Text

Road Along the Shore

MahoroOh, Houka-chan?

HoukaOh my, Mahoro-san. What a coincidence. Are you out for a walk?

MahoroYeah. The weather is so nice, I thought I would get out for a change of pace. What about you, Houka-chan?

HoukaI heard there is a well-regarded burger place nearby. I thought I might pay it a visit.

MahoroOh, I did not know that. It is not a chain, right?

HoukaNo. I hear they are very particular about every detail.

HoukaThey use only fresh vegetables from contracted farms. And their patties are 100% beef, with no fillers at all.

HoukaTheir buns are baked to order, so I hear the wait is more than twenty minutes.

MahoroY-You really know your stuff...!

HoukaHehe. I merely read what was written on their website.

MahoroI see... Do places like that usually need reservations too?

HoukaThat is the thing... Apparently, they do not take reservations at all.

MahoroWhat? So you have to line up no matter what!?

HoukaYes. But that only means it is good enough to make people feel it is worth the wait... It certainly raises one's expectations.

MahoroO-Oh...

HoukaDoes that not appeal to you very much, Mahoro-san?

MahoroHmm... I get that it sounds impressive, but I do not think it has really clicked for me...

MahoroI have only had burgers from chains, but I still think they are plenty delicious.

HoukaOh, what a shame. It is good to know the real thing, you know?

MahoroThe real thing...?

HoukaYes. Affordable chain restaurants have their merits as well, but if that is all one knows, one's senses may grow dull.

HoukaExperiencing something of the highest quality lets one realize anew that one is ordinary, and that there are greater heights in the world.

MahoroUm... So you are not just going because you want to eat something delicious...?

HoukaHehe. Of course I am interested in delicious food.

HoukaBut it is not only that. What matters to me is the shape of the world that food reveals, and understanding where I stand within it♪

MahoroThat is... a pretty complicated way of putting it...

HoukaThat said, this is only my own way of thinking. I think chain restaurants are lovely too.

MahoroThe shape of the world... Where I stand...

HoukaWell then, if you will excuse me.

MahoroAh, wait! Houka-chan!

MahoroUm... Could I come with you to that place?

HoukaOh my... I thought it had not quite caught your interest?

MahoroAhaha, that is true. But after hearing you talk about it, Houka-chan, I have started getting curious.

MahoroI am getting hungry too... And I kind of want to find out what you mean by "the real thing," Houka-chan.

HoukaMy...

MahoroSorry for asking so suddenly. Is that not okay?

HoukaNo, not at all~ It is not often that Mahoro-san and I get to have lunch together.

MahoroOh! What a relief~

HoukaHehe. I have a feeling today is going to be quite delightful♪