The Food Diary of Miss Maid (メイドさんは食べるだけ)

It's gotten really cold out!

I'm Suzume.

I'm a maid who serves at a mansion in the UK.

However...

Due to various circumstances, said mansion has collapsed.

EEK

Until it's repaired,

I'll be staying here in Japan for the next year!

Done!

What shall I have today?

It's delicious!

I've never heard of it before.

Really? It's got fruit...

No doubt about it. That's her.

It's really good!

We have them here in Japan?

It's so awkward running into a friend from behind like this.

Do I say hi?

I don't want to interrupt their conversation, though...

You're right!

Yeah.

All right. I'll take a detour.

Better than feeling awkward!

Oh, Komatsu-san!

Hey, isn't that...

Don't you live in our building too?

That's right! We've run into each other before.

I'm tickled you remember me.

The name's Anzu.

So you two already know each other.

Whenever I see you, I can't help admiring how tall and cool you are.

I'm glad we get to talk like this!

How do I respond to a compliment from a stylish social butterfly like her?

Why did you have to go and say you think I'm cool?

I just love what a straight shooter you are.

I know, Suzume-san!

Let's ask Komatsu-san if she knows that thing you just got!

You mean this?

Yup.

Komatsu-san, do you know about stollen?

It's a seasonal staple leading up to Christmas.

What? Sto... Stollen?

No, I have no clue what that is.

See?

Really?

I'm headed over to Suzume-san's right now to check it out.

Would you like to join us?

Well, you've got me curious, so if that's okay...

Woo-hoo! The more, the merrier!

Wow, you have a kotatsu!

Oh, my sleep-deprived body is loving this.

Yeah, this is heaven.

Thank you for waiting!

I'm sure you'll recognize it once you see it.

I present...

Stollen!

BAM

Bam!

What's this?

Is it edible? There's white powder all over it.

What gives?

Chyun!

Stollen is a traditional German treat

that's a must-have during the Christmas season.

THAT'S RIGHT

That's right.

Master loves it, so we have it every year back at the mansion.

Really?

That's nice.

They're also sold in Japan, but they don't seem to be familiar.

I know! Let's slice it.

It looks better on the inside.

I'll be right back!

She's so excited.

Wow! It looks like a pound cake.

It's got a complex, delightful aroma from all the fruit.

Looks delicious!

What a relief.

Please, give it a try!

Let's eat!

It's dense.

The fruits and nuts come together so nicely! It's delightful!

I'm into the bits of fig. They add a fun texture.

It's customary to cut it into thin slices...

But at home, when nobody's watching...

That's a really thick slice.

Thick enough to stand upright on the plate.

Wow, that was so good.

Oh, but isn't this supposed to be eaten on Christmas Day?

Not to worry!

It's traditionally eaten at the beginning of December.

You enjoy it slice by slice every day leading up to Christmas.

The sugar soaks in more and more,

so the flavor changes every day.

Really? I wonder how that last bite tastes!

I have that last bite I'm supposed to save until the very end right here.

Suzume-san?

It's just so good! I couldn't help but polish it off!

I had seconds, too.

Same here. I couldn't stop at one slice.

By the way, stollen isn't meant to be sliced from end to end.

You cut from the middle,

then push it back together to store it.

This helps keep it from drying out,

so you can enjoy it right to the very last bite!

Although it's all gone now.

Chyun!

That sure was tasty.

All right! I'm gonna go buy some for me and Suzume-san this instant.

It'll be fun!

I was thinking the same thing.

Otherwise, I'll never get out from under this kotatsu.

Why don't we all go together right now?

Yeah, sure. Let's do it.

Anzu-san! Komatsu-san!

The store is close by!

I bet the staff will be surprised to see you again today.

I'll establish myself as a regular.

I'll ask you how the flavor's changed next time I see you,

so don't eat it all at once!

That really was a thick slice.

No wonder it disappeared so quickly.

I know. So...

I'll buy more this time!

Is that the right strategy?

What is that?

Hello!

Happy-san!

You're as chipper as ever.

I'm here!

Oh, there you are, Suzume.

Hello, Grandpa.

Am I interrupting your work?

Oh, this? These are New Year's greeting cards to arrive in the new year.

New Year's?

NEW YEAR'S?

But it's not even Christmas yet.

You're right. It feels way too early, doesn't it?

If you want these to arrive on New Year's,

they have to be sent out by Christmas.

I see...

Care to write some yourself?

May I?

All right!

Grandpa, can they be delivered even if they don't have addresses?

You need the addresses, so make sure you ask next time.

Okay!

I'm trying to resist the urge to draw a Christmas tree...

I can understand that.

That's right.

I actually saw a Christmas tree on the way here.

A Christmas tree?

I don't remember one around here...

It had a single orange star on top. It was a classy one.

An orange star?

Ah, I think you saw a kimori-gaki, not a Christmas tree.

A kimori-gaki?

When harvesting persimmons,

you leave one behind to wish for another plentiful harvest next year.

PERSIMMON GOD

I see!

Chyun!

There's also a theory that the kimori-gaki is left

as the birds' share to help them through the winter.

STARLING

Starlings in particular love persimmons.

Chyun!

SHRIEK

Whoa, that scared me!

Speaking of...

Someone just gave us a load of persimmons.