Jun smiled when she smelled smoke and shook the sauce pan. The sludge crisped at the edges, smoking. The beautiful mass bore little resemblance to the eggs she'd found poaching in water. And all she had to do was apply heat strategically. That, some toast and more oil. She didn't know what to expect, but if she guessed correctly, the result might be comparable to lampblack. She bounced on her toes, and turned up the dial on the heat. The windows were open, and the industrial strength fan drew most of the greasy smoke out of the kitchen. Still, the hood over the range could be improved...

"What are you doing?" said Jinpei, entering the kitchen.

Jun turned to him with a happy smile. "Making lampblack! We're having fireworks tonight! Probably, big orange ones. What do you say? Dynamite, right?"

"With my lunch?!"

Oh! Jun grimaced. "Well...It was...Well, I got to thinking that..."

"You were supposed to watch it so it didn't burn!"

Apologetically, Jun said, "Well, I about that...I...Had an idea...And...Want some ramen?"