An odd Café and its owner

And though the weight of teenage years are quite light, the emotional impact is far too heavy to deal with. The vulnerability of youth often exposes the weak, delicate mind of them. Thus making it easy for wicked people to break it apart or caring ones to get through. 

Though sometimes our childishness just stays the same. The fun nature just of ours just gets shadowed by the burden of responsibilities. But even shadows disappear if it gets lights from everywhere. 

“Fujisawa 0-2 Kamakura Asobi Café”

Like how could you even think of this random idea. The idea of putting a scoreline as a name for your Café. Regardless, oddballs do get more attention than normal ones. 

“What kind of mockery is this?” Hideo said, barely holding his laugh. 

“Who knows, let's go inside. Hope something will acknowledge us from this ridiculousness.” I retorted. 

We went inside the newly decorative cafe. The tables were coffee colour and the chairs were white and had some designs. The walls were ornamented with different types of coffee beans and descriptions. 

Some tables already had students sitting there. Did they run here or something? There were 4 seats just along the order place. We grabbed those seats and rang the bell that was placed there. 

Hearing the bell a man came from inside. There's likely a storeroom in there, because the kitchen is outside. A man probably in his mid twenty came wearing an apron. He wore a hat that completely covered his hair. He also had a tag on his shirt saying ‘Owner’.

“How can I help you?” He said in a slow tone.

“We forgot to decide the menu.” Ichikawa grasped. 

“Well nothing much to discuss anyway. Brother, can you give us the best recommendation for us?” I suggested. 

“Of course. Our Latte is the best selling so far. Should I confirm your order of four lattes?”

“Sorry I kind of said it without asking.”

“It's alright Fujimura. Latte?” Ichikawa asked, looking at both Yoshino and Hideo. After they nodded, she finalized the order. 

The owner began to take 4 cups and placed them in order. As he brewed the coffee, the air brimmed with warm fresh caffeine. 

“Uhm, your name is Fujimura?” The owner asked, looking towards me. 

“...Yeah. Though there's also another, my cousin.” I tilted my head in Hideo's direction, who's sitting on my left. 

“Are any of you Akito Fujimura?”

“Yeah that's me.”

“Oh so it's you?”

Everyone looked perplexed at his words. Do I know him? I don't think I remember getting across someone like him. He is also a former student of this school. So I don't think I've met this person before. 

“You played soccer in middle school right? From Setagaya Junior High?”

“...Yeah.”

“I watched a match of yours with Kamakura Junior High. Your performance in that match was so amazing that I stayed there for two weeks and watched two more matches.”

“Oh…that…I really appreciate your praise.”

It's the first time someone recognized me outside of the club. It's kind of embarrassing but hearing good things about my performances do lift me up. 

“Woah, that's cool Fujimura. You never told us about this.” Ichikawa exclaimed. 

“That's my brother.”

“I wish I could've seen it. What position did you play?” Yoshino asked.

“Center Midfielder.”

“He was the brain of the team. Controlling the tempo, progressive passes, physical and even blocked some shots and tracked back for the whole match. At first I thought, maybe just one match. But for every match he was consistent and hardworking.”

“Come on, it wasn't much. The others also played their part. That's why we were unbeaten.”

It's true. The team at that time was on its peak. Everyone was serious, the coach was brilliant, our goalkeeper was like a wall. It was just perfect. 

“Unbeaten? For how long?” Yoshino asked with much more enthusiasm. Does she also watch football? I have to ask at some point.  

“Uhm, around 18 matches. Well technically from the middle of 2nd year till 3rd year mid term, we were unbeaten. But after that many 3rd year students including me had to discontinue, so after 2 or 3 matches, we got defeated in a match.”

“If only you could've been there. They would've remained unbeaten.” Hideo said with a sigh.

“Nah…the team was dynamic. The chemistry we built was surprisingly good. So the team played domino effect. Therefore if you pick one out of the string, it would just crumble.”

“That's a good example. Here you go, 4 Lattes.” 

He served us with four different flower designs. He really has skills for it. He made all this while talking with us. 

“So are you joining our soccer team?” He asked.

“I'm not sure. I still haven't made up my mind. Speaking of football, what is this?” I showed the scoreline behind his back.

“Yes, what sort of name is this?” Hideo asked while taking a sip. 

“Ahh. It's called Ragebait.”

“Huh?” Both Yoshino and Ichikawa expressed. Though I understood what he meant.

“Well let me tell you from the start. During our first match against Fujisawa, we lost 4-1 at home. After that loss, they teased us continuously. They mocked us on social media and even wrote the scoreline with chalk on our school pavement.

But for our second match, we won, 2-0 at their home. We decided to stay silent for the day. As soon as the next day began, we made hundreds of posts of their errors, players, and how poor they performed. We left no room for them to counter.” He said, almost in tears. 

“And that was the sole reason for this, cause you couldn't let go of it?” Ichikawa said in shock.  

“YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I SACRIFICED!!!? I was in my third year. I even had to retake a subject in my mid term. That defeat haunted us, third year students of the club.” He burst. 

“RIGHT.” Both me and Hideo said with high spirits. I felt that right in the heart. When the record was broken, it made me so frustrated. Although I don't blame the team, it made me a bit angry that I couldn't be there with my team. 

“We promised that we'll defeat them no matter what. We practiced hard everyday, gave our best and finally won the match. It was such self satisfaction. How can I forget and let it go.”

“ABSOLUTELY.”

Seeing our response Yoshino chuckled. The tilt of her body almost touched me as she was sitting on my right. 

“You boys are on the same track….But anyway, both are even. They won one, we won one.”

“Hehe, the first match was in the group stage and the second one was a knockout. Technically we kicked them out of the competition.” He said proudly. 

“Excuse me? Can I place another order?” A customer sitting at a far corner table called out.

“Of course. Give me a minute. You guys talk, call me if you need anything.” Saying that he went to the customer.

“That was something.” Yoshino said, taking a long sip from the cup. 

While talking, I had already finished my cup. I like to drink fast so that it stays warm. Though everyone still had around half left.

“So, about the Golden week, any place you guys decided?” Ichikawa asked.

“I'm new here, so I don't know which place would work best. Though I've some recommendations that I gathered online but not specific.” I said honestly. 

“I also don't know about the city places here. Even though I've been living here for some time, I haven't explored it as much.” Yoshino also answered. 

“Then it's on me and Hideo to save the day.” Ichikawa said with confidence. 

“...About that…I'm not sure either. I mean I know some good places but those are a little far and might be crowded during that time.” Hideo apologized.

“Hahhh…then we're doomed.” Ichikawa said, placing her elbows on the table and hands on her head. 

“Huh, you don't know anything?” Yoshino asked.

“I do know. I've gone on outings with my parents many times. It's just that I'm terrible with directions. We have to use maps at every turn.”

“Oh, I forgot. But we can still try.” Yoshino said.

“Leave it, there's no point. She falters in every direction confusingly. In the end we'll wander around the same area for hours.” Hideo said teasingly. 

“Hey, it's not…that bad.” Ichikawa started like she wanted to protest but toned down at the end. 

Ahh…I guess it's that bad.

“Uh huh, that's why everyday your big brother drops you at school before heading to his university.”

Ichikawa growled at Hideo. She glared at him like a prey. 

Seeing the back and forth, Yoshino and I laughed. 

“What can we do then? Where can we go for the outing…the week starts the day after tomorrow.” I wondered loudly. 

In the meantime, the owner of the cafe came with an empty cup on a tray. Hearing my voice, he spoke up.

“You guys wanna go somewhere during the golden week?” 

“Yes.” Everyone answered unanimously. 

“Then leave the place to me. No one knows Kamakura better than me. I've explored every place with my friends.”

“Alright. So where do you suggest, say something in the vicinity.” Hideo said with overflowing hope.

“Then how about dead mountain…?” 

Huh!?