A Sticky Situation

(scene of Meiko and Kaito in a steakhouse)

Meiko: (chugs a bottle of sake1, then slams it on the table) Ha! Yummy! (cut to Meiko and Kaito at a table; the steakhouse is busy) How many is that, Kaito?

Kaito: I don't know. I lost track a while ago. (the steakhouse chef at Meiko and Kaito's table finishes cooking) How in the world are you able to drink so much without getting drunk?

Meiko: I don't know; it just comes naturally to me, I guess, kind of like how you can eat so much ice cream without gaining weight or getting brain freeze. I've heard some people are so sensitive to alcohol that they get drunk after one tiny sip. I'd like to think Haku falls in that category.

Kaito: Well, I wouldn't be surprised if I fell in that category as well; I've never even tried alcohol, and hopefully, I never will.

Meiko: Oh, it's not that bad once you get used to it…or at least it wouldn't be if not for those hangovers that follow in the morning. I still don't know why sometimes I get hangovers and other times I don't.

Kaito: Me neither, but either way, I still don't want to take that chance.

Meiko: Meh, that's your loss. (turns to her food and picks up her chopsticks2)

Kaito: Whatever you say, Meiko. (turns to his food and picks up his chopsticks)

Meiko and Kaito: Itadakimasu!3 (Kaito starts eating; Meiko struggles to hold her chopsticks properly and drops one of them)

Meiko: (under her breath) Rrgh! Ngh! Stupid chopsticks. Hold still!

Kaito: (stops eating) Uh, Meiko? Is something wrong? (notices Meiko fiddling with her chopsticks) Oh, that. I'm not sure anybody has told you this, but you're holding your chopsticks wrong.

Meiko: Huh?

Kaito: Just watch me. It's kind of like holding a pencil, like (holds up his chopsticks) this… (resumes eating) and this… and this… and this… and this… and this… and this… and this…

Meiko: RRAAAAAAAAAAGH! (gets up and throws her chopsticks in Kaito's face)

1 The bottle is labeled "Snow Flower".

2 There's a small label on the wrapper that says "Shinkai Summit".

3 "Itadakimasu" literally means "I humbly receive" in Japanese. It's customary in Japan to say it before eating. It is said to express gratitude for all who played a role in preparing, cultivating, ranching or hunting the food. This also acknowledges that living organisms have given their life to human beings as Dāna. I left it in Japanese to preserve cultural relevance.