"Wow--!"
Mika's friends collectively exclaimed in surprise and sighed with envy.
The sophisticated woman who had just made the sarcastic remark also widened her eyes.
Mika stared blankly at the exquisite cake, then at Nango's somewhat tired face.
As I relived that shameful yet romantic exchange, tears finally streamed down my face.
But this time, the tears were tears of surprise, emotion, and happiness.
"Thank you, thank you too—and thank you to him too—"
Mika said, her voice choked with emotion.
You're welcome! It's what we at Flash Wind Express should do.
Nango grinned, revealing his white teeth. "Happy birthday, enjoy your meal. I have to go back and report!"
He came like a gust of wind, and he left like a gust of wind.
The terrace was filled with a renewed, lively atmosphere, envious banter, and Mika's radiant smile.
Back at the Flash Wind Express shop.
Nango had just parked his car and taken off his helmet when he saw a young man in a suit rushing towards him.
He grabbed Nango's hand, so excited he was almost incoherent. "You're the delivery guy who brought the cake? Nango- kun? I've been waiting for you for ages!"
"My name is Chōji Takahashi, and I'm a friend of Endo."
"He just called me. He said it was the most unforgettable birthday his girlfriend has ever had. Mika's friends are all so envious, you're practically Endo's savior!"
As Takahashi spoke, he actually bowed, then took out 180 million yen from his wallet and stuffed it into Nango's hand without saying a word: "Eight thousand is the fee, and ten thousand is a thank-you note. Endo said you must accept it. He will come to thank you in person when he has time."
"By the way, how did you come up with that line? Could you do one for my girlfriend's birthday next time?"
Nango was a little embarrassed by this display, scratching his head and chuckling, "It's nothing, I just felt that in that kind of situation, I should say something strong."
Kyosuke Masaki leaned against the door, smacked his lips, took out a cigarette, lit it, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled a smoke ring.
He looked around the shop through the swirling smoke.
Kawamoto was answering a call for inquiries, Murasame and Araki were organizing today's records, Miyamoto was wiping down his motorcycle, and a dozen or so other biker gang members were gathered together, bragging about their delivery experiences that day, their eyes full of excitement.
Masaki flicked his cigarette ash, chuckled, and muttered to himself, "I used to race all night and only win a drink. Now, 100,000 yen—and people are begging me to accept it, like I'm a hero."
Amidst the swirling smoke, he recalled how he used to lead his buddies in high-speed racing, winning money which he then squandered on alcohol and modified cars.
It's not like it is now, where people earn money honestly and are thanked profusely, and even called "master" or "benefactor."
"Heh." He exhaled a smoke ring and chuckled softly.
I don't know if I'm laughing at my past self, or at this absurd yet real world.
It turns out, society isn't short of money.
It turns out that there are so many ordinary people who are overwhelmed with work and are willing to pay an astonishing premium for immediate, urgent, and no-holds-barred delivery.
He looked at Kawamoto, the boy who was diligently taking notes on the phone.
"That bastard is absolutely right."
"What economic downturn? No money to spend?!"
"Bullshit. Those high and mighty experts have no idea what ordinary people really want."
"It's not that I don't have money, it's that I haven't encountered anything worth spending money on."
He threw the cigarette butt on the ground, crushed it with his boot, walked over to Nango, and patted him on the shoulder. "Well done, kid. Charging forward for love, haha."
Nango straightened his back, his face beaming with unprecedented radiance. "Brother Masaki, you're amazing too! That contract at the airport saved someone's job!"
"Alright, stop flattering me."
Masaki chuckled and cursed, but the smile in his eyes was genuine.
Kawamoto hung up on yet another inquiry call, asking if he could help send an important document to Tokyo Metropolis.
The price is 18,000 yen for nighttime and distance travel.
He gave Masaki an apologetic look.
" Masaki, I'm afraid you won't be able to go racing tonight. Business is just starting out, and we need to meet the clients' demands."
Kyosuke Masaki looked around and raised his voice. "You all saw that? This is the work we did!"
"I solved someone's urgent problem, fulfilled their heartfelt wish, made money, and even got a thank you! Isn't that better than breathing in exhaust fumes on the highway at night?"
"Powerful!!!
The boys responded enthusiastically, their eyes gleaming.
"Today is just the beginning!"
Masaki pointed at the phone. "Did you hear that? The phone's ringing again! There will only be more and more of these jobs in the future! Everyone better stay alert! If anyone messes up, delays the customer, or ruins the reputation of Flash Wind Express, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Yes, brother!"
"Yes, Chief of Staff!"
"Yes! The fastest wind in Shonan!"
The titles are a mess, but the enthusiasm is boundless.
The phone rang again.
This time it was a female voice on the verge of crying, and the voice was very cute.
She said her pet cat needed a special prescription canned food, which was only available at one pet hospital in Tokyo Metropolis, and the cat hadn't eaten for two days.
" From Hiratsuka to Tokyo Metropolis ----"
Kazuo Araki quickly estimated the distance and road conditions. "This distance—the cost will be at least 15,000 yen."
The girl was in a hurry. "Money is no problem, it has to be delivered as quickly as possible."
Kawamoto returned from relieving himself, not yet there, but his voice carried an undeniable authority. "Tell the client we can pick them up. Who's going?"
"I!"
"Holy crap!"
Instantly, several hands were raised, their eyes burning with fervor.
It was as if it wasn't a difficult errand that might cross hundreds of kilometers, but rather a treasure chest that shone with golden light.
Masaki grinned, walked over to the motorcycle, and picked up his helmet.
What are they all fighting over?
He glanced at his eager subordinates. "This order is far and the road conditions are complicated. I'll go myself, and deliver it along with the documents from Tokyo Metropolis."
"You guys keep an eye on the phone at the shop, and don't forget any other tasks."
The night is still long.
He straddled the motorcycle, and the engine roared to life.
The wind in Shonan has really started to blow.
It's 8 PM, the end of the workday.
Kawamoto looked at the day's total sales figures.
It has already exceeded 1.5 million yen.
He estimated that after deducting rider commissions, fuel costs, vehicle wear and tear, and reserved operating funds, the net income was still quite considerable.
The atmosphere in the store became much more relaxed.
Murasame was checking the accounts, Araki and Miyamoto were inspecting the vehicles they might need for tomorrow, and Nango and several other boys were excitedly discussing their respective achievements that day.
"Looks like tonight will be a bit easier."
A boy nicknamed A Zhe stretched and said, "Everyone's gone home from work, so the urgent deliveries should have been completed by now, right?"
Before Kawamoto could speak, the phone rang again.
A tired male voice said that he had just finished working overtime and realized that today was his wedding anniversary and he hadn't bought his wife the gift he promised.
My wife's favorite Kamakura, a long-established wagashi (Japanese confectionery) shop in Ha-ya. Their limited-edition yokan (sweet bean jelly) is made at 8:30 pm every night and sells out before 9 pm.
He'll definitely be too late to get there now.
"Could you... could you buy me one? Otherwise, I might have to sleep on the sofa tonight."
A Zhe silently got up and picked up his helmet.
Forty minutes later, he returned with 8,000 yen in delivery fees.
The client was extremely grateful after receiving it, saying it had saved his marriage.
At the same time, the phone rang again. It was Sanae Nakagawa calling after she had learned Kawamoto's contact information.
" Kawamoto- kun, good news! Weekly Shonen Sunday has passed the review and is ready to publish. Do you have time tomorrow? Bring your friend to discuss the details."