章節 4: Chapter 3 : The Face of the Shop
I decided to ask about the signboard here. I entered the restaurant and took a seat in one of the booth tables in the back, ordering the food. After thoroughly enjoying my food, I turned to the waiter to ask my main question.
"Excuse me."
"Oh, is it time to pay?"
"Yeah, but before that, can I ask you a question?"
"A question?... sure"
"I just want to know where the signboard for this place was made."
"The signboard... Wait, you're not here to challenge the restaurant, are you?"
"No, it's not that... And what's a restaurant challenge anyway? I just want to know where the sign was made!"
What's with this waiter? She's way too energetic. And it seems like other customers are giving me strange looks! Wait, isn't that chubby person over there someone I've seen before? They look a lot like the person who used expansion jutsu, don't they? Maybe they're his grandfather? I'm starting to feel a bit out of place here. The waiter seems to realize something after a moment.
"Oh, I see. You just wanted to know that, huh? The manager said they asked a calligrapher on the outskirts of the village to make it. Are you planning to open a shop, customer?"
"Something like that. So, did the calligrapher make the signboard?"
"Yeah, apparently he used to be a carpenter, and working with wood is a piece of cake for him. Many people have him make their signs. You can find the exact location on the map near the cash register"
"I see... Thank you very much. That helps."
"Not a problem. Your bill comes to 120 ryos. Please feel free to visit us again!"
After paying the bill, I decided to go ask the calligrapher mentioned. It turns out his place is quite close to my home, so I had to backtrack a bit. While walking, I thought about the sign's design. Maybe something simple like 'Used Bookstore: Book Inn' in two lines would be good.
When I arrived at the calligrapher's house, it was unexpectedly run-down. Not just old, but clearly damaged with visible cuts and marks.
"What is this place? It gives off a seriously sketchy vibe. Is this really it?"
"Are you here for something?"
Someone with his left arm missing, in his late 30s, with a bandana wrapped around his head, spoke up from behind. His gaze wasn't sharp, but he had the kind of eyes that made it impossible to tell where they were looking while they smoked a cigarette. It was a bit intimidating.
But I couldn't back down now. I came here to get a sign made!
"Uh, well..."
"Is there something you need?"
"I... I want you to make a sign!"
"Hmm, a customer, huh? What should I write?"
"Um, a sign that says 'Used Bookstore: Book Inn.'"
"Oh, a used bookstore. Where is it?"
"It's, uh, right nearby."
"Alright, let's go."
"Huh?"
I was taken aback as the old man suddenly started walking. I hadn't even told him where to go. If I lost sight of him here, it would defeat the purpose of coming. So, I hurriedly followed him."
"Wait, where are you going?"
"To your shop."
"Why all of a sudden?"
"I can't make a sign without seeing your shop. It wouldn't feel right if the sign didn't match the appearance of the shop, right?"
"Is that so?"
"Of course. Imagine putting up a sign with cutesy, round letters like a high-end restaurant at a place like this. It would feel odd, wouldn't it? I don't like that. So, I always check the place before making a sign."
This guy is way more professional than I imagined. I thought he'd be some laid-back person based on his appearance, but he's serious about his work. It was a pleasant surprise, but I felt a bit guilty for judging based on looks.
I'm a man who can apologize when I'm in the wrong. This is one of those times!
"Uh, I'm sorry!"
"Hmm?"
"I honestly thought you were a laid-back person!"
"You don't need to apologize."
"As an apology... Huh?"
"I don't care what others think of me. As long as I can create something I'm satisfied with, that's all that matters. If you feel like you owe me an apology, then take good care of the sign."
This guy is seriously cool. He might look unenthusiastic, but he's very passionate about his work. He's got that 'Master Craftsman' vibe, even though he doesn't look the part.
After that, we continued in silence, heading towards the shop. Despite not having to walk too far, he didn't speak. When we arrived at the shop, he sat in front of it, reached into his pocket to pull out paper and a brush. He dipped the brush into something that looked like a sake decanter on his waist, causing the tip of the brush to turn black. It seemed there was ink in there.
I had assumed it was sake, so I was feeling a bit guilty again. However, he didn't pay me any attention, completely absorbed in writing on the paper placed on the ground.
Curious about what he was writing, I walked around him to get a look at the paper. He was creating a highly detailed image of my shop at an astonishing pace. When he finished sketching the shop, he paused for a moment, closing his eyes.
After about 30 seconds, he suddenly opened his eyes wide, then started writing something that seemed like a sign just above the entrance of the shop. The layout was simple, with 'Used Bookstore' in the top left and 'Book Inn' in the bottom right. However, the letters appeared alive and full of vitality, capturing my attention completely.
"Phew... this should do. Is this okay for your used bookstore?"
"Uh, yeah, it's great."
"What's wrong?"
"I'm just really impressed by this."
"Hmm? Well, if you're satisfied, I'll have it finished by the day after tomorrow. Come by around noon to pick it up. I'll take the payment then."
"Oh, okay. How much should I pay you?"
"For this, 3,000 ryos should do. Do you need anything else?"
"That's surprisingly affordable... I'd also like a standalone sign that says 'We Buy Books.'"
"Alright, I can do that. Let's make it 3,300 ryos for both."
"That's really reasonable. I mean, I'm just a customer, but I think you could charge more."
"It's fine. I'm not in need of money. I'll deliver it to this shop the day after tomorrow. Don't worry; I'll even install it for you."
With that, he left the shop. I couldn't help but think he's a rare type of person you don't see much in modern Japan. I returned to the shop, and seeing the interior, which was still not completely organized, I let out a small sigh. It couldn't be helped.
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