You're G O L D|| Sugimoto Saichi x f!Reader x Ogata Hyakunosuke

女

" This pukusa is a big part of an Ainu diet. "Asirpa explained, holding two of the leeks up for you and Sugimoto, " We also call them huraruykina, it means 'strong smelling grass'.  The smell of pukusa is said to be strong enough to keep devils and evil spirits away so we put them under our pillows or have them hang up in out windows or entryways."

You poked at some under a dead tree, "Are these some right here?"

Asirpa nodded and cut some of them out, "They're young too! At this time of year, you can eat them raw and it's really delicious. You can only eat them now since the sprouts are fresh and tender."

She handed one to you and one to Sugimoto. Sugimoto stuffed the entire thing in his mouth and chewed. You could hear the slight crunch and it made you cringe.

"Oh! It has this really sharp taste, but hell yeah, this is good! Go ahead and eat yours (Y/N)!" Sugimoto smiled. You nodded and took a small bite. Immediately, your eyes widened.

"Saichi..." You whispered something in his ear and he nodded furiously.

"Make sure you two eat plenty of these while you work! They give you lots of energy!" Asirpa said, picking some more, "They also help with injuries and diseases, they might even help heal your scars, Sugimoto," She held up a bag full. "Don't pull up the roots when you pick them! IF you do, they say the kamuy will be mad at you and will curse you will illness!" Asirpa warned, "After all, they won't grow without roots, and there won't be any more to harvest."

Sugimoto nodded and walked up a hill, dragging you away from Asirpa. Then, he pulled out one of your favorite things from his pants.

Miso.

You dipped the shoot into the miso and ate greedily, "It's perfect!"

 Asirpa gave you two a side glance.

'she's looking at us'

Sugimoto dipped his pukusa in the miso, "MMM! This is tasty!" You two looked back Asirpa, 'She's gotten closer'

Sugimoto looked around self-consciously, not even noticing the tiny thing sneaking up.

You looked down and jumped back a bit. Asirpa had stolen the miso container and continuously dipped pukusa in it. "Wow! Sugimoto and (Y/N)'s shared osoma really do go with everything!" Asirpa grinned.    

You smiled at her as she walked off with the miso container repeating, "hinna hinna,"

-=-=-

"korkoni and makayo are other tasty things we eat when spring rolls around. Fresh young butterbur leaves and stems can be eaten raw, and Ainu children usually snack on these when they're outside playing." Asirpa explained, refusing to let anyone dip the stems into the miso. "But, they leave a black stain on your lips when you eat them, so it's obvious to everyone."

You poked at one korkoni and took the leaves off of them, " We can put these in a hotpot right?" You asked. Asirpa nodded, so you continued, "Even with the butterbur, we can still shred its leaves, flowers, and stalks, then put it in a hotpot! I've seen Huci do it a couple times, It's even better than eating the raw leaves!"

-=-=-

The three of you sat on a hillside covered in light green makayo and watched a small stream flow by.

"To the Ainu, there are only two seasons; Summer and Winter." Asirpa started, digging her fingers through the damp ground and dirtying her fingernails. " Spring and Fall are just short periods that fall between them."