My Tokyo Celebrity Girlfriend Is Love-Struck, What Should I Do? - Chapter 6

I’ve Come To Pick You Up

 

Boom.

 

A muffled thunderclap echoed outside the Kujima Izakaya, and the once deep blue sky over Tokyo instantly darkened.

 

A damp atmosphere permeated the air.

 

After seeing off the last batch of customers in the store, Kimura walked to the front door, reached out, and pressed the switch on the wall.

 

In an instant, the bright lights dispelled the dimness inside the izakaya.

 

“It looks like it’s going to rain. Today is not a good day,” said the owner, Kujima, from inside the store.

 

“It’s already started raining,” Kimura replied, glancing at the spotty raindrops appearing on the ground outside. He then turned and headed back into the store.

 

Every evening, he worked three hours at Kujima Izakaya. However, if it started raining, they might close early.

 

Rainy days could affect the izakaya’s business, and the wages for working at the izakaya were calculated based on hours.

 

“Kujima-san, I’m off for the day.”

 

“Hey, no rush. Since it’s the last day, why not fill up the time and then call it a day?”

 

Waving his hand, Kujima reached into the fridge and took out two bottles of beer.

 

“Do you want one? Consider it on the house.”

 

Just as Kimura was about to agree, as if realizing something, he helplessly smiled and waved his hand.

 

“Well… I’ll pass.”

 

“Huh? Why is Hayata acting so out of character today?”

 

Kujima was a bit surprised. He turned around and came out from the kitchen with a plate of appetizers.

 

“It’s not closing time yet, right? If you drink now, what if some customers come in…”

 

“Look at the weather outside. With this heavy rain, I doubt there will be any customers coming.”

 

Kujima found a table, sat down, and waved at Kimura, signaling him to join.

 

Unable to resist the owner’s enthusiasm, Kimura reluctantly pulled out the chair across the table and sat down.

 

Outside the window, the sound of rain gradually intensified, and the sky turned pitch black, accompanied by occasional frightening thunder.

 

The bright and narrow izakaya seemed like a small boat drifting in the vast ocean, undisturbed and quietly standing.

 

Inside the izakaya, the owner raised his glass and took a big sip of beer.

 

“Ah~ So refreshing, feels like I’m going to ascend to heaven.”

 

Watching the owner’s carefree demeanor, Kimura’s throat couldn’t help but twitch.

 

“Is your girlfriend restricting you from drinking?”

 

Kujima, the owner, grabbed some edamame from the plate in front of him, and with a slightly flushed face, he wore an expression of “I understand.”

 

“Yeah,” Kimura didn’t argue.

 

Bang!

 

The glass slammed onto the table, and Kujima leaned forward, loudly proclaiming:

 

“That’s why you young people live too painfully. If there’s alcohol, just drink it. Why bother with so much? The whole country is almost facing depopulation. You young people are still talking about a low-desire society. In my opinion, young people should go to places like red-light districts and Kabukicho more often. What low desire? Depopulation? All can be solved.”

 

Hearing something familiar, Kimura became interested.

 

“Have you been to those places, Kujima-san?”

 

Instantly, it seemed like Kujima, the owner, had opened up a treasure trove of stories. While drinking, he loudly shared his experiences from his youth.

 

……

 

“Don’t judge me by my appearance; back then, I also enjoyed great popularity. Although that was all before the bubble burst…”

 

“No, no, no, Kujima-san, you’re still not losing to your past.”

 

“Haha, young people always talk nicely. Come, come, have a drink…”

 

“Ah, no need.”

 

“Just this one, just beer, easy on you. You won’t figure it out if you don’t try. Bottoms up…”

 

“Really, Kujima-san, it’s not necessary.”

 

“Eh?! How can young people not know how to drink? This rain won’t stop anytime soon. Have a drink now, and by the time you go back, you won’t even smell it…”

 

“…”

 

With drinks and dishes on the table, along with Kujima’s never-ending stories, Kimura couldn’t resist and joined in for a couple of rounds.

 

The damp and slightly chilly wind from outside brushed into the room, gently lifting the corners of their clothes.

 

It wasn’t until three empty bottles appeared on the table that Kujima finally stopped.

 

As if remembering something, Kujima got up and walked into the kitchen, returning shortly with a plate.

 

On the plate were a few things that looked dark and mysterious.

 

“Roasted sweet potatoes?” Kimura raised an eyebrow.

 

“I was planning to roast some sweet potatoes for customers tonight as a dessert. Unexpectedly, it started raining, so they missed out.”

 

Kujima placed the plate on the table, his cheeks turning rosy as he pointed to the roasted sweet potatoes.

 

“It seems this rain will last for quite a while. Hayata, go ahead and eat these to fill your stomach.”

 

Seeing Kimura about to refuse, Kujima pushed the plate towards him without hesitation, letting out a belch.

 

“Take it, consider it a thank-you gift for all the work you’ve been doing at the izakaya. After all, today is your last day.”

 

The words of refusal from Kimura were on the tip of his tongue but were swallowed down again.

 

This evening, Kimura came to the shop and submitted his resignation to Kujima. 

 

In addition to resigning from Kujima’s place, he also resigned from the other part-time jobs he had.

 

For the next month or so, Kimura would be busy with the shooting of his graduation project. It wouldn’t be practical to continue with part-time jobs, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to suddenly be absent without notice. 

 

Moreover, the managers and owners of these part-time jobs had treated him fairly well, so it was better to resign in advance.

 

“Thank you, Kujima-san,” Kimura expressed his gratitude.

 

Kujima lazily leaned back in his chair, waving his hand, “Have you really thought it through?”

 

“Yeah. There are many things to handle at school, and I’m afraid I won’t have time for part-time jobs.”

 

Kujima didn’t say much after hearing this, just rubbing his head with his hand.

 

“If you ever want to come back and continue working, you’re welcome here.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Kujima grabbed a handful of edamame, put them in his mouth, wiped his hands on his apron, and then took out a few banknotes from his pocket, handing them to Kimura.

 

“Today’s payment.”

 

Kimura nodded, accepting the money and putting it into his pocket.

 

His gaze fell on the roasted sweet potatoes on the table.

 

He remembered…

 

Asuka seemed to really like roasted sweet potatoes. He wondered what she was doing right now.

 

A slight hesitation lingered.

 

Kimura asked, “Kujima-san, can I take these sweet potatoes home?”

 

“Do whatever you want,” Kujima waved his hand casually.

 

Upon hearing this, Kimura stood up, fetched a bag, and packed all the roasted sweet potatoes from the plate.

 

With the warm sweet potatoes tucked in his arms, a subtle sense of anticipation arose within him.

 

He wanted to get back early, wondering what expression Asuka would have when she saw them.

 

Just as Kimura was lost in thought while holding the sweet potatoes, Kujima suddenly stood up and looked outside.

 

“Is this young lady here to dine?”

 

A customer?

 

Kimura quickly stood up and followed Kujima’s gaze.

 

“Asuka?”

 

Outside Kujima Izakaya, Asuka, dressed in a loose black coat and white sport pants, was holding an umbrella.

 

The girl gripped the umbrella handle with one hand while lightly touching her heaving chest due to her hurried breaths.

 

Raindrops adorned her fair and delicate cheeks, and a few strands of hair stuck to her forehead due to the rain.

 

The bright and gentle light of the izakaya illuminated Asuka. She seemed to let out a sigh of relief, and a cheerful smile appeared on her cute face.

 

“Hayata-chan, I’ve come to pick you up…”