[Black Basket] Winter Cherry Blossoms

The commercial area on the banks of the Kamogawa River is a place where locals often shop and go shopping. There are many large supermarkets and famous stores, and there are many time-honored and high-end restaurants. The store that Saya is going to is also hidden. After bypassing many streets, They finally arrived at their destination, a small kiosk named 'Butterfly'.

"Akashi, here we are, this store is my special recommendation."

"This store is really small." This was Akashi's first impression of the store, "But a place that can be strongly recommended by you, senior, must have its attractions."

"I'm afraid you are the one with the real good vision. You can see through the essence of it before entering the door. The owner of the shop will definitely be very happy to hear what you said just now."

The two had been at the store for a long time, but they were just chatting outside the store. Later, they couldn't bear the urging of hunger, and they opened the store door together and walked into the store. A group of customers just walked in, an old lady in a kimono I was too busy clearing the table to greet them.

"Grandma Mukai, do you need me to come and help?"

Called by Saya, the old lady turned around and looked at the two of them, and said in surprise, "Saya, why did you come here? Today is the weekend, so you should help out at the old store?"

"Sorry, I took the liberty to disturb you. Grandma will give me a day off today. I'll bring my friends over to try your and teacher's crafts while I have a day off."

"Time flies, Saya, you have reached the age to have a boyfriend." The old lady looked at Akashi beside Saya and said with a smile.

"Grandma Mukai, you have misunderstood. He is a junior in my high school, not a boyfriend." Saya hurriedly explained with a blushing face.

"Nice meeting, Mrs. Mukai, I am Akashi Seijuro, please give me your advice."

Akashi's polite greeting first stunned the old lady for a moment, and it took her a long time to reflect, and warmly greeted him and Saya to the seat by the window, saying: "This is the seat with the best view in the store, you guys Sit down and rest for a while, and I'll get you the menu."

"Grandma Mukai, let me help you."

"No, you are a guest now, how can you leave your junior alone, go back and sit." Mrs. Mukai refused Saya's request and insisted on completing the work by herself.

"Mrs. Mukai, please ask senior sister to help, even if you ask her to be your guest, you won't be able to sit still."

Akashi's persuasion made Mrs. Mukai couldn't help laughing, "You really know Saya, she has been helping here since elementary school, and she couldn't stop once she started working. Since even you said she couldn't sit still, then for the time being Let her entertain you instead of me, please, Saya."

"No problem, wrap it on me." After receiving the cloth belt handed by Mrs. Mukai, Saya rolled up the sleeves of the kimono, went to the counter, picked up the menu, and came to Akashi, and said kindly: "Welcome to Cho, guest, may I ask you?" Do you want to order now?"

"I want to listen to my senior sister's recommendation." Seeing Saya quickly and proficiently enter the working state, Akashi understood Mrs. Mukai's words just now. If it hadn't been trained since childhood, it would be difficult for ordinary people to get started with work all at once. It can be seen that she is here The working hours are much earlier than he guessed.

"Cho's menu changes every season. The most popular signature dishes are yudofu set meal and herring soba noodles. For refreshments, I recommend Uji tea with grilled meatballs."

"Then I'd like a tofu set meal and Uji tea." After ordering, Akashi returned the menu to Saya.

"Please wait a moment, your order will be ready soon." After writing the name of the dish Akashi ordered, Saya poured a glass of water into the empty glass in front of him, and then hurried back to the kitchen to help.

The store became quiet, except for the faint sound of clashing utensils and human voices in the kitchen, only the crisp sound of the wind chimes being blown by the wind. Sitting by the window, enjoying the view of the Kamo River, accompanied by the birds Their playful calls make people feel that even if it is not a meal, a cup of tea and a good book can spend an afternoon.

Unfortunately, the tranquility of the small restaurant was quickly broken, the store door was opened again, and a tall, middle-aged man walked in. Just when he was curious that there was no one at the counter, he was startled by the familiar figure by the window .

"Master, why are you here?"

"Uncle Masao, please keep your voice down and don't disturb the people in the kitchen." Akashi drank the water calmly, as if he was not surprised that his butler appeared here.

"Master, if the president finds out that you came here alone, he will..."

"Remember what I told you before? There are some things that you don't need to let your father know. You should understand what I mean, and I'm not here alone today. You don't have to worry."

Akashi said no problem, Masao Nakamura did not dare to object, he changed the subject and said, "Do you want me to drive you back later? After all, this place is a bit far from the second house."

"No, I have to go to another place after lunch. By the way, what are you doing here? Could it be a coincidence that I met you here?"

"I'm here to pick up the miso that I ordered before. This old store makes miso every season. My family will come here to buy it every once in a while. Its delicious taste is no less than that produced by the big restaurant." Masao Nakamura just finished speaking, the kitchen Someone ran out to entertain the guests, interrupting the conversation between the two.

"Welcome... Hey, it's Mr. Nakamura, long time no see, er... you... know my junior?" After temporarily finishing work in the kitchen, Saya saw acquaintances as soon as she returned to the counter, but the people she knew and Akashi chatted enthusiastically, which made her curious.

"Long time no see, Ms. Saya, he is actually..." Masao Nakamura wanted to explain Akashi's identity to Saya, but he had no choice but to swallow the words back under the hint of Akashi's eyes, and said, "When I walked in, I found no one in the store. , I just saw him here, so I went up and asked, is he your junior??

Saya nodded, "Yes, I made a small profit on the market day in March, and I just invited my junior to have a meal today, and Mr. Nakamura will come with you?"

"Ah, no, no, I'm here today to pick up the miso I ordered for my wife. Is Mrs. Mukai in the store?" Masao Nakamura, who was stared at by his young master with a chill down his spine, quickly refused. He never expected to be with the young master. The person is actually Saya, it seems that God's arrangement this time is really unexpected.

"She's here, wait a moment, I'll call her."

Masao Nakamura breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Saya running back into the kitchen. His young master turned his gaze out of the window and stopped staring at him. Mrs. Mukai who he was waiting for finally showed up and walked to the kitchen with the miso he had ordered. counter.

"Hey, Masao, the consumption rate of your miso is really increasing every month. Well, this is what you ordered a few months ago. If you don't have enough, you can buy it again. The old man has made a lot this time."

"Mrs. Mukai, don't laugh at me. If it weren't for your good craftsmanship, how could my family consume miso so fast? Well, I have something to do in the afternoon, and now I have to rush back. We will talk when I come back for a drink next time. "In order not to wait longer and talk more, Nakamura Masao found an excuse to leave quickly after paying miso's money. He didn't dare to disturb the rare leisure time of the young master.

"Masao left in such a hurry today, I want him to stay and have a drink with the old man." Mrs. Mukai talked about the departure of her regular customers, and reminded the people who were busy in the kitchen, "Saya, do a good job over there." Are you ready, it's almost time to serve, don't let the guests wait too long."

"Sorry, I'll be right here."

As soon as she finished speaking, Saya walked out of the kitchen with a tray in her hand, and returned to the seat where she and Akashi were sitting. She first put the beef and other ingredients into the pot of broth, turned on the stove, and let the ingredients cook in it After a period of time, put the tofu cut into small pieces and cook for a while. After the aroma comes out, the soup tofu is ready to eat.

"Sister did this?"

"No, I'm still practicing. Today I'm just helping out with the ingredients. If one day I can be alone like Grandpa Mukai, then Grandpa and Grandma will be really pleased."

"God will not disappoint those who pay the price of hard work, there will be that day."

The aroma in the pot is overflowing, as if urging the diners to eat a big piece. The tofu in the mouth has a special taste. In addition to being delicious, there are also things that you can’t feel at home. It can be said that this is the most casual meal that Akashi eats outside. A meal, without any restraint, relaxed.

However, time always slipped away between talking and laughing. After Akashi and the others finished their lunch and afternoon tea at the kiosk, it was already past three o'clock in the afternoon. According to Inoue-senpai's arrangement, the next step was to go to the video game room in the business center. Akashi was not interested in this, and Saya was also lacking in interest. In the end, the two discussed it and decided to go to the antique second-hand store in the business district along the way home.

It is another new experience after the flea market. The store is not big, but the sparrow is small but has all the internal organs. It is said to be second-hand, but it is basically brand new. It is only because it has been left aside for a long time that it is considered old.The two searched for treasure inside, and Akashi found a brand new simple Japanese-style tea bowl, while Saya found a dancing fan, and the two exchanged their treasure hunting experience.

"Sister, there is a beautiful dancing umbrella in that corner, and the price is quite cheap." In order to prevent Saya from noticing the commotion outside the store, Akashi made an excuse to lure her away.

"You have good eyesight, I'll go and have a look."

After Saya was led away, Akashi walked to the back of the shelf and looked out the door. It turned out that the store was entrusted by the shopping street committee to distribute application forms for community festivals to nearby residents, and the girl who peeped at them before was with her companion I was filling out the form, but didn't enter the store. Because the content of the form was simple, the girl had already left when the store owner took back the application form. Finally, she avoided meeting Saya.

"Akashi, I've already bought them, do you want to pay for your teacup here?" Saya shouted to Akashi at the cash register before the nightmare of the past appeared beside him.

"I'll go right now."

The happy time of the weekend was very short. As the sun set and the night cherry blossoms quietly bloomed, Akashi and Saya left the business district and continued walking and strolling in the direction of home, and finally stopped at a fork in the road. People's homes are at the ends of both sides of the fork. One side is a western-style villa community, and the other side is an area where centuries-old mansions have gathered. The two places are neither far nor close.

"Akashi, thank you for accompanying me today to fulfill my senior's promise."

"It's nothing, I'm just looking for a reason for myself to relax. The senior sister is a bit busy today. Go to bed early when you go back. Lack of sleep will affect your health."

"It's the same for you. By the way, I found this thing in an antique shop. I heard from Kotaro that you have a horse at home. I hope it will be useful to you." Before parting, Saya gave Akashi a beautiful small paper bag.

"What's this?" Akashi asked.

"After I'm gone, you'll know when you open it. That thing is very practical." After speaking, Saya turned and left, walking quickly towards her own direction.

Looking at the back of Saya going away, Akashi opened the small paper bag, and after seeing the small items inside, he smiled and resealed the paper bag.The rest day on the weekend is really full of surprises. It would be great if we can live in a peaceful way all the time, but how long can the calm before the storm last?