Solnus 16. Documentary about Natural Disasters and Matsuri; Mythology; the Early Supper of the Upper Person at the Underground

2378 days, or 6 years, 6 months, and about 1 week before The Circumadversum Omatsuri, one early evening.

“I’m home, Mommy, Daddy,” said Seira, who had returned to the Fotiou family home.

Seira’s mother and father answered simultaneously, “Welcome back.”

At that moment, Seira’s mother was operating her tablet. Seira was certain Namiki was playing a musical rhythm game. Meanwhile, Seira’s father was watching a television screen that was broadcasting a movie on a streaming service.

Seira was certain she had seen the movie her father was watching before. She was certain it was called Kagetachi no Matsuri, which means “Festival of Shadows.” The film was released decades ago, in 2013.

"Kagetachi no Matsuri" is a documentary that explores the impact of the massive tsunami and earthquake that struck Japan in 2011. The film's focus is the coastal town of Kamaishi in Iwate Prefecture. The film shows how disaster survivors prepare for the Matsuri (celebration festival) for the beginning of the cherry blossom season.

Seira saw her father watching television, his legs spread out, dressed casually. Some of his hair appeared to be still slightly dry. Seira was certain he had just arrived home; she was certain he had just taken a shower, relaxed, and rested.

Seira thought, "My father is watching a documentary about the disaster. I shouldn't ask him what he thinks about the mysterious ship full of bodies. He's resting and recovering his energy. Besides, even if I did, he might not have the same premonition as me."

Finally, Seira decided to ask, "Papa, how was the trip? How's work there?"

Argyris answered, sticking out his right thumb. “Everything is good.”

Seira then chose to discuss the items she had purchased at the Asia Pacific Food and Beverage Expo. The girl said, “Dad, Mom. Look, I bought tea brewed with Clitoria ternatea flowers, a unique tea with a blue color that can turn purple.”

Argyris asked, “Really?”

Seira replied, “Yes, if we have lemons.”

Namiki seemed to immediately stop using her gadget. She responded to her daughter, “That looks interesting. We still have lemons at home. Let’s try brewing it in the kitchen.”

Seira said, “Okay, Mom. Let’s go to the kitchen.”

It only took them a few steps to reach the kitchen. The Fotiou family’s residence could be considered an upper-middle-class residence located in a strategic location. However, theirs was a standard-sized residence, not one of the big ones.

Upon arriving in the kitchen, Seira opened a package of fresh Clitoria ternatea flowers and said, “Mom, I bought both wet and dry brews.”

Namiki replied curtly, "Okay, I'll put the dry ones in the cupboard."

While brewing tea, Seira continued the conversation, this time on a different topic. "Mom, I went out with my friend earlier. We talked about a lot of things. One of them was our college choices."

Namiki asked, "Oh, college. Did you tell your friend before Mom and Dad about your major?"

Seira replied, "That's it, Mom. I told her I'm going to major in computer science, specifically computer software."

Namiki, who had finished putting away the packs of Clitoria ternatea flower tea, asked, "Not math?"

Seira replied, "I like that. But I also like coding and solving programming problems. I think programming problems and math problems share the same "spirit"."

Namiki replied, "Okay, okay."

Seira asked, "Speaking of programming, what musical rhythm game were you playing earlier?"

Namiki replied, “Oh, this is a game with a unique gameplay idea. It’s a music game that incorporates mythological themes.”

Seira asked, “Mythological themes?”

(000)

2378 days, or 6 years, 6 months, and about 1 week before The Circumadversum Omatsuri, one afternoon.

Nine years ago, Holland would never have imagined Yuuichirou Hatoyama would talk about something he considered "maybe not a true story but a mythological tale." But now, Holland wouldn't be surprised by it.

Holland still remembers Yuuichirou Hatoyama being the only person he knew when the trio in front of him met him nine years ago. It's not surprising that Holland knows who Yuuichirou is. Hundreds of millions of people in Japan, both Japanese and non-Japanese, know who Yuuichirou is.

Yuuichirou Hatoyama is one of Japan's senior politicians. In fact, he could be said to have reached the pinnacle of Japanese politics. Nine years ago, Yuuichirou held the post of Prime Minister of Japan. After that, there was a period when the position fell to someone else. Now Yuuichirou once again holds that prestigious position.

Holland had his own thoughts when he first heard the news that Yuuichirou Hatoyama had successfully become prime minister again. He opined, "A mountain dove that can bind the people, young people, and 'children-in-law' to join in casting their votes for the mountain dove."

Holland's thoughts were based on the meaning of the kanji that make up Yuuichirou Hatoyama's name. The surname Hatoyama consists of the kanji characters "鳩山," where the kanji 鳩, read as "hato," means "dove or pigeon," and the kanji 山, read as "yama," means "mountain."

Meanwhile, Yuuichirou's given name consists of the kanji characters 結一郎. The kanji 結, read as "yuu," means "bind, knot, tie." The kanji 一, read as "ichi," means "one, alone," and the kanji 郎, read as "rou," means "young man or son-in-law."

Speaking of kanji, in front of Yuuichirou and four other people in one of the rooms of Buriki kan no Burakku at that time, there was a dish whose name corresponded to one of the kanji characters that could replace Yuuichirou's kanji.

The name "Yuuichirou" can also be written with the kanji 柚一郎, where the kanji 柚 means "Japanese citrus fruit." Thus, in front of Holland and four other people, a variety of citrus fruits were served, complementing several other dishes.

Of course, the presentation of fruits before Holland reminded him of Professor Kimura's words nine years ago: "I do want to buy lemons, Joho-san. For now, and perhaps in the future, I will buy more lemons than coffee."

Besides the citrus fruits, the dishes on the rectangular table reminded Holland of another remark Professor Kimura had made nine years earlier: "I really want to buy shrimp dishes, Joho-san. For now, and perhaps in the future, I'll buy more shrimp and shrimp-based dishes."

At the supper, the rectangular table featured a variety of shrimp dishes. The most common shrimp served was "the jewels of Toyama Bay." Shiro ebi (shrimp shrimp) stood out as a white color among the various dishes on the table.

In addition to the shrimp and lemon or citrus fruits mentioned and eaten by Professor Kimura nine years ago, there were several other dishes, including black tea and almonds. Everyone there had enjoyed all the dishes Professor Kimura had deliberately chosen.

"I think I've gotten used to the taste of lemon. Nine years ago, I didn't like lemon. But time passes, and time can change me," Riichi Morichi was heard saying at this point.

Professor Kimura responded, "That's a good thing."

Riichi commented again, "Moreover, medically speaking, lemons are a food that provides benefits to our bodies."

Holland spontaneously smiled when he heard Riichi say "profit" while they were eating together in the middle of the underground forest. Once again, Holland thought about names and kanji.

The surname "Morichi" is written with the kanji 森地. The kanji 森, read as "mori," means "forest." The kanji 地, read as "chi," means "ground, land, or place." "Morichi" can be interpreted as "forest ground," "forest land," or "forest place."

The word "profit" Riichi uttered reminded Holland of the kanji for Riichi's given name. Riichi is written with the kanji 利市. The kanji 利, read as "ri," means "advantage, benefit, or profit." The kanji 市, read as "ichi," means "city, fair, or market."

Holland had already thought about the kanji and what two of the three people who had made him join the "G" Buriki kan no Barakku were doing. Holland had also considered the kanji for the third person in the trio.

Besides Professor Kimura, Tomoko Sairenji was currently sitting facing west. Holland thought this could be related to Sairenji's surname, which is written with the kanji characters 西連地. The kanji 西, read as "sai," means "west" or "western." The kanji 連, read as "ren," means "connection, link, or series." The kanji 地, read as "ji," means "earth, ground, or land."

What about the given name Tomoko? Holland thought the kanji that make up the name "Tomoko" would fit the girl's name. "Tomoko" is written with the kanji characters 知子. The kanji 知, read as "tomo," means "know" or "knowledge." Meanwhile, the kanji 子, read as "ko," means "child."

Holland thought, "Well, actually, everyone here could be called a 'child of knowledge' or a 'knowing child.' Five of us have extensive knowledge in our respective fields. For example, my most needed skill here is the design and construction of ships and submarines, but I'm also involved in several other fields."

According to John Anatole Holland, what sets Tomoko Sairenji apart from the other four people here, besides the fact that she's a woman, is that she speaks the least. This earned her the nickname "Sairento," a combination of her surname and given name and an English loanword meaning "silent."