Midnight Diner

Episode 4

"Thanks for stopping by. Here, take these for your trip too, I had some extra," he said, handing a customer with a box of dumplings.

He lied.

He had purposely made those for his customer. She was an elder lady in her 70s who had told him that she was going to take the bullet train for the first time to see her son. She wanted to surprise her son. According to her, her son had always asked her to retire, that he had enough income to take care of her. But every time, she told him that she loved to work and she was okay with living alone while her son pursued a career in the great city of Shinjuku. In truth, she was not ready to leave her lifelong home behind. She was still living with the memory of her late husband, whom she had met here in Hokkaido and spent their whole lives together here.

"However, now, at the ripe, young age of 73, I am ready to take on the city life !!"

He cleared her plates and took it to the sink. He looked around to make sure that there were no more customers. And there was none. He started doing the dishes. She had ordered cha soba, her husband's favourite.

***

The door creaked open.

She sneaked a peak inside.

"Hello..?"

He appeared from behind the curtains which separated the kitchen from the front of the restaurant. He was wearing some washed, black jeans, a neutral, green shirt and a beige apron. on his feet he wore some striking Nike sneakers.

"Oh hi...come on in..are you hungry?"

"I-I'm so sorry I did not pay last time !!" she waivered.

He ushered for her to relax.

"It's alright. How was the food?"

"It was amazing !! And yes, I am HUNGRY !!" she said, skipping to the bar table.

"What would you like to eat?"

"Mmm.." she thought, looking him straight in the eye. He had brown eyes. Dark hazel. And some freckles.

His heart rate increased. He blushed and looked away.

She maintained her gaze.

"Surprise me :)" she said cheekily.

He smiled and disappeared back behind the curtains.