Volume 8 Chapter 1 Lydia Of The Bamboo Cutter
Another interlude
At Lobelia Diner House, I received a flyer for a 'Bamboo Shoot Digging Contest' from Ms. Octavia of the Arsubania Commercial Union.
Ms. Octavia, a plump lady in her mid-forties, handed me the flyer and said, "Looks like you're all alone today, Lyd-Lyd."
"The knights were here in the morning, but they've already gone to work. Not many customers come in until lunchtime."
"I see. Lyd-Lyd, you've gotten cuter and brighter since I last saw you. You've really blossomed, huh? The folks in the shopping street are all wondering who Lyd-Lyd's boyfriend is."
"Who...? Boyfriend...?"
I was taken aback and shook my head.
Just the other day, I had an embarrassing dream during cherry blossom viewing, so I was sensitive to the word "boyfriend."
Mx. Margaret keeps saying things like that, and I ended up daydreaming about it with my friends, which was so embarrassing.
I need to be careful.
Ms. Octavia tilted her head, looking puzzled.
"No boyfriend yet, huh, Lyd-Lyd? We've even placed bets on who Lyd-Lyd's boyfriend might be, so maybe we should bet on who will become Lyd-Lyd's boyfriend instead."
"Bets...?"
"Well, the people we're betting on are all way too noble for that. I mean, Lyd-Lyd is noble too, but you're just so approachable."
"Thank you. As a cook in a restaurant, being approachable is important, right?"
"Still, you're cute though."
"Hehe... thank you. By the way, there's a mushroom picking contest in the fall and a bamboo shoot digging contest in the spring, right?"
"Even though it's called a contest, it's really just a way to get everyone to dig up the bamboo shoots that grow like crazy in the Biaraba bamboo grove every year. If we leave them alone, the grove will be in big trouble. There's no prize money or anything. You just get to take home the bamboo shoots you dig up."
"Bamboo shoots, I'm so happy. Bamboo shoots, they're delicious."
"Hehe, Lyd-Lyd is so cute. Come and gather a lot. But, bamboo shoots are heavy, so it's best to bring some strong guys with you. Well, the guys around Lyd-Lyd don't look like they've ever dug up bamboo shoots before."
"This is my first time digging for bamboo shoots too."
"They have shovels and hoes available for rent at the venue, so you can go empty-handed. It might be handy to bring a bag for taking them home. The Biaraba bamboo grove is big, so you can take as much as you like."
"Thank you, Ms. Octavia. Bamboo shoots..."
"Ah, there will be some little stalls too, so it should be fun. Well then, Lyd-Lyd. I'll come by sometimes to have a meal too."
"Yes!"
I sat at the counter, looking at the flyer I got from Ms. Octavia.
Eir-Eir, Ms. Famine, Nel-Nel, and my dad were peeking over the table at the flyer.
"Bamboo."
"It's bamboo shoots, Eir-Eir."
Eir-Eir looked up at me while tapping the illustration of bamboo shoots on the flyer with her wings.
I haven't let Eir-Eir and the others try bamboo shoots yet.
They have a slightly adult taste, I wonder if they'd like it.
"Bamboo shoots, huh. So spring-like, Lydia."
"Bamboo shoots this season are delicious, right, Dad? Bamboo shoot rice, simmered dishes, tempura. Stir-fried with bell peppers, even just grilled is tasty. Charcoal grilling... sometimes it'd be nice to set up a grill outside the shop... Ms. Margaret has a barbecue grill, so it'd be okay to borrow it..."
"Sounds like it would go well with some drinks."
"You're still not giving up on drinking alcohol, even though you're a puppy, huh?"
I poked my dad's fluffy head, who was eager to drink.
"Tarte Tatin..."
Ms. Famine curled up on the counter, wagging her tail with a swish.
"Ms. Famine, you seem a bit reluctant. Do you not want to go to the bamboo grove? Digging for bamboo shoots will get you dirty, so maybe you don't like that... But when we get home, I'll make sure to give you a nice bath. We'll get you all clean."
"Fried Horse Mackerel."
"Nel-Nel is super motivated, huh? Since you're a rabbit, it must be good at digging holes, for sure."
While we were all chatting about that, Lobelia's door swung open. The bell attached to the door went ding-ding.
"Lydia, excuse me."
"Hello, Sir Roxas!"
"Oh, uh, hi there..."
I stepped down from the counter and walked over to the polite Sir Roxas.
"Did you come to have lunch with us?"
"Yeah, well, sort of. I happened to be passing by."
"You had business in Arsubania, right? Oh! Perfect timing! Sir Roxas, it's the bamboo shoot digging event!"
"...Bamboo shoots?"
Sir Roxas raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical. He really doesn't seem like the type who has ever dug up bamboo shoots.
Maybe Sir Rail could, but I can't really picture Sir Roxas getting all dirty with a shovel digging into the ground.
"You don't know what bamboo shoots are?"
"I know what bamboo shoots are. Just haven't eaten them much."
"Sir Roxas, bamboo shoots pop up from the ground in bamboo groves around this time. If you dig deep into the mounded soil, you'll find a big, pointy, and thick bamboo shoot there."
"...You don't need to explain. Why do you always use such strange expressions?"
"Strange...?"
"Roxas, Lydia is seriously explaining about bamboo shoots."
"Oh, right, I see. Sorry, Dad. I just... my imagination got away from me..."
Getting an unclear but firm scolding from his dad, Sir Roxas frowned and let out a deep sigh.
I wonder what imagination really is. Did he imagine bamboo shoots? The idea of digging for bamboo shoots?
"So, Sir Roxas really likes bamboo shoots that much, huh?"
"Is that the conclusion we're reaching? Well, fine. So, what about those bamboo shoots?"
"I'm thinking of joining the bamboo shoot digging event and getting some bamboo shoots, but since they're heavy, it's better to have a guy with me, Ms. Octavia said... and just then, Sir Roxas showed up, but you can't because your clothes will get dirty..."
"That's not a no... Does that mean you're inviting me?"
"Shall we dig for bamboo shoots together, Sir Roxas?"
"Of course. Leave it to me."
Sir Roxas answered right away, looking all cheerful.
Maybe Sir Roxas really likes digging holes. I'm glad he seems happy.
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