Kim Izumi (2024)

Tara: What made you decide to become a butcher?
Kim: My parents own a restaurant back home, and I hung around the kitchen and learned what I could. What about you? Is this your first time working with food?
--[Choice: I used to work in a kitchen too]
-Tara: No, I worked in a kitchen to help pay my way through college and I have the burn scars to prove it. See?
-Kim: Gnarly! Ah, it’s a small price to pay for culinary greatness, am I right?
--[Choice: I was a terrible waitress]
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--[Choice: I’ve only worked desk jobs]
-Tara: Ya, this is my first time at a job that isn't behind a desk.
-Kim: Well, you're trying something new, right?
Kim: I like the freedom of running my own place. Kind of miss the chaos of the kitchen though, ribbing the line cooks and shouting over the banging pots. It’s too quiet here sometimes.
Tara: Well, if you want just give me a call and I’ll come and clang pots over your head anytime!
Kim: Haha! Okay, it’s a deal.

Kim: Not yet. I come out just to relax, really. I tried to drag my ex out on fishing charters when I lived in the city, but she got terribly seasick the first time and refused to come out on the water again.
--[Choice: Vomit makes good chum]
-Tara: Hey, vomit makes good chum.
-Kim: That is disgusting. And also very true! It’s not every day I run into a girl who knows what chum is. I’m impressed.
--[Choice: The ferry would have been a problem]
-Tara: It's probably for the best that you broke up. The ferry would hav been a problem.
-Kim: That's exactly it. We tried doing the long distance thing for a little while, but once she realized the ferry would be a regular thing I think it helped speed up the relationship's demise. It was for the best though.
--[Choice: Maybe fish guts are gross?]
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Kim: Things are fine with my ex. We’re still friends. She got custody of the cat, but I still visit him whenever I’m back in town.
Tara: No way. You gave up the cat?
Kim: Eh, I was allergic anyway. There’s a stray around here, I feed it fish scraps and pet it sometimes, then I wish my hands like I’m scrubbing into surgery. All the kitty companionship, none of the constant sneezing. It’s a win-win. Well, thanks for keeping me company out here. It’s nice to have a new friend that’s not completely turned off by fish hooks and cut bait. Maybe next time you can tell me your tales of romantic woe!

Angus: Whatever, you’re laughing! How about this one: What do you call a gay pride parade in Fairhaven? …Four people and a flag! What about you, Miss Tara? What side of the parade would you fall on? Inquiring minds want to know.
Kim: Angus, that’s none of your business! Tara, you don’t have to answer that.
--[Choice: I don’t care about labels]
-Tara: I follow my heart wherever it leads. I don’t really care about labels, to be honest.
-Angus: Oooh, I like her, Kim.
--[Choice: Who’s asking?]
-Tara: I'll answer when you tell me who wants to know, Angus.
-Angus: Oh, nobody. Certainly no one in this room.
--[Choice: Kim is right]
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Angus: Forgive me if I overstepped. It’s just that I want to try a recipe for this romantic chocolate fondue to go with my fresh pound cake, and there are no new couples around here to give it a whirl! Let me know if you know anyone who might be interested….

Tara: Do you usually send a baby fish eggs?
Kim: Yeah, it’s a perfect baby food – all the omega acids for little growing brains! My dad used to make us chirashi bowls with ikura and fresh uni. I’m totally doing the same for my little ones someday.
--[Choice: I bet you’ll be a great parent]
-Tara: I bet you’ll be a great parent. Just will have to keep the knives up high.
-Kim: Oh yeah, no doubt! My parents were militant about us staying out of the kitchen after my sister got too close to an open flame and the end of her ponytail caught fire! I got to dump a glass of water on her head with no repercussions, though, so that was awesome.
--[Choice: Kids? Like, plural?]
-Tara: So, how many kids are you thinking of having, Kim?
-Kim: Oh, I don't know. I guess me and my partner will have to figure that out. I'd like at least two though. Childhood is way more fun with a sibling to torment.
--[Choice: Don’t you need a partner first?]
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Kim: I gotta say, this would be a pretty idyllic place to raise a family. I can see why Hazel chose it. Maybe you came back because you feel the same way.
Tara: I haven’t really thought about that stuff yet. I’m still trying to get the farm in order.
Kim: Well, I bet when the time comes, you’ll be a great mom. If that’s what you want.

Tara: Really? What’s up?
Kim: I feel like I’ve gotten to know you a bit over the last few weeks. I’ve been wondering if you’d be interested in going on a date with me sometime?
Tara: Sure, I’d love that!
Kim: I’m so glad to hear it! I’ll think of someplace great!
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Kim: Sophia, it smells amazing in here! Tara, I’ve always been kind of a blunt person, I don’t know how to dance around things really, so I’ll just say it. My road to self-acceptance was long, but I’m there now. I really like who I am. And I like you. I feel something happening between us, but if you don’t, I’m cool either way. I just want you to feel free to be upfront with me about how you feel.
--[Choice: I feel the same way]
-Tara: I feel the same way, Kim. I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you.
-Sophia: Yay! Maybe I really am a matchmaker! Ah, I love love!
--[Choice: I don’t feel the same way]
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Meet me near the bridge by your mine this Sunday! I want to show you something!
--Kim
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Tara: Hi Kim, what’s up?
Kim: Do you like folktales, Tara? My favorite one comes from both of my cultures. It’s the Tanabata festival in Japan, and it’s inspired by a Chinese story: The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, who lived among the stars. In the story, the weaver girl, Orihime, and her beloved, the cowherd Hikoboshi, lived on opposite sides of the Heavenly River, the Milky Way. When Orihime and Hikoboshi fell in love, Orihime stopped weaving cloth for the sky king, and Hikoboshi let his cows stray all over heaven. So the sky king separated them.
Tara: That’s terrible!
Kim: But Orihime’s tears moved the king to pity, and he agreed to let them meet on the 7th day of the 7th month if she finished her weaving in time. But when the day arrived, there was no bridge for them to cross to reach each other. So a flock of magpies made a bridge with their wings so the lovers could be together.
Tara: That is a really romantic story.
Kim: I feel like I’ve been waiting more than 7 months to meet someone like you. I’ve been waiting my whole life. I love you, Tara.
Tara: Oh, Kim, I love you too! Wait a moment. Am I… the cowherd in this story?
Kim: Well obviously.
Tara: Great. That’s great.

Kim: Aww, you beat me to it!
Tara: Will you marry me, Kim?
Kim: Of course! When? Let’s do it now!
Tara: Or… maybe next week?
Kim: Sorry, I just got excited! I’ll set everything up at the Silver Willow tree!

Tara: It’s just the same ‘ol me, babe.
Kim: Maybe. But now you’re all mine. Everyone else can eat their heart out.
Tara: Kim!
Gloria: I haven’t been home a long time, but when I first saw Tara and Kim together, I could feel a spark between them. I charge them now to nurture it and take care of each other, no matter what the future brings them. Kim, do you take Tara to be your wife?
Kim: I do!
Gloria: And Tara, do you take Kim to be your spouse?
Tara: Yes!
Angus: They’re so frickin’ cute!
Gloria: I now pronounce you married! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.
Kim: C’mon babe, let’s go home. I wanna get packed up and shacked up.