บท 27: Hana's future
Ryo stood at the back of Hana quietly observing the scene before him. The savory aroma of gyoza and ramen filled the air as she moved swiftly around the kitchen, her hands a blur of motion. Her concentration was unwavering as she kneaded the dough for the gyoza, shaping it with practiced precision. The sizzling sound of the dumplings hitting the hot pan mingled with the bubbling broth of the ramen pot, creating a symphony of cooking sounds.
Ryo leaned against the doorframe, his eyes following Hana's every movement. She was efficient—there was no doubt about that and he could easily guess why Hana stayed in shape despite not taking care of her body just by looking at her daily routine.
"What a hardworking woman! She is just..." Ryo got distracted for a second by her beauty, but he quickly shook his head reminding himself what he was doing at the moment.
Every step she took in the kitchen was purposeful, her motions fluid and seamless. But even so, Ryo couldn't help but notice the strain in her eyes, the way her shoulders stiffened when a new order came in. The shop wasn't busy at the moment, but he could see the cracks in the system. If there was a rush, Hana wouldn't be able to keep up on her own.
He watched as she plated the gyoza, the crispy golden edges gleaming under the warm light. Next, she turned to the ramen, carefully arranging the noodles, broth, and toppings into the bowl with a practiced hand. Despite the simplicity of her menu, there was a clear love and dedication in every dish she made.
On the other hand, Kaede who is the little server of this shop all the plates her mother prepared for the coustmers despite her small hands not even being strong enough for her to hold them. Ryo could easily see that she was not forced to do any of that, instead she really liked doing it, but having learn about Kaede's situation he also worried about her.
"I want to help her, but that's not the point today. I want to see how they manage, so I can help them in long term," Ryo muttered to himself observing every single detail that he couldnotice about the shop and how could he improve it.
As the night went on, the few remaining customers slowly trickled out, and Hana closed up the shop. The neon sign outside flickered off, and the once bustling kitchen fell silent. Hana sat down at one of the tables, looking visibly exhausted, her hands resting in her lap. Kaede, her young daughter, climbed onto her mother's lap, her innocent eyes wide as she looked up at Ryo, who was now seated across from them.
Hana fidgeted nervously, her eyes darting between Ryo and Kaede. "So… you said you had some ideas for the shop?"
Ryo nodded, his expression serious but kind. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Yes, I do. But before I begin, I want to say that you're doing a great job with what you have. Your cooking is impressive. You make some of the best ramen and gyoza I've had in a long time."
Hana blushed slightly at the compliment, but the tension in her shoulders didn't ease.
"But," Ryo continued, "there are some things that need to change if you want this place to succeed long-term."
Hana's gaze flickered with concern, but she nodded, waiting for him to continue.
"First of all, the building itself," Ryo said, gesturing around the modest space. "It's a bit too plain. It looks more like an old house than a proper shop. If you want to attract more customers, the exterior needs to be renovated. Something that stands out, something that invites people in."
Hana bit her lip, glancing at the walls and ceiling as if seeing them in a new light. Ryo could tell she had probably thought the same thing but had been too overwhelmed to address it.
"Next, the menu," Ryo said, leaning back slightly. "As much as I love your ramen, you only offer two types. That, plus the gyoza and a couple of other dishes, isn't enough variety. People want choices. They want to be surprised by new flavors. Expanding the menu will keep customers coming back, eager to try something new."
Hana nodded slowly, though the anxiety in her eyes deepened. "But… I'm only one person. I don't have the time or help to add more dishes."
"That's exactly why," Ryo said, "once the shop starts doing well, you'll need to hire more staff. A few cooks, maybe a server or two. That way, you won't be running the kitchen alone."
Hana sighed, rubbing her forehead. "All of this sounds… expensive. Renovations, new dishes, hiring people—it's too much. I don't have the money to do any of that."
Ryo smiled softly, shaking his head. "That's not your concern. I'll take care of the costs. You don't have to worry about the money."
Hana's eyes widened in disbelief, her brow furrowing with suspicion. "Why are you doing all this? No one helps someone like me without wanting something in return. What's the real reason?"
Ryo met her gaze, his expression unreadable for a moment before he smiled again, this time a little more playfully. "I'm just interested in your food. And besides, I want to test my ability to turn this small place into something big. But," he added, his tone becoming serious again, "I'm not giving you free money."
Hana blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
"We'll sign an agreement," Ryo explained. "Everything I invest into this shop, you'll pay me back. Slowly but surely, over time. This isn't charity. It's a business deal that I will profit from."
Kaede, who had been quietly listening, tugged on her mother's sleeve. "Mama, I think we should trust him. Big brother is a good man," she said, her innocent voice full of conviction.
Hana looked down at her daughter, then back at Ryo. She could see that Kaede trusted him completely, but Hana's mind was still swirling with uncertainty. It wasn't that she didn't believe Ryo's intentions were genuine—he had been nothing but kind since they met—but the weight of the decision was heavy.
Before Hana could respond, Ryo's phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen, his expression briefly tightening as he saw the name: Akemi. He clicked his tongue, annoyed, before standing up.
"I have to go," Ryo said, sliding his phone into his pocket. "But before I leave, there's one more thing."
Hana looked up at him, her anxiety flaring again. "What is it?"
Ryo paused, choosing his words carefully. "Have you talked to your husband about any of this?"
Hana's face went pale, and she gave him an awkward smile. "Things are… complicated in that area."
Ryo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You should let him know about me, about what's going on. I don't want any unnecessary conflict."
Hana nodded slowly, but the sadness in her eyes was hard to miss. "I'll… figure it out," she muttered.
Ryo gave her a final, thoughtful look before turning to leave. As he reached the door, he glanced back over his shoulder. "Just trust me, Hana. This shop has a lot of potential. I see a bright future for it. You just need to be willing to adapt and overcome."
With that, he stepped outside, leaving Hana and Kaede in the quiet of the now-closed shop. The moment the door closed behind him, Hana let out a deep sigh of relief, slumping back in her chair.
Kaede looked up at her mother, her wide eyes filled with hope. "Mama, do you think the shop will really get better?"
Hana looked down at her daughter and smiled, albeit wearily. "I think it might, Kaede. I really do."
As she sat there, her mind began to race with possibilities. Ryo's plan had been thorough, thoughtful—everything he said made sense. If they could pull it off, if they could make those changes, then maybe… just maybe… the shop could become something more than what it was now.
For the first time in a long while, Hana allowed herself to hope.
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