CH 25

"Haa ......"

The new year dawns without incident, and it's time to start work. It's always hard to get my body back into work mode after the vacation break, no matter how many years have passed.

It was the first Friday after work resumed. During my lunch break, I was at my favorite coffee shop. It was lunchtime, but the customers were slow, probably because the shop didn't have a smoking policy, a rarity in this day and age.

"Why are you sighing so early in the year?"

"Master, you're the one who's not getting any customers, aren't you?

"I have the customers' hearts right here."

"What do you mean ......?"

"If you don't know what it means, then leave it at that."

I doubt that the cafe is really making any money, as there are only a few individual customers besides me. But since I have been coming here since I started working, it would be too sad to see it go out of business.

That is why I have known the master for 10 years. He is a dandy with gray hair. He has been running his cafe here for more than 20 years now. But he says the place has never been crowded with customers.

I once asked him, "Why does the cafe still exist?" At the time, he brushed it off as "Because I won the lottery." Well, without the savings, there is no doubt that the cafe would have gone out of business first. I'm sure they would have gone out of business if they didn't have the savings, because as a customer, it doesn't look like they are ever making any money.

"We need to separate smoking and non-smoking."

"I'm a smoker too. You don't need to worry about that."

"I don't know if you're a good manager with that kind of thinking."

The master is a year older than me, or even older, but he looks much younger. He says that he used to be a very powerful man, but I don't know if that's true or not.

Like the old "pure" coffee shops, this is the only place in the world where smoking is allowed in all the seats. The only reason is that the master himself is a smoker. Maybe the worst reason for a business owner, but the best for a smoker.

"No partner today?"

"Partner?"

"That cute girl."

"Oh."

I look at the master as I brush the ashes off my cigarette. He is looking very elegant with his shirt rolled up as he washes the dishes. The sound of dishes clinking against each other drowns out the background music in the restaurant.

"She's not my partner, she's my business partner."

I says this as I takes a drag from the cigarette I holds to my mouth. When I finishes, I exhales and the smoke disappears without being sucked into the air conditioning on the ceiling.

Even though I have known the master for a long time, but we're not ventured much into the private lives. What can I say, the atmosphere of mystery is so great that it is hard to ask.

Besides, I have nothing to say here about my relationship with Yamamoto. It's not like we're dating, but there's no good in telling people that we're friends. I don't want to start any unwanted rumors.

Well, I don't think the master would tell everyone about it. That's why I mentioned the poster here.

"Please bring her back here."

"Why?"

"Because she is ...... cute."

I remember Yamamoto was wearing light makeup at the time. But she still made this daddy say that. She's a daddy's killer, or at least, she is very popular with the older generation. Well ...... I say so too.

"First of all, do you think that girl would come to a coffee shop for smokers like this?"

"I don't think so, as a business owner. So why don't you just hit on her?"

"Oh, please don't say that. I don't think she'd be a good match for me."

"That's true."

In a negative way, of course. I know that, but it's very annoying to get an immediate answer. Because he is like this, so I went along with him. Oh well.

Looking around, I noticed that all the customers were older than the master. It must be a very nostalgic atmosphere for those who have lived through the Showa period. It may seem odd in this day and age that everyone smokes.

I wonder what Yamamoto will do in the end.

I haven't talked to her since I called her on the spur of the moment at the end of the year with a little enthusiasm, and I only sent her a New Year's greeting by message. Now that a week has passed since the new year, I wouldn't be surprised if she has come to a conclusion by now.

"You say that, but it's in your face."

"What?"

"I mean, you're grinning."

I reflexively held my mouth, but it was as if I was affirming it. I didn't mean it that way at all. The master looked at me and snickered. The curry was delicious, but I was embarrassed enough to let the aftertaste of it disappear.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay."

He is a tricky person to make enemies with. I used honorifics, but he didn't mind. 10 years of acquaintance with him makes him feel like an uncle, even though he is older than me. He doesn't mind being talked to as if he were my uncle, either.

Coffee after eating curry is also delicious. Being able to smoke is a big advantage, but there is no reason not to become a regular, simply because the food also suits my taste buds.

The bell on the door rang with a clang. Coffee arrived at my hand at the same time, but since it was rare for me to have a guest, my eyes were drawn to the visitor.

"Ah--"

I recognized her at a glance. She was wearing a black bucket hat, but I knew who she was.

"Welcome. We only have a smoking area, is that okay?"

"Oh, yes. I've been here once before."

"Oh, yeah? But I never forget about Pretty-san, you know?"

"I-Is that so. ......"

"There's not many people here, so please have a table by the window. It's farther away from the cigarette smoke."

"Thank you for your consideration."

Master, you know how to treat women. It kind of pisses me off.

Well, that girl is definitely Yamamoto. It's not my place to say, but how did she end up in a place like this?

"Um, do you have any recommendations?"

"Curry, I think. With an after-dinner drink and a set.

"Curry, then. And hot coffee."

"Understood."

The master came back to the counter, and when he saw my face, he smirked and sneered at me. He was deliberately speaking so that I could hear him.

"Speak of the devil. My store is not abandoned."

"That's because of my business, isn't it?"

"Well, yeah. I'll thank you later."

"Yes, yes. I'm counting on you."

I finish whispering and sip my coffee in dismay. It has a nice savory, mellow bitterness, and 12:30 is just around the corner. It would be just fine if I finish this and leave.

Yamamoto is - well, I'd like to talk to her, but she seems to be completely private. Maybe she's meeting someone, and I don't have time either. I really hate my job.

The master has gone off to the back to prepare curry, and all I can do is stare at my phone while smoking a cigarette. It's really boring, but that's how it is during a working person's lunch break.

She is sitting by the window, close to the entrance, and I can see her from the counter with my sideways glance. Apparently, she has not noticed my presence.

She is wearing a bucket hat, a light peach coat, and a long light blue skirt. If she take off the coat, I'll see a gray hoodie. As usual, she look good in anything she wear.

She could have been a model or something. I let my cigarette smoke carry those feelings and hope they reach her. It is a funny situation that Miina Yamamoto comes to this cafe, which is covered with smokes.

The master came out from the kitchen. In his hand is a curry served in a cute container. I had just eaten a few minutes ago, but the good smell of the curry is coming this way, making me want to have another bowl of curry.

"Thank you for waiting. It will be curry. Coffee after dinner?"

"Yes. Thank you very much."

"Oh, and..."

And?　Are you trying to hit on me?

No, he might. If you believe what the master says, he's quite the ladies' man. Young or old, he's the type of guy who'll go for any beautiful woman.

"Would you like an ice cream after dinner?"

"Ice cream ......?"

"Yes. He insisted on treating you."

...... I feel like I'm being pointed at something. I don't know what kind of face I should make if I turn around here. I'm not sure what to say, but - what can I say? I'm a little happy to think that he gave me an excuse to talk to her.

-- I'll thank you later.

No way. But somehow I think the master might do it. After all, he is strangely adept at dealing with women.

When I turned around, they were both looking at me. The smirking Master and the surprised Yamamoto. The contrast was hilarious.

"Hey, guys."

"Ah, Araki-san."

Lunch break, it's okay if it's longer today, right? I haven't finished my coffee yet. Besides, it's just the beginning of the New Year.