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Post by Naoto Shirogane on Mar 1, 2009 0:58:57 GMT -5
Silver-blue eyes scanned a small pocketbook as Naoto made her way slowly through Junes’ grocery department, an eyebrow slowly arching upward as she looked at the words written on the page held in front of her. …What exactly is Yakushiji-san cooking tonight? I can’t ever remember him asking for any of these herbs or spices before. He said that he was going to make an American dish tonight but… I don’t know of any American dishes that might need these.
An odd look fell across the detectives face as she scanned the signs above the aisles for the word ‘spices and herbs’. …Of course, I couldn’t fit under the title of ‘chef’ by any means of the word, making my observations invalid as I’ve no knowledge to back my own hypotheses. Sighing, Naoto slowly made her way through the department, a faint look of annoyance crossing her features as she realized she had no idea where she was supposed to be going. Yakushiji-san takes care of the groceries before I’m given the chance to offer to do it myself. I’ve never had reason to explore this floor beyond picking up a snack before.
Naoto paused, raising her gaze to read the sign above her head, sighing once more as she noted she had somehow managed to lead herself to the cooking utensils. This is… quite impeding. Naoto thought as she stepped back, looking up and down the rows of aisle-ways. Where are the-! The sleuth stopped her thoughts, letting out a long, slow breath. Calm down, Naoto. You’re getting frustrated over something that you needn’t be stressing yourself over. Just… ask someone for assistance.
((OOC: As we all know Naoto is female, to make it easier on myself, I’m simply going to write Naoto as a “she” in my posts. For anyone who replies to this thread (before Naoto’s dungeon comes into the main timeline of the large forum) already knows that everyone believes Naoto to be male and should refer to her as “him/he”. I hope this makes sense, but as Naoto herself knows she’s a woman, it is easier to read and write for myself to use “she” since the posts are in third person and Naoto wouldn’t use “he” or “his” when referring to herself in speech anyway. …Simply put, until Naoto’s dungeon, as far as anyone’s OC/cannon character is concerned, Naoto is male but I, myself, will use “she” in posts.))
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Souji Seta
Junior Detective
The Wild Card
Posts: 65
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Post by Souji Seta on Mar 1, 2009 1:12:34 GMT -5
This is more fun than I thought it would be. Souji smiled as he waved goodbye to another satisfied customer, who waved back as they headed for the registers with the merchandise they had sought. Though I wouldn't want to work here as often as Yosuke. I suppose being the prince of Junes has even more drawbacks than he lets on.
Souji proceeded to walk along the aisles, patrolling the store for others who might need assistance. They were easy to spot - usually, they were simply frustrated enough that they were no longer looking down the aisles. Instead, they stood in one place and craned their heads around, looking for an actual person. It didn't take him long to find someone very familiar, someone wearing a blue cap and dressed in a very professional blue suit.
"Excuse me," said Souji politely as he approached the slightly despondent Naoto. "May I help you with something, sir?
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Post by Naoto Shirogane on Mar 1, 2009 1:39:04 GMT -5
Naoto winced, hearing someone approach from behind and hear the question she'd been hoping to avoid. Sighing softly, the sleuth turned, eyes closed as she prepared to send the person attempting to away as quickly--and politely--as possible.
"I--" Naoto began, opening her eyes, stopping abruptly as they grew wider, the face in front of her one of the last she was expecting. "Senpai? You... work here?" The obvious question had burst out before she could stop it, causing her to wince again as the shock from the situation temporarily caused her to drop her deep voice tone, sounding slightly higher then normal. I'm acting careless... If I'm not careful--Just because he appeared doesn't mean I can allow myself to drop my guard so carelessly.
"I um..." Naoto hesitated, quickly recovering her deep tone. "...I'm... quite alright on my own, Senpai. I'm grateful for your kind gesture, but I am not in need of assistance." She took a step back, trying to look as if she knew where she was going and--despite her best efforts--the frustration with her situation caused her to fail in conjuring up a convincing look. "I just need to finish gathering up several spices, herbs and noodles and I'll be finished here." I just... need to find them.
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Souji Seta
Junior Detective
The Wild Card
Posts: 65
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Post by Souji Seta on Mar 1, 2009 2:14:56 GMT -5
Souji smiled at Naoto's question, allowing himself a soft chuckle. "No, actually, I'm just here at the request of a friend. He practically begged for help, and... well, what sort of friend would I be if I refused?" He barely caught the wince, realizing that Naoto had let his guard down and had regretted the lapse. He's not the kind of person to allow himself to be helped if he can avoid it... I understand that feeling all too well.
"Well, the noodles are one aisle this way, to your left," said Souji, remembering one of his many trips to Junes he had taken with Nanako. "As for herbs and spices, it's about four aisles in the opposite direction, but you would probably be better off with an extra pair of eyes to help you look."
He tried to peer around at the list in Naoto's hand, his silver eyes catching faint glimpses of the slanting, eloquent handwriting. "If you don't mind me asking, do you cook at all, Naoto? Or are you buying these for someone in your family who does?"
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Post by Naoto Shirogane on Mar 1, 2009 3:02:06 GMT -5
"I see..." Naoto glanced at the Junes apron Souji was wearing, an elegant eyebrow quirking upward. At the request of a friend... "I assume it was Hanamura-san who asked you for your assistance. I've seen you two together quite a bit, and to my knowledge it is his father who is in charge of this branch of the Junes."
The sleuth fell silent as Souji gave directions to all the items she needed, a lightly blush appearing on her cheeks as she tried to hold herself straighter.
"I-I knew perfectly well where to find everything. I..." The Detective trailed off, a small sound of defeat escaping her lips as she glanced around, as if expecting someone to suddenly jump out, point and start shouting that she was allowing herself to take the help of another. "...I... thank you." The thanks were muttered, almost inaudible as Naoto shifted backward, not expecting Souji to suddenly move closer.
"I--no. Not normally, the secretary of the Shirogane estate does the cooking. He is simply busy this afternoon and asked that I assist him in gathering what he needed for tonight."
Hesitating for a brief moment, Naoto extended her hand outward, pushing the list into Souji's hand as she turned sharply and quickly walked down the aisle that she'd been told had the noodles, finding them quickly, pausing as she began to examine brands, sizes and prices. I... don't have a clue which one he wants. Naoto thought, the feeling of frustration bubbling in the pit of her stomach again. Why... are there so many kinds in the first place? A noodle is a noodle, is it not? I hardly see the point in having so many different brands of that which is no visually different from another. But... taste of course... Then I'd get...
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Souji Seta
Junior Detective
The Wild Card
Posts: 65
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Post by Souji Seta on Mar 1, 2009 15:30:08 GMT -5
Souji calmly looked down at the list of ingredients, all of them quite familiar to him from cooking a wide variety of dishes. No wonder he can't locate these easily. These are usually used in American cuisine... But these noodles-- He looked around at Naoto, and followed her down the aisle to where she stood.
"These particular noodles are right there." He pointed to the bottom shelf where the product sat in near obscurity. "A lot of people seem to miss them. It's very common to overlook something if it isn't at eye level." He doesn't like to be helped... I can see how tense he is. I suppose maybe I should...
"You know, " said Souji, trying to sound conversational, "accepting help when genuinely needed isn't something to be embarrassed about... In fact, it's far more mature to accept the help rather than push it aside. You don't have to do everything yourself, you know..." He gazed down at the list, not exactly seeing the words as his mind drifted to his friends, their faces smiling at him in gratitude and affection. "...That's what friends are for."
One of Naoto's previous words struck a chord, and he looked up at her as he broke his own reverie. "Senpai? Then am I right in guessing that you'll be attending Yasogami in a few weeks?" As an underclassman... and yet he's far smarter than most of our own year, myself included. "I hope you're adjusting well to Inaba, in that case. It took some time for me to get used to the difference between this town and Tokyo, but... I've really come to enjoy it here. I'm sure you will too, in time."
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Post by Naoto Shirogane on Mar 1, 2009 16:09:40 GMT -5
"I..." Naoto trailed off again, feeling warmth spreading across her face as she struggled to brush Souji's statement off, but her mind remained blank and no words came, leaving the detective even most flustered then she had been before. How... is he able to pick the exact words that I need to hear... yet wish to avoid? He's only seen me a few times. I can't allow him to get under my skin like this, from what I've seen, he's this polite with everyone.
Bending down, Naoto grabbed two bags of the noodles, dropping them into her basket as she tried to push back the dark flush that was fighting to remain on her face, taking in a deep breath as she slowly began to calm down.
"I've lived in Inaba long enough to adjust to it... It's hardly different then how I lived before, city or not." Naoto spoke in a tone that clearly noted she didn't wish to speak on the subject any longer, her attention falling back to one of Souji's previous statements.
"I--Yasogami High? I..." The sleuth froze, eyes widening as a sudden urge so smack herself upside the head crashed into her like a wave. Senpai... I called him 'Senpai'. Naoto, you're a fool. That was a careless slip. "...Yes. I plan to attend once the year starts again. I will be joining as a first year. If I recall correctly, you're in your second year? It seems... we will be fellow schoolmates soon." Why... is he acting so friendly with me? Does he even know my name? 'That's what friends are for'... Why is he speaking as if we're...
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Souji Seta
Junior Detective
The Wild Card
Posts: 65
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Post by Souji Seta on Mar 3, 2009 1:10:23 GMT -5
"I apologize," said Souji respectfully as he noted Naoto's shortness in tone. "I didn't mean to offend you. I should have remembered that you've been living in Inaba since June, so it's my own fault for not considering that fact in my deductions." Wait, "deductions"? Since when did I start sounding like Uncle?
Souji's smile returned to his face as Naoto seemed to find herself caught by her own words. I guess he was careless in openly calling me Senpai. "I see. In that case, I hope we'll be seeing each other at school more often, though I'm surprised you're my underclassman. You seem intelligent enough to be enrolled in college already, from what I've gathered." I hope he picks up on the complement. He doesn't seem like the kind of person who wishes to be considered immature.
He glanced back down at the list in his hand, remembering that Naoto still required herbs. "Let's see... Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, and Allspice... Hm." That's not a pasta-based combination. That sounds more like... "Are these ingredients for a single dish? I've never heard of these particular noodles being used with this particular combination of spices. In fact..." His brow creased as he pondered, and he decided to act on his theory. "Did your estate secretary have any items out on the counter when he gave you the list? Maybe... a jar of canned pumpkin?"
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Post by Naoto Shirogane on Mar 3, 2009 15:14:06 GMT -5
Did... he say 'deductions'? Naoto felt her annoyance slowly drain away, replaced by curiosity as she stared at the older student in front of her, tilting her head to the side faintly. Did he say that because he was speaking with me...? But the word came out almost naturally, it didn't appear as if he were forcing himself to change his normal use of language...
"I beg your pardon?" The sleuth snapped away from her thoughts, shaking her head slowly. "A... can of pumpkin?" There were several things on the counter, but I didn't have time to explain them...
"I'm... not sure," she admitted, looking faintly embarrassed. I should have paid more attention to my surroundings... "There were several cans on the counter when he spoke to me, but I didn't stop to explain any of them. I'm not--Rather, he asked me as soon as I'd walked into the kitchen and I left to complete the favor before I'd had time to fully enter the room. As it is... he only mentioned wanting to make something 'American' and handed me this list."
A small frown fell on the detectives face as she shifted closer to Souji, her attention drawn to the list, not realizing how close it was that she'd moved.
"However... Given that 'noodles' are within the list of items and several of the other ingredients... I can't think of anything that he could make that would be considered 'American'. To my knowledge, there aren't any American dishes that require noodles of this kind but..." When it comes to the kitchen... my knowledge is hardly better then that of a child's.
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Souji Seta
Junior Detective
The Wild Card
Posts: 65
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Post by Souji Seta on Mar 3, 2009 16:29:50 GMT -5
"Something American, huh?" Souji smiled visibly as he folded up the list and handed it back to Naoto. "The only American recipe I know of that uses this sort of spice combination is pumpkin pie, though it's usually served during the fall... It's a little early in the year to make something like that, but I'm sure he has his reasons. And you're right about the noodles not being used for any known American dishes. It's probably for a side-dish, or the base for a more traditional dinner."
Souji started back down the aisle and waved for Naoto to follow him. "Come on, I know exactly where to find these." Turning at the end of the aisle, he strode easily past five other shelves and entered what was obviously the baking aisle. Almost half a shelf was devoted entirely to herbs, spices, cake mixes, ready-made pie crusts, disposable pans, and other assorted items.
Souji arrived at the large spice rack and browsed the labels, smiling to himself as he glanced behind him to make sure Naoto was able to keep up with him. Alphabetical order. Thank goodness for Junes being able to keep things organized.
Reaching up, Souji grabbed four small containers of the spices written on the list and placed them all inside the detective's basket. "There, that should do it." His brow furrowed as a thought struck him. "You know... if your secretary is really making pumpkin pie, you may want to suggest to him that he use ginger instead of allspice. And you don't really need nutmeg, either," he added, recalling a recipe he used quite often. "A teaspoon of cinnamon, half a teaspoon of ginger, and a quarter teaspoon of cloves should work just fine." He blinked at Naoto for a moment as he realized what he was saying. "I apologize if that seemed random. I cook on occasion, so I have some knowledge of recipes."
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Post by Naoto Shirogane on Mar 3, 2009 21:41:57 GMT -5
"Um... Thank you." Naoto muttered awkwardly, glancing at the spices in her basket. "Your... assistance is much appreciated." I... don't understand a word of what he just said. I'm... useless in kitchen. At least I was able to memorize what it was he said.
"I'll be sure to tell him of that. I thank you again for your kind assistance." The sleuth shifted her weight from one foot to the other, looking somewhat uneasy. "Would--That is, might I request your assistance in something else?" Picking up... the ingredients wouldn't hurt. Grandpa... always used to make them when I asked.
"You seem... to have a great deal of knowledge when it comes to cooking. Would you... happen to know anything of making dishes such as sushi?" It's not a common art in this region but... "My... Grandpa and myself enjoy making it together from time to time." He cooks... I just hand him what he asks for. "And... Given that you suggested a change in ingredients with this... Would you have any suggestions for something such as... California Rolls?" ...Remain in business, Naoto. Don't allow yourself to slip again.
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Souji Seta
Junior Detective
The Wild Card
Posts: 65
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Post by Souji Seta on Mar 10, 2009 11:46:54 GMT -5
"California Roll?" Souji pondered the request momentarily, smiling gently as he remembered the different ways he made that particular brand of sushi. "Well... There's the traditional style, obviously. But there is an American variant that you might appreciate, if you enjoy that kind of sushi. It's made uramaki style instead of futomaki, and the outside is covered in either toasted sesame seeds or tobiko. You can also replace the toro in the middle with avocado, if you want something different."
Souji looked down as he pondered another variant. "There's also something called Rainbow Roll where you wrap an uncut, ungarnished California Roll with slices of sashimi. I like to use nigiri, myself, but you can also use tuna, red snapper, and additional avocado slices. You can also add wasabi, if you want, but it isn't really necessary."
Souji flushed slightly as he realized how quickly he spoke. "Err.. Would you like me to write down the recipes for you? I'm sorry if I went to fast, but I tend to enjoy cooking when I get the chance."
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Post by Naoto Shirogane on Mar 10, 2009 16:21:35 GMT -5
"Wh..." Naoto's mouth dropped as she struggled to speak, her mind in a fog as she attempted to wrap her thoughts around everything Souji had just said. It... all sounds so good. D-darn it... I'm letting my guard down. Yet... he seems to know a great deal.
"You... seem to have quite a large knowledge in the culinary department. It's... very impressive. What... of those, what would you recommend? My Grampa is a fairly skilled cook, but in his older age I don't want to push him too far. He already does quite a bit for me as it is. Yakushiji-san could likely handle most anything... however... For a simply snack, or a 'quick fix', which would you recommend?" We should have sushi rice at the estate but...
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Souji Seta
Junior Detective
The Wild Card
Posts: 65
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Post by Souji Seta on Mar 11, 2009 8:57:41 GMT -5
"For a quick fix," said Souji after a moment, "you would probably be better off with the traditional Roll. The only things you'd need would be sushi rice, nori, avocado, and crab meat for the most basic of rolls, and then you just slice it up into about fifteen pieces."
Souji couldn't hold back a slight smile as he gazed at the normally quiet and business-like detective, his silver eyes focused on the shining awe that seemed to permeate the silver-blue orbs. I don't think he's had the opportunity for this kind of small talk for a long time. It reminds me of some of the times I transferred... I never really felt like small-talk was important, either. Not until I learned how to cook, now that I think about it.
"Are you sure you don't want me to write the recipes down for you?" asked Souji again, his smile widening a little. "You won't have to memorize them that way, and you'll be able to keep a copy of the simpler one for that quick fix."
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Post by Naoto Shirogane on Mar 11, 2009 10:41:03 GMT -5
"I--There isn't any need for that." Business, Naoto... Business. It's unlikely he'll ever talk to you like again. Don't allow yourself to get used to it. ...He only talked to you because it was his job in the first place. Shifting her basket from one hand to the other, Naoto extended the notebook, a fresh page turned, out to the silverette, the pen hooked under her pinky.
"I'd rather not be of any trouble to you, Senpai. If you insist on doing this, I cannot stop you. Should I be of any assistance once we are classmates, I'd be pleased to help." He won't talk to you. You're just his means of making money right now. It doesn't matter. He'll leave you behind and forget you the moment you walk away from him. ...Tch... stupid. I... don't need anyone, anyway.
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