The Struggle

It was Sunday; there was not much to do anyway at home, and soon it was time for work. Dad was still sleeping, so I just let him sleep and got changed. Even though it was still very early in the morning, it was a hot and humid day. My clothes were really just getting wet from walking. The boss saw me while I was walking.

"Inoue-kun, good morning. It's a humid day today, isn't it? You're really looking drenched. Hahaha, so am I." She was a bit late and was going to open the store.

"I don't want to be late; otherwise, Sato-kun will say, You are late, boss.' He will tease me if I am late now. I am going to play the reverse card on him if he is late. Hehe heh hehe he." This was a maniacal laugh.

We were almost near the café when there was a question I wanted to ask her.

"Boss, did you ever try to bloom your business after your parents passed away?"

"Ah, I tried all possible methods, inoue-kun; none worked."

"I tried to spread the word around—it didn't work.I tried to make new menu items available, but it didn't work. I tried making a lot of posters and stickers, almost everywhere, but it didn't work."

"I mean, even our prices are reasonable. I don't really see the issue. I tried getting sponsors, and unfortunately, as times were hard, I didn't think much about it. They were scammers. I lost almost all my money."

"I was so depressed and suicidal from then on. I was almost about to end my life after a month of these events."

"Then I don't know what happened, but all I remember is jumping off my apartment terrace and then waking up in a hospital room."

She never really knew how to feel sympathy for others, but this was clearly a tough life she led.

"None of my relatives helped me, and then I decided to face life. 'Tough times hide the sweet honey beneath'. I went on and did my small jobs. The two years worth of hard work is right in front of you, Inoue-kun."

"Hehehehe."

The maniacal laugh again.

"Is everything fine, boss?"

"Inoue-kun, the door is locked. Meaning he is late. Hehehehhe, I won."

She is competitive, and that's good.

"Boss, if the door is locked, why do I smell something good cooking?"

"Damn it. He is here, Inoue-kun."

"Sato-san arrived earlier. From the backdoor. I think it's probably logical to go from the back. Then why did we arrive at the entrance?"

"Ah, sorry, Inoue-kun, that's probably my fault that we arrived here. I was talking too much and forgot where we were going."

As we entered, Sato-San was cleaning the restaurant while cooking.

"It's rare for you to arrive late, boss." He said it in a teasing way. They both probably compete a lot. I mean, there's nothing wrong with it.

She puffed her face because he was teasing her.

"Now I'm going to play the angry girl, I see. Not that I care. I still have more wins than you."

"Hah! Like I care, don't forget I am the boss here. I still have the upper hand."

"Arguing with a braindead like you is pointless anyway."

Sato-san went a little overboard and called her braindead. Thinking of how hard she worked to come here at this point. Even Sato-san must have realised it by now. Plus, by seeing the boss's silent face, it was clear it hurt her. Tears started to form around her eyes, but she wiped them all away and started working. Then Sato-san looked at me, and he knew he messed up.

"Boss, are you all right? Sato-san just said it because he thought you were still playing. He didn't mean all that; I am sure of it."

"I am, Inoue-kun; don't worry about it. I won't let small things like that hurt me."

Yes, boss, I will go back to work."

She was angry at him, and it's kind of understandable, but he realised it too, so I guess they will make up soon.

"Senpai, do they both used to play like that all the time?"

"They used to play even before I joined. They are kind of amusing to see. I don't get much of this at home."

"By the way, Inoue-kun, why did you decide to work here? I am just somewhat curious why anybody would decide to work here."

"First of all, because it's near home. Second of all, the pay is good; last of all, I didn't have anything else to do and I needed the money."

"What about you, senpai?"

"Do you want to hear the whole story or just the main part of me joining?"

"I don't really care, but whatever suits you."

She pulled a coin from her apron and asked me to choose a side.

"Heads or tails?"

"Tails then."

"If it's a tail, I will tell the whole story; if it's a head, I will not. It's fair."

She flipped it, and since no one was ever coming to the store, we just did the toss, and I won.

"Shall we sit down for now? It's going to take a little time."

"My dad passed away when I was 14. It was a murder, which, to date, has not been solved. My mom started to work, but it's very hard and hectic to work and take care of three children."

"Now she has a heart disease. If she works more, chances are she will make it worse than ever. Now she is just taking care of my siblings. My little brother is in 8th grade, and my little sister is in 6th grade."

"I got a scholarship to study here in Osaka, and so I took it. So my bill for the university is saved, but I still have other needs. I have been working here for a year now."

She really had it tough. Indeed, without hard work, nothing is possible. Working while going to university and then also taking care of her siblings is indeed hard.

"There's more to your story; I know that. I won't force you. I am just a little bit curious.

Since it's only fair to tell my part of the story, I did. I never saw her so stunned, but she was this time.

"You really got it Hard, Arata-kun. I hope you will soon be out of misery."

"Same for you, senpai. Hard times do end and birth fruits of joy."

She giggled a little at hearing the phrase.

"Are you a poet or something? Anyway, that's a good Line."

"Since I am in a literature course, this will be happening from now onwards, senpai."

Then some customers came, and we grated and served them. It was six p.m. The boss closed up the shop, we cleaned the tables, and Sato-san made some sandwiches, which were really good. He packed me and Senpai some more for us to take home.

The fact that she seemed so similar to me was somewhat weird. She looked emotionless, just like me, but emotionlessness was not the only problem with me, so the thought might be wrong.

We both had almost the same problems, and my kindness was telling me to help her. It's not a problem, but it might seem weird to her. But how should I help her? What will she need to help herself? Maybe a good kind of machine for house cleaning or something for her siblings. The paycheck is still a week away. There is still time to choose something good.

Next week came in a flash, and I got her some accessories and fresh fruits for her family. It will be good for her mother. I hope the thought won't make her feel creeped out or weird. Little did I know, it was her birthday the day I gave her the gift.

The boss and Sato-san got her gifts. She was happy to receive them; she even got some from her friends who visited the café. My gift wasn't even near as good as theirs, so I decided to give it to her when the stores closed. The store closed, and her friends arrived for dinner at her birthday party. Her siblings came along for the ride with her friends. The boss and Sato-san knew the kids, so they must have known the story. The dinner was big, and everyone really enjoyed it. My eyes averted towards Senpai, and her face was very lifeless. Like someone who's been destroyed from inside and hasn't found joy in their life.

Everyone was leaving, and Senpai was about to go home too. Bad thoughts were going on in my mind, but all it needed was some courage to give her the gift. I took a deep breath and went to her.

"Senpai, I am sorry I didn't give you your gift earlier."

"I thought it wasn't as good as everyone else's and was kind of scared to give it to you. I also didn't know it was your birthday today. I was going to give this gift as a token of friendship and for helping me out at work."

She smiled a little and took it from my hand. Her siblings were also standing beside her. Her sister, Aya Miura, and her brother, Hinata Miura Both of them were very polite and understanding. We're probably more mature and reasonable regarding how they were struck with misfortune.

"Thank you very much, Arata-kun. It's very kind of you to think so. Can I open it here?"

"Of course you can, Senpai."

We went to a nearby park and opened it. The siblings were very curious about what was in the box. Since it was a helping box, I got her sister a bracelet, her brother a nice watch, and for her, a headband and a necklace. They were all very cheap, but the quality was excellent. She was very happy, and the siblings really loved it. They hugged me really tight and were saying thank you for at least a minute.

"What about these fruits, Arata-kun?"

"They are for you all and your mother. She definitely needs a lot of energy right now."

It might be wrong of me, but I saw her eyes water when she heard it was for her family. She thanked me a lot for the gifts and also invited me to her home, but it was really late and I needed to go visit Mom with my dad. So I had to decline the offer. I felt so satisfied after so long in my life. Being kind never fails.

Dad wasn't at home, and there was a note in the kitchen. He was at the hospital regarding Mom's health. The fear that was in her room was again in my heart this time.