Osaka, japan 2015.
Akio Toshiko walked the familiar path from his high school to his small apartment. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows on the pavement as he adjusted the strap of his worn-out school bag. His routine was simple - school in the morning, work at the warehouse in the evening, and home at night.
Life had not been kind to him, but he had long stopped expecting kindness. Losing his parents in middle school had been the first tragedy. His grandfather's passing in seventh grade added to his grief, and when his grandmother - his last pillar of support - succumbed to illness just as he graduated middle school, Akio found himself truly alone.
Before her passing, his grandmother had transferred a sum of money into his ATM, a final act of love and protection. However, his so-called family had other plans. His aunts and uncles, driven by greed, seized his parents' house, leaving him with only his belongings. With nowhere to go, Akio had rented a small, dimly lit apartment near his public high school and applied for a warehouse job. The pay was meager, but it covered the essentials - rent and food.
At first, cooking was a struggle. He would often burn rice, over-season soups, or undercook his meals. But he refused to rely on instant food. Through trial and error, he learned, and soon, cooking became more than just a necessity - it became his solace. The act of preparing meals reminded him of his grandmother, her gentle hands guiding him in his memories.
At school, Akio was neither a loner nor particularly outgoing. He socialized when needed, but never sought attention. His grades were average - never failing, but never excelling either. He had no time for clubs or after-school activities. His life revolved around survival.
Work at the warehouse was exhausting. The repetitive lifting and sorting of heavy boxes left his body sore, but he endured. Each payday, he carefully managed his expenses, ensuring he never overspent.
Despite the hardships, Akio never succumbed to self-pity. He lived quietly, pushing forward each day. His resilience was his strongest trait, even if no one noticed.
One day, while working in the warehouse, Akio was wounded while saving a co-worker from falling items. He was sent to the hospital for treatment, and as a token of gratitude, the co-worker he saved covered his medical fees. The next day, when he returned to work, he was called to the office by his boss.
It turned out he was being fired - not due to poor performance but because of company restructuring. Several workers, including Akio, were being laid off. The news hit him hard, but he understood the situation. Without argument, he removed his worker uniform, left it there, and walked home in silence, feeling a mix of devastation and resignation.
The next day was Saturday, and with school being off, Akio found himself searching for another job. Though still saddened by his recent misfortune, he had come to terms with it. He walked around town, scanning help-wanted posters on bulletin boards and shop windows. Most of the jobs he found were low-paying - barely enough to cover his rent and food.
As he wandered, a delightful scent caught his attention. The aroma of fresh bread filled the air, making his stomach growl in response. Following the scent, he arrived at a quaint cafe. It wasn't too far from his school, though not close enough to be a common hangout spot. However, he had heard it was popular among students.
Upon stepping inside, he noticed the cafe was quiet, with only a few patrons seated at scattered tables. At the counter, behind a wooden desk, sat a woman in her forties, smiling as she wrote something in her notebook.
Akio approached the desk, and the woman looked up, her warm expression inviting.
"Welcome! How can I help you?" she asked, her voice gentle and kind.
" . . . can i have a batch of cookies and a sweet tea?" Answered Akio.
The woman noted his order and gestured for him to take a seat. He found a cozy spot by the window, allowing the soft sunlight to bathe his table.
A few minutes later, the woman approached and placed the cookies and tea before him. "Enjoy," she said with a gentle smile before returning to the counter.
Taking a bite of the cookie, Akio was immediately overwhelmed with nostalgia. The taste was nearly identical to the cookies his grandmother used to make. A smile unconsciously formed on his lips, and before he realized it, a few tears slipped down his cheek. Quickly wiping them away, he continued eating, savoring both the flavor and the quiet moment of peace as he gazed out the window.
For the first time in a long while, he felt something warm inside him - something that had been missing for far too long.
Akio doesn't know how long he has spent in the cafe but when the last cookie was eaten, the sky has turn orange and the sun already setting, He look around to see he is the only one here, so he finish his sweet tea and prepare to leave, until the woman asked him, "was the cookies delicious?" Asked the woman.
Akio answered with a smile, "It was delicious and tasty".
The woman smiled warmly and thanks him, Akio just smiled and head to the door to leave but stop at the entrance.
As Akio stood near the cafe entrance, waiting for the woman's response, she let out a small chuckle before answering.
"Well, I used to have employees," she said, leaning slightly against the counter. "But recently, they've moved on - some went to college, others found better opportunities. Now, it's just me."
Akio was surprised. "You run this place all by yourself?"
She nodded. "It's not too bad. The regulars help keep me company, and I love baking. But, I won't lie - it gets exhausting sometimes."
Akio glanced around the quiet cafe . Despite the cozy atmosphere, he could tell that managing everything alone must have been difficult. The scent of freshly baked goods still lingered in the air, giving him a sense of comfort.
Before he could stop himself, he asked, "Are you hiring?"
The woman raised an eyebrow, studying him carefully. "You looking for a job?"
Akio hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. I lost mine recently. I don't have much experience with cafe's, but I can cook, and I learn quickly."
The woman smiled warmly. "Well then, how about you come by tomorrow? I'll test your skills. If you pass, you can start working here."
Akio's eyes widened slightly. That was fast. But he felt something warm inside him - a quiet hope.
"Alright," he said, bowing slightly. "I'll be here."
"Good," the woman said with a laugh. "Name's Yuki, by the way."
"Akio," he replied.
Yuki nodded. "See you tomorrow, Akio."
As he stepped out of the cafe and into the cool evening air, Akio realized something. For the first time in a while, he was actually looking forward to tomorrow.
The next day, after school, Akio made his way to the cafe. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow on the small shop, and as he approached, he spotted Miss Yuki outside, gently watering the flowers lined up near the entrance.
"Good afternoon, Miss Yuki," Akio greeted politely.
Yuki looked up and smiled warmly. "Ah, Akio! Right on time. Welcome back."
She finished watering the last pot before setting the watering can aside. "Come in. Let's get started."
Inside the cafe, the air was filled with the comforting scent of freshly baked bread. The atmosphere was calm, much like yesterday. Akio followed Miss Yuki to a small table near the counter, where she gestured for him to sit.
"Before we begin, I just need to ask you a few things," she said, settling into the seat across from him. "Do you have any experience working in a cafe or restaurant?"
Akio shook his head. "No, but I've been cooking for myself for a while now."
Yuki tilted her head slightly, intrigued. "Oh? What kinds of dishes can you make?"
"Simple things, mostly," Akio answered. "Omu rice, onigiri, fried rice? things like that."
Miss Yuki's eyes lit up with interest. "You can make omu rice?" she asked, clearly excited.
Akio nodded. "Yeah, I cook it often at home."
Beaming, Yuki clapped her hands together. "Alright then! Let's see what you can do. You can use my kitchen - go ahead and make an omu rice for me."
Akio felt a mix of nervousness and determination as he stepped into the kitchen. The space was well-organized, stocked with fresh ingredients and neatly arranged cooking tools. He took a deep breath and got to work.
After gathering the necessary ingredients - rice, eggs, chicken, onions, and a few seasonings - he moved efficiently, his hands working from muscle memory. The sizzle of the pan filled the quiet kitchen as he cooked the ingredients, carefully shaping the omelet and draping it over the rice before adding a neat drizzle of ketchup on top.
Once finished, he plated the dish and brought it to Miss Yuki, who was eagerly waiting at the counter. She picked up her spoon and took a bite.
The moment the food touched her tongue, her expression softened with delight. "This? this is really good!" she exclaimed, looking genuinely impressed. "It's comforting, simple, but full of flavor. I think we can add this to the cafe menu."
Akio felt a small sense of pride at her reaction.
Yuki placed her spoon down and looked at him with a wide smile. "Well, Akio, I think I've seen enough." She extended her hand toward him. "You're hired."
For a moment, Akio was speechless. Then, realizing what just happened, he reached out and shook her hand.
"Thank you," he said, a hint of relief in his voice.
"Thank you," Yuki replied with a chuckle. "Welcome to the team, Chef Akio."
As Akio stood in the warm, welcoming cafe, he realized that maybe - just maybe - things were finally starting to look up.
Yuki informed Akio that his salary would be ¥1,500 per hour - a significant improvement over his previous job at the warehouse, which had only paid ¥1,000 per hour. Though it was just 500 yen more per hour, it made a noticeable difference, especially considering the better work environment. His responsibilities included managing the cafe kitchen, preparing meals according to customer orders, and assisting with other tasks when needed.
To ensure he was well-prepared, Yuki also taught Akio the basics of baking, including making cookies, pastries, and various drinks. The training wasn't too difficult, as Akio already had some cooking experience. Still, learning the finer details of baking took some practice. Yuki was patient with him, guiding him through each step with enthusiasm.
Then, the first official workday began.
As soon as the cafe doors opened, familiar patrons trickled in - mostly older customers who had frequented the cafe for years. Many of them came specifically for the baked goods, enjoying their usual bread, cookies, and cakes. However, today was different.
Yuki excitedly introduced the new menu items - home-cooked dishes prepared by Akio. Curious about the change, some patrons decided to give the new dishes a try.
Akio focused on his work, carefully preparing each order with precision and care. The scent of freshly cooked meals soon filled the air, blending harmoniously with the aroma of baked goods. As the dishes were served, a wave of satisfied smiles spread across the room.
Customers complimented the food, saying it was delicious and had a comforting, homemade taste. Word quickly spread among the visitors, and more people arrived throughout the day, eager to try the new menu. Many of them not only ordered meals but also purchased baked goods to take home.
The cafe , once quiet and peaceful, became lively and bustling with conversation and laughter.
By the time the day ended and the last customer left, the cafe had earned more than on any previous day.
After closing, Yuki called out to Akio.
"Akio!"
"Yes?" he responded, turning toward her.
Without warning, Yuki wrapped him in a warm hug.
Akio stiffened, surprised by the sudden gesture. "M-Miss Yuki??"
She pulled back slightly, beaming at him. "You did amazing today! This cafe hasn't been this lively in years. Thanks to you, we've made more than we usually do in a whole week!"
Akio glanced around. The once-busy cafe was now quiet again, the scent of food and baked goods still lingering in the air. He hadn't noticed how many people had come in throughout the day - he had simply been focused on cooking.
Realizing how much of an impact his food had, a small warmth spread through his chest.
"I'm just doing my job," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head.
Yuki chuckled. "Well, you did more than just your job. You gave people something to look forward to."
Akio didn't know how to respond to that. Instead, he simply nodded.
Yuki smiled. "Alright, enough emotions for one day. Let's clean up and go home. We have another busy day tomorrow!"
As they wiped down the counters and stacked the chairs, Akio found himself feeling something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Maybe, just maybe?
This cafe wasn't just a workplace.
Maybe, for the first time in years, he had found a place where he truly belonged.
