Kalma

Sakura Contemplation

That night, it couldn't be much more beautiful for the two friends that walk together to their houses. The neighbors and schoolmates, Kentarou and Akira, don't really know why their chemistry is so good. And very lovely.

"Kentarou, tomorrow let's start at 7 AM." Announced Akira in front of her door.

"Okay, we should let Louise-san know."

Suddenly the pad activated and there is the Line announcement of some kind of ad.

From Whatsapp, Yamato messaged them through the pad to create a group together. It seems the pad is a new gadget for them.

"Man, she really is powerful, doesn't she?" Kentarou laughed as the group "Kalma" created for the three of them.

"Hahahahah! She never stops to surprise me."

"So how long have you known her?" Kentarou asked Akira after creating an announcement in the group.

"Hmm, from middle school. Back then she just transferred here so she's a bit shy. But after going to a manga cafe together, she opened up a bit. Ahh! She was just like Riri-chan!"

"I see. I'm glad she's being more open now." Kentarou replied.

"Yeah, okay, see you tomorrow Kentarou."

"See you. Good night" Kentarou waived goodbye as they make their final preparations for the performance tomorrow.

The plan tomorrow is to set the stage in the morning before 9 AM (opening time) so that the cafe is still open for visitors. The performance itself started around 7 PM.

Tomoko-san already created a very cute story and AI art for the performance, even as far as animating the band mates. Kentarou chimes in the Whatsapp group, "Tomoko-san...."

Yamato replied, "huh, what happened?"

"She posted an AI about us."

"Where?"

"In the IG story of Kalma. The cafe."

"Hahahahahaha! Is that supposed to be us? We're looking like that shonen football anime. " Yamato laughed, and Kentarou can imagine her laughing right now.

"Alright, see you tomorrow. Hope we have a great day." Kentarou replied.

"Yeah, see you, Kentarou-kun." Replied Yamato.

Finally, Kentarou thought and smiled, realizing that he's in a great friendship environment. Full of positivity.

The next day, Sunday, there is a light rain around 6 AM, when Kentarou's mother wakes him.

"Ken-chan! Wake up. Let's get ready!"

His mother wants to see their preparation and meet the quirky characters of the cafe that Kentarou often told stories about.

"Okay, mom, first we want to prepare for the stage. It started at 7."

"Okay!"

After breakfast with onigiri and karage, they both rang the doorbell of Akira's house.

"Wait! Just a second!"

"You know that girl seems lovely. Why don't you go out already? I need a granddaughter."

"What the! Mom, stop talking like that! It's rude!" Kentarou replied.

"Besides, she's a nice friend."

"Should I go in and add the spice to your relationship-"

Suddenly a wild Tomoko-san appears on the end of the alley.

"Ahh, Kentarou-kun! Ohh, you must be his sister! You guys look similar! I always want a son that looks like me. I think that's what the dream looks like. Besides, I-"

Kentarou tried to intervene, "ahh, Tomoko-san! Nice to see you! Ehh actually this is my m-"

Suddenly his mother hit him in the stomach and said, "ohh, yes I'm his sister! Nice to meet you Tomoko-san, I'm Kaede. I've heard so many things about you."

"Araaa! But I'm too old for him! Stop teasing about me Kentarou-kun! You're too young!"

"Nee-chan! You're too outward! And That's rude! That's obviously his mother! Kentarou-kun already told me about that." Kaede saw a younger version of Tomoko-san but a bit thinner.

"Araaa, I see. Okay, let's go on! I've already calculated that we need exactly 6 of those tables to fit in the cafe for the stage! Taka-chan, call your friends! Let's start!"

Suddenly Akira came down to the stairs and see a showdown of new people.

"Good morning everyone! Let's go!"

When the time was nearing 7 AM, some of Takako-san's college friend help the stage creating process and Tomoko-san help for the interior design.

Kaede, Kentarou's mother, said to him, "wow, she must be a genius. Look how she designed this place. It's very intricate if you can detect it."

Indeed, Kentarou thought. Through meticulous effort, the cafe blends in the old and the trendy stuff, and it seems Tomoko-san always added something new, something such as a vase of new flowers, or postcards of beautiful places, each month. She also sometimes added a drawing that is so beautiful, that Kentarou thought it wasn't handmade.

"Hmm, where is Louise-san?" Takako-san asked the group.

"Ohh she's on the way. She said she wants to tweak a few of the songs." Akira replied.

Around 8 AM, the stage is set and the band mates can practice a little bit before the cafe opens.

During this time of the year, the cafe is most crowded. This is the time of the local festival of the Manjiro shopping district. People came here for the amazing Sakura trees near the river on the end of the shopping district, and the famous cake of the man sitting down below a Sakura tree. It was told that the taste is so delicious that any copycat can't imitate them.

Yamato came in around 8 AM, and apologized for being late.

"Ohh, sorry! I can't find my bra, and suddenly it grows larger! And also I got a new mesh up for the songs! You guys won't believe what I created!"

Kentarou wanted to speak about it but was interrupted by Akira.

"Okay guys, let's train. Thank you for your help!" Akira-chan said to Takako-san's friends.

"Please come and visit us later!"

The group practice for a little bit before the main performance, while the other prepare for the busiest day of the year.