Chapter Text
After listening to the radio, the navi and each others chatter for a good while, the white car halted on a field of grass.
Surrounded by mountains, Nomoto and Kasuga felt safe from any disturbance this evening and took in the serene athmosphere. The air sure did smell much fresher here and unlike in the city, noise was almost non existent. Instead, the sounds of birds and leaves in the breeze took over.
Knowing it will get dark in soon, the women first setup a tarp besides the car plus a table, camping chairs and some fairylights, creating a cozy hangout.
Second, they setup the portable gas stove Kasuga had previously bought as disaster preparations.
Nomoto remembered the day well when the lights have gone out once in their apartments. On that evening, both Nagumo and she spent time in Kasuga's apartment, berating on what to do next.
Luckily, the wiring problem didn't persist long. No one had to worry about their fridges not cooling for long or phones running out of energy.
Sure, it seemed first like they were in for some trouble, but even then she felt a little at ease. Because that evening, she brought Kasuga's candle back home with her. Like she brought home a little of her partner's warmth.
"Do you think this will shield the flame enough from the wind?",
Nomoto asked. They had begun arranging stuff under the tarp, with Kasuga replying:
"I do think it will suffice."
The gas stove was placed on top of a small portable table, yet the arrangement allowed for a small aluminium wind shield, cutlery and different ingredients to be placed right besides. To the luck of the two, no rainclouds were present, which made staying outside and perhaps seeing something special later on easier.
"We will see, at least it doesn't seem to be windy right now."
Nomoto turned away from the table taking in the evening sun. It's still bright presence sat inbetween the green mountains and shed warm light into the valley. Both stood still for a moment in silence.
"What a great sight to take in."
"Yes, indeed", Nomoto said with a genuine smile on her sunlit face.
Kasuga wondered sometimes, what does Nomoto think about when she spaces out with a smile? When it's not out in nature adoring its beauty but in our apartment?
Before Kasuga had enough time to think about the question, she herself was caught daydreaming by Nomoto.
"Eh? Kasuga?"
"Hmm?"
"Let's better cook something up before it gets too dark!"
Nomoto swiftly turned her attention to opening a box, containing differents sorts of shredded cheese. She emptied said box into a stainless steel pot.
In the meantime, Kasuga helped her to open a bottle of white wine, pouring some of it into the same pot.
"Today's meal will be fondue! Easy to make, as long as you got the right ingredients. Luckily, I've found the best ratios of cheese online. Did you know there are even competions held in Switzerland for the best fondue?"
Kasuga gave a slight nod.
"I suppose you can't let any cheese go to waste when you have such a variety in your country."
"Buuut... let's not forget I also brought the new sandwich makers with me. Would you please take out the toast and our side dish, the salad? We'll have quattro formaggi sandwiches and fondue to see what's really the best for camping!"
"Hmm, but is it a fair competition when different kinds of cheese are used?
These sanwiches contain mozzarella and cheese from goat's milk while the fondue doesn't."
"Let's gloss over the fact we've splurged this time on all this cheese...", Nomoto said as she remembered how they then entered the foreign specialities store and left with quite the price on the receipt.
"Anyways, let's set up!"
Soon, the fondue pot and sandwich makers were setup. The mozarella, goat's cheese and some leftover from the cheese meant for fondue where put inbetween toast slices, creating delicious sandwiches in the maker.
As the fondue melted, it was carefully stirred under Nomoto's watch not to burn it or otherwise heat it up too much.
What they had now in front of them was a sight to behold for all cheese fans. Both thought back on their first valentines day together, eating from the same fondue forks their sweet delights. Sweet strawberries, sour kiwis and more dipped into the bittersweet chocolate.
The two now sitting on camping chairs with the dinner prepared meant it could begin.
"Let's dig in!"
"Let's dig in!"
Nomoto filled her glass with some of the imported white wine. She took a sip and then a look at Kasuga as always.
Taking forks with them this time for the green and fresh salad, Kasuga didn't hesitate to down said salad after eating both a sandwich and some bread covered in the fondue. The cutlery made noise against the dishes while picking the salad.
"Mhhm, the salad does taste fresh."
"And it does complement the cheese heavy meal as well. As does this nice wine." She held her delicate glass in front of her, like she wanted Kasuga to toast with her bottle of water.
Kasuga thought back on the time when such a camping adventure seemed far away from actually happening, the night both had celebrated New Year's Eve together.
She already felt very much accomplished from this evening, even if her plan was to show Nomoto the shooting stars later on.
The two foodies not hungry anymore after dinner, took in the last rays of sunshine on their camping chairs, bringing them a moment of bliss.