Memento Mori

The Meaning of Soul PROLOGUE 17

"Rairaiken is a .... Is it a chain shop?"

"It's a typical name for a ramen shop, isn't it?

　It's an easy name for the past owner. It has nothing to do with the originator."

　Called by a young man, a rough-looking man comes out while wiping his hands.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

　My name is Hita. Can I help you?"

"Oh, I've missed you."

"What's ...?"

"Oh, yes.

　He looks a lot like your teacher in elementary school."

　Yoko glares at Tetsuya with a sideways glance.

"Sorry."

　Yoko pushes Tetsuya away and steps forward.

"Actually, we need to talk to you about something."

　Hita looks at them suspiciously.

"Well, what do you mean?"

"We heard that this shop used to be owned by Tetsuya Sokura."

"Yes, it is still Sokura's shop. Unfortunately, he is in the hospital because of his health condition ....

　I beg your pardon, but what is your relationship with him?"

"That makes me cry."

　Yoko glances at Tetsuya again and then turns to Hita with a smile.

"We're Sokura's relatives."

"Really?

　I've never heard of any family ...."

"To be more precise, I would say that we are former family members."

"Former? You mean before Mr. Sokura started his ramen shop ...."

"Did you know that?

　I think Sokura must have been in the hospital this time and was feeling a bit fragile. He contacted us and said, 'I want to meet my wife and son.'

　I am his son-in-law, and he is my grandson.

　Although we had never met before, he spoke to me openly and told me about this shop.

　This son happens to be interested in cooking, and he would love to see the shop ...."

"Uh, you know, we can't just stand here and talk.

Why don't you come on in?"

　Hita leads them to a table and calls out to the part-time worker.

"You'll be fine on your own the rest of the way, right?

　Can you make it to in time ...?"

"Don't worry. I've got plenty of time."

　Hita returns to the table with a glass of barley tea on a tray.

"He is quite a dependable guy."

　Tetsuya was in tears.

"I'm relieved ....

　I'm sure Grandpa would say that."

"I hope so.

　By the way, how is this Mr. Sokura doing?

　I was worried about him because I couldn't visit him."

"So, that'.... He is in a very difficult situation right now. ー It seems that he suddenly got worse, and I think he has been temporarily denied visitation ...."

　Tetsuya quickly offers help to Yoko, who is at a loss for words.

"Yes, that's right. So, while we can't see each other, we thought we'd go check out the shop that he was worried about ...."

　Yoko and Tetsuya reach for barley tea while wiping off their sweat.