constellationprize | [imeeji] INBOX

Okay.

[ there's a brief moment or so where she pauses a bit stiffly, thoughtful - given it's their anniversary they're talking about, given it's moving past everything that she's thinking about, she wants to kiss him, but even like this that final step of leaning in so close to his face, still his, she knows, settles on her oddly, in a way she can't really wrap her mind around.

so she just gives him a smile and starts to walk out the door. ]

[ . . . smiles too, expression steady - unsurprised - and he doesn't move away from his spot ]

I'll see you soon.

Edited 2020-01-03 09:14 (UTC)

Mm... You too.

[ and she's off.

... it occurs to her as she's leaving that if she makes something there's a chance they might run into each other in the communal kitchen, so she heads to the grocery store as soon as she's gone home to get some shoes and a coat; then it's back to the dorms to cook instead.

so a few hours later he gets a text

☆radia: I think I'm done!
☆radia: Are you ready? ]

higanbana: I'll be ready in about 15 minutes
higanbana: Where should I meet you?

☆radia: I can come back to your dorm if you want.
☆radia: I didn't really think of where we could go when I gave you your present, but it's more comfortable for you if no one else can see it, isn't it?
☆radia: But if you want to, then we can go somewhere else.

Edited 2020-01-03 09:24 (UTC)

higanbana: Anywhere is fine with you.

☆radia: Maybe it'd be better if I gave you your present in your dorm?
☆radia: If you want to go out after that, then we can, can't we?

higanbana: Is it particularly heavy?

☆radia: It isn't heavy!
☆radia: But it's food, so it's better if we do it there, right?

[ , ]

higanbana: It does sound better here.
higanbana: Then, I'll leave the door open for you.

☆radia: Are you ready? I can wait if you want me to!

higanbana: I'll be ready if you take the stairs ☆

☆radia: Okay. I'll see you then.

[ so a few minutes later, in whatever time it takes to get down the stairs, she's back - she's got actual shoes on now and a change of clothes judging by the bag at her shoulder, but the most novel thing is probably the

? container ? tucked beneath her arm. it's not really clear what's inside at first glance. ]

[ wearing one of the dresses by this point, long hair tucked back in a braided bun. he has since cleaned up his room a little bit, the clothes tucked underneath his bed and the folding table properly out with a couple of plates and bowls and utensils and napkins stacked to the side, since, well,

gift food . . . ]

You can set it here.

[ pat pat table pat ]

Oh, um - you look really nice . . .

[ the tiniest bit of color to her face. she's just wearing her pajamas still, if tidied up a bit in their time apart, hair brushed, color markedly better from his nursing,

and she sets it down, removing the top. ]

It's sweet, so maybe it would be good if we ate something else too...? But I was trying to think of something that'd make you happy to eat it, and I remembered reading about this . . .

- oh!

[ meanwhile a little surprised, peering at the dish ]

. . . My . . . I see, so it should be something eaten tomorrow. . .

- Oh -

[ panicked, just a little ]

Um - should we have waited after all...? I can go put it in the icebox...!

No no, it's alright - well, it would be good to eat this with other things, too. Actually this is a good opportunity - Dia-sama, do you remember what sort of dish this is?

It's mashed sweet potatoes with candied chestnuts, isn't it...? That was why I made it, but...

[ a tiny bit embarrassed... ]

Right. When is it eaten, typically?

... I think it said New Years...

Right.

Actually, this is one part of a complicated dish called Osechi Ryori. Are you familiar with it?

[ shakes her head ]

[ moving his hands to gesture as he speaks, ]

They're essentially celebratory bento boxes, with multiple tiers of dishes to celebrate the new year. One set is enough for one family, packed to the brim with unique dishes - each with their own meaning - and it isn't uncommon for a set to have sixteen dishes in it.

[ with a gesture to the candied potatoes and chestnuts ]

Kurikinton brings wealth and good financial fortune, for example, because the potatoes and chestnuts are golden in color.

... Then I only made 1/16th of it...?

[ glancing sidelong at the table, at the kurikinton ]

... I made it for you, but I could try and make more tonight, if you wanted to share it with your unit...?

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