Chapter 3 – Natto
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A woman eating natto in the university cafeteria; that was my first impression of Ito.
The day before the initiation party of the SF research club, several of the freshmen decided to eat lunch together as an opportunity to get to know each other. That was where I met Ito for the first time.
“Minase-chan, you’re going to eat natto?” 1
One of the girls at the table just couldn’t hold back her surprise when she saw the tray Ito was carrying. Ito had added a pack of natto to the fried set meal. Us guys, who were sitting at the same table, were totally speechless at the sight.
“It’s my first time seeing a girl eat natto in a school cafeteria! Moreover, natto added to a set meal of fried food!”
Yamada, a guy who reflexively blurted out everything that crossed his mind, obliviously brought up the topic that the rest of us were unable to breach, while laughing.
In response, Ito looked at him blankly then straightforwardly answered, “Eh? You don’t feel like there should be rice to go with the cafeteria fried food?”
That’s not the point here. Though the fried food truly is somewhat lacking in flavor.
I reflexively retorted in my mind but even back then I was entranced. I couldn’t tear my eyes off her as she lifted the cheap plastic bowl and ate all of the natto, her table manners perfect through it all.
Ever since then, I started to follow Ito with my eyes.
The natto led me to fall in love with her. When I revealed that to her later, after we started dating, the corners of Ito’s mouth went down and she clearly declared that she always brushed her teeth after a meal. I laughed so hard that my stomach got cramps.
The natto also taught me something about Ito. And it wasn’t just the fact that she was a freak.
Ito is very fussy about her food. She cherishes each and every meal as if it’s her last.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that she’s some kind of food snob. It just means that she won’t settle for anything but the demands of her hungry mind. For example, if she wants to eat cup noodles, she’ll go to a convenience store and buy some, even if there’s a storm raging outside.
She doesn’t care how long the line is. She’ll wait for three hours to buy shaved ice if that’s what she wants. And yet, when we lined up for a ride on Dreamland’s something-mountain, she had clearly been annoyed. Ito’s most beautiful smile that day hadn’t been for any of the attractions, but the turkey.
Having said that, she often made me choose the restaurants, so I felt like being tested each and every time. Apparently, she never had any intentions of that sort, but having seen her pickiness time and again, I always went all out.
Also, I never told her, but I loved seeing Ito’s smile when her cheeks were stuffed with something delicious. Because of that, I never cut corners when it came to choosing restaurants.
Three years flew by, and now Ito and I are 24 years old. But, I’m sure, that part of her and therefore that part of me hasn’t changed at all.
＊＊＊
On Wednesday Ito and I decided to have lunch together. Ito said that she usually accompanied her senpai who was working at the same section as her. However, because that senpai had taken paid leave for today, she kindly invited me to lunch instead.
“Shimamura-san takes a day of paid leave almost every month, unrelated to the workload or atmosphere at our workplace. Lately I’ve started to actually think that she’s pretty cool for doing that,” Ito giggled.
Apparently you cannot call her a good senpai as she isn’t considerate.
We went to a bistro that had grilled fish as its specialty. It was located inside a department store about five minutes away from our office building. I picked this place because Ito told me that she had never eaten here before.
Once we were seated, I scanned the interior. The place was bustling, full of people who had chosen to spend their precious breaks eating grilled fish, just like we planned to do.
“I’m sorry for going with fish this time again.”
“Grilled fish and sushi are completely different, don’t worry.”
“Glad to hear that.”
“Well, it did catch my attention a bit, though.”
So it did, huh?
“You order via the touch panel here, so the service is nice and fast. Come on, you pick first.”
“Oh, how kind of you. But, what the hell are ye doin’, ya pig!”
“Huh?”
All of a sudden Ito glared at me. She expressed her intent by clumsily using a yakuza accent.
“Ye’ve been starin’ below my neckline for some time now.”
“Ah, sorry. I’m not used to seeing that outfit on you.”
Ito was wearing her usual office wear. It’s my second time seeing it, but it still feels fresh and unusual.
“Seriously? That’s all? For real?”
Since we were at an eatery, Ito deliberately didn’t spell it out, but I knew what she wanted to know. Basically, she’s saying, “Ain’t ye lookin’ at me with pervy eyes?”
Well, I admit I’ve been ogling her to some extent, but not that much either.
“Got it. I’ll be more careful. From now on I’m going to keep my eyes on your forehead.”
“Just look me in the eyes. Anyway, since harassment is on everyone’s mind right now, I’m just telling you to pay attention, okay?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Alright. Got anything else to say?”
“Yep. Sorry.”
“I thought you’d say it suits me.”
“Huh?”
But, knowing that our break would be over in no time if we drifted into our usual trash talking, Ito pulled herself together and lowered her gaze to the touch panel.
“Hmm, what should I get? Any recommendations, Fuyu-kun?”
“The set meal with salted and dried mackerel, the special smoked salmon set, or…ah, they also have delicious natto.”
“Hmm, natto might be really nice.”
“Right? It tastes great and it goes well with fish.”
“I’m kinda interested, but right now I’m in the middle of work.”
“Eh!?”
A surprised yelp escaped my lips. Ito and the middle-aged guy sitting at the table next to us were startled, looking over at me.
“What’s wrong, Fuyu-kun?…”
“Y-You’re not going to eat natto…?”
“I don’t want to since I’m going back to work after this.”
“Won’t it be okay if you brush your teeth…?”
“Sure, but eating natto during the lunch break is…you know…”
“Eeeehhh…”
I couldn’t help but express my disappointment. Ito and the middle-aged guy sitting at the table next to us looked at me worriedly.
“W-What? You wanted me to eat natto so badly?”
“Ah, whatever. It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m totally devastated now…”
“Why would you be so disappointed over something like natto…?”
“Something like natto!? Yeah…that’s something I definitely didn’t want to hear from you…”
At that point, Ito realized the true intent behind my words and behavior.
With a sigh she asked, “Are you possibly still talking about that university cafeteria?”
“I am…! I mean, Ito, you used to be a woman who would eat natto without a shred of shame or honor, right?”
“Ah, that’s totally pissing me off now. What a terrible way to put it.”
As Ito’s final remark lingered in the air, we ordered our respective set meals on the touch panel.
While we were waiting for our food to be brought over, Ito explained things to me, speaking slowly and clearly as if she was talking to a grade schooler, “Now listen here, Fuyu-kun. The me from back then would eat anything she wanted to eat, even if she had to pawn off the birthday gifts she got from you, yep.”
In Ito’s case, it’s scary since it doesn’t sound like she’s joking.
“But, now that I’ve become a fully-fledged member of society, I can’t just eat the things I want to eat, now can I? That’s not going to work for drinking parties or lunch meetings, right? It’s the same for you as well, isn’t it?”
“That’s true, but…right now I’m the only one being here, no?”
“It still doesn’t change that I have to go back to work after this. Take a good look at this uniform.”
“It suits you.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“But…you told me you want to go back to that time when it was just the two of us…”
“…Ugh.”
Ito fell silent, her cheeks puffed out. Her expression was full of complicated feelings. If you ask me, she’s acting sulky on the surface, but in her mind she’s agreeing with me. It’s the sign of a working adult. Ito had probably become an adult in the truest sense during the last three years.
Her choice to not eat natto here can be called 『normal』, or to put it another way, it’s proof that she has adapted to society and its norms. You might think this is reading a little too much into something like natto, but from my point of view, as someone who spent three years with her, it’s simply that big of an event.
I’m sure this is a good change. At least, it is if you look at it as a member of society. That’s why I must also accept an Ito who doesn’t eat natto in situations like this. I must update my perception of her.
We promised to go back to having a relationship where we simply had fun like back then, but even so we mustn’t forget that we’re now part of society.
“Just kidding. Don’t mind what I said. It was mostly a joke anyway.”
“So some of it was real?”
“I mean, I wanted to see you eat natto after a long time. That’s all.”
“What’s up with that weird fetish of yours?”
At that point, an employee brought our food. Ito had gone with the special smoked salmon set and I got the mackerel-miso set.”
“Well, let’s dig in then. Bon appetit.”
“Mmh, you too.”
Both of us put our hands together and lightly bowed.
I picked up my chopsticks with my right hand, and a small bowl in my left hand.
Seeing this, Ito whispered, “Fuyu-kun, you’re eating natto?”
“Whenever I come here, I always order natto. It’s non-negotiable.”
“Is it that delicious?”
“Yep. The grains are big and the taste of the beans is a solid A. It’s natto just the way i like it.”
“Hmm…”
Ito drank her miso soup and began working on the smoked salmon while I stirred my natto thoroughly. She kept glancing at me as I did so.. And then, when I was about to pour the natto onto my rice, Ito commented, “You don’t feel bad for me?”
“No, not particularly,” I answered instantly since I already knew that she would ask me that.
I mean, I just wanted to eat natto. And I’m going to brush my teeth afterwards.
As soon as she heard that, Ito slid her hand to the touch panel and pressed something.
“Is something the matter?”
“…I’m going to eat natto, too.”
“Hmm? What was that?”
“I’m going to eat natto, too! It’s unfair for you to enjoy it yourself!”
The middle-aged guy at the next table nodded at that declaration with an understanding expression.
How long are you going to stick around, man?
Ito’s natto was served in less than a minute. She stirred it, added a few drops of soy sauce, and stirred it again. She put some natto in her mouth, along with a little rice, a euphoric smile spreading on her face before she even finished chewing.
“Oh shit, it’s so damn good.”
“Yay, Ito is eating natto. Man, that makes me so happy.”
“What? Is seeing me eating natto like seeing a panda eat bamboo or something?”
“Is it okay for me to take a photo? Ah, let’s go with a selfie instead, okay?”
“As if that’s okay, you dummy.”
Ito looked embarrassed the whole time, but at the same time she seemed to enjoy the natto from the bottom of her heart. She devoured her natto rice and smoked salmon. Meanwhile I enjoyed my lunch to the fullest with a side dish of victory.
When Ito and I became fully-fledged members of society, all kinds of things changed for us. And yet, this smile of Ito has remained unchanged.
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