What Did You Eat Yesterday? Volume 9

“Wow! That looks good and smells tasty!” Kenji, contemplating a potato, ham and cheese pancake cooked for breakfast.

Since Fumi Yoshinagi first introduced us to co-habiting forty-something gay couple Shiro Kakei and Kenji Yabuki, she’s treated us to little snapshots of their everyday life, each chapter revolving around or culminating in the preparation and consumption of a meal. And, during the course of these day-to-day culinary experiences, we’ve learned a lot more about the two men, their families, co-workers, and their friends, so that by this, the ninth volume, they feel like old acquaintances. One of the most poignant chapters to date occurred in Volume 8. when Shiro – with uncharacteristically lavish generosity – treated Kenji to a trip to Kyoto, leading Kenji to imagine that this must be the prelude to a difficult confession: the revelation of a dire medical diagnosis or his intention to break up.

Volume 9 begins no less dramatically with some life-changing news for Shiro: his beloved – and cheap! – local supermarket is closing down. Plunged into confusion, the obsessively thrifty lawyer is forced to change his buying habits – and menus – and shop around, leading to the cooking of ratatouille as a way to eke out vegetables he’s been obliged to buy from a more expensive store. In fact, several Western dishes feature in this volume: spaghetti carbonara (with broccoli) thrown together by Kenji’s younger colleague Tabuchi; ‘faux’ roast beef and acqua pazza (the solution to the unexpected breakdown of a friend’s refrigerator). But readers hoping for more Japanese recipes won’t be disappointed as we’re treated to Shiro preparing traditional New Year dishes as the two men celebrate at their flat. And then it’s Shiro’s birthday… but does anyone know how old he’s going to be? The theme of time inexorably passing underlies several of the chapters, mostly conveyed with Yoshinaga’s light, dry touches of humour. However, this volume ends on a rather sober, subdued note as the two go to celebrate the flowering cherry blossom with a little picnic. Shiro has asked his mother for her special recipe for meatballs – the ones she used to prepare for his school bento. There is a special significance to his asking for her advice…

In her long career, Fumi Yoshinaga has written several BL manga that take a wry and realistic view of present-day relationships  (Ichigenme – The First Class is Civil Law; Solfege; The Moon and Sandals).  What did you eat yesterday? may not illustrate the physical side of the two men’s relationship but with some wonderfully subtle touches, she reveals how they feel about each other. “But I want to spend New Year’s with the person who is most important to me,” Shiro tells Kenji in a moment of uncharacteristic candour. “”I really am sorry for giving you such a lonely New Year’s before.” The expressions on both men’s faces and their body language is sensitively and skilfully drawn in this scene, telling the reader much more than just the words alone.

In Summary

A bitter-sweet autumnal flavour pervades these latest chapters in the ongoing saga of Shiro and Kenji’s culinary day-to-day which are still seasoned with delicious sprinklings of humour. Beautifully drawn and told, as ever. (And next time we’re promised Thai curry, beef and zucchini stir-fry, even a croquette sandwich!)