164-Episode 143. Memories of Coffee

And!Nepheli's beauty at that time ...... still makes my heart flutter when I remember it now. ...... The way she spread her slender arms and jumped toward the sky was as gorgeous as a swan. ......They were as gorgeous as swans. ......'

It's a shame, it's a chicken.

The last order of the day has already passed, but Percy from the 40th district is still making idle chitchat at the sunlit pavilion.

A few days after Estella explained to me about the city gate.

Today was a day that was moderately crowded and moderately empty ...... from the morning, or rather, it was a day that was delicately exhausting ...... because the customers kept coming and going, and it seemed like both working hard and taking a break.

It's easier to give up if they come to you.

In customer service, it's sometimes easier to run around than to wait.

But a day like today, when you're short on time but the customers keep coming, is a bit mentally and physically exhausting.

And the end of such a day is this stupid raccoon.

'Hurry up and go home. You'll lose your carriage.

Even after the tournament was over, the exchange between the three districts was still active, with the construction of the city gate of District Forty-two and other things, so the regular carriage service was still running.

'Oh, it's already this late ......, I've lost the last train, can I stay here?

'What kind of carnivorous girl are you?

Also, 'forced translation magic' ...... is a 'carriage'!It's not the last train, is it?I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.

'Ah!I knew you were here.

A girl comes to the restaurant late at night, just before closing time. She's a strong girl with raccoon ears on her head. It's Percy's sister, Molly.

'Hey, bro. Tomorrow is the day of the big sugar shipment. It's early in the morning, so you'd better come home early.

'Yeah!It's okay, Molly!Just for today!

'That's why I'm going to ...... have a big deal with the peddlers' guild tomorrow morning. You have to go home today, right?

'You can do it, Molly. She's a better negotiator than me. Molly's cute, so maybe the old man from the peddler's guild will buy her at a higher price?I'm not going to allow anyone to look at Molly like that.

'I'm sorry, Yashiro-san. I'm sorry, Yashiro. I'm a noisy brother.

'No, it's not Molly's fault. It's you who should be punished.

I remember Assunto saying that big deals happen frequently after the middle of the month.

If that's the case, the delegate should go home. Or rather, go home.

'I'm in the mood to stay at the Sunken Pavilion today!

'I'd like to ask you to leave now.

'Again!You're always joking!

'Hey, bro. Your eyes aren't smiling at all. You should notice. You need to learn to read people.

Molly stares at her brother as if she's looking at some pitiful filth. What a sad little girl. You can't choose your family.

'Anyway!If I say I'm staying, I'm staying!If you don't, I'll quit the factory!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. ...... Percy crossed his arms and showed his determination to fight.

...... But...

'...... Then my brother is no longer my child.

In a very cold voice, Molly turned on her heel and walked toward the exit.

'Hey!Wait, wait, wait!Just kidding!You're joking!Molly!

'Hey, can you not touch me?I'll call the vigilante.

'Why do you have to be such a stranger?

'Yes, sir. I'm a stranger.

'You're my sister!

'Yes. Until just now.''

'I'm Forever Brother!

That translation, is that okay with you, 'forced translation magic'?

I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.

'Ugh ...... anchan ...... my sister is very strict with my brother ......'.

'Be thankful that you're not being disrespected for playing around so much, prodigal brother.

Percy, who was really crying after being ignored by Molly for a short while, seemed to have decided to leave quietly.

'Well, I'll be back.

'Oh. Come back sooner this time.

I'll see you later!

'Hey, there.

'See you later!

'Why did you change the ending?

'See you...'

'You're creepy.

'Ma-ta-nu'.

'What the hell is 'nu'?

'Moooooo!

The shocking truth!Percy was actually a cow!

'What's that, woosie?

'Percy!I'm the one who said what?I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

You're talking about that again. ......

'Mr. Percy.'

Just as I was thinking of what to say, Ginette approached me with quiet steps.

'I'm sure all of us will be waiting for you again.

'...... Ah, yes.'

'Come on, bro. Don't make me worry too much. I told you to learn to read the air, didn't I?I don't want you breathing oxygen, okay?'

'Scary!You're scaring me, Molly!What, do you have that kind of authority?

'I'm sorry, Mr. Manager, Mr. Yashiro. I'm such an idiot.'

'No, it's not Molly's fault. It's you who should be punished.''

'I think that's one of your charms, Mr. Percy.

'Oh, please don't praise me too much. You'll get carried away. Now, if you'll excuse me.

Molly grabbed Percy by the collar and dragged him away.

'Come on, brother, he said he'd wait for me with all the employees. That should convince you.'

'No, but ......'.

'You need to learn to read people, bro. The chickens won't like you.'

'I can read the air very well!

'Oh, yes, yes. That's great.

These conversations are fading.

Molly, you're getting tougher. ...... That's right, having a brother who's out playing 20 days out of the month makes you tougher.

And you don't really like Nepheli, the cause of the problem, do you? It's not Nepheli's fault, though.

'I hope things work out for you.

'Percy and Nepheli?I don't know...'

It's a long shot. Nepheli, he doesn't like people with no animal features. And then there's the matter of the succession of each other's family business. ......

'No, ...... well, that's one thing, but ............ many things.'

'A lot of things?'

'Yes.'

Ginette turned around and smiled.

'Many things.'

There was a gentle, kind smile on her face, and it made my ...... heart sting just a little bit.

'...... Yashiro.'

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind you.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this. ......

'...... Magda has learned a new secret technique.'

'Secret technique?What's that?

Are you saying that the Red Moya has become even more powerful?

No, but... It's a new secret technique,......, and if you teach it to me, it won't be a secret technique at all,is that okay?

'So, what's this secret technique?

'...... Actually, Magda is already asleep at ...................'

'What?

That's ridiculous!When I looked into Magda's face, I saw ............

'...... asleep.'

It was a perfect sleeping face.

Even his nose lantern was puffed up.

I've never seen anyone inflate their nose lanterns while awake before.

So that's proof that Magda is completely asleep at the moment!

'So, then, Yashiro-san, ...... that was the conversation we were just having.

'That's ............ probably ............ talking in his sleep'.

'............ affirmation. Mnya Mnya ......'

'Not awake?'

'...... negative'.

'Seriously? ......'

'...... seriously. Mnyamnya.'

Magda's new secret technique for falling asleep upright and even talking to others: .................. Yeah, no demand.

'Let's go upstairs and get some sleep. ......'

'............Hmm...... do so......'

I thought I'd grown up a bit after the ...... tournament,............ but I'm still a kid.

'Yo ......!

I'll take Magda in a princess hug.

What?

He's getting a little heavy, isn't he?

I was so excited when I picked him up just after winning the tournament that I didn't notice. ......

In any case,......, kids grow up so fast.

'The day when you become a boob may be near.

'Yashiro-san. You are leaking the voice of your heart.

'............ sigh. The day I become a boi is also .......'

'Mr. Yashiro . I don't understand what you're rephrasing.'

Ginette smiles at me and gives me a tsukkomi.

If you say you've changed, this guy might have changed too. I'm not sure what to make of it.I'm not sure.

I'm not sure what to make of it. I'll take care of the lock up and clean up.

'No, you should be the one resting. You've been working a lot, haven't you?

'I'm fine.'

'......, is that right?

'Yes.'

Well, I'm a little tired from dealing with Percy too. ......

'Well, let me get some rest first.'

'Yes, sir. Good night. You too, Magda.

'......Munyu............OyaSyu......... ...'

Magda's battery seemed to have run out before she could finish.

The secret technique was over.

With Magda in my arms, I headed upstairs.

I put Magda down and went to my room.

I was tired, and I was confident that I could fall asleep as soon as I got into bed.

In fact, when I crawled into bed and closed my eyelids, a feeling of fatigue spread slowly throughout my body, and I felt tired and sleepy to the extent that I had not yet reached the point of slumber.

If I close my eyelids and count to twenty, I'll be in a dream. ......

'......You're in trouble, aren't you?

There's something wrong with the people around me lately.

It's probably because of what I did at the end of the tournament. ............ No, Percy and Moormat were a little crazy before that.

'......Am I really that in-your-face? ......'

I can't stop thinking about it, so I just say it out loud.

It's not that I want anyone to listen to me. It's just that I felt that if I let it out, it would go away.

'Me ............'.

I'm a fraud. ......

'I'm a fraud ......' I'm a fraud ...... and I'm about to go out of business ............ Maybe I'll ......'

Quit being a fraud. ............

Forget about the past and the ...... past. ............

I'll just stay ...... here ............

.................. Haha, no, no. It's impossible.

Let's go to sleep.

That's what I thought, and I gave up thinking.

Your consciousness fades away, and you feel as if ...... your body is sinking.

Just as the expression "falling asleep" implies, my consciousness was plunged into a deep darkness. ............

A few hours later: ......

'd*mn ......, I can't sleep for some reason.

I've been having trouble sleeping lately.

My body is tired, my consciousness is slumbering, and I feel like I can sleep, but ...... when I try to sleep, unnecessary things run around in my brain, and my brain never stops spinning.

There have even been days when I've tossed and turned and the wake-up bell has rung .......

I feel like that will happen again today.

I'm tired, but I can't sleep.

'Oh, shit. ......'

I picked myself up and left the room to get a cup of coffee.

I'm not going to sleep today.

I probably won't be able to sleep no matter how hard I try after this.

I wondered what time it was ...... when I walked down to the courtyard.

'Huh?

'Oh, good morning. Mr. Yashiro.

'Oh, you're early. Good morning, Mr. Yashiro.'

There were Ginette and Assunto at the back door.

'...... I have to tell my imaginary wife that Assunto is there and she won't budge.

'Wait a minute, Mr. Yashiro. I don't have that kind of relationship with Jeannette, and my wife is real. And if you think it's fictional, there's no need to report it to ............, so can you please stop throwing so many things into one line?

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

He's been methodical since early morning.

'Today's not the day for new arrivals, is it?

The ingredients for the restaurant are basically purchased in bulk at the beginning and middle of the month. However, after that, we are flexible, or rather, we place an order with Assunto to buy more according to the situation, but in any case, Ginette has to inform us in advance.

In either case, Ginette would inform me in advance, saying, 'Mr. Assunto will be here tomorrow.

I try to wake up as early as possible on days when I am told so.

The number of days I've woken up early just because I'm trying to is infinitely small.

But I haven't heard that Assunto is coming today.

That's why ......

'I knew it was for my brain wife ......'

'Yashiro-san. There she is, my wife.

Because you never show me!

'Um, Yashiro-san. I didn't inform you today because it's my personal order.'

'Personal?'

...... Ginette to Assunto?

'She wanted to keep her delicious food all to herself without telling us. ......'

Oh, my God. I didn't know Ginette was such a picky eater. ......

''Well, ............, why not?

''What?

Jeannette is a ...... tweaker!

''Oh, um, I'm imitating Mr. Assunto ............ sorry, I'm not being rude ......''

'Um, what the hell are they looking at me like?'

Assunto gives him a complicated look.

'But that's not the point!

'I thought Jeannette only went in for tits and pants.'

'That's not true!

Ah, this kind of thing comes out easily, doesn't it?

After all, it's not good to aim for a good comeback. You have to be natural.

............ What are you talking about?

'Oh, um... I'm sorry.

Ginette is a bit flustered and tries to change the subject.

I think she's a little embarrassed to be played with.

'He brought me some coffee beans.

'Coffee beans?

There's still a lot of coffee beans left in the warehouse.

I believe he said he could only buy in large quantities because of the low demand. That's why they go bad every year without using them up.

So, why this timing?

'That ...... today is the anniversary of my grandfather's death.'

'Oh ......'.

It's ...... today.

'So, every year on this day, I buy new coffee beans and decide to have the first cup of coffee with my grandfather.'

Ginette's fluffy smile was like nothing I'd ever seen before, and I couldn't say anything.

Was it because it was a time I didn't know?

Of course, Jeannette has a past before she met me. She has memories of a time I don't know.

It's a realm that no one else can penetrate, a realm that belongs only to Jeannette and not to me.

There is no ...............

'If you'd like. If you'd like, you can have a drink with me, too.'

This is how Ginette invites me into her realm.

'It's thanks to Yashiro that we have the sunny pavilion now, and I wanted to introduce you to your grandfather properly. ...... Oh, no, there's no such deep meaning. ...... Well... ......... if you like.

'...... Hmm. I'll take it. I'll take it.

'Are you sure?Then I'll go prepare it right away!

He clasped his hands together and broke into a happy smile.

'Ah, Mr. Assunto. Thank you very much.

'No, no, thank you again.

With a bow, Ginette walked into the kitchen carrying a large bag of coffee beans.

I thought about helping her with that, but ...... I felt like the act of making the first cup of coffee was an inviolable sacred ritual, something that was very important to her... ...I was hesitant to touch it.

'I've never seen you look so happy,' she said.

Assunto sent me information I hadn't heard.

He said it in an implied way.

'I think he didn't like you, until last year.

'Ho-ho-ho...... can't deny that possibility.'

He laughed heartily and said in a somewhat suggestive way.

'But I think there's a different reason,' he said.

'......'.

If I tried to understand what you're saying out loud, I'm sure I could, but I'm sorry, I'm up all night and don't want to use my head right now. I don't want to think about it.

'...... You look terrible.'

Assunto says, staring at my profile as I turn away.

'...... Shut up. I was born with it.'

'Oh, is that so?I thought your face was usually a bit more well-rounded, but ...... you may need to change your perception of it.'

'Hmph.'

I'm not going to use my head to talk to you.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. ...... d*mn it. You're a meddler.

You're a lot brighter than you were last year, Ginette. There must have been something in the past year that changed your mind. I wonder what that is? I guess you're trying to say.

And ...... 'So why are you looking so terrible?

............ Shut up.

'Well, then, I'd better be off.

'Be careful on those dark, deserted streets. Don't get stabbed by me.'

'Hohoho...... that's right. I'd like to enjoy the pleasant chats I've recently made with my close friends for a little longer. We get along well, you know. I used to hate him. ...... It's strange, isn't it?

He chuckled and pushed his cart out the back door.

Just before he closed the door, Assunto left these words behind.

'Perhaps there is nothing in this world that never changes. But ...... the heart that wishes for it to remain unchanged will ...... never change, I'm sure. Have a nice day.

I'm going to say what I want to say and leave.

What the hell, man?

Nothing stays the same. ...... I'm sure that's true.

But you know what? ......

'......There are people who can't change, you know.

For example,......, there's one here.

I locked the door to the backyard and went into the kitchen.

The kitchen is filled with the aroma of coffee beans.

Then I went to the dining room and sat down on a chair to wait for my coffee to be ready.

On the empty, quiet floor, alone ...... I thought about the sunlit pavilion I never knew existed.

There was an old man, a young Jeannette,...... and the regulars of that time were drinking coffee here,......

Thinking about these things, I surrendered myself to the relaxing time.

'Yashiro-san'.

I wondered how long it had been ...... before I fell asleep.

Ginette shook my shoulder to wake me up.

'Are you still sleepy?

'No, I'm fine. Sorry.'

'No, I'm not. I made you some coffee.'

'Oh, ......, sorry.'

Ginette places the coffees in front of me.

And one next to me, and one across from me.

'Excuse me.'

With that, Ginette sits down next to me.

The coffee across from her seems to be for her grandfather.

'It's kind of close, isn't it?

Ginette shrugs, looking a little embarrassed.

We had sat side by side at this table several times, but when we were facing each other, we felt closer than usual.

I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's a good idea. ...... d*mn.

'Am I allowed to drink?Or do I have to say a prayer or something?'

'Huh?Oh, go ahead. Please eat it. It'll get cold.'

'I see. It's .......'

Somehow, after lifting the cup, I bowed towards the old man's seat.

'Ah, .......'

Ginette said, her voice faint.

'What is it?Did I do something wrong?'

'No. ....... I thought Yashiro-san was a mysterious person.

Strange?

'The Spirit Church believes that the souls of the deceased are summoned to the heavenly realm under the guidance of God the Spirits, and no longer exist in this world. Therefore, when we remember the deceased, we think of them as they were in our memories.

There are no photographs in this world. After you die, the only place you can exist is in the minds of those closest to you.

'So, those who were not familiar with me don't often pay me the same respect as they do now.

'You're the one who built this sunny pavilion, aren't you?Of course they would respect you.

I've experienced so many things since I came to this town. ...... All of them started with this sunny pavilion.

I think the founder of this place is kind of an amazing person.

'Thank you very much.

He turned his body toward me and bowed politely.

When he looked up, he began to chuckle, perhaps embarrassed.

'Yashiro-san, you're afraid of ghosts, but you pay respect to the souls of the deceased, don't you?

'Shut up!

He wasn't embarrassed, he was teasing. You son of a b*tc*.

'There we go. ......'

Ginette stood up from the chair, which had shifted due to her turning her body towards him, and returned it to its original position. And then he sat down again. ............ Aren't you closer than before?

You can almost touch your shoulders. The two of us are alone ...... in a quiet, still dark dining room, and I'm a little nervous, as expected.

'That ...... Yashiro-san'.

Jeannette's voice trembles slightly. I wonder if Jeannette is also nervous .......

'It may be a little bit long, but ............ can you listen to the story of your grandfather?

Without looking at me, he stares into his coffee cup and says something like that.

It's unusual for him to talk without looking at the other person. Is he nervous after all?

'Oh, let me hear it.

It's unusual for Jeannette to talk about her past.

I also don't remember her looking like she wanted to be heard.

With a somewhat relieved expression on her face, Jeannette began to talk in small chunks.

'I've been coming here to help since I was nine years old.

In the year of her ninth birthday, Ginette was nine years old ......, which means she was eight years old.

'I was still very young, and instead of helping out, I was always slowing him down and making ...... more work for him.

It's hard to imagine now, but ...... an eight-year-old child can't help it.

But my grandfather was always kind and always said, 'Just by you being here, the store will be brighter.

Nevertheless, Jeannette did not take such things lightly and carefully learned her job one by one.

'The regular customers also said the same thing and loved me very much .......'

I can see that scene in my mind's eye. ......

A store run by an old man is likely to attract old men and old women. In the midst of all this, there came an eight-year-old girl who was doing her best.

The old men and the old women must have loved her very much.

That must have been what Jeannette calls 'the sunny pavilion of those days.

'Then, I managed to learn the job, and in my twelfth year, I was officially welcomed into this house.

I was eleven years old.

You were one year younger than Magda is now.

'I was very happy, very, very happy.

Ginette sips her coffee.

The steam rising slowly melts into the air.

'I always hoped this happiness would last. ...... No, I thought it would last.

But parting comes suddenly.

It has been a little over a year since I became a child in this house. ...... That day, I went to the store as usual. It was nothing, nothing, nothing, just a normal shopping trip.

A shadow falls over Jeannette's face.

She had cried so much that she couldn't even cry anymore. I could see that she was exhausted.

'When I came back from shopping,......, I found my grandfather collapsed,.............'

The ...... coffee cup made a clinking sound.

'He was coughing up a lot of blood. ............ I didn't know what to do. ...... In the end, I couldn't do anything, and the grandfather Keep going ............'

Jeannette's lips ...... knit together tightly.

............I know.

I know how you're feeling ............ at that moment.

I spent my days thinking nothing of it, thinking that everyday life would go on as it should.

Today, tomorrow, the day after ......, I thought it would never change.

But suddenly it comes.

I can't tell you how much I regret the time I've spent randomly and without thinking. How many times you wish you had taken things more seriously and communicated more clearly.

I know what I'm talking about.

'E...... Kya'.

Without thinking ......

Yes, without thinking: ......

I was holding Jeannette close to me.

The chair made a slamming sound, the body was bent over ...... cramped, but still, I couldn't help but hug ...... her tightly.

'......Yashiro, sir?'

You can hear a confused voice in your ear.

The slight trembling of his breath was warm and slightly ticklish.

'Because you were about to ...... cry.'

That's the excuse he gives.

Then he squeezes his arm tightly.

'I'm fine, okay?

Ginette says, as if to warn him.

But ......

'Just a little more ...... like this'

Just a little bit more, okay? ......

'......Yes.'

A quiet whisper caressed my ears. ...... Ginette's hand gently moved to my back.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'm not the only one.

............ Oh, no.

It's not Ginette who's crying, it's ............ me.

Ginette's story overlapped with ............ my own past, and I couldn't ............ stand it. I couldn't take it anymore.

I bit my back teeth and held my breath ...... just barely, trying to hold in the breath that was about to leak out.

My breathing is ...... erratic.

'It's okay, .......'

A soft, whispering voice said.

'You're not alone anymore. ......'

Is it you ............ or is it me ......

For the next few moments, I hugged Jeannette, unable to say a word.

In the meantime, Ginette didn't say a word either, just kept her body against mine.

The early morning sunlit pavilion was very quiet.