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Mia

Good morning. Even after sorting out all that luggage yesterday, I still woke up properly hungry.

Misaki

The weight of your luggage has nothing to do with how hungry you are.

Mia

But my arms are still a little tired.

Misaki

That’s because you lifted your suitcase so many times at the airport.

Mia

Oh, look. It says “Breakfast Room.”

Misaki

Perfect timing. Let’s have breakfast at the hotel buffet today.

Mia

A buffet? That one word just woke me up completely.

Misaki

You were still half asleep in the elevator.

Mia

The smell of good food is the gentlest alarm clock in the world.

Misaki

That’s a very convenient kind of alarm clock.

Mia

Wow, they have both Japanese and Western food. Where should I start?

Misaki

Take a lap first and see what they have before putting anything on your plate.

Mia

I see. So we begin with a strategy meeting.

Misaki

Breakfast doesn’t need a strategy meeting, but it might stop you from taking too much.

Mia

Don’t worry. I’m going to choose calmly today.

Misaki

You say that, but you’re already holding a tray.

Mia

I’m just quick to get ready.

Misaki

What about that bowl of rice?

Mia

The rice called out to me.

Misaki

Rice doesn’t call out to anyone.

Mia

Then maybe my heart heard it.

Misaki

Your imagination is the only thing fully awake this morning.

Mia

The grilled fish looks delicious too. I’m definitely taking some.

Misaki

Make sure you think about how much room is left on your plate.

Mia

Don’t worry. It’s still more than half empty.

Misaki

Isn’t it a little unfair to calculate that using such a large plate?

Mia

Choosing a roomy plate is part of the art of eating at a buffet.

Misaki

That’s one skill you probably shouldn’t use today.

Mia

Oh, dashimaki tamago! It’s such a beautiful yellow.

Misaki

Why don’t you stop at two?

Mia

Okay. I’ll take just two.

Misaki

You just took three.

Mia

One is for you, Misaki.

Misaki

I’ll decide what goes on my own plate.

Mia

You don’t want it?

Misaki

Now that you ask me like that, I suddenly do.

Mia

See? Here you go.

Misaki

Thanks. That persistence of yours actually came in handy today.

Mia

Next, salad. If I take vegetables first, it’ll look like a healthy breakfast, right?

Misaki

So looking healthy is the goal now?

Mia

Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber. See? Perfect.

Misaki

It would be, if you didn’t put sausages and fries right beside them.

Mia

If I eat them with vegetables, it all balances out.

Misaki

Vegetables aren’t magic that makes fried food disappear.

Mia

You’re far too realistic.

Misaki

Because your tray is beginning to drift away from reality.

Mia

I want some miso soup too.

Misaki

Can you carry a bowl as well with your tray like that?

Mia

Of course. I’m surprisingly good with my hands.

Misaki

People who say that about themselves are usually the ones to worry about.

Mia

See? I’m completely fine. Oh!

Misaki

Don’t move. Your tray is tilting.

Mia

Help! My miso soup is about to become an ocean.

Misaki

Set it down slowly. There—safe.

Mia

Thank you. I nearly caused a major incident on the very first morning of our trip.

Misaki

Please don’t turn carrying breakfast into a major incident.

Mia

I’ve learned my lesson.

Misaki

Have you really?

Mia

Yes. At least until we turn the next corner.

Misaki

That resolution didn’t last very long.

Mia

Wait. They’re making omelets over there.

Misaki

Looks like they cook one for you after you order.

Mia

It looks so fluffy and delicious. I definitely want one.

Misaki

But there’s no room left on your plate.

Mia

You’re right. What should I do?

Misaki

Eat what you already have first, then go back for more later.

Mia

I’m allowed to go back for seconds?

Misaki

A buffet isn’t a place where you have to take everything in one trip.

Mia

All this time, I thought it was a one-shot challenge.

Misaki

Breakfast really doesn’t need to be that kind of serious competition.

Mia

Then the omelet will be round two.

Misaki

This time, let’s take a little at a time.

Mia

Yes, teacher.

Misaki

All right, please drive safely back to our table.

Mia

Reducing speed and proceeding straight ahead.

Misaki

Stop talking about your tray as if it were a car.

Mia

Made it safely. Let’s eat.

Misaki

Let’s eat. What are you going to try first?

Mia

The grilled fish.

Mia

Mmm, it’s delicious. The seasoning is just right.

Misaki

This miso soup is comforting too.

Mia

It feels as if the warmth is slowly sinking into my body.

Misaki

Hard to believe you’re the same person who was charging around collecting food a moment ago.

Mia

When I eat, I make sure to savor everything.

Misaki

And yet half of it is already gone.

Mia

When something tastes good, my mouth gets ahead of me.

Misaki

The signal that you’re full takes a little while to arrive, so it’s better to eat slowly.

Mia

I see. I’ll wait for my stomach to report back.

Misaki

Don’t go for another plate before the report arrives.

Mia

I know. Oh, there’s pudding in the dessert section.

Misaki

You found it already?

Mia

I didn’t exactly find it. The pudding and I made eye contact.

Misaki

Are you going to claim the food called out to you again?

Mia

This time, I really think it did.

Misaki

First, finish everything on that plate.

Mia

I will. I’ll make sure to eat everything I took.

Misaki

Then you’ll be fine. It’s the first morning of our trip, so there’s no need to rush.

Mia

You’re right. I’ll finish this first, then take a little more.

Misaki

Very good.

Mia

By the way, don’t you have six little desserts on your plate?

Misaki

They’re all bite-sized, so there’s no problem.

Mia

Put them together and they look like about two regular slices of cake.

Misaki

Desserts don’t count while we’re traveling.

Mia

But you even took a picture of my plate earlier.

Misaki

Keeping a record and doing the math are two different things.

Mia

That’s not fair. But I don’t dislike that way of thinking.

Misaki

Then let’s finish what’s on our plates first. After that, just one pudding.

Mia

Okay. This time I really will stick to the plan.

Misaki

How many times have you said that this morning? Still, I’ll believe you this time.

Mia

Leave it to me. I’ve grown a little since a few minutes ago.

Misaki

You really did finish everything. All right, I’ll admit it—you’ve grown.

Mia

Thank you for the meal. My stomach and my heart are both full.

Misaki

Looks like you’re satisfied.

Mia

I am. A hotel breakfast isn’t only fun to eat—the choosing is fun too.

Misaki

It also feels as though this is where a new day of our trip begins.

Mia

We’re going to Nara Park first today, and then Tōdai-ji, right?

Misaki

Right. A lively park and a quiet temple—I’m looking forward to both.

Mia

I’m sure the Nara we walk through will feel different from the Nara we’ve seen in photos.

Misaki

Discovering that difference is part of the joy of traveling.

Mia

Now I’m even more excited.

Misaki

Then let’s finish our coffee and head out.

Mia

Yeah. Next stop: Nara!

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