章 155: C119: Final Epilogue

The restaurant was located in the countryside where rice fields spread out. The old-fashioned café, "Life's Destiny," has become a place of relaxation for people who have escaped the hustle and bustle of the city and are looking for healing and excellent food.

It has an old-fashioned appearance with stucco walls and a tiled roof. In addition, the white-painted walls surrounding the premises created an atmosphere like that of a samurai residence. Stepping into the restaurant, we were greeted with an interior reminiscent of the good old Showa period.

The restaurant is thriving and many people come during lunch time. Today, a female manager in a kimono and a male waiter were busy working in the restaurant. When asked if they were a married couple, they answered simultaneously, "Not yet," with red cheeks. I was envious of how well they got along.

I was shown to a seat overlooking the garden by the manager, while my colleague sat across from me on a round table. My colleague was dressed in a girly fashion that seemed out of place in an old-fashioned cafe, but there was no dress code, so I guess it was no problem.

"What are you mumbling about while playing with your phone, Hiro?"

I put it back in my bag as my tanned face stretched and tried to peek at the screen of my phone.

"You see, I'm in charge of writing the promotional social media posts for the company this month. So I thought I'd post something about this restaurant."

"I see."

He seemed to have lost interest in the topic and was looking at the menu list intently. I was looking at the view of the garden through the large window, dismayed at such a junior.

There was a large pond covered with white gravel. On the shore of the pond were rocks, giving it a Japanese garden-like appearance. The Japanese atmosphere was ruined by the golden lizard lying on the rocks.... However, most of the visitors were unfazed and were taking pictures and videos with their smartphones.

"So that's the store's signature lizard, Destiny. I'll take a picture and post it on social media."

The junior took out a selfie stick, adjusted it so that he and the lizard were in the picture, and wore a smile. I'll leave her alone, she's always the meek one. I looked around the restaurant and saw that the seats were occupied even though it was past lunchtime. He seems to be a regular customer, as he is chatting with the manager and waiter in a friendly manner.

"It's doing very well. It's all over the news."

"You were on TV before, right? I'll bring my kids next time."

"It's a good thing you quit this shitty cleaning company."

"Well, you've got some nerve in front of the president of a rundown cleaning company. I see you want to get a pay cut."

All the customers seated in the four-person table were wearing work clothes and seemed to have dropped by after work. They were talking to the waiter about this and that.

"Yoshio, you're amazing! I can't believe you're succeeding in such a fashionable restaurant!"

"You're exaggerating, Makoto. Boss, Mr. Cape, Mr. Yamamoto, please take your time."

"Oh, sorry for interrupting your work."

The waiter was released and went back to the kitchen. There was only a curtain hanging over the kitchen, so I could not see inside, but I could see three women working in the back.

"Matcha parfait, strawberry rice cake, and hojicha soda, please."

"Yes, sir. Oh, brother, this is ready. Take it to seat three."

"Hey, you can't call me brother at work."

"No need to be so formal. I'm just grateful that you work part-time like this when you're busy."

Apparently, the old woman was an employee of the restaurant, the woman who warned her and the young girl who got angry were family members of the waiter.

I thought I heard the faint sound of a door opening, but then I saw the kitchen door at the back of the kitchen open. A man peeked out from there. He was probably over fifty years old.

"I've brought you some fruits, vegetables and some meat."

"Thanks, Dad. When you're done, why don't you go and order something?"

"I think I will."

The man now seems to be the husband of the woman working in the kitchen. The restaurant seems to be made up of the manager's family and the neighbor's family. But when they get married, it will become a family business.

As I grinned imagining this, a menu list was presented to me. My younger colleague seemed to have already made up her mind and was waving her hands around calling for the waiter. The waiter, noticing this, lays out the desserts for the group of women seated nearby, and then comes over to me. I wonder what I should order.

My younger colleague and I left the store in a good mood, very satisfied with the customer service, the taste, and the atmosphere of the store. Looking back, we saw a large signboard in front of the old-fashioned café with a mascot, a golden lizard with a slightly swollen belly, and the hours of operation written underneath.

Business hours: 8:00 – 18:00

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Closed on the last day of every month due to an important matter.