Day Four

Day Four.

Sunday. A national holiday. At least, it should have been. But not for me.

Unfortunately I had to handle the cafe while my parents enjoyed their day off.

My family runs a cafe. It was my grandparents hustle. Not a big place, just a small establishment—tucked away from the crowds, secluded, and not exactly a hotspot. Our regulars are mostly locals and a few of Dad's close friends.

This time, however, things were a bit different. Since a new customer had dropped in.

"Hey, waiter! Serve me!" barked Tanaka Asuka, who was perched at the bar.

Just like yesterday, she had messaged me this morning. I told her I couldn't go out because I had to watch the shop for today.

[Oh, fine. I’ll just come to your place then,] she’d replied.

Thirty minutes later, she showed up like a storm in September afternoon.

"Coffee or tea?"

"Chocolate parfait please, my good good sir!"

Of course, she’d made an alternative option.

Obediently, I set to work on her order. As usual, Tanaka savored her food with passion. It didn’t take long for that glass full of calories and glucose to vanish into her stomach.

"That was super delicious! The goodest parfait I've ever had in my life!"

"Thank you for the over the top compliment."

"By the way, I had no idea your family ran a cafe."

"It’s just a small-time business."

"Why you never tell me about it?"

No particular reason.

"You never ask yourself."

"Hmm. Well, fair point."

Tanaka scanned the room, looked a bit calmer than her usual energetic self.

"Still, this place is pretty cozy. Quiet, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s a good place to kick your feet up."

"Well, I guess. That’s also the reason we don’t get that many customers, unfortunately."

But I loved this quiet little space. I was born and raised here, after all. There’s no place like home, right?

"I'm a little curious, what’s your family like?" Tanaka asked, twirling a spoon between her fingers.

I chewed on the question for a moment before answering, "Normal, I guess."

"Normal, huh."

Tanaka popped the now-dry spoon into her mouth. Her gaze was fixed on my family photos hanging on the wall.

"Lucky you to be normal...."

Her voice was faint, but it still reached my ears. What did she mean by that?

"How about your folks... what are they like?" I summoned the courage to ask.

"Hmm. How should I put it? Just ordinary, I guess," Tanaka answered without a second's hesitation.

Was it just my imagination, or was there a wound she was trying to hide behind those words?

"My goodness!" Tanaka blurted out after checking her phone. "I have to go now! I just remembered I have plans with a friend."

She hopped down from her stool and bolted for the door. Before leaving, she turned back to me, flashing that big smile of hers.

"See you at school," she said.

Inexperienced as I was with such parting phrase, I could only manage a brief nod.

See you.

It had a nice ring to it.

***