Chapter 9: Day One (Afternoon-Late Evening)
- Crêpe Forestière
'Moulin a la Mer' was the name of the small crêperie on the harbour walls, and at first glance it didn't look particularly appealing. A small shed like building with two large hot plates and grey haired middle aged woman standing inside, pouring on the batter mix and assembling either savoury or sweet crêpes.
Outside and along the sea wall, were benches and seats, and judging from the number of people here Megumi was right in saying that the place was popular. A place for sailors and fishermen, probably. He was about to ask Megumi, when he saw the girl in question move towards the counter top and wave to the woman. "Hey Mika", Megumi grinned, "I told you I'd be back next time I was home, and I've brought a friend with me".
The woman, Mika, turned around smiling, the wrinkles in her face crinkling as she did so. "Ohh look at you Megumi, all grown up and with a cute boy on your arm. Come sit down, choose a crêpe and I'll make it for you". Megumi practically bounced on the balls of her feet as she and Sōma stared at a menu, the sadness for her brother gone from her expression replaced by anticipation for delicious food.
As Sōma pondered his choice of crêpe, he heard Mika ask, "I presume your boyfriend here is a fellow chef at Tōtsuki with you". Seeing her face begin to redden, Sōma took a seat next to Megumi and take her hand in his. "Tōtsuki students that's us", he grinned back towards Mika who smiled happily, handing over two cans of ginger beer to the young couple. "I recommend the forestière", Megumi stated, "it's mushrooms in gruyere cheese sauce with parsley and garlic".
Sōma could practically see the stars in his girlfriends eyes at describing her favourite crêpe to him. And whilst Megumi asked for a crêpe forestière, he chose a shellfish crêpe of razor clams, mussels and lobster; served in a mochi and white miso sauce. "Ooh someone knows what he likes", Mika responded as she winked from over the work surface and began the two crêpe filling, them being the most time consuming. The batter was already pre-made and could just be ladled onto the circular hot plates when the mushroom filling was ready, seeing as the crêpes themselves took minutes to cook.
Soon the smell of sautéing mushrooms and mochi filled the air, which only made the young couple that much more anticipatory for their food. Taking out her phone, Megumi photographed the scenery and sent a quick text message to Ryōko and Yuki:
'Crêpes on the harbour wall!'
She then silenced notifications so that she could properly enjoy this moment with Sōma, and then went and sat down on the wall their legs dangling over the edge, the redhead boy sat next to her and the two sat down and enjoyed the evening sights and smells of the festivals first day.
The night sky was clear and the stars were reflected in the harbour, as were the lit lanterns hanging from the rigging of several sail boats anchored within. The sight before them looked like the Starry Night painting by Van Gogh. Semi abstract landscape with rippling water in the foreground reflecting the swirling lights above in the sky and on the shadowy silhouettes of ships.
Leaning her head on Sōma's shoulder, the blue haired girl shivered as she felt a rush of happiness and exhilaration race up her spine. She had imagined herself sitting with him for so long now and confessing her feelings, it would be soo totally the best romantic experience of her life.
Yet, the moment of realisation had occurred in the most unromantic place and despite the setting, that moment and the memory thereof, had been transformative. Their first kiss and the talk about their feelings, the moment she wanted. To be with Sōma, was and always would be magical and continuously exciting. Walking the path of food to dazzling new heights, together. "It's soo beautiful", Megumi spoke, "I always loved sitting here with mum and Kenosuke watching the lights, reflections and enjoying the smells of the food stalls".
"Yeah, I've never seen any food festival quite like this before. The street fair which Yukihira's is involved was smaller and less effective as your home does..." Sōma replied, before taking a sip from his ginger beer. "All of this", he spread his arms, "the celebration of history, trade, seafaring and rural farming... its such an eye opening experience!" Megumi turned her head to look at the boy next to her, a look of calmness and joy on his face.
"I'm glad. You were well overdue for a break from school". In an uncharacteristic moment of boldness she leant towards him and pressed her lips to his. Whilst momentarily surprised, Sōma quickly recovered and wrapped his arms around her and returned the kiss with fervour, ignoring the looks from other patrons or the gleeful smirking from Mika.
"Crêpes are ready", Mika exclaimed from behind the counter top, making both teenagers jump apart, having been too enraptured in their embrace and kiss. "Thank you", Sōma blushed, standing up and moving over to the shed-kitchen's counter top where two paper plates were resting. Staring down at the plates of food, the boy was surprised by their simplicity. A thin circular crêpe with a healthy ladling of the forestière and shellfish sauce into each, and then folded in half, making semi circular parcel. "Well go on", Mika cooed, "Megumi is waiting..."
Nodding his head, "thank you", the redhead boy made his way back to Megumi and sitting back down on the edge of the sea wall and handing her her plate of Crêpe forestière. Taking a bite of his own crêpe, he found himself intoxicated by the saltiness of the razor clams contrasted with the sweetness of the lobster and mussels.
Then the mochi and miso struck, the mellowness reminded him of home cooking, not that many urban people had the immediate access to these kinds of ingredients. Still, the memory that it brought forth was sitting around a kotetsu with his father and mother; before her death. Mochi was her favourite ingredient, she used to cook with it all the time. And happened to be the only thing that she couldn't ruin when she did cook.
A tear slid down his face as he slowly chewed his food. Sōma didn't even realise that he was crying until he felt fingers tentatively touch his face, and wipe away those tears. "Sōma... are you alright?" Lowering his plate into his lap he looked towards Megumi, worry very much the main emotion on her face.
"What's the matter? D-D-Don't you like your food?" She uttered, placing both hands either side of his face and looking into his eyes. After a pregnant pause, Sōma opened his mouth and replied. "No- I'm fine... the food is delicious. It- it just made me remember my mother..." he then smiled and hugged her tightly, "mochi was her favourite ingredient. And the way Mika cooked it just reminded me of when I was little".
After about ten minutes of silence, Megumi suggested they should explore more of the regional food stalls. Taking her hand, Sōma walking in step with his girlfriend along the sea wall back to the harbour the redhead smiled as he realised that Megumi was leading him towards a stall specialising in charcoal roasted squid. Looking towards her, he saw a smile on her face as well, "I know you want to continue your charred squid cider recipe, and I remembered that one of the villagers, Nao Tsuyaki, is a talent at cooking and preparing squid and octopus".
With a renewed sense of culinary adventure Sōma raced forwards eager to learn from Mrs Tsuyaki, "You always know what to do to cheer me up Megumi", he grinned, joyfully.