"The Blue Sky Beyond the Dream" (Author: Kui)
blue
Ao, this is Okinawa's Kokusai-dori.
This is amazing! My original impression of Okinawa was just the sea, but I didn't expect it to be so much more urbanized than Torishiro Island!
Cang
There are so many gift shops and so many people... Ah! That's an Okinawan restaurant! They have Okinawan food there too!
Cang
blue
Well, because it’s Okinawa.
Ah! It's a Shisa dog! It looks like a Komainu, but it's even more handsome! It has a warding effect, right?
Cang
blue
That's right. They were originally installed to protect the village, but after the Meiji era, they began to be placed on the roofs of houses.
Hey, I see. I didn't know that either.
Cang
blue
In order not to lose to Cang, I did all kinds of homework.
I see. Lan is chasing me.
Cang
Come on! That thing growing by the road! Is that a coconut tree? It feels so open-minded to be able to experience the tropical atmosphere even though we're in Japan!
Cang
blue
Well, this street will implement the so-called "pedestrian paradise" every Sunday from 12 noon to 18 o'clock, prohibiting general vehicles from passing, and hosting activities such as open-air cafes and street performances.
Huh? What's wrong with you? Who are you explaining this to?
Cang
Of course it’s Xiang Cang.
Is that so? I feel like you're reading a brochure... Huh? But why did we come to Okinawa?
Cang
blue
It was Dad who brought us to study butterflies.
Uh... oh, right. We're here to observe Japan's largest butterfly.
Cang
blue
Cang, you are so excited.
I can't help it. I've heard about it before, but it's impossible not to be excited about coming to Okinawa.
Cang
blue
Well, actually I'm excited too.
The largest butterfly in Japan, the Great Hempseed Butterfly, is designated as the prefectural butterfly of Okinawa.
Cang
blue
That's right. A butterfly with a wingspan of 13 centimeters. Its white wings are adorned with black radial lines and spots, and its flight is truly graceful.
Can you find it...? Well, finding butterflies is my specialty.
Cang
blue
Do we have to compete to see who finds it first, like we did when we were kids?
Um~no.
Cang
blue
Huh?
Let’s search and discover together.
Cang
blue
Cang...
There's no competition between sisters.
Cang
blue
Um.
Well, before that, let's fill our stomachs. Since we're in Okinawa, we absolutely have to try the local delicacies.
Cang
blue
Cang, leave it to me. I've done some research beforehand. First, let's have the pork rib noodles.
I know! It's the noodles with meat on them, right? But spare ribs are... what?
Cang
blue
Pork ribs refer to the pork ribs with bones. They are usually made with pork rib noodles that are carefully stewed with sweet and savory flavors until tender.
Ah, Lan really knows a lot about Okinawa!
Cang
blue
I did some preparation because I wanted to hear Cang say that I was awesome.
Hey, I'm so happy. It feels like my older sister is back.
Cang
blue
Cang...
Come on, go eat it. Tell me more about the rest. I'll eat everything you tell me!
Cang
blue
Um.
(And then we ate...)
Cang
blue
(Eat and eat, really eat a lot...)
So... then, what should I eat next...
Cang
blue
Wait, wait... Cang... I've reached my limit...
But, Lan, you did some research... The tempura in Okinawa is different from what I know... It's super delicious.
Cang
blue
It's not crispy, but fluffy and well-seasoned. Sometimes I eat it as a snack for my kids... I recommend dipping it in Worcestershire sauce...
A kid's snack... maybe I'll try making it at a snack shop when I get back to Torishiro Island... Ah, the bitter melon fried tofu is delicious too. It's bitter, but addictive.
Cang
blue
Bitter melon, tofu, pork... and also, like noodles or bean sprouts, etc., mix in your favorite things and stir-fry. チャンプルー seems to mean "mixed" in the Okinawan dialect.
The freshly made slaw is amazing… crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, and the more you chew, the more the flavor spreads in your mouth… ah… even though I’m so full, I want to eat more…
Cang
blue
In the Okinawan dialect, "サータ" means sugar, "アンダ" means oil, and "アギー" means fried sugar. Saon means a snack made by frying sugar in oil, and was originally a lucky food served on festive occasions.
And that one, the one with the purring texture... pig's feet!
Cang
blue
Pork trotters. Rich in collagen, they are a woman's best friend. They will keep your skin healthy forever.
Blue skin too... Speaking of which, huh? It seems like while I was talking, I've digested everything. I think I could eat one more dish.
Cang
blue
Eh...
What do you want to eat, Lan?
Cang
blue
Well, then...sea grapes...
blue
Afterwards, Cang ended up eating about four more dishes. If my preparation could connect to Cang's smile, and if I could hear you say I'm amazing, I'd be satisfied.
Well, it’s almost time to go find the Great White Butterfly.
Cang
blue
Um.
I haven’t seen butterflies for a long time… Butterflies…
Cang
Hey...looking for butterflies...searching... Did I forget something?
Cang
blue
…………
Butterfly... That's right, butterfly... I must go find the Seven Shadow Butterflies...
Cang
blue
Cang.
Lan Hui! Disappeared! We must find him this summer!
Cang
blue
Cang! Look at me!
ah……
Cang
blue
It's okay. Cang has found me. I can wake up now.
blue……?
Cang
blue
But... instead of you...
Ah... Hey, I suddenly feel... so sleepy... and I want... to be together more...
Cang
blue
Well, it's almost time to rest.
blue
He will definitely find it. Because it is that person's duty to awaken Cang.
Chirp chirp...
blue
The cicadas chirped. The cicadas of Torishiro Island. It was the sound of summer I hadn't heard in ten years. And on the bed, Aoki continued to sleep.
Butterfly... found~... together... huh...
Cang
blue
Cang... ?
This is amazing! My original impression of Okinawa was just the sea, but I didn't expect it to be so much more urbanized than Torishiro Island!
Cang
blue
Although I told the sleeping Sora about the trip I had prepared for when she woke up...but what kind of dream were you having?
Huh… Huh… Lan…
Cang
blue
It seems like I'm dreaming about you. Haha, it seems I'm the winner today.
blue
Huh? Are you asking me what the point of reading a tourist brochure is?
blue
Of course, this is a preparation so that when Cang wakes up, they can go together and enjoy themselves.
blue
Because I have been staying on the island, I want to know more about the wider world. Together with Cang.
blue
Of course, you were there with me then, hugging me left and right.
blue
What? Not you.
blue
It means that Cang is embraced by both sides.