A Favor Given, A Favor Received
Content Warning: Mentions of self-harm.
Oh my! Transfer Student-dono, you've come right at the perfect time!
Heh, please wait a moment~ Feast your eyes on this splendid sushi platter!
... Oh? You're staring in confusion, forgive me! I tend to get ahead of myself.
I see that you've chosen to come to the cafeteria's DIY-course as well!
Right, the cafeteria... Usually you can buy a meal ticket at "Gaaden Terasu"1 to order cuisine, but...
You can also buy ingredients to make meals yourself! And it's cheaper that way.
As an idol, you might even get the opportunity to be on a cooking show! The DIY course has been arranged for that reason!
And the like, am I preaching to the choir? Hahahah ☆
So you chose the DIY course after all!
Hmm, could it be because "Torikkustaa" is consistently low on funds?
Making meals yourself is a cheap and economical way to have a meal.
Oh-ho, and in the process, you're practicing making meals for your dear friends! Two birds in one stone!
I'm impressed! You are a model "purodyusaa", Transfer Student-dono.
Heheh. I belong to the distinguished powerhouse unit AKATSUKI, here at Yumenosaki.
We're not low on funds by any means, but, well, this is just a pastime of mine. It feels like I've been playing pretend as a chef lately.
I belong to the Marine Life Club, but I haven't been able to keep up with the contents of the activities...
I want to know how the club head and the other member feels. Because of that, I tried starting with something I do understand.
So I've been at it slicing fish. I'm skilled when it comes to seafood, and so I'm working hard to come to understand the resolution of the Marine Life Club, if even just a little.
I have a little experience behind the knife, so...
By feeling through seafood with the slice of a kitchen knife, I hope to scrape the surface of what it means to be a member of the Marine Life Club too!
That said, I enjoy myself too much every time I prepare fish, and I end up making too much... I have trouble getting rid of a lot of it, so I'd be grateful if you'd eat some for me ♪
It saves you having to worry about money as well, so it isn't a bad deal for you, right Transfer Student-dono?
Oh, my. What a diligent eater.
I'm proud to see you go right at it ♪ These days, women are into keeping their "diett-o", so they aren't very active in their meals.
I think a woman who can look so happy after eating such a delicious meal is beautiful too...♪
And in the same breath, you eat so voraciously, yet so cleanly, it's refreshing to see ♪
It makes me happy. There is plenty to go around, so don't hold back!
And if there is not enough, I will just make more! Now, what shall I make next? Sea bream? Flounder? Yellowtail? Mackeral? How would you like it to be prepared, Transfer Student-dono? Hah-hah-hah! ♪
...
Oh my! -- I-It's you, Buchou-dono! You are as impercepitble as ever...!?
Behold! In order to understand the resolution of the Marine Life Club, I am in the middle of preparing fresh seafood!
After all, I am but a boor who can only understand things through a blade!
how cruel...
the fishies, they are all chopped up. it is a massacre, how egregious...
Wha--- you are so openly upset!?
you brute...
the poor, helpless fishies...
B-But Buchou-dono! The fish I'm preparing was all stored and frozen, it isn't as if I killed them with my own hands?!
So if anything, eating them is like a samurai's compassion, not an act of cruelty...!
(Weeping)
how cruel, souma.... you rotten fiend...
Th--- Those aren't the kinds of things I wanted you to say!
Ahh, please don't cry, Buchou-dono! I have reflected! Seppuku--? Can I make amends with seppuku and slit my stomach open!?
(Snickers) ..... ♪
just kidding. fishies are food...♪
What? What!? You're absolutely ill-mannered, Buchou-dono! I felt as if my heart stopped!
you panicked so quickly, souma, how funny...♪
but, please let me just say this.
the fishies you prepared... please eat them diligently, okay?
eat them, and be nourished by them. become one with the fishies. that is the [first step].
let me praise you souma. good boy, good boy... (Pats) ♪
B--Buchou-dono! What an honor! The labor was most certainly worth this reward!
Buchou-dono is a lord I should revere-- that feeling has been renewed...!
From here on out, please look out for me, Buchou-dono~!
i am the one who should be saying that...♪
whatever it is you are eating looks delicious, transfer student-san. may i have some too?
Buchou-dono! If there is something you would like, I will make it, please tell me what you would like!
Whether it's whale or shachi, allow me to make you the most delicious cuisine!
The Marine Life Club Member Kanzaki Souma is here...☆
Translation Notes
- ↑ In Japanese, words from other languages (such as English) are typically rendered in katakana. However, when Souma uses katakana words, they are all written in hiragana instead, likely to emphasize how he struggles with foreign words. These words are kept as written in hiragana, and put in "quotes".