Friday, July 21
Pus’s cafe which opened 4 months ago is located in a place with a spectacular view. Pus studied photography in college but became a barista. “I love photography. That’s why I opened a cafe because I wanted to have a different way to make a living” Pus smiled shyly.
There were many customers so I helped him take orders and serve drinks. When I talked to two young male customers, they told me they were from Dansai and often come to this cafe. They are one year younger than Pus. They had left Dansai after graduation from high school and returned. These two men are also those who returned to Dansai.
When I asked them where I could find butterflies, they answered a little vaguely “If you go around villages with rice fields, you might be able to find them.”
We went to the night market to help out at Doi’s soymilk stand. High school kids, whom we met three days ago, came to the stand and asked, “What are you doing here, Tomo?” I answered, “I am a friend of Doi. Aren’t you guys playing basketball today?” Then he said in a cheerful voice, “I have a leg injury so no basketball today.” After a brief conversation, I handed them soymilk. “See you,” the high school kid said and disappeared into the night market with the soymilk in his hand.
From the seller's side of the stand, I saw people passing through the market. Perhaps someone I had hoped to see might have passed the street. Thinking of this, I suddenly did not want to leave. I hoped that the flow of customers would not be interrupted. As I busily worked with my hands, the words Pus said before we parted drifted into my head. "I hope that many people will continue to come to this place and enjoy it in their own way. I am not thinking of leaving Dansai," he said, looking me straight in the eye instead of smiling shyly. Ryu asked, "Tomo-san, you're good at it. Have you ever worked at a soy milk stand? Maybe you did in your past life!" He said. I hoped so. What I know for sure is that I am standing at this soy milk stand right now. But I have to leave Dansai soon. Before that, I have to leave this soy milk stand where I am now.