Kino no Tabi:Volume13 Frontispiece2
“An Amazing Land” —Nothing Special—[edit]
“Picture on coffee?”
“It’s just as it says, Hermes. They draw pictures on top of coffee.”
“But how? Kino, please explain so that even a motorrad would understand.”
“Okay. First, coffee with very thick consistency is poured into a large cup. Then foam from steamed milk is poured in it. Depending on the way it is poured, various patterns can be created from the color of the coffee and milk. And after that, pictures can be drawn on top using a thin stick.”
“Oh… does the flavor change after that?”
“I don’t think the flavor improves at all. Nothing would change even if I try drawing a pattern on your tank, right, Hermes?”
“Except I would get slower because the painted part will get heavier. So, they do that sort of thing in the country we’re headed?”
“Yeah. I remember exactly what Master told me: ‘After seeing five waterfalls on both sides of a cliff by the north-south side, there will be a country with walls painted in yellow, brown and dark red.’”
“Well, I suppose that decides it. You won’t exactly find walls like that every day.”
“I’m really excited. According to Master’s story, it requires meticulous skill, so it must be something amazing. She said it was so pretty, it’s such a waste to drink it. She also told me that you can find it all over the country. She was sure it would sell high if she brought it to another country, but of course, she gave up on that idea.”
“Hmm. Well, show me when you drink it, Kino. I’m always interested in these things.”
“Sure.”
“Here you go, Miss Kino, Hermes. The entry procedures are done.”
“Thank you very much. By the way, may I know where I can drink coffee?”
“Just about everywhere. In our country, almost no one drinks tea.”
“Welcome! Oh? Those are some strange clothes and vehicle. From which district did you come from?”
“I’m a traveler. I entered the country just a while ago.”
“Hello!”
“Oh my… then welcome to our humble country. Shall I offer you our country’s specialties?”
“Thanks, but I’m still quite full. I would like to drink coffee.”
“I see. Then, shall you have one, or two perhaps?”
“For now, just one.”
“Miss, that’s mean.”
“Haha. Sorry. Just wait for a bit.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“I wonder how it would turn out?”
“Thank you for waiting!”
“Eh?”
“Huh?”
“Surprised? In this country, it is typical to top the coffee with foamy milk.”
“Uh…”
“Kino, there’s no picture.”
“Picture?”
“Yes. We heard some rumors that in this country, pictures are drawn on the surface of the coffee.”
“…? Ah! Yes, I know! You’re talking about that. Yes, you’re not mistaken.”
“I knew it.”
“So it was true after all.”
“But traveler, could it be that that story was from a long time ago?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“It’s a pretty old rumor.”
“No one makes it nowadays. We only pour the milk normally like this.”
“I see…”
“That’s too bad.”
“Well, the flavour doesn’t change anyway, so don’t worry.”
“Yes. ——By the way, I heard that a long time ago, everyone used to do it.”
“That’s right. I’m sure it used to be like that. Even when they only drink it at home.”
“I also heard that it was pretty amazing.”
“Yes. ——Ah, I can show you the pictures we had back then. It was a book on the history of this café…, wait a bit…. I’m sure it’s around here… Oh, there it is! Here, there are colored pictures!”
“T-this is amazing no matter how you look at it…”
“It’s really great. Who drew those ten zebras at the bottom right?”
“My grandmother told me that back when she was little, it was being taught at home and at school, so everyone learned how to do it.”
“That’s amazing. Everyone in the country must have skilful hands back then.”
“And even after developing the technique that far, the craft has completely died out?”
“Most likely. Like I said, no one prepares coffee like that anymore. I haven’t made one ever since I was born, and no one ever requested for it in the shop.”
“It’s a bit disappointing, I wonder why they stopped making them?”
“Huh? That’s very simple.”
“What’s the reason?”
“Tell us, tell us!”
“If everyone can do it, then no one will praise you even if you can, right? And soon, everyone thought it was troublesome to even try. That’s all.”
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