The Trauma: Part one

The café bloomed after the beach trip. Even foreigners were coming to this café. The boss was filled with joy. She hired Kobayashi-san as a new waitress and appointed me as junior chef. There is still a lot to learn, and Sato-san really teaches it well. No wonder he was the head chef of a big restaurant. Kobayashi-san thought of this process as a step towards overcoming her fear. Senpai helped her out a lot. Kuro also wanted to work here since we were all here, so he got the job of a cashier, and Boss was just enjoying herself now.

The twins of our class, Haru and Rika Watanabe, saw us all working here. They were curious and also wanted to work here. They got the job of cleaning the shop because they love playing while doing it. Apparently, everyone I knew was here.

We were about to leave when the boss asked me to go on a small detour with her. Usually, Senpai walks with me home—she was angry and seemed very jealous of something. She didn't say why, but she walked away in rage.

The boss took me to a cake shop and asked which ones my family enjoyed the most. We had just selected a black forest and were heading home.

"Boss, why are you bringing us a cake home?"

"As a 'thank you gift, inoue-kun Without you meeting me, this would never have happened. You asked me about the empty hut and told me to use it; you didn't keep it yourself and actually prioritised us. Thank you, Inoue-kun. Oh, if only I was a bit younger, we could be married then."

"What?"

"Hahaha! Of course I'm joking."

Anyway, boss, do you know what love is like?"

"Hmmm, so you are in love."

"I don't know; that's why I am asking."

"Love is always there when you are with the one who makes you feel that. Understanding love can be difficult. Anyone who is new to it will be confused, just like you."

"Now love can be one-sided too. The most it will hurt is when the other person does have the same feeling towards you."

"Love always feels so complicated yet comforting. Your heart feels like it will explode, yet the soothing is present. It makes you feel as if you have lived your life with them. It's a thing that can either save you or destroy you. So always be careful when you are going for it."

"I see. I will keep it in mind."

So is that what's happening to me? I don't know for sure, but maybe that's what's actually going on with me.

"Here we are, boss."

We go in, and dad is making dinner.

"Sorry to disturb your night, Arata-san."

"Hirawa-san. No at all; please come in. Why don't you join us for dinner too? I made a little more out of habit."

"Thank you very much, Arata-san. I am glad to have dinner with you all."

"Okay, freshen up and come eat then. It's almost ready. Today I had chicken katsudon. I think everyone here likes it."

We freshen up and sit down for dinner.

"This is really good, Arata-san. No wonder your son gets his skills from you."

"I learned it from his mother, and he did too. He just started cooking after she was hospitalised."

Again, thank you a lot, Arata-san. I wanted to thank you for telling us about that beach hut. Without that happening, my parents café wouldn't be what it is now. This is a cake as a thank you for that."

Oh, now that's very kind of you. Inoue did the most of it; it's him you should be thankful for too."

"I am really thankful, Inoue-kun." Please keep up the hard work at the café."

"You are welcome, boss. I just did it, thinking it would be good for everyone. I am done, dad. I am really sleepy today, so I will just go to sleep."

"Don't sleep just after eating; take a small walk. It will help with digestion."

"Okay, I think I will just go for one."

"Small means a fifteen-minute walk."

"Alright. I will be going then."

"I am done too, so I will go to Arata-san."

"Why don't you both have a slice and then go on? It's looking too good to miss it."

We ate two slices each. Then it just went on.

"Thank you again for such a wonderful dinner, Arata-san. I am really and always thankful for what you did for us."

Again, Hirawa-san, it's not me, but I am really happy for you. Inoue, walk her home safely.

"Yes dad. Bye."

"You have got a good dad, huh? Care for him all the time, Inoue."

"How were your parents, boss? Only if you want to tell."

"It's been a long time. I don't really mind."

"They were just like yours: happy, hardworking, and honest. They wouldn't let their problems come in between them."

"The day they left, I was really small then. I don't really remember my age then, but when I heard their news of death, it was really shocking to me. That day, I had a very bad shock and lost so many memories of my life. I just remember some glimpses of them with me. I can't even remember my own people. Most were just after my parents money. My last hope was me itself."

"Never lose hope in yourself, Inoue-kun." Only after a storm does the sun shine. This life is nothing but a test. Always strive and move forward."

"Now you go home, Inoue-kun; I will go on from here."

"I will just take a detour from here. Night makes me feel alive."

"We all love nights. Goodnight, then, inoue-kun. Walk safe."

"Goodnight boss."

The night is really cool today. I was walking from a park, and someone similar was sitting on the swing. On closer inspection, it was Senpai. I don't know why, but she was crying.