Once again, spoilers lurk beyond this point, especially in the story-specific sections. You've been warned.
On 'Needing, Wanting'
- For dinner tonight, our chef Kana recommends:
- Miso soup – a broth made from soybean paste and clear stock,
with tofu (bean curd) and wakame (seaweed).
- Tori no kara age – deep-fried chicken, marinated in soy
sauce, ginger and mirin (a sweet rice wine used in cooking), amongst
other things.
- Maki-zushi – sushi rice, flavoured with vinegar, wrapped
in a sheet of nori (seaweed) around various fillings. Tonight, the Todos
are having tekka maki – tuna rolls.
- Vegetable tempura – sliced vegetables deep-fried in a light,
crispy batter.
- Miso soup – a broth made from soybean paste and clear stock,
with tofu (bean curd) and wakame (seaweed).
- itadakimasu: a phrase traditionally said at the start of a meal,
meaning 'I gratefully receive'.
- It seems mandatory for any Japanese woman to apologise in advance for
their culinary efforts, just as it's mandatory for those dining to finish
everything on offer to avoid offending the cook. =)
I have some loose ends to tie up. That's my only excuse. 'My Sister, My Strength' is a fitting conclusion to the story, and anything from here onwards is just material I've written because I didn't want to say goodbye yet.
However, I do have plans for where the story will head. I have a month to play with before Kana and Taka leave for their (supposedly) 'happily ever after' in Osaka. Their trials aren't over just yet. These will be emotional rather than physical trials, though – coming to grips with the realities of what they feel, and how those realities affect the people around them.
Honestly, if you were happy with how episode 10 ended, there's no obligation to continue. I'm going back to writing loosely connected KLS stories for now. But do feel free to tag along.
I'd love the company!