Summer Pockets Ao and Ai's original short story "The Blue Sky Beyond the Dream" - Moedaina

"The Blue Sky Beyond the Dream" (Author: Kai)

Ao-chan, this is Okinawa's Kokusai Street.

I was talking to the sleeping Aoi-chan about the trip I prepared for when she wakes up... I wonder what kind of dream she's having.

There are so many souvenir shops, and so many people... Ah! Look, a restaurant serving Okinawan cuisine! And another one over there!

Well, yeah, it is Okinawa.

Ah! A Shisa! It's like a Koma-inu, but somehow cooler! They have a protective effect against evil, right?

That's right. Originally they were placed to guard villages, but I heard that after the Meiji era, they started being installed on the roofs of individual homes.

Huh, I didn't know that.

I've been studying up on various things so I don't lose to Ao-chan.

I see. So Ai is chasing after me...

Wait, ah! The things growing by the roadside! Are those palm trees? Even though it's Japan, it feels like a southern country, so liberating!

Yeah, on this street, every Sunday from 12 to 6 PM, it becomes a "Transit Mall," closed to general vehicles, and they hold events like open-air cafes and street performances.

Huh? What's with the sudden explanation? Who are you explaining this to?

To you, of course, Ao-chan.

O-oh? It just felt like you were reading from a pamphlet or something... Huh? But why did we come to Okinawa again?

We were brought along for Dad's butterfly research.

Uh... Ah, that's right. We came to observe Japan's largest butterfly.

Ao-chan, you're getting too carried away.

Can't be helped. I'd heard stories, but nobody comes to Okinawa and doesn't get carried away.

Yeah, I'm actually really excited too.

The Great Orange Moth, Japan's largest butterfly. It's designated as Okinawa's prefectural butterfly, right?

That's right. A butterfly whose wingspan reaches 13 cm. It has white wings with black radial lines and spots, and its flight is very elegant.

I wonder if we'll find it...? Well, if it's finding butterflies, that's right up my alley.

Shall we compete like when we were little, to see who finds it first?

Um~no.

Huh?

Let’s search and discover together.

Ao-chan...

There's no need for sisters to compete

Um.

Well, before that, let's get some food. Since we've come all the way to Okinawa, we have to try the local specialties.

Leave it to me, Ao-chan. I did my research. First up is Soki Soba.

I know! It's noodles with meat on top, right? But what's "Soki"...?

"Soki" refers to pork spare ribs with the bone. Generally, Soki Soba features this meat stewed until tender in a sweet and savory sauce.

Ah, Ai, you've really studied up on Okinawa!

I wanted you to think I'm amazing, Ao-chan, so I did some preparation.

Ehehe, I'm happy. It feels like my big sister has come back.

Ao-chan...

Hey, let's go eat quickly. Teach me about other things too. I'll eat everything you tell me about!

Um.

(And then we ate...)

(We ate and ate, we really ate a lot...)

So... Now then, what shall we... eat next...?

W-wait... Ao-chan... My stomach is at its limit...

But... you researched it for me... Okinawan tempura is different from what I know... and it was super delicious...

It's not crispy, but has a thick, fluffy batter with flavor. It's sometimes a snack for kids... I recommend putting Worcestershire sauce on it...

A snack for kids... Maybe we could try making it at the candy store back on Toriashiro Island... Ah, the Goya Champuru was delicious too. Bitter but addictive.

Bitter melon, tofu, pork... and you stir-fry it with things you like, such as somen noodles or bean sprouts. "Champuru" apparently means "mixed together" in the Okinawan dialect.

The freshly made Sata Andagi was incredible... The outside was crisp, yet the inside was fluffy, and the more you chewed, the more the savory flavor spread in your mouth... Ah... Even though I'm full, I want to eat it again...

In Okinawan dialect, "Sata" is sugar, "Anda" is oil, "Agii" is to fry. Sata Andagi means a snack fried in oil with sugar, and originally it was a food served at celebrations, considered auspicious.

And that thing, the jiggly textured one, umm... Pig's feet!

Tebichi. Full of collagen, a woman's ally. It will help keep Aoi-chan's skin healthy forever.

Your skin too, Ai... Huh? Somehow, while we were talking, my stomach feels like it's settled. I think I can manage one more dish.

Eh...

What should we eat, Ai?

W-well then... Sea grapes...

(After that, Aoi-chan ended up ordering about four more dishes. If my preparation leads to Aoi-chan's smile, if she says I'm amazing, then I am content.)

Well then, it's about time we go find the Great Orange Moth.

Um.

It's been a while since we searched for butterflies... Butterflies... for...

Huh...? Finding butterflies... Searching... Am I forgetting something?

…………

Butterflies... That's right, butterflies... I have to find the... Seven Shadow Butterflies...

Ao-chan

Ai will! Disappear! I have to find them before this summer ends!

Ao-chan! Look at me!

ah……

It's okay. Ao-chan, you've already found me. You were able to wake up.

Ai...?

But... in exchange, Ao-chan, you...

Ah... Wha, somehow suddenly... I'm... sleepy... I want... to be together more...

Well, it's almost time to rest.

Surely... they will find you. Waking Ao-chan up is that person's role.

Chirp...

The cicadas are singing. The cicadas of Toriashiro Island. The sound of summer I'm hearing for the first time in ten years. And in the bed, Aoi-chan continues to sleep.

Find... the butterfly~... toge...ther... Zzz...