Miyako, the royal capital of Mitsuho, was surrounded by moats. In other words, water was abundant.
Setting aside the representatives from the Mimaka Principality and Norha Principality, who were accustomed to Lake Kotsushi and Lake Yato, the sight seemed quite novel to the delegation from the Darato Principality.
Chief Ataru Mutou then guided them toward the Guest House.
(Mutou... huh. I wonder if he's a descendant of Hiro Mutu or Mii Mutu?)
Jin found himself recalling the past.
And those memories were about to be stirred even further.
"Ooh!"
Someone let out a cry of astonishment.
Before them stood a building designed in an even more authentic Japanese architectural style than during his visit four hundred years ago.
(Did the past me give them pointers on this?)
Everywhere he looked, the craftsmanship made it impossible to conclude otherwise.
"This is... truly magnificent."
Such was the impression voiced by the entourage as they were guided to the Guest House and looked out across the garden.
This place, too, had been refined far beyond how it looked four hundred years ago.
(When I came here with Lordtoss, I didn't get a chance to see the Guest House...)
Staying here for the first time in ages filled Jin with a profound sense of nostalgia.
"Somehow, this place feels so calming."
"So this is the kind of country Mitsuho is."
Both those who appeared to be of Mitsuho descent and those who were not seemed thoroughly charmed by the Guest House's atmosphere.
Jin was equally relaxed as he unwound in a tatami room.
"It really has been a while..."
Reiko promptly answered his unspoken question regarding whether the Jin of four hundred years ago had offered his guidance.
"Yes. Four hundred years ago, Father visited here many times and gave lectures on Japanese style."
"I knew it. I figured as much."
After all, there was likely no one else capable of teaching authentic Japanese style.
The subtle incongruities in the finer details from four hundred years ago had vanished.
The fusuma were now proper sliding doors instead of using hinges, and mochi was no longer displayed in the tokonoma outside the New Year's season.
"It's so relaxing... It's probably the next best thing after the place right below Hourai Island."
Jin offered a rather specific comparison. Incidentally, second place after Hourai Island went to Jin Castle in Kaina Village.
Dinner was served directly to each of their rooms.
Considering how exhausted everyone must be, allowing each national delegation to dine privately among themselves was a thoughtful touch.
"Oh, I'm sure the me of four hundred years ago gave them plenty of instructions on the cooking, too."
"Yes, Father. It is just as you say."
That night's menu featured sekihan rather than plain white rice.
"The beans are black-eyed peas... cowpeas, huh."
The red color of sekihan comes from the broth produced when boiling the beans.
While azuki (red-eyed peas on Planet Ars) were commonly used for this, cowpeas (black-eyed peas on Planet Ars) were sometimes substituted.
Because azuki had delicate skins that burst easily, certain regions preferred cowpeas for their slightly tougher skins.
Back when he lived at the orphanage, the Orphanage Director had taught Jin to make sekihan with cowpeas, as they were far less likely to split.
"And it's served with suimono instead of miso soup, too."
Jin personally believed that suimono paired best with sekihan. Seeing it served this way convinced him that his past self had indeed left instructions.
"The tamagoyaki is sweet, as well."
Jin had a fondness for sweet tamagoyaki. He had never forgotten the flavor of the eggs the Orphanage Director used to make for him during his childhood.
"The vegetable tempura has a wonderfully light, crisp batter, too."
This achievement, however, was thanks to the efforts of the 5-Color Maids rather than Jin.
The secret lay in using low-gluten flour and mixing the batter with ice water.
Moreover, one had to take care not to overmix it.
Tempura failed to fry crisp when the flour was worked too much, causing the gluten to turn sticky.
It was said that some commercial tempura flours even blended in potato starch to suppress that stickiness.
"The oshinko is pickled just right, too."
Jin favored lightly pickled vegetables, as he disliked overly sour flavors.
In that regard, the pickled cucumber and bisuna (eggplant) served with the meal were entirely to his taste.
The tea was hojicha, and since it seemed freshly roasted, it gave off a wonderful fragrance.
All in all, Jin was thoroughly satisfied.
In their separate rooms, the representatives of the three principalities were also relishing the meal.
"So this is Mitsuho cuisine... Hmm, I would love for our people to learn how to prepare food like this."
"It's my first time tasting it, yet the flavor feels strangely nostalgic. Our ancestors must have eaten meals like this."
"Yes, it's delicious. Our nation must strive to ensure that all our citizens can enjoy such a wonderful diet."
Fostering such impressions was surely a positive development for the principalities.
Following a restful night, the morning of July 6 arrived.
"Bathed in the morning light, this garden possesses an indescribable elegance."
The visitors from the three principalities were unceasing in their admiration as they gazed upon the Japanese garden.
"It seems entirely distinct from our own culture."
"There should have been many people of Mitsuho descent among our ancestors, so I wonder why these traditions were never passed down."
Such conversations drifted through the halls.
"Good morning. Breakfast is ready for you in the dining hall."
A nakai made the rounds to inform the guests.
Rather than wearing an imitation kimono, she was dressed in a proper kimono and apron, tailored precisely according to Jin's instructions.
As an aside, a nakai is a traditional occupation referring to a woman who serves and attends to guests at traditional inns.
"Oh, look at this spread."
Breakfast was laid out buffet-style.
There were staple foods such as white rice, rice porridge, toast, and koppepan, accompanied by both Japanese and Western soups like miso soup and consommé.
There was sweet tamagoyaki, plain omelets, raw eggs, and boiled eggs.
Grilled dried fish and candied small fish were also provided.
A selection of meat dishes was available as well, including ginger-fried pigu (pork), bite-sized hamburger steaks, and diced steak.
Fresh vegetable salads, oshinko, and sliced fruit rounded out the offerings.
The beverage station offered cold water, hojicha, green tea, black tea, Kuuhe, milk, and various fruit juices.
With such a lavish variety prepared, Jin and the members of Avalon—who were already accustomed to it—managed just fine, but the representatives from the three principalities were tempted by everything in sight, eating well past the point of fullness.