Various types of taco fillings were prepared.
Curry-flavored, Japanese-style, vegetable-heavy, one that resembled gyoza filling, and more. Not just meat, but also seafood paste, canned tuna, potato salad, and even a dessert-like filling made with fruit mixed with whipped cream. It took quite a bit of time, but the effort resulted in a lavish spread that was worth it.
Additionally, several types of sauces, garnishes, and vegetables were prepared, and a generous batch of tortillas was baked. Once everything was laid out on the table, the preparations for the taco party were complete.
「Karen, could you call Mint and the others? Bring Pochi along too.」
「Hmm」
As sunset approached, the sky turned a deep red.
The weather had warmed, so why not open the sliding glass door and have the whole family gather around the dining table?
※※※
「Fwoooooah! Mint gets do it herself…? Amazing!」
「That’s the reaction I was hoping for.」
Mint, who had come up to the living room, let out an amazed gasp at the array of ingredients spread out in every direction. She looked puzzled at first, but after an explanation that she could pick her favorite fillings, assemble her taco, and eat it, she understood and began to jump around excitedly.
「Let’s start by making one together with Mother, okay?」
「Yay!」
「Even you get to feel like it’s a party today. I made all sorts of things for you too.」
「Bark!」
Several plates were placed in front of Chocola as well. Dog food, milk, fruit, boiled meat—each portion smaller than usual but with a greater variety. Chocola wagged his tail furiously, his gaze darting between the plates.
「Pochi, it’s salad day for you too!」
「Kyuuruuu!」
Pochi stuck his head onto the terrace, narrowing his eyes in delight as his nose was patted, and a salad was set down in front of him.
「Well then, shall we begin? Itadakimasu.」
「「「Itadakimasu!」」」
The taco party began.
「Mint, watch closely, okay? First, take one of these tortillas in your hand…」
「Like this?」
「Yes, that’s right. Then, lay down a piece of lettuce, add some meat on top… and roll it up.」
「Umm… did it!」
Sitting on Mother’s lap, Mint wrapped her tortilla while following her instructions. She gazed at the finished taco, inspecting it as though it were a precious jewel.
「Look, Mint, if you don’t eat it, you won’t get to make the next one. There are lots of different flavors to try.」
「…Got it! Eat it!」
With determination, she opened her small mouth and bit into the taco.
Chewing and savoring the flavors, her eyes sparkled.
「Yummy!」
「That yummy taco was made by Mint herself, you know.」
「Mint made… Whoaaa…」
「Now, how about choosing your next flavor to try?」
Overcome with emotion, Mint trembled with excitement, and Mother gently moved her off her lap and seated her beside her.
「Woooow… so much choose…」
「The tortillas are small, so you can make and eat lots of them.」
「Yay!」
When it comes to tortillas for tacos, the image is usually about fifteen centimeters in diameter, but this time, they were made a bit smaller. This way, even Mint could handle them easily, and since everyone in the family had hearty appetites, they could enjoy as much as they wanted.
「This, smells, curry!」
「It’s a little spicy, so be careful. Adding a touch of cream sauce might make it interesting.」
「Hey, Sui, this fish?」
「It’s made with something like sardines, ground up whole with the bones. It’s flavored with ginger, so I recommend pairing it with the Japanese-style sauce.」
「Every combination is delicious. And it’s so much fun.」
「This one is a mountain vegetable paste. It’s slightly bitter, but I think it’ll suit you, Mother.」
Amid cheerful chatter, everyone kept making and eating tacos, trying different combinations.
「Mint, there’s fruit over here too.」
「Woooow… put tacos, can!?」
「Karen, have you started liking celery yet?」
「Hmm… I like this one. But I probably still can’t eat it on its own…」
「Mother, how about this shredded wine-braised meat?」
「Oh my, thank you. Which vegetable should I pair it with?」
They exchanged thoughts and impressions, eating with enthusiasm and laughter.
「Pochi, give vegetable! It’s like stick!」
「Kyurru? Kyuu!」
「Bite, crunchy this! Crunch!」
「Chocola, do you want seconds? What do you want?」
「Bark! Bark!」
「Everything, huh… You’re such a little glutton.」
While rolling tacos and picking ingredients, memories came flooding back—of the hand-rolled sushi parties they had with Father. The nostalgia warmed their hearts.
Soon, when everyone was starting to feel full, Mint leaned close to me and whispered into my ear.
「Sui, ano ne…」
「I see, that’s a good one.」
I exchanged a look with Karen. With just a glance and some gestures, she seemed to understand. Nodding, she grabbed a fresh tortilla.
I followed suit, as did Mint.
While we assembled our tacos, I glanced at Mother, who was enjoying her wine with a contented smile, and asked playfully.
「Mother, think you can handle three more tacos?」
「I’m not completely full yet, but… three?」
Mother looked puzzled, while Karen gave a mischievous grin.
「Then I’ll go first.」
Proudly presenting the taco she’d made, Karen said,
「Viole-sama, this one has meat with the celery I’ve come to terms with. The sauce is the sour kind, and I also added mountain vegetables. The flavor is… a mystery. Now, say ‘ahhh.’」
She held the taco up to Mother’s mouth.
「Oh my, I’m supposed to eat it? Karen, you haven’t even checked that combination yourself, have you?」
「Ahhh!」
「…I suppose I have no choice.」
Smiling wryly at Karen’s insistence, Mother opened her mouth and took a bite of the taco.
She chewed thoughtfully, swallowed, and then said,
「Not bad… but the strong flavors are a bit all over the place. Still, it’s very much like you, Karen. You’ve always been adventurous yet reckless at the same time.」
She gave her assessment with a cheerful laugh.
「Hmm… I thought it was interesting, though.」
「You didn’t fail. Why don’t you try tasting the same one yourself?」
Karen took a bite of the taco she had made as instructed, then murmured thoughtfully, 「You’re right…」
But of course, it didn’t end there.
「Mother! Mint’s turn! Here Mint made!」
「Ara, Mint is going to feed me too?」
After waiting for Karen’s taco to be completely finished, an excited Mint approached Mother with a taco in hand, unable to hide her anticipation.
「Say ‘ahhh’! Ingredients… secret!」
「Well then, I suppose I’ll have to guess!」
Mother took the second taco directly from Mint’s little hands, chewed it carefully, and savored the flavors.
「The meat is the sweet and spicy one. The sauce is sour cream, and there’s a stick of apple in here.」
「Wooow! Amazing, got everything right!」
Mint squealed in delight and threw her arms around Mother.
「This, earlier, Mint discovered! Super tasty!」
「It’s a surprising combination, but it’s perfectly balanced. Mint, you’re incredible.」
「Mufuu!」
After patting Mint on the head, Mother turned to me.
「So, Sui-kun, does that mean you’ll be feeding me the last one?」
「Here you go, ahhh.」
Feeling a little embarrassed, I followed suit, just as Karen and Mint had done. Mother, her cheeks slightly flushed, took a bite from the taco I held out to her.
「This is fish flakes with soy sauce and mayonnaise sauce. And snow lettuce.」
「Correct. It’s called tuna mayo. Father used to love it.」
Tuna mayo was always one of the staple ingredients during our hand-rolled sushi parties.
Father would make these first, eating plenty of them.
Perhaps it was because he wanted me to enjoy the more luxurious ingredients—things like crab sticks, fried chicken, sashimi, and salmon roe. Tuna cans and mayonnaise didn’t feel like particularly special ingredients to my younger self at the time.
But even if that were the case, that’s exactly why.
If Father were here now, I think he would’ve made sure Mother had the same thing.
Because that’s the taste of memories—a flavor imbued with Father’s kindness as he shared the better options with me.
「…I see.」
Mother…
After savoring the tuna mayo taco, she looked at each of us in turn and spoke.
「It’s delicious. Karen’s creation, Mint’s creation, and Sui-kun’s creation—they’re all wonderful. So now, it’s Mother’s turn to give something back to all of you.」
Leaning over, she kissed Karen on the cheek, hugged Mint tightly, and ruffled my hair with a warm smile.
「And I can’t forget to feed Pochi and Chocola too. You two, just wait a little longer.」
「Bark!」
「Kyurru!」
Mother laughed, overjoyed and brimming with happiness.
Together, as a family, we shared, created, laughed, and reminisced.
The sunset of our taco party faded peacefully, wrapping us in the warmth of those moments.
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