Moonlight and ... Episode 9: Golden Independence! A Wish Kneaded into Honey Dumplings

Thump!
Thump!

Rattle, clatter...
Rattle, clatter...

Clunk!
Clunk!

Gerumer, the apprentice herbalist, checks his herbal book.
Gerumer, the apprentice herbalist, checks his ancient grimoire.

“The honey is so sticky!! Goodness! Ah!...”
“Oh, the honey is so sticky!! Goodness! Ah!...”

The ratio of flour to flower nectar is...
The ratio of flour to flower nectar...-

determined by the intensity of the moonlight.
-is decided by the intensity of the Moonlight.

On this night of falling Droplet Stars,
On this night of falling ‘Droplet Stars,’

Add one more mint leaf.
Add one more leaf of Mint.

“Dumplings, heave-ho! Become delicious, there!”
“Become delicious, my Dango... there!”

While the stone spirits watch over him,
Watched over by the Stone Spirits,

the golden stickiness reaches its peak.
The golden viscosity reaches its peak.

Thump, clatter
Thump, clatter...

Thump, rattle-clatter-clatter
Thump, rattle-clatter-clatter!

"Alright! That's the signal it's done." I couldn't help but...
“Yes! That’s the signal of completion.”
The words slip out...

The Stone Spirit... hurriedly feigns ignorance and hides back inside the paper
The Stone Spirit, startled, quickly feigns ignorance
and hides back within the pages.

"Huh? Who's there?" Gerumer asks.
“Eh? Who was that?” Gerumer wonders.

"The honey Dango are done! Mmm, delicious!"
“The honey Dango are done! Mm, so yummy~!”

Gerumer stuffs his cheeks full
Gerumer stuffs his cheeks with a happy smile.

"I have to hurry, okay, here I go, Amber will be so happy."
“I must hurry! Okay, here I go！”
“Amber is going to love these!”

The quiet forest where Gerumer's voice echoes
His voice echoes through the quiet forest.

Putting the honey Dango into a grass basket...
Tucking the honey Dango into a grass basket,

Putting on his herbalist-engraved leather gloves,
Slipping on his Herb-engraved leather gloves,

while being watched over by the spirits,
Guided by the watchful eyes of the Spirits—

it is the beginning of Gerume's journey.
Gerumer’s journey begins.

Even if it is clumsy or covered in honey,
there might be a small joy in making things for yourself!
Even if it’s clumsy or sticky with honey,
there may be a quiet joy in creating something of your own！”

Artwork by
Moonlit Drop Atelier

Continuing to Episode 10

Click here for Episode 8