The Restaurant of Many Orders (1) (1) (1)
by Kenji Miyazawa · 2026-03-31
Two young gentlemen, dressed entirely in British soldier uniforms, carrying gleaming rifles, and accompanied by two polar bear-like dogs, were walking through a rustling forest deep in the mountains.
"These mountains around here are truly eerie. I can't spot a single bird or beast. I wish I could just fire a shot at anything, quickly."
"It would surely be exhilarating to put two or three shots into a deer's yellow flank, wouldn't it? The thought of it spinning around and collapsing with a thud is irresistible."
They were deep in the mountains. Even the professional hunter who had guided them was somewhat lost.
Moreover, the mountain scenery was so magnificent that the polar bear-like dogs became dizzy along with them, and after barking for a while, they foamed at the mouth and died.
"Truly, this is a loss of two thousand four hundred yen," one gentleman said, slightly opening the dog's eyelid.
"I've lost two thousand eight hundred yen," the other said, bowing his head regretfully.
The first gentleman, his face slightly pale, stared intently at the other's face and said, "I think I'll go back now."
"Yes, it's getting cold, and I'm hungry, so I think I'll go back."
"Well then, let's call it a day. On the way back, we can buy a wild bird for ten yen at yesterday's inn."
"Rabbits were out too, weren't they? It'll be the same in the end. So, why don't we go back?"
However, the troubling thing was that I had completely lost my bearings as to which way to go to return.
The wind howled, the grass rustled, the leaves crinkled, and the trees groaned.
"I'm hungry. My side has been aching terribly for a while now."
"Me too. I don't want to walk much more."
"I don't want to walk. Oh, this is troublesome, I want something to eat."
"I really want something to eat."
The two gentlemen were talking about such things amidst the rustling pampas grass.
Just then, they happened to look back and saw a magnificent Western-style house. And at its entrance,