Episode 3. Preparation

Morning. With Hana sunbathing on the veranda, I called Nana.

"Hello?　　It's Okawa."

'Oh, it's Aizawa. I'll be closed for a while for renovations."

"What?　　What is it, all of a sudden? What's going to happen to my salary?"

"Don't worry. I'll pay you well."

"I hope so."

"Well, I'll explain the details later."

I was at the Yokogawa Architectural Office, where I had been taken care of when I opened my current Cofe. I sat down on the retro leather sofa and took a sip of the tea they served me.

"Renovations?"

Matsui, the person in charge, asked with a smile.

"Yes. I want to give the interior a facelift."

"So, what do you have in mind?"

" I want it to look like a forest bathing in nature."

"I understand. What's your budget?"

"About two million, please."

Matsui held up an LCD catalog.

"You can easily change the atmosphere by using screen panels on the interior walls. Here are some examples."

He showed me some reference images and said,

"Oh, that's good. I'll see you soon."

"Okay, thank you."

One week later. I looked around the newly renovated Cofe. There were electronic screens all over the walls. I had no way of knowing the names of the trees, but I was overwhelmed by the feeling that I was standing in the middle of a vast forest.

"It's lovely."

Nana murmured admiringly.

"Why don't you use an aroma diffuser to make the forest scent waft through the air?"

"No, you can't do that because you won't be able to smell the coffee."

"So, what's with the girl?"

I stared at Hana. After all, she was the latest model. At first glance, she is indistinguishable from a real person.

"Yes. This is Hana, our newly hired employee."

"I'm Hana. It's nice to meet you."

Hana bowed politely. It was almost mechanical.

"It's the latest model of android."

"We're finally getting androids. So I'll be a little more comfortable then."

Nana smiled happily.

"Hannah doesn't work."

'Why not?　　Why? What are the androids for?"

"Yes, Hana is like a plant, she breathes in carbon dioxide and produces oxygen. From today on, we will be called the 'Oxygen Cafe'. You see the sign out front?"

"Hmmm. I don't know, it doesn't feel right. What's the point of being an android if she doesn't work?　　Then what about my job?"

"Keep doing what you're doing."

"...... Yes."

Nana nodded her head and began to set up the table and chairs.

"Welcome."

In the late afternoon, an old man came into the Cofe. He was thin and unsteady on his feet. His face looked like a skeleton, but his expression was cheerful.

"Is this the Oxygen Cafe?　　I saw your ad on the Internet."

"Yes, that's right. It's a café that offers coffee and healing to its customers."

"Yes, that's good. I have cancer. Lung cancer. I'm thinking it's because of  the air pollution and lack of oxygen in the city."

The old man laughed.

"I'll have a wiener coffee."

"Yes, sir."

The old man sat down by the window and glanced at Hana from time to time. She was wandering aimlessly around the Cofe. She noticed the old man's eyes on her.

"What is it?"

She replied.

"Yes, well, are you human?"

"I'm Hana, the new android."

"What do you do?"

"I provide oxygen to our customers."

Hana smiled at him. But her smile was mechanical, though it might not make much of a difference, since I also have a sales smile.

"Thank you for waiting for your wiener coffee."

Nana intervened.

"Thank you. Well, she's cute, I guess."

"What's cute?"

Hana ask him.

"Hmm, .......... Hmmm... . Oh, how am I supposed to explain that?"

The old man shouted at me. I didn't know how to explain it either. I shrugged my shoulders exaggeratedly.

In the evening, Kimie arrived.

"Hello. Oh?"

She was surprised to see Hana.

"She is Hana, the new android. She provides us with oxygen."

"Are you sure it's a new android?　　She looks like a human being."

Kimie then approached Hana and literally looked at her from head to toe.

"She's going to give us oxygen, isn't she?　　It's good, but there's something missing."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, she is. She's a young girl, so she should be dressed more like a pretty face. She should look more like a forest fairy. Her hair would look better with a short cut."

I see, that may be true. A woman's opinion is valuable.

"Kimie-san, if you don't mind, could you cut her hair ?"

Kimie's face lit up as if she had been waiting for this.

"Of course !　　I'll make her pretty."

"You're in good company, Hana.I work so hard every day, and I've never heard anyone say that about me."

Nana twitched her nose in disapproval.

"If you want, I can do your hair for you too."

"No thanks. I'm fine."

After finishing her usual blend of coffee, Kimie left with Hana.

"What do you think?"

Kimie returned with Hana, who looked like a completely different person after her hair cut. The short haircut had refreshed her lovely face and accentuated her large eyes. The short cut certainly suits her better.

"Well, I guess I'll go buy a costume tomorrow. Nana, I'll be out of town tomorrow morning, so I need you to look after the Cofe."

"Okay, okay. I understand."

Nana replied bluntly.