nhp | (Sutamai) Special Feature, Otomedia August 2018

Title: The delightful favorites of self-assured men ♡

Summary: If educated, intelligent adult men actually had a side to them that loved sweets, then…… your heart would unknowingly skip a beat at this unexpected aspect that wasn’t obvious upon first glance! That’s exactly the case for these two “men with a sweet tooth” from Stand My Heroes. Completely different to that of their confident image, they’re weak for sugary things, and you can feel their “love” for confectionery from that somewhat obsession ♪

For these two who share this common point of having a sweet tooth, we went ahead and interviewed them! Please enjoy their candy-coated conversation ♪

Kujo Soma (CV: Sawashiro Chiharu)

He carries a dignified look and a sophisticated, mature air about him. He’s actually incredibly fond of sweet things, to the point of even calling himself a sweets lover.

30 years old—the Director of a major pharmaceutical company and Head of the Kujo Household. He suffers from a special type of respiratory disease, and rarely shows his face around others. Because he doesn’t talk much himself either, his true intentions are unclear. But more than anything else, he holds the other members of the Kujo Household around him dear to his heart.

Tsuduki Makoto (CV: Takeuchi Shunsuke)

An unparalleled sweets lover known for loving all sugary things, with whipped cream also being a favorite of his. Of course, what he eats in between his writing are sweets as well.

28 years old—a genius author who has at a young age, produced a number of hit novels. He can be stubborn and fussy, but he also displays a side to him that cares about his family, such as when he looks out for his little brother, Kyosuke, and checks out the stuff he’s appeared in. In order to bring his works to life, he’ll exert himself without sparing any effort. If necessary, he’ll even infiltrate the NCD’s crime scene to gather research material.

So, the both of you have been chosen this time to talk for the special feature on “cool and sweet men”.

Kujo: Honestly, it came as a surprise for me to be selected. However, it’s true that I do not dislike sweet things. I don’t know whether I’ll be able to live up to your expectations or not, but I shall do my best to.

Makoto: …… That’s right. Maybe I should borrow the phrase “surprised speechless” and put it at that.

Kujo: If I recall, Tsuduki-san, weren’t you supposed to be lovingly fond of sweet things?

Makoto: …… (I see. As one would expect of the Kujo Household’s information network.)

(......?) W-Well then, I’ll start with asking the questions now. Can the both of you please tell us your hang-ups when it comes to sweets?

Makoto: A hang-up. Hmm…… Perhaps it’s my “uncompromising” stance. When I buy sweets, or in the rare case where I make them, I spare no time and effort in going about it. And when I give them a taste, I do so thoroughly. I make a judgement on if it’s delicious or not by trusting in my senses and without being rashly influenced by the opinions around me. Looking at it this way, it shares similarities with my writing a novel.

Kujo: That answer was very like of you to say, Tsuduki-san. As for me…… Yes, let’s see. It may be slightly different to that of a hang-up, but it’s to “eat sweets where you can taste the season”. I often eat things that are in season or are modelled after that season’s image. In spring, it’s a sakura cheesecake; in autumn, it’s sweet potato, and so on. Thanks to that, I am always aware of the season and can enjoy the sweets, regardless if it’s Japanese or Western. This is also thanks to Miyase making them for me. I’m grateful to him.

Then moving on, what pops up in mind for the both of you when speaking of “summer sweets”?

Makoto: Summer sweets, huh. Come to think of it, the yuzu sherbet that I ate recently was superb. It’s hard to also forego the milk agar after eating something spicy or hot. No, wait, the popsicle eaten after a bath is also…… As I thought, things with a cold and refreshing taste are what’s characteristic of this season.

Kujo: Yes, I’m also of the same opinion. Added to that, things that feel refreshing to look at when you see them can’t be enjoyed outside of this season. Even if you eat sakura kudzu or kingyoku during the other seasons, you won’t be bringing forth its true potential after all.

Makoto: You’ve got a point there. In that case…… I’d pick shaved ice. Originally, it wasn’t something you could see during the other seasons. It would seem that lately, places specializing in it are popping up here and there, and there are more ways to enjoy it.

Kujo: Then I will go with adzuki bean jelly. There appears to be a shop that makes them by directly cooling them in spring water, so I’m a tad interested by it. It’s also said to be a limited seasonal product, and is apparently only sold in summer.

Makoto: …… Then, I hope you don’t mind me asking you about the details of this place later.

Kujo: By all means.

To finish off, please leave a message for the readers of Otomedia!

Makoto: I’ve found some sweets that you’d seem to like. Please do eat them when you drop by. Until then, I’ll also work on beating the deadline for my manuscript. So please let me take my time having a taste of them by your side when that happens.

Kujo: Perhaps you could tell me what sweets you’d recommend, if any. Of course, it doesn’t just have to be on that. I wouldn’t mind hearing about your favorite sweets shop or one that you’ve got your eyes on even. It would make me happy if I could spend my time together with you, sharing in the things that you love.