天ぷらぷらぷら

After being shown to my room and leaving my luggage, I retrace my steps and head for the guest hall.

Like in a school class or anything similar, entering late after the event had started makes my heart pound.

For someone like me, with the heart of a flea, I want to avoid such a situation if at all possible.

...And, here. Here we are.

Gauging my surroundings, I see five or six people, none yet with their hands on their chopsticks. It seems I've made it in time for the preliminary blessing (TN: Itadakimasu).

At her urging, I head towards a seat in an empty corner.

In the neighboring seat is a woman. As a girl raised in all-girl schools with a lone mother, I naturally feel at ease.

Even from beyond the long hair that covers her back, I can discern the muscles of her back, rising above with impeccable posture. Of course, in a flawless, peerless seiza position. (TN: Seiza - straight-backed with knees pointing straight ahead, lower legs folded under. In other words, tea ceremony position.)

As I say a word and sit down, her shiny, straight falling hair shifts, and I see her face turned toward mine.

At the sound of her cool voice, I feel my heart forcefully skip a beat.

A pure white face surrounded by jet black hair. In the midst of that white, her irises, black as night, shine in exquisite contrast.

She's that person I met at the station.

What could she mean by that?

...It seems that this wasn't a fated second meeting.

Unable to think of a better answer, I shift my restless behind in my seat. As the abrasive sound of the seat cushion's fabric lilts about, the Hostess returns.

At the proclamation of the meal's commencement, salaryman-styled men, having been waiting with apparent impatience, reach for their chopsticks.

Following suit, I put my hands together and...

Rice, miso soup, and pickled foods. The main dish is mountain vegetable tempura. (TN: Tempura - basically a classification of fried Japanese dishes.)

With just enough strength to tickle the enamel of my teeth, the sweetness of the firm pumpkin is irresistible. It's quite delicious enough, even without tempura sauce (Tetsuyu).

Maybe I should try the lotus root, next. The asparagus and green pepper look good, too. But wasn't burdock an autumn plant? According to the farmer's almanac, it would be the first day of autumn, though...

Back to the subject at hand.

I've mostly been sitting all day, so there's no way I should be hungry, and yet my hand continues to move briskly towards my mouth.

A brief silence ensues.

I intently deliver rice to my mouth until my bowl is half empty.

A flag is raised in my mind, and I realize that the girl in the neighboring seat is watching me.

I wasn't being so ravenous. I couldn't have been. Even so, my conduct just now was kind of embarrassing, particularly for a girl my age.

As to be expected, things are feeling a little awkward, now.