verdantgrove

Location: Beach

Kanata: splash, splaaash...♪ the Sea Breeze feels nice ♪

i managed to come across this nice Tide Pool, so i am Happy. because as long as i am here, i shouldn't have to worry about being swept away by the waves.

i can Floaty-float with the Fish as much as i want here~ floating, floating… ♪

Korean Dogwhelks, Black Lined Limpets, Toothed Topshell Snails… and right here there is a Chiton too.

ufufu, it is just like i'm inside a Field Guide for Marine Life.

...hm? who was that, who was just Tugging on my hand?

aah, it's a Hermit Crab, hm? hello there ♪ would you like to play with me?

well, let's have you Race against Mister Crab right here.

the Goal is that Bucket over there. good luck to the both of you. ready, set, go… ♪

the Winner is Mister Hermit Crab. good work to you too, Mister Crab. there, there, good boy, good boy.

all these Shellfish, this Hermit Crab, this Crab, and all these Fish too. everyone...

you all look so delicious~ ♪

Location: Starmony Hall Kitchen

Souma: (To be met with a clear and distinct reflection of my face, as if I am looking into a mirror… Mm. I believe that I can cease my polishing of this knife here.)

(And now all that is left is to await Shinkai-dono's arrival with the fresh ingredients that the two of us shall prepare together.)

(After all, were it not for Shinkai-dono's assistance, my work the other day would not have been such a success.)

(And in order to requite his kindness, I, Kanzaki Souma, shall dedicate my heart and soul into preparing a delicious feast of fresh seafood!)

(Awaiting his arrival in such a manner as this brings to mind the memories of when Shinkai-dono was a member of the Marine Life Club.)

(Fortunately, there are some good souls who harbor an interest in fish that have joined the club, and thus it has narrowly escaped dissolution.)

(However, it may not necessarily be the case that there will happen to be those who hold a similar passion next year, and the year that follows that.)

(And so, in order to ensure the survival of the Marine Life Club forevermore… Must I, as a leader, take any measure necessary to do as such…?)

Kanata: souma, thank you for waiting~

Souma: Ooh! Shinkai-dono, you have returned.

Kanata: i have~ i brought plenty of Sea Creatures back with me.

Souma: Ooh. I look forward to seeing them.

...Hmm? I shall set aside the manila clams and common clams, as well as the crab. But the barnacles, the hermit crab, black lined limpets...

Those are all quite strange creatures, but as long as they are cooked, eating them shan’t cause any issue. I have decided that I shall begin by sauteing them in “bataa”.

Kanata: wow~ well, i will pay close attention ♪

...souma, you have gotten even better at Cooking, haven’t you?

Souma: I believe that I have “Nikizu Kicchin” to thank for that. As long as they are beside me to serve as a model for my growth, my technique shall continue to improve naturally.

It is the same when referring to the path of swordsmanship— I wish not to become complacent, but rather to continue refining my skill ♪

Kaoru: Hey guys~ I thought I smelled some butter. So it was you two all along, huh?

Kanata: yes. the smell is the Fish we are Cooking; you should eat with us too, kaoru ♪

Kaoru: Huh. Just what kind of fish are you going t...

Hold up, a ton of these aren’t even fish, though? Like this kind of stuff; is it really safe for us to eat this?

Kanata: of course. i said bye-bye to all the Creatures that are Poisonous, after all.

Kaoru: Hmm. Well, you can go ahead and count me in. ‘Cause eating seafood like this is probably a rare opportunity ♪

Souma: I had not intended for you to join us… But I suppose that if Shinkai-dono is extending an invitation to you, then I shall refrain from disregarding that invitation.

But if it is to be the three of us, I feel as if the amount of ingredients we have is somewhat lacking.

Kanata: ehe. i thought that might happen, so i brought This~ ♪

Souma: Hmm. That is a deep sea fish, is it not?

Kanata: i received Fish to display in the Aquarium from my Parents for the first time in a while, and this fish was mixed in with those.

Aoumi Aquarium does not have the equipment to Display this fishie. so let’s make it tasty, and eat it...☆

Kaoru: I kinda feel bad for the fish, but maybe that’s just my ego talking. I mean, we eat so many living things for sustenance every day.

Souma: Mm. Given that it is impossible for us to return this fish to the depths from whence it came, the greatest comfort that we can offer should be to cherish every bite of it.

I shall make this into sashimi and fish sauce. Wait just a moment.

Kaoru: Ooh, you just cooked one thing after the other, huh?

Souma: Well now, do relish in your meals!

Kanata: okay. then i will start with the Sashimi. munch, munch...

Kaoru: Mhm, delicious ♪ It's kinda crazy how delicious it is, even though when I first saw all the ingredients, I was like, "These have gotta be impossible to work with".

Kanata: ufufu. the same is true for both People and Fish— they are things that you can't judge just based on how they look. it's only when you see what's inside that you understand their True form.

...ah. i made a mistake, and completely forgot.

souma~ please Cook this fishie too ♪

Kaoru: An oarfish!? Just where were you hiding that, huh?!

Souma: If it does not even fit in this room, then just how long is it truly…?

Very well! Once one has begun to eat the poison, they must commit to eating every morsel on their plate!1 I shall put my body and soul into the preparation of this fish!

Kanata: Oarfish are not poisonous, but i'm excited, souma.

make all of it tasty, and then we'll eat… ☆

TL Notes:

1: Souma doesn't think the fish is poisonous— rather, he's using an expression here that means "once you've committed to doing something, follow through until the end".

Proofread by 310mc and Gelyan.