Volume 4 Chapter 14 Beginning A New Life And Improvement
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It’s the weekend. Risa-san said she gets weekends off during her short study abroad, so after today, we can relax together for a bit. I was at a café in Midtown.
This place feels different from the Upper East Side; it’s more of a business area.
I got a message from Risa-san at noon saying, “I can move into my new room. Can you come with me this afternoon to check for any problems after I get the keys?”
So, I decided to meet her near the international organization, which is also a famous tourist spot, close to the apartment I’m going to live in.
I arrived early and decided to send a postcard from the post office inside the gift shop. By the way, if you show your passport, they give you a special stamp.
After writing the school address and my teacher’s name on the postcard I bought, I wrote the word “evidence” and my name, then dropped it in the blue mailbox.
(Now I just wait for Risa-san)
While waiting for Risa-san, I spotted a familiar face in the crowd of tourists.
(Is that Tota-san?)
She wasn’t in her usual business suit but dressed more casually. She seemed to be looking for someone too. Even though I saw her by chance, I didn’t plan to say anything. But then our eyes met, and she came over. I had to greet her and asked, “Are you looking for someone?”
”Yeah. I’m supposed to meet a friend who’s volunteering here, but with so many people, it’s hard to find them. I should have picked a less crowded place to meet.”
Since she’s a company president, it seems like she knows a lot of people.
”How about changing the meeting place to that café over there?”
”That sounds better. It’ll be easier to wait there.”
After she said that, there was a silence. Even though the conversation seemed over, she didn’t move away. Does she want me to say something? But I didn’t have anything to talk about.
”About yesterday… I’m sorry.”
”Huh?”
She suddenly apologized. I was confused about what she was apologizing for.
”I thought my attitude at the café in the museum was really bad. I was a bit shocked and flustered. I know this is New York, where there are all kinds of people, and it’s not unusual. I don’t have any prejudice, so if you ever need help, I’m here for you.”
Tota seemed much more relaxed now, without the intimidating vibe she had before. It was strange. She kept a comfortable distance, making it easy to talk.
Before, I felt like she looked down on me because she was older, and I didn’t want to talk to her for long.
”Thank you.”
She didn’t insist on inviting me to a hotel room for just the two of us. I felt like I didn’t need to be cautious anymore. I could thank her naturally.
”I’ll be here until Christmas, so we might meet like this sometimes.”
”Yeah. If you’re going back to Japan after Christmas, could you help my old boss? He’s interested in the café’s interior design in New York.”
If this is Tota’s true self, I thought I could introduce her to my boss as she wanted.
”…Your old job?”
”Yeah. It’s a hidden café and bar.”
I told her the name, address, and contact info of my old job.
”Wait, were you researching café interiors and customers for that boss?”
”Yeah. It’s not that formal. I had to leave my job suddenly to come here, so this is about all I can do.”
”Oh, I see. I misunderstood. You seemed so serious about it, I thought you were planning to start your own place.”
She must have seen many people looking for their own shops. She probably wants to help those who are chasing their dreams and have goals.
”I’m not a chef, so I don’t plan to run a café.”
She chuckled at me and shrugged, saying, “Looks like it.”
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply