The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai

Author:Hisashi Kashiwai
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pan Macmillan UK

Chapter 4:

Tonkatsu

1

The long, bitter winter was over, and spring had finally come to Kyoto.

Walking from Higashi Honganji temple, Suyako Hirose crossed the wide avenue of Karasuma-dori and came onto Shomen-dori. The colours of spring – pale blues, lemon yellows, pastel pinks – were also on display in the clothing of people passing down the narrow street.

Meanwhile, making her way east, Suyako was wearing a plain, charcoal-grey dress and black jacket.

She’d done her homework before getting here, so she felt reasonably convinced that the plain-looking building in front of her was her destination. Still, given the absence of any sign or other indications that it was open for business, it was hard to be sure.

By the sliding aluminium door was a small window. The chatter drifting through it certainly sounded like that of a restaurant, while the fragrances wafting out reminded Suyako of the food section of a fancy department store.

‘Thanks for the meal!’

The door flew open, and a man in a loose-fitting white jacket strolled out before closing it again. The tabby cat that had been dozing in front of the building rushed over to him.

‘Excuse me,’ Suyako said to the man, who had started stroking the cat. ‘This is the Kamogawa Diner, right?’

‘Yeah, sounds about right. Mr Kamogawa and his daughter run the place, if that’s what you mean,’ he replied, then bowed slightly. Suyako gently slid the door open again.

‘Here for a meal?’ asked Nagare Kamogawa, wiping his hands as he emerged from the kitchen.

‘Actually, there’s a dish I’d like you to help me find.’

‘Well, if it’s the detective service you’re after, my daughter’s the one to talk to,’ replied Nagare plainly, looking at Koishi.

‘Though it’s Dad who does the real detective work,’ said Koishi. ‘Are you hungry?’

The clock showed half past twelve.

‘What kind of food do you serve?’ asked Suyako, eyeing the ramen bowl that had been left on the counter, in which a small pool of broth remained. ‘I’m afraid I’m a little fussy.’

‘We serve all our first-time customers a set menu,’ said Nagare, taking over from Koishi. ‘Any allergies?’

‘Oh – no,’ replied Suyako, now glancing around the restaurant. ‘But I’m not very keen on meat, or anything too greasy.’

‘Well, if you’re happy with something light, I can serve you right away.’

‘That’d be just fine. I eat like a bird,’ said Suyako, a relieved look on her face.

‘We actually have a booking tonight for a traditional Japanese banquet. I was just preparing the food. I’ll pick you out some dishes!’

Nagare hurried back into the kitchen.

‘Please, take a seat,’ said Koishi, pulling out one of the red-cushioned chairs.

‘This place really is quite peculiar,’ said Suyako, looking around the restaurant again. ‘You don’t have a sign, or even a menu!’

‘That’s right. You did well to find us,’ said Koishi, setting a teacup down in front of Suyako.

‘I saw the advert in Gourmet Monthly.’

‘You mean you worked it out from that single line of text?’ said Koishi, pausing as she poured the tea.

‘There weren’t any contact details, and even when I wrote to the editor she refused to tell me.

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