Yes, butlers are real. Allegedly.

Hikaru Suzuki

"Absolutely, nothing wrong at all! Ambition is a quality that gets too much flack, in my opinion. I think it's impressive. If you're capable, why not take pride in it?"

"It's very kind of you to cook for the wardens, too. Let's hope they can be won over by some good food, huh?"

Hikaru has to assume there's at least some pragmatism behind Nobuko's actions - even if she just likes to cook, this is surely overdoing it.

"Of course, Nobuko - crass nicknames aren't my style unless someone's asking for it, either literally or figuratively. What is it you do, then? I'm guessing not just high-class chef, although I suppose some people have personal chefs, right?"

Nobuko Yoshida

"Mr. Suzuki, I think we will get along quite well."
She moves around between things, tending to various foodstuffs she has cooking away, talking all the meanwhile. She seems quite adept at multitasking.

"Well, I'll certainly try. As for my profession, I am a butler by trade, which means that I'm familiar with all sorts of tasks relating to the upkeep and management of an estate, cooking being one of them. Generally the cooks would be doing the actual cooking, but this prison is sorely understaffed. While I'm on the topic, do you have any preferences I should be aware of? Allergies, specific diet, even just food that doesn't agree with your palate, anything of that sort."

Hikaru Suzuki

"Ah, you really think so? You know what, I'm warming up to you pretty quickly too, Nobuko."

It really is as easy as all that, eh?

"A butler, woah. That kind of makes you the very fancy version of me, in a way - butlers are supposed to look after the wine and stuff, right? But in a nice house, rather than a bar…"

It does occur to him that she could be asking about his food preferences as part of a nefarious plot, but at least his aren't too much of a problem if so.

"I'm lactose intolerant, but aside from that, I'm pretty easy. So long as something tastes good I'll eat it."

Nobuko Yoshida

"I'll make sure to accommodate for that in the future, thank you for informing me. And for the sake of my own pride, I'm quite sure that anything I make could be described as 'tasting good'."

Hikaru's description of what a butler does brings a chuckle out of Nobuko. "Not quite. Perhaps you are thinking of a sommelier? Though they usually work in fine dining establishments. A butler, as I mentioned earlier, is in charge of the management of the estate and all other staff that work to serve it. And to properly manage the staff and step in should they be unavailable, I am familiar with all of their roles. Cooking, cleaning, gardening, basic medical procedures, accounting, even just conversation, whatever my master requires of me I seek to provide."

Nobuko places a lid over a pot, adjusts the heat and takes a step back, nodding slightly at the fruits of her labors. At this point the bulk of the work was done, and she was quite pleased with the results. She turns more fully to face Hikaru, giving a bow.

"Apologies for not being able to more properly speak with you, Mr. Suzuki. For the time being, you have my immediate attention."

Hikaru Suzuki

"You're very kind. And I've no doubt your skills live up to your words. I'm looking forward to it!"

Hikaru nods, visibily impressed by the list of talents that Nobuko rattles off.

"Woah, that's a lot of things! That's really cool, even if it does sound like it must be a lot sometimes. Is there a butler school or somewhere that you learnt all of that, or is it just experience? …Do you work your way up from 'junior butler' or something?"

He realises he probably sounds like he's asking some very dumb questions, but it's not like this is a topic he knows anything about. And looking dumb isn't exactly something Hikaru is worried about.

"No worries. Multitasking is something I'm pretty familiar with, and seems like you are too. I hope I wasn't being distracting."

Nobuko Yoshida

"Ah, schooling? Perhaps that might be something, but I've learned primarily through… on the job training, shall we say"
She stands straight as she speaks, gloved hands clasped in front of herself.

"I've had a variety of professions before taking on this role, and the skills I've acquired from each of them as been quite beneficial to my work. It certianly wasn't an easy road, but I'm quite satisfied with where I've found myself at the end of it."
She does frown slightly, seeming to consider something.

"Well, current circumstances leave much to be desired. My hope is that we can all find our way back to our lives but, well…"

She sighs and looks back to Hikaru, a more forced smile appearing on her face. "Best not to dwell on that which is out of our control, yes?"

Hikaru Suzuki

"Ehe, seriously? That's so cool. You're a bit younger than me, too, I'm guessing just based on appearance? Man, I feel like I've accomplished nothing with my life, now."

There's not a hint of envy in his voice; he just seems genuinely in awe of Nobuko's capabilities. He loves to see a girlboss winning.

"Ah… yeah. I generally find it's no fun to linger on that sort of stuff. Much easier to do something like cooking, right? Even if we don't know if we'll get home soon, we can still bring a bit of home to us."

What an optimistic guy he seems to be! Or perhaps carefree, or irresponsible, maybe.

Nobuko Yoshida

“A bit of home…” Nobuko has a wistful look, but she pushes that, and the repressed sadness away, returning to her usual smile.

“I concur, and if it makes you feel any better about your situation, many of the things I’ve accomplished were due to circumstances I could not control. Perhaps if my fate was different, I would have taken things more slowly. But necessity will not be denied, as I have become well aware.”

Nobuko looks to some of the pots where the food is simmering, and turns back to face Hikaru. “Would you care to sample some? I’m quite confident in my skills, but an outside opinion is always appreciated.”

Hikaru Suzuki

Hikaru nods, a little more solemnly than his usual demeanour.

"Yeah… that makes sense. I guess it was the same for me. Probably for a lot of people, honestly. At least it looks like you've made the most of it!"

Neither of them are talking about anything in much detail, but Hikaru feels like he might have found a bit of a kindred spirit here, nonetheless.

"Ah, really? I'd be honoured - but would it be alright if you had some, too? It's not that I don't trust you, of course, it's more that I try not to take food from strangers, even outside of a strange prison full of supposed murderers."

Nobuko Yoshida

"Oh certainly, no offense is taken. I can respect a degree of caution."
Nobuko rummages through a cabinet, and produces 2 spoons, offering one to Hikaru while keeping the other to herself. Once it is accepted, she will make a bit of a show of uncovering a pot of soup, dipping the spoon in, and tasting her work.

"Quite good, I must say, but of course, I am biased."

Hikaru Suzuki

Hikaru nods politely, glad that Nobuko is understanding. He knows it's not the most tactful thing to ask someone, but the situation does demand it.

He takes a delicate sip, savouring the flavour, playing along a little with the flourishes Nobuko has been performing.

"You're right to - this is fantastic. What did you use? I'm hardly at your level, but I'm all about picking up new ideas where I can."

Nobuko Yoshida

“You’re too kind, Mr. Suzuki. And it’s nothing too special. With how basic the ingredients here are, anything elaborate is out of the question. Thankfully simplicity has its own value, if you know how to bring it out”

Nobuko would mention some of what she put in, and true to her word, none of it was anything particularly unusual. She did also mention some changes she made from the usual methods, techniques that she’s developed from her years of experience serving those who expect the best and nothing less.

Hikaru Suzuki

"Very true! There's a lot to be said for keeping things simple. A few ingredients used well is always going to be better than too many all at once."

Hikaru listens attentively to Nobuko's description, occasionally interjecting with an 'ooh' or 'I hadn't thought of that' where appropriate. It seems that cooking is something he really does take at least somewhat seriously!

"Thanks so much for those tips. I hope I get a chance to use them soon - in here if necessary, but hopefully once I'm back home, too. Which hopefully isn't too long, for either of us…"