落とし穴７８堀：中秋の名月 (Part2)
"Oh, I can see it!!"
"Ooh, it’s the moon! It’s moon-viewing cuisine!"
"...I see. So that’s how it is."
Labyris seemed to have figured it out.
That’s right—most "moon-viewing" dishes are just named as such by utilizing the yellow color or round shape of an egg.
Udon is probably the easiest example to understand. We call udon with a raw egg cracked on top "Tsukimi (moon-viewing) Udon."
If that isn't a forced connection, I don't know what is.
"In other words, anything goes, right?"
"Well, not *anything*, but since eggs are basically indispensable in cooking, they tend to go well with almost anything. For example, a hamburger steak topped with a soft-boiled fried egg..."
"Oh, that’s a moon-viewing dish too?! I love it because it’s delicious!"
"Today, it’s moon-viewing hamburger steak!"
"Alright, then let’s make moon-viewing hamburger steak the main dish for today. We’ll also make various other things like moon-viewing yakisoba and moon-viewing ramen."
"Yay!!"
Aslin and Firia cheered and ran off to gather the ingredients.
"Hey, it’s dangerous to run! ...You’re right, it really is 'anything goes'."
After scolding the two, she muttered that to me.
"...Maybe you're right."
I can't deny it.
Well, having an excuse to prepare a variety of dishes is the standard for these kinds of events.
"Oh well. Fun is good. Let’s hurry up and buy the ingredients so we can get started."
"True. We have a big family, so if we don't start early, we won't make it in time."
With that, we had Kirue and Sasari check the fridge and start the prep work, bought the missing items at the supermarket, and then cooked together in high spirits until dinner time.
"Ooh, so this is what they call moon-viewing. I see, I see. The egg yolk is meant to represent the moon."
"Many of the dishes are arranged in a moon-viewing style. They all look delicious."
While Deryu and Rurua were sharing their impressions, Aslin, Firia, and Hiiro were already digging in right next to them.
"The hamburger is delicious!"
"It’s so tasty!"
"Nom, nom."
"Hey, Hiiro! Eat more politely and with better manners!"
"But, Big Sister Vilia, this is delicious."
"I know that! Listen, your manners in front of Master..."
"Now, now, leave it at that. They said it’s like a festival called 'moon-viewing,' and that there’s no need to be so formal, right?"
"Even Dressa said as much..."
"But the food will get cold, you know? Is that okay?"
"Grr. I suppose I have no choice."
Vilia and Hiiro seemed to be enjoying themselves well enough, too.
Since they had to come here due to recent circumstances, I hope they can vent some of their frustrations with things like this.
Everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves in their own way; just as I had explained, they were eating, drinking a little alcohol, watching the moon reflected in the sky from the veranda, or stuffing their faces with moon-viewing dumplings.
I watched everyone while gazing at the perfectly round moon visible through the window.
"It’s a beautiful full moon tonight."
Seraria said as she sat down next to me.
"Yeah, it’s a full moon. It’s rare to be able to sit back and watch the moon like this."
"That’s true. This is nice, too."
Floating in the night sky is a full moon that gently illuminates the night.
And then, we reflect that moon in a cup filled with sake...
"Oh my, the moon has entered the sake."
"That’s what you call 'moon-viewing sake'."
I drank it down slowly.
I suppose this is what you call elegance.
Since there were quite a few moon-viewing dishes, I went with a moon-viewing theme.
However, when I looked into moon-viewing cuisine, it’s actually quite loose; it seems like it’s enough just to make it look like the moon.
Of course, there are specific dishes depending on the region, but basically, it was just moon-viewing dumplings.
Most of the rest felt like they were definitely forced into the "moon-viewing" category.
Now, aside from that, today is finally the 12th.
Tomorrow is the 13th.
In other words, the first year of VR begins.
Virtual reality is being released to the general public, starting with the PlayStation!
Of course, I’ve already put in my reservation and taken time off, so I’ll be getting it first thing tomorrow to play.
Well, someday it might end up like SAO, where it’s "a game, but not a game."
So, if there’s no update on the 14th, I’m surely trapped in the VR world.
But, I’ll pass on being part of the "clearance group." I’d prefer to be in the "freedom play group."