The Next Day
Nyoko was on her way to the large riverside market to do her morning shopping. Because of the festival, she had been extremely busy and didn't have any time to rest.
Between tending to her husband at home and helping him with his work, the housekeeping, nursing their garden, and taking care of the children, she has been kept busy ever since her betrothal.
She didn't even have much time to catch up with her friends during the celebration, only exchanging a few words and pleasantries. She had drifted apart from her friends ever since her marriage.
But this was what was to be expected of her.
On her way, just as she was about to reach the main street into the market, she noticed a newly opened stall.
'This wasn't here before, is this some kind of new tea shop?'
She noticed the benches placed on the sides of the stall for people to sit and rest. On the banner hanging above the stall, was a plum blossom design. She recognized this particular plum blossom design.
'Isn't this the same one on the container Lady Sumire was drinking out of at the archery contest?'
Nyoko remembered that day clearly because Lady Sumire was someone that she looked up to. Not only was Lady Sumire extremely beautiful, she was very graceful in her movement and her mannerism were exactly what was expected of a noble woman.
On top of all that, she was extremely skilled in the way of the bow, enough to triumph over all the men at the archery contest.
'I am curious to taste what someone like Lady Sumire would find delicious.' Nyoko thought as she approached the stall.
She noticed that there were two people tending the stall, a young girl—barely an adult, and a little boy about 6 years old.
'A mother...no too young, siblings then. Two siblings running a stall together, how admirable.'
What was odd was that it seemed like the little boy was teaching the girl how to count on an abacus.
"Memorizing multiplication table is very important, more important than learning the abacus." She heard the boy say.
'No that can't be right, he must be repeating her teachings.'
Nyoko checked the menu as she approached the stall.
'This is helpful, there are pictures drawn next to the words. It looks like it is all a bunch of fruits, they also have small cup and large cup. Wow, this is pricey, especially this lemon drink. 16 mon for a large cup, I can buy a bowl of soba instead. To go? An extra 4 mon for a 'to go' cup.'
"Excuse me, what does a 'to go' cup mean?" Nyoko asked the young girl tending the stall.
"This is our 'to go' cup." She showed her a very simply put together bamboo container that the size of half a bamboo segment. It was something that her son could put together in a few moments. "You can take it with you, to go."
'That's an interesting idea, the tea shops didn't have a 'to go' option. They also have a delivery option. I guess I can splurge a little.'
"What was it that Lady Sumire was drinking at the archery contest?" Nyoko asked.
"She was drinking our specialty, the lemon drink." The girl said.
"Then I'll have that."
"What cup size would you like?"
"A small please." Nyoko said as she brought out a 10 mon coin and placed it on the counter, before she went over to a bench on the side to take a seat.
The little boy brought the cup over a few moments later.
"Please enjoy yourself." The boy said with a smile, he also placed a hand fan next to her in case she needed one.
"Thank you." Nyoko said as she accepted the cup.
"My pleasure."
'How considerate. The service here is much better than I expected.'
Nyoko brought the cup to her lips and had a taste.
*Boom*
It was like nothing she had ever tasted before—a completely new taste. Her taste buds felt like the fireworks on the night of the festival, she felt an explosion of flavour in her mouth.
The contrast between the sour tanginess and the sweetness of the drink was something that she had never tasted before. The perfect balance between the two gave her a refreshing feeling.
A feeling that reminded her of her childhood. On those blazing hot summer days, her and her friends jumping into the river to escape the heat. Playing in the water, merry and free, without a care in the world.
A drink that seemed to be perfectly made for summer days just like today.
'I should make some time to reconnect with my friends again.'
Her husband would forgive her for a little indulgence.
'So this is the type of drink that Lady Sumire enjoys. The price truly does reflect the quality. Maybe I should take my friends here to enjoy a drink together.'
Bonus chapter. Experimenting with something different, hope you guys liked it.