In episodes 4, 5, and 6 of ‘Our Dining Table’, the past is a double-edged sword that cuts and heals. All the while, Christmas truly comes in to bring people closer (both physically and emotionally) together!
Episode 4: Cuts from the Past.
In a flashback, it is revealed that Yutaka is adopted. He opens his phone to phone again on the message his brother sent him but the painful memories of his childhood prevent him from responding. Fortunately, he is comforted by the recent adventures he has had with Tane and Minoru. While his childhood has only given him nothing but cold and dark memories, that of Tane’s and Minoru’s are painted with yellow and honey.
Because the three weren’t able to cook curry before, Tane suggests they cook it this time. While they are buying the ingredients in the grocery store, they unexpectedly run into Yutaka’s older brother, Yuki. The atmosphere is visibly tense. It is as if the two men aren’t even brothers. Yuki is antagonistic and does not even acknowledge Yutaka’s friends. Instead, he just scoffs, telling Yutaka that he hasn’t changed. He adds that he will tell their parents that he is still alive.
In another melancholic flashback, it is revealed that although Yutaka’s adoptive parents were welcoming, his older brother was not. He treated him worse than an outsider.
Even when they arrive at Minoru’s home, after cooking and enjoying the curry, Yutaka’s sullen mood does not go unnoticed by Minoru.
Although Minoru wants to be there for him and ask him about the problem, he is unable to do so. It is as if something is holding him back.
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Episode 5: Delicious magic for the kid who’s trying.
Minoru remembers a memory from when he was a young boy. In the flashback, his mom is making him dinner after a long day at school and baseball practice. He looks back at the memory with bittersweet fondness.
As he is picking up Tane from school, on their way home, he runs into his ex-girlfriend, Shiori. They sit down in a cafe where Shiori tries to convince Minoru to go back to university as she believes that he doesn’t have to bear all the burden of their family. He is unable to reply as Shiori leaves.
Meanwhile, Yutaka tells Minoru and Tane that they won’t be able to meet as he unfortunately has work even though it’s a Saturday. Rei notices that Yutaka looks sad. She advises him to eat something delicious to cheer himself up.
On his way home, stopping at the grocery store, he runs into Tane and Minoru who are buying ingredients for dinner. Minoru tells him that they are just picking out something easy to eat as he doesn’t want to cook. They don’t realize that Tane is gone but he comes back quickly holding a chicken noodle pack. Minoru lights up like a light bulb and tells the two that he knows exactly what they will be having for dinner.
When they arrive home, Minoru reveals that he will be cooking his mother’s recipe: Ramen Fried Rice. In a flashback, a young Minoru is seen peeking over his mother who is cooking the meal for him.
They eat together and once done and Tane is sleeping, the two are left alone drinking. Minoru opens up, revealing that Tane never got to taste their mother’s Ramen Fried Rice. Yutaka smiles gently and tells him he is just like his mother, taking care of the people he loves. Minoru is about to ask Yutaka about his family when his father disrupts them.
When Yutaka is finally about to leave, Minoru gives him the photo of the three of them enjoying their bento boxes.
The next day, because of the magic of the friend rice (and each other’s presence), both Yutaka and Minoru are happy and smiling once again.
