We stepped onto the pristine clean floors of the Isetan Shinjuku Store with the time currently being 6 p.m., taking a moment to observe my surroundings. The brightly lit store was bustling with activity as shoppers hurriedly went about their business, weaving in and out of the narrow aisles. The aisles were packed with an impressive variety of products, ranging from fresh produce and meats to exotic snacks and sweets.
"There's still so many people." I mumbled in amazement.
"When was the last time you went out for groceries?" Akibara-san asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well... Five years ago, when I was still living with my parents?"
"How did you survive through college?"
"I usually ate out at a convenience store or just asked Katsuo to buy me some ingredients to cook for both of us."
As Akibara-san picked out a basket for us, the first thing that caught my attention was the vibrant colors of the fresh fruits and vegetables on display. The air was heavy with the sweet scent of ripening bananas and juicy watermelons.
"Hey, Akibara-san. What's your favorite fruit?"
"Hmm... My favorite fruit?" At first, she looked taken back from the sudden question but soon began to think long and hard while staring at the selection in front of us.
"Well, I'd say my favorite fruit is a mystery. Just like the cases you solve, detective" She snickered and playfully tapped my chest with her fingers before teasingly picking up an apple.
"I wonder~"
"It's the strawberries, ain't it." I deadpanned at her, and I immediately noticed her shoulders drop a little.
"What gave it away?"
"When I asked you the question, you immediately glanced at them before playing it cool" She could pout all she wanted but it wasn't gonna change the fact she was like an open book at times.
I then picked up a small plastic case filled with the fresh strawberries that she eyes earlier and placed it inside the basket she carried before moving on.
"Let's get some chocolate to dip the strawberries in. They'll become much sweeter that way."
Her eyes immediately brightened up from my words and were adorned by the bright pink hue that spread across her cheeks. She nodded enthusiastically and began humming a song that I was unfamiliar with, yet it felt relaxing just listening to her.
"So Raku-kun, how have you been this past year?" she asked while stepping on her tiptoes to reach out for one of the luxurious brands of chocolate.
"It's been good by my standards, I guess?" I answered in a reluctant tone and handed her the chocolate bars she was trying to grab.
"And what are those standards?"
"Well, I spent the year honing my skills in the art of staring menacingly at people through tinted windows. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it."
"Oh?"
"On top of that, I've been busy solving some pretty tough cases. You know, like the mystery of why my social life disappeared and the enigma of how to make studying exciting."
"You must have had your hands full then." She giggled. "What's your progress on the case, Mr. Detective?"
For a moment, I felt like I was frozen in time, unable to move or speak. I had suddenly grown conscious of the fact that she was asking me questions like this because she was looking for reasons to date me. I have to say something clever or charming, but my mind was blank.
"Well, I've had a breakthrough on the first problem, but I still don't know how to make studying exciting, so if you have an answer for that too, then I could use some help."
"Alright, I'll make sure to call you when I get an idea."
As we continued to walk around, we arrived at the fish section of the store and was equally impressive as the fruit section, with rows of fresh seafood laid out on ice, including large tuna and squid. It was evident that the store takes great pride in offering its customers only the freshest ingredients.
"Hey, should we buy some fish? We can use it to make some sushi tomorrow?"
"Hmm, you can get a few slices of salmon. I'm actually more of a sea urchin person myself."
"Why? Is it because they're prickly like you are?"
"No, because they taste good."
I inwardly groaned as Akibara-san had a smug look plastered on her face even while she was instructing the clerk on what slices of fish she wanted.
After thanking the man and accepting the small plastic bag that contained our protein, we continued on our way to look for things we should eat.
As I walked around, my eyes were drawn to the shelves upon shelves of different sauces, spices, and condiments. Soy sauce, mirin, wasabi, and pickled vegetables were just a few of the many items that lined the shelves.
"Do you want something spicy or savory?" I asked while reaching out for some of the spices I could use. "We can just get some meat on our walk back, so let's get the other ingredients first."
"Hmm, I'm actually feeling for some Tonkatsu for tonight if you don't mind."
Ah, Tonkatsu, a true delicacy in Japanese cuisine! This dish is a beautiful harmony of textures and flavors that will take your taste buds on a journey. The star of this dish is the pork cutlet, which is coated in a crispy, golden breadcrumb crust and deep-fried to perfection. The result is a crunchy outer layer that gives way to a juicy and tender interior, bursting with savory umami flavors.
I wasted no time and began to gather the key ingredients I needed to make the amazing dish.
First off was the sauce. The sauce is a beautiful blend of sweet and savory flavors, with a rich and tangy profile that perfectly complements the juicy and crispy Tonkatsu. It was typically made from a combination of ingredients such as Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, mirin, dashi powder, and sugar. The specific combination of ingredients can vary depending on the taste of the person cooking, but the end result is always a mouthwatering sauce that enhances the flavors of the dish.
"You look like you really know your stuff when it comes to cooking Raku-kun."
"Of course, cooking is one of the few hobbies I enjoy apart from reading after all."
Next up on the list was the batter; a simple combination of flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs. These three ingredients are the foundation of the crispy coating on the pork cutlet. Panko breadcrumbs are a Japanese style of breadcrumbs that are light and airy, creating a super crispy texture when fried.
"Apart from Sena-chan, do you have any other siblings?"
"Nope, it's just me and her. How about you?"
"I'm an only child. My mom died when I was there years old, so she and dad couldn't make another one."
"Sorry for bringing it up,"
"Don't worry, I know you didn't know, so I had to tell you."
And last but not the least; the snack section.
....
I could feel the enthusiasm I had about cooking pork. Tonkatsu suddenly left my body as Akibara-san expertly led me to the snack section on our way to get the most important ingredient of all.
Apart from being tricked into coming here, the snack aisle was a true delight, with an endless array of unusual treats that I'd never seen before. I spotted everything from crispy rice crackers to sweet mochi balls filled with red bean paste.
We got one of everything that we wanted to eat and finally resumed my quest of finally getting the most important ingredient of all.
"Excuse me, could you recommend a specific cut of pork for making Tonkatsu?"
I asked the butcher that was in charge of the meat section of the store. The meat section was as impressive, if not more, when compared to the fish and fruit sections. There were beautiful cuts and slabs of meat that were all lined up beautifully to showcase their marbling in hopes of attracting customers.
"Oh Absolutely Sir! We usually recommend a pork loin for Tonkatsu, as it's a tender cut with a good amount of fat marbling that adds to the flavor and texture of the dish. Would you like me to recommend a specific cut, or do you have a preference?""
"I'm looking for a cut that's well-marbled and has a good balance of lean and fat. What would you recommend for that?"
"Ah, I see. In that case, I would recommend this pork loin here. It has just the right amount of fat, and the meat is tender and juicy. It's perfect for Tonkatsu. Would you like me to cut it into slices for you?"
I slowly nodded my head as I probed the meat with my index finger. The meat was indeed tender, like he had said, and the marbling was the perfect amount for a Tonkatsu. I glanced back at Akibara-san, who was staring at me in an awestruck manner even after I paid the kind man for the loin.
"What?" I asked in a slightly embarrassed tone as I wasn't accustomed to anybody staring at me, let alone her.
"I just feel like I witnessed something really amazing but also really shady." She mumbled absentmindedly as we walked towards the counter of the supermarket and paid for our things.
Now, there was only one thing left for me to do, and that was to cook.
Hopefully, it turns out alright.