don’t care if it’s on meat or curry just as long as you think it tastes good.
CHOICE 2: I’ve never tasted anything like it. [+] Izumi This new flavor’s entirely new to me but it goes well with the meat! Chikage Yeah, it’s got some pretty rare herbs in it. I’m glad they had it in stock at that store. Izumi I can never go wrong with spices that Chikage-san recommends. I want to go to that place with you again! Chikage If that’s the case, let’s go back there together when they got something new in. Izumi Sure! I’d love that.
Taichi	Director-sensei! Let me take over the cooking duty this time!
	...... Oh, Chikage-san already took over for you! Chikage-san, want to switch with me?
Chikage	It’s fine. I just took over. It’d be better for you to continue eating the freshly cooked food.
Taichi	Got it! Eating duty’s on me.
	What’s on this plate? Guess I’ll have some!
Izumi	Ah! Taichi-kun that’s——
Taichi	! ? ! ? ! ?
Taichi	I-It's so spicy——— ! It’s like fire’s coming out of my mouth ! !
Izumi	.. Chikage-san's plate...... I was too late in telling you. Sorry...
Chikage	No, I’m sorry too. I put my plate just lying about somewhere.
Taichi	I-I didn’t make sure to check either, sorry... but man this is just too spicy~!
Chikage	Really? It’s just right for me.

Adriemori