Hachiman looked at the fairly exhausted but energized people in the improvised studio room. Most of them already formed groups on their own, Hachiman assumed at least three bands have formed here.
They were seen discussing and arguing within the strangely quiet room.
Strangely, that list didn't include Yui, Yukino, and Hachi. In fact, did Yukino just fall asleep on her chair?
"You three haven't done anything?"
"We're waiting for you, dumbass." Hachi scolded him, "We're running out of bassist. Again."
"No one wants to play bass, they're stuck with the position because everyone else thinks guitars are cooler." Hachiman snorted, "Except me. So, since Yukinoshita will do the chord, who will play the drum?"
Hachi pointed the girl with incredibly long hair who was facing the window, making Hachiman difficult to identify her. That said, he didn't often see that silhouette anywhere.
Seems disturbingly familiar, even.
The girl turned herself to face Hachiman, her grin was visible enough even with the blinding sunset behind her, and her clear blue eyes stared through Hachiman's anti-girl guard, made him blink.
That was...
"Hiratsuka... sensei?" Hachiman blushed and asked, "Wait."
"Buzz, wrong." The girl crossed her wrist and pouted.
"W-who?" Hachiman gawked and looked at Hachi.
"She's Seo Yuri, Hiratsuka-sensei's niece from sister's side." Hachi cackled, noticed how badly lovestruck Hachiman looked. "Her father is Korean, and at the moment she's living with Sensei because she wanted to finish her education in Japan when her parents went to Korea."
"O... Oh."
No wonder they resemble each other so much, she's basically Sensei only ten years younger, and for what it's worth, physically speaking she's Hachiman's ideal girl.
"You're Hachiman, right? Nice to meet you." Yuri grinned and offered her hand for a friendly shake, which Hachiman reciprocate.
"So, can we start now?" Yukino finally woke up from dozing off and picked her guitar. Is that...
"Legit Gibson Les Paul?!" Yuri screamed, "Oh my goodness, it looks so fucking cool! Which version was that?"
"Was it really that impressive? I just randomly have it delivered from home." Yukino said, "Nee-san said it's 2005 Historic series, 1960 Replica."
"About 200-300k yen, I think?" Hachiman browsed the price on his phone, "Rich people sure don't fuck around, and I think Fender Japan already too much for high school student."
That's enough to pay for Yukino's apartment rent for two months. And to think Yukino wasn't exceptionally stingy about money either...
Yukino coughed a bit to calm herself down, "Alright then, to be honest, this guitar is too heavy and I'd rather switch anyway. I'm not confident using it for more than a couple of songs."
"Les Paul weight like a sack of bricks so I'm not surprised. The custom version stupidly more so, because they're made of African mahogany." Hachi said, "That's why I picked Stratocaster in the end."
"Les Paul himself said jokingly that a true Les Paul guitar strings on a log, he was really mad when Gibson made what known as SG and claim it's a Les Paul design." Yuri snorted, then suddenly become gloomy.
"...why is everyone quiet?" Yukino asked innocuously.
"...Les Paul just died last August." Yuri sighed, and there were sobs in the background, certainly from some loyal fans mourning for their idol's death.
Yukino and Yui exchanged an awkward look and then clapped their hands and pray, "Namu."
Everyone else followed and prayed with the same gesture, though a couple made signs of the cross instead.
"I see, then let's begin." Yukino signaled, "Yuigahama-san, what do you like to sing?"
"Umm, I want to duet with Yukinon, can I?" Yui asked with puppy eyes.
"Probably not today, I feel somewhat light on the head."
"Is the guitar that heavy?"
"No, we're just doing too much of everything today." Yukino said, "But at least I want to make sure to finish a rehearsal."
Yukinoshita still have that stamina issue huh? Then again Les Paul can be heavy for some grown men.
In contrast, Fender Aerodyne bass is actually 30% lighter than the standard model. Among the reasons why Hachiman picked it, too.
Hachiman pulled the stool that he was sitting on and gave it to Yukinoshita. "It should be fine if you sit."
"Domo." Yukino smiled, "But I feel bad to sit when everyone else stands."
"Don't be stubborn, the health of the Chairman is more important than the dignity of a ramshackle band like this."
Hachi whistled to tease them, but then remembered Yui was there. Only when Hachi looked at Yui, Yui looked absolutely happy instead of jealous.
Perhaps because it looks like Hachiman was being nice. Well, he is being nice to Yukino, even so far as giving his precious, precious pansy-ass stool.
"Wanna switch guitar instead?" Hachi asked, "I always want to try a real Les Paul."
Yukino decided not to contest, and she could feel the massive weight difference between these two when they switched and put their strap around their neck and shoulder.
"So light."
"Just so you know, there was only a single kilogram weight difference between them." Yuri told her idly, "Even a quarter kilo difference in weight can change how comfortable you are with your guitar."
Yukino wondered if she should, then again, she was never comfortable using anything that she borrowed. So she should buy one herself, doesn't have to be expensive or anything.
"Then we might have to wait for Sunday for that."
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, let' go with the Hello hello Alone!" Yui raised the mic.
Yuri gave the signal to make everyone ready by hitting the Hi-hat several times to set the tempo and then rapidly hitting the main drum which signals everyone to start.
It was not originally a rock band song. Rearranged properly, the song becomes upbeat sounding and yet at the same time bittersweet and desperate.
A perfect song to describe the turbulent mind of the teens themselves. All the more reason why everyone put their mind and soul into playing it properly.
Even Hachiman gave it his all, no matter how clumsy sounded or whether he might make a mistake.
Because he knew that there's a chance that something like this can't happen again.
If words can't convey everything, then maybe actions would do. And that's why.
Hachiman will give it all.
The vapor trails are fading,
but before they disappear,
I should have said I wanted to see you. Wow
Did you ever break free
from your endless suffering?
You and I are alone again,
Hello Hello, Alone.
Everyone who was present there clapped their hands in excitement.
"Holy shit, they managed that in one take!" Tobe gawked, "Hikitani looks so good!"
Yumiko just scoffed, "Because he feels at home with them I guess."
"What's that, Miura-chan, are you jealous?" Tobe teased her.
"Shut up Tobe!" She elbowed him in return.
"Whoa, Chairman really sing well."
"Yuigahama too, so cute..."
"Stop playing sloppily, Hikigaya-san." Yukino pointed, "You revved it too hard, and you didn't tune the dials properly."
Hachi tried to back away but Yukino keeps staring at her, "Hey give me a break, I'm still inexperienced at this!"
"But it looks like this group composition s perfect. So we can stick around, I assume?" Yuri pointed.
"Yuri-san is the most fired up of all." Yui winced, seriously, that was some powerful beating she did on the instrument.
"This group is totally fine, maybe we can do rehearsal again once we have free time." Hachiman wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve, but Saika stopped him and gave him a hand towel.
"That was excellent, Hachiman." Saika said, "Too bad we can't be in one group."
Hachiman smirked, "Don't be so sure, a band can use multiple vocalists."
"Well, there's the issue of the song..." Yukino pointed, "The only reason why we can do well on the first try is that everyone in the group like that song right?"
"Then just pick another song that everyone like." Hachiman said lightly, "We're part of the committee, not like we will have much time to be on stage."
"Indeed that was true." Yukino looked back at Yuri, "Yuri-san, perhaps you'd be interested joining another group as well."
"Worry not, I can fit literally anywhere!" Yuri grinned.
Truly, she was carefree just like her aunt. Actually, he was kind of surprised. He wonders, did Seo Yuri exist in the old timeline too? Maybe she exists but for some reason, she and Hiratsuka weren't as close to each other, let alone living together?
Hachiman was curious.
No, it totally wasn't because she looked like mini-Hiratsuka and he was personally interested in her or anything, that would be absurdly ridiculous!
That said, there's not much in the way of avenue to get closer to her anyway.
It should be fine for now.
やはり, 俺の関係の値はリセットされました
As Expected, My Relationship Values had been Reset
Disclaimer:
Original Story by Watari Wataru
Chapter 12 - Before the Storm
Hikigaya Hachi hummed happily as she rides her bike and then parked it in the front of the Obgyn clinic. It's been six months since her last exam and about time she gets another.
It was a small clinic, but Hachi's experience with her had been pretty satisfying. She helped Hachi went through the hardest part of her transition.
She wasn't alone here, of course, for she forced Hachiman to tag along despite his highly visible uncomfortableness with the idea. "Why the hell I am here?"
"Oh come on, you'll be here someday with your pregnant wife." Hachi snarked. "Hmm? Do I know that bike before?"
There was already a scooter parked. Hachi felt like she recognized that scooter, especially since it has custom pattern color and not factory paint scheme.
So Hachi went inside, only to find her classmate, Chisato, was paying in the register.
"Chikura?"
"Uh oh, it's Hacchan." Chisato reacted like she was caught shoplifting or something. "You're here too huh?"
"Getting yourself checked?" Hachi asked.
"Yeah, sort of. You recommended this clinic to me after all." Chisato winced. "Is that... boyfriend?"
"Hah, no, this is my twin brother." Hachi grinned.
"For a second I thought you're here because you're pregnant or something, hahaha." Chisato laughed in mirth.
Hachi raised her eyebrows but decided not to press the matter. Indeed, Hachi was the one recommend her friends to this Clinic. Dr. Hagane was truly reliable and affordable for women specialist healthcare matter.
"Are you still having the monthly problem?" Chisato calmed down and sat on the waiting bench.
Hachi gave out her patient card so the reception nurse can immediately process it, "Not particularly, but I just want to be sure."
"I see." Chisato rolled her eyes aside and bit her lips, "Would you mind me waiting?"
"Hmm? Sure enough. You can keep my brother company."
Chisato and Hachiman exchanged a look awkwardly.
"Umm, Hikigaya Hachiman, Class 2-F."
"Chikura Chisato, Class 1-C, Nice to meet you."
Hachiman glanced at her, between her rainbow-colored hair and her sparky contact lens, Hachiman doesn't know which one is more outstanding. Nevertheless, Soubu have loose dress codes and there's no real regulation on hair color on a contact lens, so it doesn't surprise him too much that this girl can keep her outrageous appearance.
And they become quiet.
Hachi didn't wait all that long to be called in and meet the doctor. She was young, right in her early thirties where her personal beauty matured the best.
Her usual confident smile welcomed Hachi.
"Welcome back, Hachi." She said, "You've grown more beautiful."
"I've been trying some light makeup these days." Hachi blushed, "Does it suit me?"
"Yup, it was just the perfect amount."
Hachi began to tell her her summary of the health condition in the last six month. Most of which is fine, and normal, with the exception of all those anomalies that come with being intersex.
Afterward, Hachi undergoes extensive physical examination. At first, she was extremely embarrassed, but this was the third time she undergoes this exam.
Hachi had fully accepted her identity as a young woman now, and so she's treating it just like any other exam without shame.
"Your body is slowly changing." The doctor commented, "The volume of your breast is increasing and your hips also take a better shape."
"Come to think of it, my modeling manager said the same thing."
If one compares Hachi's photos during her debut and her latest edition, there were indeed visibly physical changes.
"As your body reacts to progestin and estrogen, it would change shape appropriately. You have extremely late puberty so it makes sense for it to start now."
"Would there be a problem?"
"It's not very certain." The doctor shook her head, "Someone like you only born once in thirteen thousand cases after all. And worse yet, many people actually go through their lives without realizing it. We have a very little sample to observe and all sort of documented phenomenon was still incomplete."
"I see."
"Still it's not like we can't say what could probably happen."
After consulting with her some more, Hachi excused herself and went to pay the fee as well as buying a new stash of combo pills.
"You're buying that much?" Chisato asked in disbelief, Hachi looked like he bought multiple boxes of them.
"Duh, of course, it's for the next 6 months after all." Hachi smiled.
Hachiman blinked and realized that this was one of the things that Hachi told him. Because her strange body imbalances thanks to being born with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, combo birth control pills are apparently one of the cheapest and easiest methods to deal with that.
In terms of diagnosis, Hachi's case was somewhat uncommon and at the same time, one of the tame ones, exhibiting traits of simple-virilizing nature where she grew much taller than other girls, have a pseudo-penis (which actually an enlarged clitoris) and androgynous-looking at a younger age but have extremely delayed puberty, which she only show few weeks prior to supposed enrollment to Soubu high.
Some of Classic CAH afflicted people (both male and female) suffered salt retention incapability that may be lethal even at a young age without constant steroid injection. Thankfully it seems that Hachi didn't suffer that, and more or less living a normal boy life until her first menstruation.
"My boobs grow 4 cm in the last six months." Hachi grinned and raised a peace sign.
"Ooh, it used to be flat as a board before." Chisato laughed, but then looked at Hachiman awkwardly. "Ah, sorry about that, Senpai."
"Don't worry about me, I'm well aware of how vulgar and shameless she is." Hachiman grinned, "You two have something to talk about right? I'm going home ahead."
Chisato grimaced, just like his sister, Hachiman sure is sharp as a razor yet also blunt as a sledgehammer.
Plus he's really good looking. Even with those intense, seemingly lifeless eyes...
What a shame, he shouldn't have ditch his glasses. Glasses bring out all of his charm. Right now his eyes were massive turn off for most girls, or most people for that matter.
They look scarily intense and unsightly.
"Umm, Senpai, if you don't mind, please tag along." Chisato asked, "I could use some input from boys here, and I'm not entirely sure who to ask."
"...Yeah, sure." Hachiman lazily nodded.
He used to be judgemental of girls, partly because of his resentment of being rejected and partly because the bullying he suffered from them.
Nevertheless, Hachiman tried to accept that in reality, no one is perfect. No matter how nice and likable they are, there's always part of them that incite disgust in him. And no matter how someone seemingly worthless and lack value, there might be something profound he could find from them.
And that's why he also decided to see people for what they are.
Besides she's Hachi's friend, can't be that bad of a girl.
Also, this might be the first time a girl asked him as a real confidant, so to be honest, he's kind of curious.
"Sorry, I got a phone call. Hello, what is it, Kawasaki-senpai?" Hachi asked, then balked. "What? My friend caught in a trouble? Who... ah, shit, it's Mihashira? Alright, tell her I'll be there with Chikura soon."
Chisato reacted aggressively. "What happened with An-chan?"
"It looks like she got a fight with a boyfriend or something. Kawasaki-senpai recognized her and helped." Hachi said, "Might as well fetch her on our way."
Chisato nodded weakly and then muttered. "An-chan..."
And so they revved their bike and left the scene as soon as possible. They were supposed to rendezvous with Saki in one of the closest Saizeriya.
"It's them." Hachi leads these two and then approached the table where Anko, Benio, and Saki sit. "Kurotsuki, you're here too?"
"An-chan called me." The dark brown haired, pale skinned girl replied. From a distance, Hachiman would've mistaken her for Yukino because how much superficial resemblance they had, though their face isn't even close. "Is that your famous Twin Brother?"
"Hikigaya Hachiman, desu." Hachiman said calmly, "I just happen to be Kawasaki's classmate as well."
The other girl was somewhat more mature looking, with natural light brown skin on her, contrasting her pale blonde hair and clear blue eyes. Also, she's putting an ice pack on her swollen cheek.
"Mihashira, what happened to you?"
"Stupid asshole thinking with just his dick." Anko replied grouchily, "He begged me not to cut ties and when I said no, he slapped me. Thankfully, kind Senpai here punched his shit out."
"Shouldn't you report him?" Hachi asked, concerned.
"From what I see, it wasn't like he looked especially violent, so he wouldn't come anymore after that strong of a rejection." Saki said calmly, "He legitimately wanted to make it up and even kneeled on her while crying, begging for forgiveness."
"I see, I'm glad you helped her anyway." Hachi bowed, "Thank you, Senpai."
"That's what friends are for." Saki looked at her phone, "I have something to take care of, would you mind I'm leaving?"
"It's fine," Hachi assured her.
"Thank you for helping me, Senpai." Anko bowed at Saki.
Saki just wordlessly nod and then left, her light blue ponytail waved with the pace of her steps as she walked out, and her natural beauty and tall height attracted quite a few stares.
Maybe some even recognized her as a model to boot, since she debuted alongside Hachi and Hachiman had seen them sharing a magazine page or two.
"Sorry you two have to see me like this, Benio, Chisato." Anko winced, "And I'm supposed to be the mature one."
"It's okay, An-chan. I'm very sure it's not your fault." Chisato hugged her.
"You know, my house is pretty close, so maybe if you guys want to talk it out..." Hachi looked at Hachiman questioningly, but he simply nodded in agreement. "We can do it there."
And so, Anko and Benio went to pay their share of food and drinks, and then followed the twins back to their house.
...
Almost miraculously, they managed to fit all five bikes on the front lawn. Of course, taking them out would be a pain in the arse. However, it wasn't something they really focus on.
"We're home!" Hachi said to no one as she used the house key to open the door since Komachi still hasn't returned from her cram school.
Likewise, the three guests also simultaneously said, "Sorry to intrude."
"Make yourself comfortable, I'll be upstairs if you need anything," Hachiman said.
But Chisato grabbed his sleeve to stop him. "Senpai, you said you would listen."
Hachiman sighed in annoyance, but then again, a man won't back at his words so he decided to say, "Hachi, change your clothes. Might as well cook dinner for everyone."
"Ah right." Hachi said and welcomed them into the combined living room, dining room, and kitchen area, "Please make yourself comfortable in the living room."
"Hachi, your house is pretty huge." Anko commented, "Maybe twice as big as mine. A little smaller than Chisato's maybe?"
"Was it? We actually don't have a dedicated storage room at the moment." Hachi laughed.
Hachi and Hachiman returned to the living room in their usual tracksuit getup.
"You're wearing those at home?"
"As pajama replacement, everyone in our family does." Hachiman said as he went to the fridge, "What do you girls want to eat?"
"Umm, Onii-san we don't want to bother you," Benio said.
"It's fine, our parent's aren't going home today, so might as well cook the same amount as usual." Hachi stopped her from standing, "Hachiman, let's cook something that would be best served cold."
"...you don't have to accommodate me that much." Anko blushed, referring to her swelling cheek. Of course, she would have to avoid hot food.
"It's still in transitional season, not like we eat cold in the middle of winter."
"So what you want to eat, Hiyashi Chuka*?"
"Have a little delicacy, asshole," Hachi yelled.
"Like you can cook better, you bitch." Hachiman retorted.
"Hiyashi Chuka is fine." Anko said, "Feel like summer all over again."
Hachi wasn't convinced, but then again, it doesn't like it was a bad dish or anything. Hiyashi Chuuka is a staple of Japanese Summer dish after all.
"Ano, Onii-san, do you mind me helping?" Benio offered, "I might know how to make some cold dish myself."
"Sure, if you call me Onii-sama." Hachiman jokingly replied.
"Hachiman, please don't let your Imoto fetish get in the way of courtesy," Hachi warned.
Hachiman shot back, "Oh, you made Taichi did the same thing, you shota-lover."
Anko burst out laughing, followed by both Benio and Chisato who also laughed in their own, subtler ways.
"Hacchan, are you two really twins? Sounds like an old married couple to me." Chisato teased.
"You get riled up more often, perhaps more than you did with Iroha-chan." Benio also pointed.
"Well, he knows all of my weakness." Hachi clenched her hands, embarrassed. "Still, what do you want to cook, Kurotsuki?"
"Do you have any fish and avocado?"
"Avocado? There's a couple in the fridge as well."
"Oh yeah, Mom used them as a facial mask, in fact, we have a lot of vegetables and fish here."
"Perfect, then we shall make low carb dinner." Benio smiled, "Would that be fine?"
"I might end up eating a lot of that then." Hachi said, "But I feel curious and wanted to taste it anyway."
"Alright then, let's make myself a hefty serving of cold canned tuna," Hachiman said.
In the end, the dinner came in two flavors: Hachiman made a bunch of crude Avocado Boat filled with mashed pepper and chili jalapeno canned tuna while Benio made much more gorgeous looking daikon rice vegetable salad with tuna sashimi.
Instead of steamed rice that Japanese usually ate, the daikon (radish) was cut apart in irregular grainy shape, making them resembles each other. of course, Daikon is a vegetable and its carbohydrate content is much lower for the same volume.
It was also decorated with long needle-like slices of vegetables and two ounces of tuna sashimi.
"Hmm, Hachiman's dish is about 340 calories, 24-gram fat, 10-gram carbs and 21-grams protein. Kurotsuki's dish is about 310 calories, 16-grams fat, 18-gram carbs and also 21-grams protein." Hachi calculated and wrote in her notes.
Leave it to the diet freak to precisely measure these food's nutritional values!
"I'd like to taste Onii-sama's food so might as well." Benio smiled sweetly, something that Hachi rarely saw at school, with how emotionless, or rather uncaring her attitude usually. Did she have a crush on Hachiman or something?
"Sure, want to trade?" Hachiman served them all a bunch of avocado boat, which he made in less than five minutes each. "In fact, I think I made way too much, that's like five avocados, as many as ten boats. And that's terrible."
"I'm home!" Komachi rushed in the house.
"Oh, Komachi, you came home early!" Hachi greeted her, "What gives?"
"Aneki, are you at loss? There are a typhoon warning and cram school is canceled."
"Really?"
"Yep."
"I see, then just come here and join us for dinner."
"Ah."
Komachi gets introduced to the strange but seemingly nice friends that Hachi brought with her, and they were all Hachi's classmates.
"I think we should go too before the storm hits," Chisato said.
"Are you guys really alright?" Hachi skeptically asked.
"Yeah, we can talk again later." Chisato stretched, "Having a dinner together like this was kind of pleasant too."
"Really? I'd say that's average." Hachi commented.
"No one is at home around this hour." Anko looked at the clock and commented.
"No one but the housekeeper for me." Chisato shrugged, "What about you, Beni-chan?"
"My parents are always home and we always have dinner together." Benio rolled her eyes aside, "It was not fun."
"Hahaha." Komachi wrily smiled, "Honestly, until recently our parents rarely come home early. They usually come late when everyone already asleep."
"Yeah." Hachi said, "Until this year, we kinda... uh, stuck together like this."
"No wonder you're so close." Anko's gaze softened in response, "I have no brother or sister, so I'm somewhat envious."
"Ditto." Benio and Chisato chorused.
Oh, Hachiman finally understood why these girls looked so happy now. For them, a luxury of a fun and warm atmosphere in a dinner with someone else... it was not something they enjoyed all that often.
Hachi and Hachiman weren't much better, but at least they have Komachi with them.
When they came outside, however, the wind already picking up and rain began to sprinkle.
"It's dangerous to ride around this time, you better stay for a while." Hachiman warned, "Hachi, we need to chain the bikes together or else they will fall sideways."
"Yeah."
Both of them wore raincoats and proceed to deal with the exposed bikes, by covering it with a large tarp and then chained them into multiple steel pegs on concrete bases, spread all over the lawn.
"Thank fuck I prepared them in advance." Hachi locked the chain with heavy gauge padlock, "I was expecting typhoon season so I decided to ask father to make them."
"Just pray to God it would be enough."
Then again, a typhoon that could uproot concrete block buried two feet in the ground would probably annihilate most houses in Japan.
"It should be safe now. Did you guys call home yet?"
"No answer." Anko said, "They're probably still working and not coming home in this storm anyway."
"My parents said it's alright, if only just for the night," Benio said, "I was being tracked with GPS to boot."
"My housekeeper said I should stay in touch, but no need to tell my parents yet."
"Alright then, I suppose we can have a sleepover!" Hachi jumped happily.
Only for her to realize something. "...Oh shit."
"What's wrong, Hacchan?"
"Uh, erm. Our Guest room is being used by my brother." Hachi explained ashamedly, "And my room is stupid cramped."
"It's fine isn't it." Hachiman said, "We can exchange bedroom if only just for tonight."
"Eh?"
"There's enough room for four futons to easily fit." Hachiman said, "I can sleep in your room instead."
"Ahhh yeah, well it was your room too, kind of." Hachi cryptically agreed, "You guys fine sleeping in a guy's room?"
"Are you asking me, rainbow slut supreme, that question of all things?" Chisato groaned.
"I'm fine, it's not like we're going to sleep with Nii-sama or anything." Benio nodded, she was really eager for this.
"If he doesn't mind us, I'm fine with it." Anko finalized, "Oh and guys, please respect his privacy."
"I have nothing to worry. There's no porn there." Hachiman laughed, then looked at Komachi, as if telling her silently to leave them alone.
"Ah, I get it. Komachi will enjoy myself studying in my room!" Komachi cheerily winked, completely get what Hachiman meant. And hurriedly leave the living room to lock herself in and concentrate studying.
"Now then." Hachiman wickedly smiled, "Are you sure I should stay?"
"It's fine. Senpai."
Under the stormy night, the three freshmen began to spill their secret.
*Literally means Cold Chinese, a cold ramen with eggs, ham, shrimp, carrot, cucumber, tomato, sesame soy sauce etc.