← Previous Chapter | Chapter Index | Next Chapter →

The Time I Tried Going to the Butcher Shop

Translated by: ME

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

The weather in the Fresh Food Kingdom is as lovely as ever today.

Accompanied by Franz, I’ve made my way to the 1st Block of the Royal Capital Shopping District. The 3rd Block, where the greengrocer is located, was a straight road about a hundred meters long. This 1st Block is also a straight road of roughly the same length. Various shops line both sides of the street, with banners, signs, and wagons spilling out into the road.

...If I were to put this in meta-gaming terms, it’s a 「recycled background asset.」 Well, I get it. The game was made by a single person. Reducing the workload is important!

...I haven’t been there yet, but at this rate, the 2nd Block probably uses the same background too...

However! This 1st Block has one part that’s different from the 3rd Block! The text on the arcade sign that says 'Royal Capital Shopping District, 1st Block' is in Square Gothic! ...Free fonts really are a godsend, aren't they? If they’re at least changing the fonts, I wonder what the 2nd Block is written in... Maybe Rounded Pop? That’s a good one.

Despite the recycled background, the shops lining the 1st Block are actually different from the 3rd. In the spot where the taiyaki stand was in the 3rd Block, there’s now a takoyaki stand. Naturally, I ordered some and ate while I walked. Ahhh~ the bonito flakes are dancing in the wind! Wait! Don't fly away!

「Oh, is that the butcher shop?」

I spotted a store showing a fair amount of activity. Franz nodded at my question.

「Yeah. That’s the Fahrenheit Butcher Shop.」

...The greengrocer was Celsius. The butcher is Fahrenheit. I wonder what the fishmonger will be... The common theme between the greengrocer and butcher's surnames is 'Temperature.' Mr. Celsius was the namesake for what we know as 'Celsius (°C).' It’s the temperature scale familiar to Japanese people, where the freezing point of water is zero and the boiling point is one hundred.

Mr. Fahrenheit is 'Fahrenheit (°F).' With a freezing point of 32 degrees and a boiling point of 212 degrees, it couldn't be more confusing for a Japanese person. It’s one of those things Japanese people think about Americans: 「Why don't you guys use metric units like everyone else?」

As a side note, the most hated of those 「Why don't you guys...」 things is, without a doubt, the Imperial system. I’m sure many of you have had the frustrating experience of thinking a screw was metric only to find out it was an inch screw... and felt that surge of irritation.

The Fahrenheit Butcher Shop... could they not have done something about that name...? I guess not. Oh well. The butcher shop managed by the heroine was coming into view right over there.

At the top of the shop's entrance was a red arcade awning. It featured white text on a vivid red background that read 'Fahrenheit Butcher Shop.' That part was fine. The problem wasn't there. It was the fact that to the left and right of 'Fahrenheit Butcher Shop,' the word 'Delicious' was written vertically in yellow letters.

Is this a Ramen Shop chain!? No matter how you look at it, this is a Ramen Shop!! I might accidentally try to order green onion ramen! The shopping district has suddenly taken on the atmosphere of a major national highway!!

This time, too, we conveniently took up positions at a café in front of the Ramen Sho—I mean, the butcher shop. And once again, it conveniently happened to have an open terrace. Long live recycled backgrounds. This time, it’s a Japanese-style café. Or rather, what exactly does 'Japanese-style' even mean in the Sei-Sene Kingdom?

「Milady, wouldn't this 'Eight Set' be good?」

I looked where Franz was pointing on the menu. It was a set consisting of two mitarashi dango on a skewer and some hojicha. The menu item itself wasn't bad. But I didn't like the name.

This was likely a set themed after 'Eight,' the lovable but blunder-prone troublemaker who appears in the popular entertainment novel Mito Ko-won. To put it clearly, he’s that clumsy guy who accompanies a certain retired Vice-Shogun from Mito on his journey to reform the world.

Incidentally, Mito Ko-won is a story about Grand Duke Ko-won, the older brother of the previous King, who travels the various countries with his retainers. It recently celebrated passing its 100th volume, and bookstores were holding '100th Volume Anniversary Fairs.' The plot always involves the Duke and his party solving troubles they encounter on their journey, always ending in a happy conclusion. The stories invariably feature a fanservice scene with a female ninja named Silva and a big climactic fight involving everyone. Then, at the right moment, the Duke reveals his hidden identity and punishes the wicked. The line spoken by the ninja serving the Duke at that moment— 「Silence! Who do you think stands before you!? Before you is none other than Grand Duke Mito Ko-won, the elder brother of the previous King!」 —is incredibly famous.

...If I nitpick, I lose. I must not lose... In life, there are joys and there are sorrows. I suppressed the urge to nitpick and decided to focus on our order.

Franz and I put our heads together and looked over the menu. 'Japanese-style' in this country was identical to 'Japanese-style' in Japan. ...What even is 'Japanese-style' at this point...?

The couple’s discount at the previous café was a pretty good deal, but this shop didn't seem to have any sets like that. A pity. After much agonizing, I ordered a sesame dango and hojicha set, while Franz ordered the Uji-Kintoki shiratama shaved ice and hojicha. ...Why is the servant ordering the more expensive item? That shaved ice is 1,200 yen.

It’s Uji-Kintoki. Not Uji. There’s no Kyoto in this country. When I hear 'Uji,' my brain translates it to 'UZI,' but it’s nothing so dangerous. Uji is a famous tea-producing region known for its rich-flavored tea. Those leaves are finely ground with a stone mill... no, I won't say any more. I’ve basically said it all. Essentially, it’s Uji-Kintoki. The azuki beans on top are a famous brand called 'Dyna-Gone.' Not 'Dai-Nagon.' It’s 'Dyna-Gone.' The division is different, so the intonation is slightly off. It feels so weird.

If I nitpick, I lose, but this world is a formidable opponent...

***

Franz and I enjoyed our tea at a leisurely pace. That’s because nothing particular was happening at the butcher shop.

「Hey, Franz, give me a bite of that.」

「No way.」

An immediate refusal!

「Just a biiiiite!! I’ll give you a dango!」

「I’m not really a fan of sesame dango.」

「Just one bite won't hurt!」

「If you keep doing the 'give me a bite' thing, people will hate you.」

Even as he spoke, Franz kept on eating. Well, he did order it, so there's nothing wrong with him eating it. I know the 'give me a bite' person is hated. But so what! It’s not like I do this with anyone but Franz! It’s not like I’m doing this to just anybody!

Wait, Franz is eating with single-minded focus, as if he sensed that if our eyes met, I’d ask for a bite... Do you really like Uji-Kintoki that much? I mean, it’s delicious. I think it’s the No. 1 among shaved ice. Incidentally, No. 2 is Calpis, which stays delicious even after it melts. In fact, when it’s half-melted is when it really gets good.

Franz, who had been devouring the shaved ice, suddenly stopped. I mean, don't eat it so fast. Don't you get a brain freeze? Are you okay?

「Franz? Something wrong?」

Did you decide you want a dango after all? I’ll agree to a one-for-one trade.

「Milady...」

Wait, what? Why such a serious face...?

Franz stared at me so intently that I couldn't help but stare back. W-what is it...? (Thump-thump)

As I watched, Franz reached out a hand toward me. Eeh!? What!? What are you doing!? It’s a small table for two. If Franz reaches out, he can easily reach me. Franz’s hand moved toward my chin, and he lightly tilted my head up.

T-this... this is...!! That thing familiar from shojo manga and romance novels called a 'Chin Flick'...!!

W-w-w-what are you doing!? What’s gotten into you, Franz!?

My thumb—rather, Franz’s thumb gently brushed against my chin as I was inwardly reeling. Whaaaaa!! What!? What is thiiiiiis!?

「Ah, got it.」

Huh!?

Franz muttered in his usual tone and quickly pulled his hand away. Then, he held out the thumb that had brushed my chin toward me.

「Milady, you had some green seaweed on your chin. I mean, how do you even eat to get green seaweed on your chin?」

Green... seaweed... On the tip of the finger Franz was holding out, there was indeed a single flake of green seaweed stuck there.

H-how embarraaaaassing!!

This is bad. My face is probably bright red right now! Green seaweed on the chin is a level of embarrassment I haven’t felt in years!

I reflexively covered my chin with my hand, and Franz let out a small 「Kuku...」 laugh. Damn it! Don't laugh!

「I’m going! To the restroom!!」

As I stood up, Franz waved a hand at me with a smirk.

「Go ahead. Have a nice trip.」

Uuugh... that composure of his is so infuriating!!

***

I did a tooth-check in the restroom mirror to make sure there wasn't any more green seaweed. I didn't find any more seaweed, but I did find a fragment of bonito flake in my thick braided pigtails, which made me go orz.

Bonito flakes in my hair! I can't even laugh at the 'sweet potato snack in the hair' trope anymore! Oh, but if I leave the bonito flake there, maybe some unknown handsome guy will say, 「You have a bonito flake in your hair,」 and gallantly take it out for me ♡

...No, I can only see a future where Franz points it out while laughing. That’s no good.

Sigh... I don't even want to go back to the table anymore... I just want to stay here in the restroom... Actually, the restroom in this place is super clean and has lots of cute little decorations, so it’s surprisingly comfortable...

But if I stay cooped up in the restroom, I’ll be a nuisance to the other customers. There were other people in the shop besides us. I checked my teeth and mouth area one more time in the mirror, and made sure there weren't any other bonito flakes in my hair.

Fine... I’ll go back...

***

Returning slowly to my seat from the awkwardness of having the green seaweed pointed out, Franz pointed to the butcher shop across the way.

「Something’s starting.」

Oh! It’s starting, is it!

I looked and saw a young man and a girl talking in front of the shop. The girl is definitely Flora-chan (the butcher). Her face is so identical to Flora-chan (the greengrocer) that you’d think they were twins. Or rather, they’re the same. Her hair and eye color are different from the greengrocer Flora-chan. Well, if it’s just those two things, you can change them with just a color adjustment... Reducing the workload is important...

The greengrocer Flora-chan had light brown hair and green eyes. This Flora-chan has dark brown hair and blue eyes. Other than those two points, there is no difference between them. Well, they say there are three people in the world who look like you! The third one is probably right nearby!

The young man talking to Flora-chan was wearing the uniform of a city patrol knight. A knight... so that must be the love interest, Taurus... His hairstyle is different from the CG art...

In the game, he was the so-called 'muscle-brain' character. ...But since the other love interests are... like that, his 'stupidity'—which is usually the selling point of a 'muscle-brain'—doesn't really stand out. In fact, his 'freshness,' which the others lack, is what stands out. Plus, he’s physically capable, so he’s even reliable. Muscle-brain characters in other games would be in tears. I don't know of any other otome game where the 'muscle-brain is the most normal one.'

And I don't know of any other game that 'really wants to hide the hidden character' this much, either.

「Franz, do you know who that man is?」

「I’m not sure, but isn't he the Knight Commander’s son or something? I’ve seen him a few times.」

I knew it...

In the game, he had long hair. He had bangs, and the rest was tied back neatly. But the Taurus-kun (presumably) standing there now had very fresh short hair. The sides and back were buzzed, so there was none of that 「Isn't that hair in your way?」 phenomenon you often see in games and manga.

The fresh young knight was talking to Flora-chan with a smile. Let’s listen in! Hearing, full power!! The Lady’s ears are like a radar!

「So, I’m saying I’ll do the part-time job.」

Oh? A part-time job?

Come to think of it, near the entrance of the Fahrenheit Butcher Shop, there’s a flyer that says 'Part-time / Hourly Workers Wanted!!' I see. The butcher shop’s Store Rank has gone up too, even if it’s behind the greengrocer. Good for them.

「U-chan, you can't do a part-time job. Knights are forbidden from having second jobs.」

U-chan. Is it not Taurus-kun? Well, I guess if it were 'Ta-chan,' he’d sound like one half of a pair of twins... This country doesn't have a Koshien, anyway.

Knights are civil servants in this country. It’s not that second jobs are completely forbidden, but an application is required and it has to be reviewed. Naturally, if an unauthorized second job is discovered, it’s grounds for disciplinary action.

「That’s why I’m saying I don't need money. It’s just helping out. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with helping out a friend’s family business, right?」

「There might be nothing wrong with it, but it makes me feel a bit bad. What do you mean, working for free...?」

「I mean, I can't do it every day. It’d feel weird to take money for just helping out when I have some free time, right?」

「I don't need such an inefficient part-timer! I’ll just find someone who can work full-time four days a week, so it’s fine!」

I see. What is this? It feels like the fresh bickering of childhood friends, with even a hint of bittersweetness... Even as they bickered, the expressions on their faces were soft.

「Ho! A butcher shop in a place like this!」

That needlessly boisterous, echoing, and far-too-good voice!!

「...Is that man really that bored...?」

Franz, I know how you feel, but that’s lèse-majesté.

Today, as always, the King’s brother—who shows not even a microscopic intent to be discreet or hidden—had discovered the butcher shop and was laughing happily about something.

*****

Some of the joke that may or may not need to be explained.....

In the previous chapter, she complained about "Round Gothic." Here, the 1st Block uses "Square Gothic" (a very standard, blocky digital font). She predicts the 2nd Block will use "Round Pop" (Maru Pop), which is the stereotypical "bubbly" font used for sales and handwritten-style advertisements in Japan.

Fahrenheit Butcher Shop has a bright red awning with yellow text on the sides that says "Umai" (Delicious). This is a 1:1 visual parody of "Ramen Shop" (known as Ra-Sho), a famous roadside ramen chain in Japan.

The country’s favorite book is Mito Ko-won, a parody of Mito Komon, one of Japan’s most famous long-running historical TV dramas. The "Eight" Set snack was named after the character "Hachibei" (the bumbling, food-loving sidekick).

Antoine finds a bonito flake in her hair and laments that she can no longer laugh at the "Sweet Potato Snack (Imo Kenpi)" meme. This is a famous Japanese internet meme mocking overly cliché or nonsensical shojo manga romance scenes.

Antoine assumes the developer couldn't use "Ta-chan" (a common nickname for Taurus) because it sounded too much like "Tatchan" from the famous baseball manga Touch, and the world doesn't have a Koshien (stadium).

Probably missed some joke....

Thank you for reading. If you want to help my hobby please download and install LDP9 with my link down below. Just Click the small yellow LDPlayer Banner.