Mochi Master

It had been a few weeks since Yama took dango-making lessons with Burrogatory’s residential grump. The seamster had almost completely forgotten about the whole mochi-making lessons, the original reason he had to learn how to make dango to begin with. It wasn’t until he was out running errands in the nearby area, passing Dan’s dango store, that he remembered.

While he thought about walking in there and seeing how to make mochi on this current outing, he was on the fence about the whole process. Mochi certainly seemed harder to make than the little treats on a stick were. But, there was also a curiosity that came with learning a new skill. So, Yama simply decided he’d return at a more appropriate time for both of them, though with how popular the shop seemed, Yama wasn’t sure exactly when that would be. Dan’s dango was the best confectionary Burrogatory had to offer, after all.

A few more days pass, and Yama has finally returned to continue with the practice.  He makes his way to the back of the shop where he finds Dan waiting, materials out and ready.  Yama’s eyes fall on the hammer, a little taken back by how a hammer was involved to begin with- he wasn’t exactly well versed in the art of making mochi, why would he be when his profession was with altering clothes? 

Dan laid down the basics, his words short and straight to the point, just how Yama preferred all conversation. As Yama would find out, the hammer was for pounding the steamed rice until you eventually got a smooth dough just from smacking the rice long enough. This seemed to be a lot of work for a small treat, though Yama could understand the respect for tradition aspect of it. Luckily, with his own job, patience was key; rushing a sewing job easily led to mistakes and more work. It would not be the lack of patience that would make this task difficult, but rather the lack of passion overall when it came to crafting the treat.

They started the process, Yama helping with flipping the rice dough as Dan expertly worked the hammer. Admittedly, Yama found the process to be annoying, having to constantly wet his hands to keep the dough from sticking to them. He dumbly wondered who would go to such lengths for this, when said person was standing right across from him with the hammer. Right.

After what feels like forever, Yama finds that the mochi is still not ready. However, at the very least, as his hands work the dough in tandem with Dan’s hammer, he notices the consistency changing—signs of progress being made. Thank god for that, because if there wasn’t any shift, Yama wasn’t sure he’d make it through the rest of the task.

Another eternity passes, and finally Dan sets the hammer aside, signaling the end of this horrific task. By the grace of demons, Yama has managed to bite back any complaints or gripes throughout this process. Yet, as he tries the dough on its own (earning a glare from Dan), he finds that it’s rather mild. The only flavor is the subtle sweetness the grains provide. With all the work involved, perhaps Yama’s expectations were higher. However, he wouldn’t voice that opinion. He wasn’t one to insult someone else’s craft, especially when they were holding a hammer.

With the hardest part of the process over, it was time to wrap the filling in the fresh mochi, this season's mochi involving a milk filling. With his arms sore from the previous strenuous task, Yama decides to just...watch Dan this time. Yama was fit enough, but his arms were nothing like Dan’s—now was not the time to ogle, however. Did Yama miss some of the steps with filling the mochi? Yes. Was it due to staring at Dan’s arms and not his hands? Also yes. Obviously, he wasn’t going to say anything about his drift in attention.

“Well,” Yama starts, taking the mochi from Dan and turning it in his hands. “I can say for certain that this whole thing is not for me,” a truthful admission. He didn’t have the same passion that Dan had, the kind necessary to hone a craft to perfection. “I can see why you’re the best, though.”

While Dan didn’t find an apprentice today, Yama at least left with a new appreciation for mochi.