Scenario:Cassius - Beach House Ramen: Answer
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Beach House Ramen: Answer
Cassius's young companion concludes that beach house ramen is delicious because he can eat it next to Cassius, who always looks like he's enjoying himself. While accepting of the boy's answer, Cassius points out that it doesn't apply to him, and declares his intent to continue the survey. However, since the boy is sick of eating so much ramen, they decide to spend the next day looking for a souvenir for his friend back home.
The next morning, Cassius is getting ready to depart his own hotel room for his promised meeting with the boy from yesterday.
Isaac: Ugh, this heat... You going out to eat ramen again, Cousin?
Cassius: I am. Has your condition seen any improvements, Isaac?
Isaac: Nah, I'm as wiped out as I look. Sorry to do this to you after you invited me and everything...
Cassius had invited Isaac to join him on his trip.
However, the engineer fell victim to heatstroke on the first day, and has been recovering in the hotel ever since.
Cassius: The ability to adapt to sudden and drastic temperature changes varies between individuals. Don't let it bother you.
Cassius: We still have ample time remaining for our stay. I have also discovered a number of fine ramen spots, so we can enjoy them together once you have recovered.
Isaac: Looking forward to it. I am feeling a bit better today, so tell me all about them when you get back tonight.
Cassius: But of course. I'll compile the results of my survey and...
Cassius: Ah, that reminds me. There is a matter I must brief you on.
Cassius explains the events of the previous day to Isaac, as well as his plan to spend the day with the boy he met.
Isaac: No kidding? I think you made a good call, Cousin. That goes for sharing this with me, too.
Cassius: I knew my judgment was correct. Do you think I should inform (Captain) as well?
Isaac: You can leave that to me. (Captain)'s been visiting every day to check up on my condition.
Cassius: Indeed? Then I shall count on you.
Isaac: Oh, hold on a sec! If you're gonna be traipsing around the beach with a kid, you should wear something easier to move around in!
Isaac: You brought a swimsuit, didn't you?
Cassius: How careless of me to forget. I have noticed that the sand tends to get into my clothes after enough time. It's rather uncomfortable.
Isaac: I'll put in a laundry order while you're out. Have fun, Cousin.
Cassius arrives at the spot where he met the boy last night to find him already waiting there.
Cassius: My apologies. Did I make you wait?
Vacationing Boy: Not really. Uh, what's with the swimsuit? Aren't we just eating ramen?
Cassius: Much of our traversal today will be via the beach. It is only proper to ensure one's attire is suited to the environment.
Vacationing Boy: Whatever you say. So, where to first?
Cassius: Simply follow. I shall lead the way.
Thus, the pair's ramen survey begins.
Vacationing Boy: This is the best ramen we've had today. The broth's smooth and rich in flavor, and the noodles are springy and delicious.
Cassius: Agreed. This beach house's ramen is a cut above the rest.
Vacationing Boy: It's super quiet here, too. What do they call that? A hidden gem?
Cassius: Do you dislike the noise of the other establishments?
Vacationing Boy: Not really. It's more just, y'know... Their ramen didn't taste good.
Vacationing Boy: The noodles were too soggy, or the flavor was too weak, stuff like that. You looked like you enjoyed all of it, though.
Cassius: You are correct—there were indeed flaws to be found. Still, I would not say any of the ramen we've had today was bad.
Vacationing Boy: Yeah, it was just pretty average stuff. My regular place is way tastier.
Cassius: You mentioned that yesterday, as well. Is your frequented ramen shop truly so delicious?
Vacationing Boy: Honestly, it's probably not better than this. It's just regular soy sauce based ramen.
Vacationing Boy: The toppings are all normal too—pork belly, vegetables, and bamboo shoots. That's it. But I appreciate it more now that I've tried the stuff around here.
Vacationing Boy: Like, it makes me realize I've been taking that kind of ordinary deliciousness for granted.
Cassius: You are a fine ramen critic indeed.
Vacationing Boy: Not as good as you. Have you figured out why that beach house's ramen was so good, by the way?
Cassius: Not yet. I plan on continuing my survey tomorrow, though. What will you do?
Vacationing Boy: I'll stick with you, so long as you're paying.
Cassius: Understood. Until tomorrow, then. Same time, same place.
The pair spend the next two days touring the beach houses and eating ramen.
Before long, they've done a full circuit, and find themselves back at the store where they met.
Cassius: Now that we have a large sample size to compare against, what are your thoughts?
Vacationing Boy: It's better than last time. Like, it doesn't taste as rushed...
Vacationing Boy: But it's just like you said. There's something else about it that makes it really tasty.
Cassius: I see. So you've now tasted the unique flavor of beach house ramen too.
Vacationing Boy: I... think I know the reason.
Cassius: Oh? Would you mind sharing?
Vacationing Boy: It's because you looked like you were enjoying it.
Vacationing Boy: You always look like you're enjoying it, just like you always say thanks when you're done.
Vacationing Boy: Watching you made me think that, instead of getting caught up in the small stuff, I should just enjoy my meal too.
Cassius: I believe I understand your reasoning. But how does that explain why I thought it was delicious?
Vacationing Boy: I don't know—I can't read your mind. Maybe you're just the type who thinks everything tastes good?
Cassius: In my experience, the flavor of ramen, by and large, does not change much in the time between tasting it, and swallowing it.
Cassius: Yet, beach house ramen has a delectability to it beyond that base flavor.
Cassius: It appears that ordinary methods will not suffice to conclude this survey.
Vacationing Boy: You're not thinking of doing another circuit, are you? I'm not sure I have it in me...
Cassius: Perhaps you are right. The amount of ramen we've consumed in the past few days could be considered... problematic.
Cassius: Shall we take a rest day tomorrow, then? Is there anything you wish to do?
Vacationing Boy: Not really. I—
Vacationing Boy: Oh! I almost forgot—my friend asked me to get her a souvenir.
Cassius: Then tomorrow, that is what we shall do. My companion will likely have recovered by then, so it should serve well as a rehabilitation activity.
Cassius: Fortunate, since I rather doubt that my judgment criteria for souvenirs will suffice to satisfy you.
Vacationing Boy: It's just shopping. I can manage it mysel—
Cassius: It is your first time in Auguste, is it not? Please, allow me to help. Consider it a token of gratitude for accompanying me for my survey.
Vacationing Boy: Is this another one of those acts of kindness you mentioned?
Cassius nods in response, giving the boy a gentle smile.
Beach House Ramen: Answer: Scene 2
Cassius and Isaac help the boy with finding a souvenir, and they settle on making handcrafted lampshades under Isaac's guidance. While they work, Cassius obliges the boy's curiosity about his past. As he reminisces over how illogical he once found skydwellers to be, he realizes that is the answer to why beach house ramen is so delicious.
Cassius and his young ramen critic companion rendezvous at a shopping mall.
Vacationing Boy: Um, isn't it weird to be wearing a swimsuit in a shopping mall?
Cassius: Is it? But I see a number of others dressed similarly.
Vacationing Boy: Yeah, but unlike you, they're not doing it just because it's easier to move around in. I mean, I guess it's your choice, but...
As the pair observe the passersby, the boy's musings are interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching.
Isaac: Sorry, sorry. Never been in a mall this big before, so I got a bit lost.
Vacationing Boy: Whoa, a second geezer!
Isaac: Geezer? Who, me and Cassius?
Vacationing Boy: Yeah. You're both, like, old, right?
Cassius: Yes, I believe I qualify as a geezer.
Isaac: Uh... Sure, okay. But since it might get confusing to call us both that...
Isaac: You can call this geezer Isaac, all right?
Vacationing Boy: You got it, Geezer Isaac!
Cassius: We are picking out a souvenir for his friend today. Your wisdom would be appreciated, Isaac.
Isaac: Sure, but I dunno how useful I'll be. I guess, first... Is this for a boy, or a girl?
Vacationing Boy: Well, I've got a bunch of friends, but the one who asked for the souvenir is a girl. She lives next door to me.
Isaac: Yeah? Honestly, can't say I'm all that confident about picking something out for a girl...
Cassius: When making a decision, it is vital to have an array of perspectives.
Isaac: Can't argue with that. I guess we'll start with some window shopping.
The two men and one boy commence their mission: buy a souvenir for the girl next door. However...
Vacationing Boy: Hey, this super shiny sword thing is awesome!
Cassius: That would be a letter opener. Convenient, and functional. What do you think, Isaac?
Isaac: (What do I think? It's got a golden dragon on the sheath—it practically screams "boy"! I mean, I get the appeal, but...)
Isaac: Um... W-Well, since you're getting this for a girl... Uh, she didn't ask for anything specific, did she?
Vacationing Boy: Nope!
Isaac: R-right... Let's, uh, put it on the list of candidates, then.
Isaac: (Gwynne, I have never wanted your help more than I do in this moment...)
Although the trio cover the entire souvenir area, nothing in particular jumps out at them.
Vacationing Boy: I still think we should go with the letter opener...
Cassius: I see no issue with that. It's rather high quality. Beatrix would definitely like it.
Isaac: H-hey, it's still too early to decide, right?
Isaac: (I'd better think of something quick, or some girl somewhere is going to have to accept a gift she doesn't care for. That's always awkward...)
Isaac: How about you, Cousin—anything catch your eye? You've got a heap of experience giving out gifts now, don't you?
Isaac: I heard all about the effort you put into Valentine's.
Cassius: My Valentine's Day experience?
Cassius: You must mean the time I flavored a handmade chocolate with "affection," as a display of my gratitude for all of (Captain)'s hard work.
Isaac: Hey! That's it!
Cassius: A handmade lampshade? It would serve well as a token of gratitude. I believe there's a good chance it will make for an effective gift.
Vacationing Boy: I've never made a lampshade before, though.
Isaac: Don't sweat it—this kind of craftwork is my forte. I'll teach you.
Vacationing Boy: You're pretty awesome, Geezer Isaac.
You have a lot of amazing friends, huh, Ramen Geezer?
You have a lot of amazing friends, huh, Ramen Geezer?
Cassius: I cannot take too much credit. I owe much of my interpersonal relationship success to (Captain).
Isaac: True enough.
Isaac: Hey, while we're at it, why don't you make one for (Captain) too?
Cassius: A fine idea. But what about you?
Isaac: Maybe I'll give mine to Gwynne. She did want to come with us and all.
Isaac: All right, lay out the materials and follow my lead.
Cassius and the boy set about crafting handmade lampshades under Isaac's supervision.
Vacationing Boy: You know, I figured this'd be harder. I think I've got the hang of it.
Isaac: You've got a talent for this. An eye for decorating too, it looks like.
The pasted glass pieces on the thin paper refract the lamp's light, bathing the room in a multitude of hues.
Vacationing Boy: Whoa...
As the boy admires his handiwork, Cassius pauses to look over at Isaac.
Cassius: I almost forgot. Did you not once claim that you were unskilled at dealing with children?
Isaac: All the Halloween activites I got up to with (Captain) helped me get used to handling them.
Isaac: The more you try out new things, the more your outlook changes. You'd know, wouldn't you?
Cassius: Heh. I suppose so.
Vacationing Boy: What are you two talking about?
Cassius: There was a time when I was just like you—a traveler in a foreign land.
Vacationing Boy: Whoa, really?
Cassius: Yes. You see, I'm originally from sp... I'm originally from a very faraway skydom.
Vacationing Boy: No kidding? I've never met someone from a whole different skydom. Don't you have to do something really special or something to travel between them?
Isaac: That's right. So keep this between us, okay?
Vacationing Boy: You got it! I promise I'll keep it a secret, so tell me more!
Cassius: Very well. In the skydom I hail from, rationality is the be-all and end-all.
Cassius: Since I had lived there for my entire life, I was unable to adapt to this place when I arrived. The food, the culture, the people—all of it was alien to me.
Cassius: Then, when I was hungry and suffering, somebody offered me a loaf of bread. And one by one, I encountered more people like her, who went out of their way for me. Many more.
Cassius: Thanks to them, I have been fortunate enough to meet with so many novel experiences. Occasionally, I would be dragged into their various misadventures...
Cassius: But before long, I grew to love this place. Enough that I now think of it as my new home.
Vacationing Boy: Wow. I think some of that went over my head, but I'm happy for you, Ramen Geezer.
Cassius: Heh. I'm happy, too.
Cassius: Everything here is illogical to the extreme. At first, I thought it was only those around me who liked to meddle in others' affairs, but I quickly discovered it was common practice.
Cassius: Auguste's beaches are a prime example. By all rights, a location so close to the ocean should be ill-suited for a place of business.
Cassius: Yet, by catering their services to travelers from far and wide in the form of leisure...
Cassius: (Oh, I see. So that is the reason.)
Vacationing Boy: Ramen Geezer?
Cassius: It appears I must thank you. For you have helped me finally understand why beach house ramen is so delicious.
Cassius sets his finished lampshade into place, looking content.
His smile, dyed in dancing lights of red and blue, is as radiant as a sunny day.
Beach House Ramen: Answer: Scene 3
After saying farewell to the homebound boy, Cassius invites (Captain) to a beach house and reveals his conclusion on why its ramen is so delicious: the busy conversations of the other patrons are a glimpse into their daily lives—a joyous reminder of what it means to reside in the skies. When (Captain) points out that Cassius is a part of that too, he smiles from the bottom of his heart.
Vacationing Boy: Man, I never got to see any weird animals after all.
It's the boy's last day on Auguste before he leaves with his family. At his request, Cassius and Isaac are accompanying him on a stroll on the beach.
Isaac: If some of the stories I've heard are true, maybe that's a good thing.
Cassius: Our companions who return from Auguste in the summer always do so with the most absurd tales.
Cassius: If we take them at their word, then perhaps it is preferable that your first visit was relatively uneventful.
Isaac: Yeah. I mean, if something crazy had happened, you never would've gotten to hang out with us, right?
Vacationing Boy: Huh. Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe it was better this way.
Vacationing Boy: I apologized to my mom and dad yesterday. For ruining their vacation.
Vacationing Boy: Then, they apologized right back, saying some of the things they said were too harsh.
Vacationing Boy: Apparently, they've wanted to visit Auguste for a really long time...
Vacationing Boy: So when I said it was boring, it came as a big shock to them.
Cassius: It is important that people communicate to each other precisely on how they feel.
Isaac: Yeah. Better to be open with that stuff, rather than let the bad feelings fester. You should be proud—that's not an easy thing to do.
Vacationing Boy: Hehe...
Cassius: Will you make it to your ship? You mentioned that you didn't have much time.
Vacationing Boy: Oh, yeah. I'd... better get going.
The boy looks over to where a young man and woman are waiting for him in the distance.
Vacationing Boy: You know, I'm really glad I came here. Thank you. Both of you.
Cassius: I consider myself fortunate to have met you too. I may not have unraveled the mystery of the beach house ramen otherwise.
Vacationing Boy: Yeah! The ramen we ate together was super tasty!
Vacationing Boy: And Geezer Isaac—I'll make sure the souvenir we made together stays safe on the trip back!
Isaac: Hand it over to your mom and dad to take care of when you're on the ship, okay?
Vacationing Boy: Got it! And, um, and...
Vacationing Boy: Huh? I was gonna say something... What was it...
Cassius: Why are you crying?
Isaac: You know why, Cousin. Doesn't this ring a bell?
Cassius's eyes widen slightly before he crouches down and places his hand on the boy's shoulder.
Cassius: Don't worry. You and I—we reside in the same sky. We can always meet again.
Isaac: Here—these are the contact details for our skyfaring crew. If you're ever in trouble, or your island needs help, send us a letter right away, okay?
Isaac gently pats the boy's shoulder as he hands him a note with the crew's contact information.
Vacationing Boy: Sniff... Thanks... I'll save up my pocket money and make sure I have enough for the hiring fee!
Vacationing Boy: And if nothing happens, I'll use the money to come to Auguste again!
Cassius: I will remember that. Let us know when you do, all right?
Cassius: When that time comes, we will have another bowl of beach house ramen together.
Vacationing Boy: Yeah! It's a promise!
Although the boy's face is drenched in tears, he does his best to smile through them. Cassius and Isaac reply with gentle smiles of their own.
Cassius and Isaac see off the ship carrying the boy's family, watching until it fades into the distant sky.
Cassius: Now then, Isaac. What do you say to some ramen?
Isaac: I thought you'd say that, Cousin.
Cassius: Let's see... Shall we invite (Captain) as well?
As Cassius walks away, the golden glint of a letter opener can be seen in his hand.
Beach House Server: Here's the ramen you ordered!
Beach House Server: With how much you've been eating lately, you've gotten the boss fired up.
Beach House Server: So trust me when I say it's really something special today! Enjoy!
With a beaming smile, the server turns and heads back into the metaphorical battle.
As usual, the beach house is packed with lively customers.
Cassius: Eat up, (Captain). It's my treat today.
Cassius: Consider it a token of gratitude from myself and the young ramen critic's parents.
After hearing the story from Isaac, (Captain) went to the boy's parents to ensure there were no misunderstandings.
(Captain) told them that their son would be safe with Cassius, who was a trusted member of the crew.
Cassius: No need to be humble. Good deeds should not go unrewarded.
Choose: Can I get extra noodles?
Cassius: Heh. As much as you want. Just take care not to eat beyond your stomach's capacity.
Cassius: Unless, of course, you would like to join me in my calorie burning exercises.
Continue 1
Cassius: While you eat, would you allow me to regale you with the results of my survey?
Cassius: I have finally discovered why beach house ramen is so delicious.
Isaac: You've got me curious too, especially since you only told the kid.
Cassius: I had a duty to do so. He made the greatest contribution to the survey, after all. Now, I shall begin with my conclusion.
Cassius: It is because the act of eating it is a pure distillation of the sky.
Isaac: A distillation of the sky? It doesn't look like anything special...
Cassius: That's because it is not. It is simply your run-of-the-mill soy sauce-based ramen.
Cassius: The establishment itself is not perfect either, though its server is quite welcoming. But one cannot blame it for that, given how busy it is.
The beach house is so packed with people that the server from earlier looks like he's swimming between them as he sets new tables and cleans up dishes.
Cassius: It is also rather boisterous in here. Individuals of all origins engage each other in conversation, and the result is sheer chaos.
Cassius: Eating here practically ensures that one will eavesdrop on the other patrons, even if that is not one's intention.
Cassius: But from their conversations, one gleans insight into their everyday lives, and how they have spent their summer vacation here on Auguste.
Cassius: And what is that if not a distillation of the sky? To my eyes, it is brilliantly dazzling, a source of great joy.
(Captain) stops eating for a moment and pricks an ear to the din.
Immediately audible are the voices of a happy family who come to Auguste once a year. A man whose parents are urging him to marry soon. A new couple who still seem to be nervous in each other's company.
It is, just as Cassius said, a brilliantly dazzling panoply that puts a smile on one's face.
Isaac: I think I get it, Cousin. It's like I'm picturing dozens of different places and scenes.
Isaac: I'm with you—it's fun to be around.
Cassius: Yes. It is that emotion that further enhances the ramen.
Cassius: It is what elevates it from a commonplace soy sauce-based ramen to a beach house ramen.
Cassius: And that is why beach house ramen is so delicious.
Choose: You're part of it too, Cassius.
Isaac: Yeah. You're contributing to the mood as much as everyone else is.
Cassius: I see. I had not considered that. In that case...
Cassius: That must mean that I, too, am a true resident of the skies. Enough that it has seeped into my very bones.
Cassius punctuates his words by slurping down his last mouthful of ramen, a happy smile on his face as he savors its taste.
Such is his joy that (Captain) and Isaac can't help but smile themselves.