Gen'ei Antique Shop

Tale 7 A Boy With Hopes

The first year of the Showa Era
Downtown Tokyo.

My name is Hachiro Fukumoto, I'm 12 years old. Today, I toured around this town to find work. My family is in trouble because my father is sick. My mother had to work in the fields and I had 3 younger siblings. Because of that, I have to stop school.

Yesterday, we didn't eat much. My mother and I haven't eaten today. My father and my younger siblings needed more food, so we gave them the food first. Mother also looks very tired. I'm afraid she will also get sick. I have to find work as soon as possible so we can all eat today.

When walking around, my steps stopped at a shop. I saw a little girl in my age who was standing in front of the window looking out. Our eyes met. But, the girl soon disappeared from the window.

I peeked at the sign of the shop, No. 49 Ren'ei antique stores.

Maybe, they need some help. I have to try it.

I then walked to the antique shop. I held the door handle and opened it slowly when cold air pierced my whole body.

CLING !!

"Welcome to our shop, dear customer, what can I do for you?"

I heard a girl's voice. I tried to find the direction of the sound because the store was quite dark. There was no light, only the reflection of the sunlight from the closed window.

Why don't they open the window?

"Do you want something or throw away something?"

I was shocked. I averted my eyes and saw a young girl sitting on a chair with lots of books on the table.

"Ah ... uh ... actually ... I ... uhm ..." I can't say anything, the words from my mouth are hard to come out.

"Did you come in because you saw the little girl in the window?" The girl asked, smiling at me.

I stared at her and slowly nodded, slightly embarrassed, "Is she your sister?" I asked.

"Are you interested in antique?" She asked again. Ignore my questions.

"Eh ... oh ..." I glanced around and was distracted by a black box that looked very shiny as if it was emitting light from inside, "What's in the box?" I asked, looking at a box in the front of the window where the little girl had stood before.

"Oh, that's a handscroll. Do you interested in that box?" The girl asked.

"Oh ... ah ... no ... I...I don't have money," I shook my head, "That, actually I want to find a job. I thought you might need help, "I felt embarrassed.

"I see," the girl murmured, "Let's see, what about today? I can't hire you permanently, but if for today, it doesn't seem like a problem,"

"Eh ??" I'm startled.

"Two other employees are out. So, today I need someone to cleans the shop. You are interested in ..."

"Yes. Please let me help you," I cut the girl's words quickly.

She giggled, "Then you are hired. I will get the equipment for you. Please wait here," she said as she gets up from her seat to the room behind her.