Beyond a Thief's Power (All Ages Version)

Episode 5

At Which We Were Once Close

~February 28, 2007~

It was another winter day in Ginza. The manager/owner of the café was inside, cleaning and wiping some of the glass bowls as usual and was humming happily to himself. He looked up and saw something outside the window. However, it wasn't an object, but a person standing outside. A young woman with very light, long orange hair that reached past her waist was looking around, turning her head left and right every second; her eyes were the same color as her hair. Along with her big eyes, she was also pretty, wearing a candy red ruffled blouse with sleeves that reached down to her wrists, blush pink pants rolled up above her ankles, and white low-heeled sandals with three thin horizontal straps over her feet. She did not seem to be familiar with the area, so the manager stopped what he was doing and walked outside to talk to the young lady.

"Is something wrong, Miss?" he asked.

Hearing his voice, the young woman looked up quickly. "...!" She regained her complexion, a stern look on her face. "..."

"I'm not going to harm you," the manager smiled. "If you'd like, I can treat you to something to eat." He glanced at the café. "I own this café, and I'm still hiring young people such as yourself to help out. Would you care to go inside?"

The girl cautiously stared at the manager for a moment before giving a small nod. Shortly afterward, the manager patiently guided her to the café and they were soon facing one another at a table.

"..." The girl was obviously not in the mood to talk, as she was on her guard toward any strangers.

The manager felt nervous, but he was able to bring himself to start another conversation. "Er... Well... It's nice to meet you. Would you please care to tell me about yourself, Miss? I don't mean to pry, but I don't know anything about you, and I'm sure you don't know anything about me, either. We did meet a few minutes ago, after all."

"...Sayuri," the girl said softly when she lowered her head. It was barely audible, but she had definitely spoken.

The manager tilted his head. "? Did you say something, young lady?"

The girl looked up and faced the manager. "Sayuri Mitsuyoshi. That's my name. I'm twenty-one years old as of today. I can't tell you much about myself, but that's all I can really say, so... Anyway, it's... nice to meet you, as well."

The manager could not believe his ears and eyes. The young girl sitting across from him—Sayuri—had actually said something to him.

"Do you have a place to stay, or even a job, Miss Mitsuyoshi?" he inquired. "If not, I can provide you with both. You can work here and there's also a room for you to stay in upstairs."

Sayuri gazed at the manager with her beautiful light orange eyes and blinked, curious of the owner's kindness. "No, but... I don't even know the reason you would even let me stay here, so it baffles one such as myself as to what your intentions are. What is your purpose for doing this?"

The manager smiled gently. "I'm just an old man who wants to look out for those in need. It might not be much, but this is the least I can do." He looked towards the interior of the café and continued the chat. "As you can see here, this café is made out of wood from several years ago. Although it shines, it can only support itself for a little longer. What's more is that it doesn't give way and continues to stay strong for the sake of allowing me to run my café and bring joy to others. All in all, I wish to make everyone here happy and give them a warm sensation with love and care before I pass on to the other world." He laughed. "It might sound strange coming from someone who's in their late thirties, but it's what I want to accomplish for others who come here with their family and friends."