Coffee ya no Hitobito (Ippai no Coffee / 珈琲屋の人々)

Please come by again.

Whenever you feel like having a cup.

You're Aono-san's....

I am so very sorry!

Please stop it.

"Aono Fuyuko"

"Soda Kosuke"

A letter? To him?

But in the end I didn't know what to write.

Anything would have been fine.

Anything.

I will be discharged sometime this month.

Yes. That is good news, right.

I will feel lonely.

- Because I won't be able to see you anymore. - Fumie-san.

- Hey, where is the place? - Eh?

The shopping street on which Coffeeya is located.

It has been around for years. It's a place that gives you the vibe of a well-lived in town.

Aah~. Like Showa days.

Yes.

There are many pretty ones here. Aah~ Over there too!

Oh, Chika-chan. You've put it up. Flower arrangements for White Day.

- It looks very artistic. - Thanks!

- What present will you be giving me this year? - So, that's what it's about...

Let's see. Well, how about an overnight trip?

Overnight...?

Well, recently we haven't been doing anything that resembles a date.

- Somehow, with this and that, it has been quite a while. - You're talking about that again?

- Well, that's cause... - What has been a while?

Eh? Been a while (Go-busata)? We were saying the drain stinks (Tobu kusa), right?

- We were just saying we need to clean it. - I say, Chika-chan.

- Do you know of the assembly hall in front of the train station? - Aah. Yes.

The wedding hall that is selling our flowers, right?

"Our"?

- I suddenly feel like having a cup of coffee. - Let's drink it here. All three of us.

Well, after drinking Kosuke's coffee, I cannot drink your instant coffee anymore.

Are you running away?

Running away? Don't say things that will cause others to misunderstand. Really...

Really... he is only fast when it comes to running away.

Is there anything wrong at the wedding assembly hall?

I had left it to that man to handle; deliveries and the money collection too.

It has been exactly 1 year and 6 months, right?

It has been exactly a year and 6 months since we started hiring you to help out with the shop.

Is that so?

That person has been pilfering from the sales proceeds.

- Eh?! - Every month without fail, 100,000 yen.

- What do you think he spends it on? - I have no idea.

You think I don't know?

What are you talking about?

I want you to leave this town.

That... it's a bit too sudden...

Here's your severance pay.

Se...severance pay?

Yes. 10 month's worth.

I have found your replacement. That's 1 mil yen, so please move out.

But moving involves deposit money, key money, etc.

I don't think that will be enough.

- Welcome. - Ah, Chika-chan!

- Mocha? - Ye..yes. - Chika-chan, what's wrong?

Ah ~ what's wrong indeed.

I received 2 mil yen from Hisako-san.

- Eh? You received 2 mil yen from Hisako? - What was the money for?

Break-up money.

To have driven your wife to this, you're a disgrace to us menfolk.

So, what will you do, Chika-chan?

I will do as your wife requested. I'll move.

- You can't do that. You have to return the 2mil immediately. - Why?

Because if you hold on to the money...

... you will be admitting to being my mistress.

Are you still trying to deny it? The entire shopping street knows about it.

Show some remorse, kneel before Hisako-san, and fix things with her.

I also think that is the best for you, Shimaki-san.

If you are truly thinking on my behalf, then don't accept the money!

But your wife has gone to this extent...

- ... I think it's about time. - No! I will not give up!

Right now, I'm the happiest I've ever been.

Because with Chika-chan coming to the shop,

I find it fun to go to work, and life is so fulfilling.

I feel all fired up.

Welcome.

Shigeru!

Kosuke-san.

- You've come. - Yes. I came immediately.

Sit down. I am just brewing some coffee now. Can you please move your things?

- Aah~... please. Go ahead. - Sorry about that.

Err...

- Ah! My name is Nakasato Shigeru. - Are you Kosuke-san's friend?

Err... erm...

We were in jail together.

Oh I see. Today is the day you've been waiting for, right? Your release from prison.

What...what?

1, 2, 3

- Here. - Thanks! - What's this?

Shigeru is good with magic. He has very skillful fingers.

In past, I dabbled a little by performing at a show pub.

But without realising it, I had deviated from the straight and narrow.

Since you're out from prison, celebrate it with a cup of Kosuke's coffee.

I have been looking forward to this day.

Here you go.

I shall drink now.

"Life is sometimes about the warmth of a cup of coffee", so it has been said.

What are your plans?

- I intend to go to my girlfriend's. - Eh? You have a girlfriend?

Yes. A very good woman. She has been waiting all this while.

Eh~ What does she work as?

She's a hairstylist, working at her family's hairsalon.

I will be moving in with them. They will give me a job.

That's good. You had obtained a hairstylist license while serving time?

- Yes. - Should I have my hair cut by you too?

- Aah, sure (speaking in Fukuoka dialect) - Eh? Are you from Kyushu?

- Yes. - I am from Fukuoka. - Eh? Me too!

- Where in Fukuoka? - Yanagigawa. - For real?

- Me too! - Eh! For real!?

- You know where is Yokochi? - I know.

- I live just behind that area. - Eh!?

Sorry., we kinda got carried away.

It's fine. (speaking in Fukuoka dialect)

I have to go to my girlfriend's now.

Kosuke-san, I shall come again.

- I will wait for you. - Okay.

- Excuse me. - All the best!

- Do your best! - Go quickly.

Cos your loved one is waiting for you.

Back to our conversation... Chika-chan, about the 2 mil.

Really? Cut it into a bob?

I should change my image a bit.

Leave it to me.

Welcome.

- Rie. - Shigeru

- Why? - Today I was released from prison.

But because I wanted to surprise you, I didn't call in advance.

A minute...

I have been practising really hard.

Let me cut your hair too. Something really pretty.

- With that, shall I start work right away? - Sorry!

I cannot see you anymore.

Eh...?

He was a safecracker? Shigeru-kun?

Such a cheerful and good kid.

That's right. He is very friendly. Here you go.

But it's good that he has an ordinary girlfriend.

I hope he doesn't go astray again.

I guess even though he is trying to start over again, he may jolly well fail, due to mankind's prejudices...

... and their coldheartedness.

Queue no. 12.

You have a hairstylist certificate, I see.

From which school did you get the certificate?

Err... I got it while I was in jail.

I see.

In the first place, we seldom have job openings around here. It will be a little tough....

Chika-chan? It's me.

Chika-chan, please... let's make up.

With regards to Hisako, I shall try...

- Here you go. Very delicious taiyaki. - Thank you, uncle.

Looks delicious.

Here you go!

I can see from your face that you'd really like one.

- Here you go! - Incredible!

Here you go. - Thanks

It's piping hot.

What are you doing here?

What happened to the job at the salon?

Aah~ Today is their day off.

Is that so?

Hey! I have a small favor to ask.

- A favor? - Can you be my boyfriend?

Err... that's a bit sudden...

No, wait a minute. Don't misunderstand. Not a real boyfriend.

I want a pretend boyfriend.

You got it? At the moment we first saw each other,

... we fell in love at first sight. We've been dating for less than a week.

- It felt like we were destined for each other. - But why are you using a boyfriend to settle an affair?

If I have someone new, then he will give up.

Aah~ he is a persistent fella?

Not really. At the end of the day, it's just an affair.

Moreover, his wife knows of it.

Even if I continue as is, it will have to end sooner or later.

When that happens, I won't get anything. It's better to end it now...

Here we go!

- Oh~ Hold on... - I love Shigeru-kun! - Chika-chan.

- Hello! - Hello! Let me do the introductions.

- Shigeru-kun. My boyfriend. - Boyfriend? But Chika-chan, "Aruru"'s...

Aah~ That's old news. I guess that's what's called youthful indiscretion. See you!

- Hey! Give me a minute! - Hello!

- This is my darling. Isn't he nice? - Wow, you are holding on to a good man, eh?

- I'm so happy. This is my new darling. - Isn't this a little embarrassing?

- Stop it already. - Aah~ Sugimoto-san!

- Hello! - Hello! My boyfriend, Shigeru-kun.

Chika-chan, that's a nice man you have there...

Hello. He is my new boyfriend.

Cheers!

- Here you go. - Thanks!

- This looks so good. - It's very delicious. Eat up, eat up!

- I'll start eating now. - Please do.

- H...Hot! - Eat slowly! Really... here!

- So hot! - Don't eat so fast.

Chika-chan, you sound just like an older sister.

But he does look a little like my younger brother back in my hometown.

How old is he?

17 years old.