One last chance

Finally going to Sawara

"So Kirishima-san, this is your first time in Sawara?"

"While my daughter came years ago with my parents, it's my first time going to Sawara. I wanted to go for vacations, but work is chaotic everyday. I don't know if you are familiar with the manga section"

"I have a friend working at the literature section in Shirawaka publishing company and he knows some things about the manga too. He said in literature department is calmer than in manga. He also told me that in manga departments, they tend to miss deadlines and suffering the... Hell week? Did I pronounce it right? ", the man asked and looked Kirishima from the passenger's seat while the editor was looking at the road carefully, following Rotoko's instructions.

"Yes. We have the hell week. It's the most crucial week in our work since it's the time we're giving the manuscripts to the printing and finishing our works before the deadline"

"That must be pretty chaotic..."

"It is indeed...", Kirishima said and continued to focus on the road. Almost 15 minutes passed since they left the convenience store and they are currently heading to Sawara with the help of Rotoko-san. Since they found this man, their trip was coming to a close, something that made the young man relax, the feeling of relief showing on his shoulders.

While they were driving, Kirishima would glance right and left and watch the nature blossoming beautifully in this month of March. The cherry blossoms were decorating the atmosphere, foxes would run on the fields far away from the road and a nice breeze blowing on the trees' leaves and petals that were falling on the ground. It was indeed a spectacular view to watch. "Now, were are we going?"

"You continue straight ahead, then on the next Sakura tree, you will turn left and in few meters, when you see a tobacco shop, you turn right and there you are!"

"So, basically, we have 5 minutes more"

"Yees!! We are almost there!!" Hiyori said and raised her hands with open palms over her head and Rotoko couldn't help but chuckle at this.

"She is so cute"

"Yes, she is. She takes after her mother"

"Can I guess something, if you don't mind?"

"Of course. Tell me"

"You are a single father, aren't you?", the man whispered so Hiyori couldn't hear him. After he saw the Sakura and turned left, he saw Rotoko for a while and then turned his head again to see the road in front of him. Rotoko didn't miss the sad glimpse on the editor's eyes and decided not to continue.

"Hiyori's mother passed away after she was born. So, it's just me and my precious girl", he whispered too. After all, this was a delicate subject they brought. "I sometimes miss her, but right now, I'm fine. Hiyori stays with my parents when I have to go to work and when we have a time together, we are going outside"

"I'm so sorry I brought that subject. It is insensitive of me..."

"Don't worry about it Rotoko-san. It happened a long time ago", he said and then gave a smile to the old man. Before they knew it, they arrived at Sawara in no time. When they saw it, Kirishima couldn't help but watch with awe and wide eyes the beautiful display: there were a lot of shops, one next to the other but it seemed beautifully placed, a river in front of the buildings with little boats and bridges that connected the one area with the other across it.

There were a Cafe, the police department, the publishing company a few meters away and shops with clothes. There were also some restaurants on the across area and another few meters away, there was an opened field with cottages and hot springs. It was the most beautiful view he had ever seen in his life. Watching Kirishima's reaction, Rotoko gave a small laugh and touched his shoulder, who then turned his head to see the smiling older man.

"I believe you like the view"

"It's -"

"Beautiful!! I didn't remember it like that"

"Well you see, we have some people here that brought many things from Tokyo. We somehow update ourselves with technology, restaurants and shops. We even have two bars some blocks away from my Cafe. We became a small Tokyo"

"I can see that, but you also have that nature of a village"

"Indeed... Kirishima-san?"

"Yes?"

"If you don't mind, would you like to come to my Cafe to treat you and Hiyori-Chan a drink for a thank you?"

"We don't want to be a burden. It is we that should thank you, not you sir"

"I insist. You took a stranger with you without hesitation. So please, let me treat you", he said and looked at the editor with hopeful eyes. The editor then looked at his daughter who was giving him the puppy eyes and then he exhaled.

"Alright, if you insist.. Thank you very much" Kirishima said and bowed. "But first, let me leave the car near our cottage and then we can come to your Cafe"

"Of course", Rotoko said and then they continued the drive to the Kirishima's cottage. When they arrived, they pulled over, turned off the machine and then hopped out off the car. Once  they locked it, they went to the Cafe with the name Hasu that was 3 minutes on foot away from the cottage. When they arrived, Kirishima noticed a black motorcycle standing outside the Cafe. It was weird since it was the only vehicle that was parked.

And the helmet seemed to be missing. Kirishima was so absent-minded, that he didn't notice the driver climbing on the motorcycle, giving life to it and leaving from the spot it was parked. He didn't even notice that Rotoko went inside the Cafe! He woke up from his thoughts when he heard someone clearing their throat. He turned to see Rotoko standing on the door of Hasu with a smile and a worried look. Kirishima shook his head and went towards to the older man

"Are you alright Kirishima-san?"

"I'm fine. It's just... I saw that motor-", he said and showed with his thumb from above his shoulder but when he turned, the motorcycle was already gone. He was looking with narrowed eys but then stopped when he felt a tug on the sleeve.

"Come on papa! You are spacing too much since we arrived at the Cafe!"

"Fine, fine. I'm coming", he said and gave a ruffle on Hiyori's hair, who protested and her cheeks became rosy from embarrassment, something that made the editor laugh at it. When Hiyori entered inside, Kirishima gave a glance at the spot in which the motorcycle was parked. Who owned this expensive vehicle and going around with it in Sawara, a small town that looked like Tokyo but it has the atmosphere of a VILLAGE? He sighed and then entered inside the Cafe with his hands on his pockets. 'I need a cup of coffee right now...' , he thought to himself