"Inside the Womb... Tarte Tatin" Hisui's Family Short Story - Participation in Naeko-chan's "Haiku de Pon" Part 3

"Tarte Tatin in the Womb"

Why is it that an older sister always thinks of her younger sister as a five-year-old? At the very least, I'm already over thirty.

My sister sat with her knees together in a cafe with old-fashioned decor, using a silver fork to slice up an apple pie—or "Tarte Tatin," according to the menu.
"Want a bite?"
"Yeah."
"Isn't this cafe nice? It's quite an idea to build a cafe on the grounds of an old temple, isn't it?"
I sniffed the air.
"It definitely smells like incense."
My sister frowned.
"Don't say things like a child. Hey, make sure you come to Grandma Rai's memorial service next month; we're holding it here."
"I'll be there."
"And bring Shinpei-kun with you."

I stopped my hand from eating the pie.
"--Shinpei? Why?"
"Because Mom is worried."
"There's nothing to be worried about."
"Mom thinks there is. You were always Mom's favorite, after all."

The scent of incense seemed to grow stronger. Or perhaps the voices at the next table had gotten louder.
I retorted to my sister.

"Mom's favorites are you and our younger brother, Koichi."
"You silly girl."
As she said that, my sister placed another large slice of apple pie on my plate.

"Since I was the first child, Mom was nervous. She always said that raising children wasn't fun. I heard that from Grandma Rai once.
Koichi was the last child, the only boy. The important boy who would inherit our company. She used to grumble about the responsibility. I know that because I heard it directly from her.
As for you--"

My sister cut her sentence short and gently stroked the autumn roses on the table. Unlike spring roses, the petals that had endured the summer heat possessed a taut, refined beauty.

"You are the only child for whom Mom felt no pressure at all. The 'heat' of her affection is different.
That's why."
"That's why what?"
"She's worried about what you intend to do with the child in your womb."


"...How did you know?"
"Both Mom and I have given birth. We can tell just by looking.
I'd like to come back here with your baby around this time next year.
Did you know? Tarte Tatin is said to have originated from the 'Tatin sisters' in France who accidentally burned some apples."

"...Even if I'm burnt, the child won't be, right?"
"Even if there are failed adults, there are no failed children. Everyone is a success."

With a soft click, my sister set down her fork.
"Would you like another piece of Tarte Tatin?"
"No. I'm already full."

I gently pressed my stomach.
This time next year.
Shall we come here together? Hey, Tarte Tatin in my womb.


[End] (1052 characters)


Today, I am participating in a project by my note friend, Naeko-san 💛
It's a super fun project where you choose two or more haiku, tanka, or senryu
that have been submitted to the currently ongoing "Izayoi Cup"
and write something inspired by them.

Several people have already written entries, such as "Sekizo-san" who wrote a poem with an illustration, and "Ricotto-san" who wrote a long poem (choka), so please check them out if you'd like.
It seems there's no deadline for this (lol).
As long as the Izayoi Cup continues, you can enjoy it forever 💛

This time, Hisui borrowed haiku from these two people.

"At the old temple, autumn roses for the late queen"
Himuto-san

"I will give birth, it is your child, Tarte Tatin"
Noriko Tonomura-san

When I tried it, a world different from the original haiku was created,
and it was so much fun.
Thank you, Naeko-san 💛
I just hope I haven't been disrespectful to the two people I borrowed from (lol).
Well, I'm sure they will both forgive me (lol).
Also, also.

Today's story is 1870% fiction (lol).
Please don't worry (lol).
I think I might go with a senryu tomorrow.

The Izayoi Cup is really heating up!!
See you later. See you tomorrow.

The paper-cut style illustration is so refreshing! This is already one of my favorite pictures 💛
It fits the scenery of the haiku perfectly!

I learned about the style called choka
for the first time.
How should I put this.
It was too interesting. Even though there were some slightly sad parts.
Choka. Hisui might get hooked on this too!