Kawamoto Kazuki's words echoed in Hisashi Mitsui's chaotic mind.
What's basketball?
Of course it's a dream, it's a passion.
Does he love basketball?
Of course I love it.
But this love is mixed with too many complex emotions, and it seems to have lost its purity.
His desire to return is largely driven by a desire to reclaim lost glory, rather than simply by a desire to play.
Kawamoto ignored him and continued walking into the brightly lit 7-Eleven convenience store ahead.
The temporary worker for tonight's night shift took the day off, and the store manager was originally looking worried and preparing to cover for him.
Upon seeing Kawamoto Kazuki enter, his eyes lit up, and he immediately greeted him warmly, " Kawamoto- kun, you've come at just the right time! You've been a great help tonight!"
Kawamoto bowed slightly. "Not at all, I've always been grateful for your kindness."
He changed into the convenience store's uniform dark green apron and quickly began the shift handover.
Inspect the merchandise, replenish any shortages, wipe down the counters...
Not long after, the convenience store door was pushed open.
Hisashi Mitsui walked in, this time with a determined look on his face.
He walked straight to the counter and looked at Kawamoto, who was organizing the cigarette shelves.
Kawamoto turned around at the sound of his voice, his face instantly switching to a standard convenience store smile, his voice a well-trained enthusiasm. "Welcome!"
His smile was perfectly curved, a stark contrast to the aloof and distant Kawamoto he had just seen on the street.
This enthusiastic service made Mitsui, who was about to speak, pause for a moment.
Mitsui composed himself, his tone more serious than ever before. "I've thought it through."
"Right now, all I want to do is play basketball in peace and quiet."
"This time, I'm not doing it for anyone, not for MVP, not to prove anything, and not to get revenge on anyone."
"Just for myself, for that dream I once had!"
His eyes were indeed much firmer than before, even showing a hint of clarity.
He stared intently at Kawamoto, as if waiting for a response of approval.
Kawamoto's business-like smile remained unchanged.
He asked in an even more enthusiastic tone, "What a wonderful dream! Today, we're featuring our special eel rice and freshly made assorted sushi bento boxes—both of our most popular items!"
"In addition, there are discounts on the rice balls and salad sections: buy one get one half price!"
The resolute expression on Hisashi Mitsui's face froze instantly.
He wondered if he was hallucinating.
Has this bastard lost his memory? Doesn't he recognize me?
I'm pouring my heart out about my dreams, and you're trying to sell me eel rice and sushi bento boxes?
I was talking about basketball...
Mitsui couldn't help but raise his voice, trying to steer the conversation back on track.
Kawamoto seemed to only then hear him, and with a beaming smile pointed to a corner of the store, "Ah, sir, you're talking about basketball? The magazine section in that corner might have the latest Weekly Basketball or sports magazines like Sports Graphic Number. You might find basketball-related information that interests you."
"If you need anything, you can browse over there; it's free."
After saying that, he asked with a bright smile, "Would you like a hot cup of freshly ground coffee while you read? Our coffee uses premium beans, and if you buy a medium or larger cup now, you'll receive a free points sticker!"
Hisashi Mitsui was utterly speechless.
He looked at Kawamoto's genuinely smiling face, a face that seemed to say, "The customer is God."
I feel a tightness in my chest, unable to go up or down.
This guy...
It was absolutely intentional!
Is this how you do it?
Okay, very good!
Mitsui gritted his teeth and slammed his hand on the counter in a fit of pique. "I want to eat!"
"Yes! I understand!"
Kawamoto's smile remained unchanged as he approached the order counter, "What would you like to order, sir?"
Mitsui glanced at the instant noodle shelf behind the counter and said fiercely, "Cup noodles! Teriyaki chicken flavor! The biggest bowl!"
"A large serving of teriyaki chicken cup noodles, is that right? That'll be 230 yen in total. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Would you like anything else? Like a drink? Fried chicken nuggets? Or perhaps some Kanto? The radish and chikuwa are especially flavorful today."
"No, that's not necessary..."
Mitsui paid the money reluctantly.
"Thank you, here's your change, please take it."
Kawamoto deftly placed his order, turned around and took the corresponding cup noodles from the shelf, then picked up the kettle.
Would you like me to brew something for you? We offer free hot water.
"Soak it! Add plenty of water!"
Mitsui said irritably.
"Yes, I understand."
Kawamoto skillfully tore open the film on the cup, put in the seasoning packet, poured in boiling water, and then gently pressed the seal with the included small fork.
The entire process was smooth and the service was impeccable.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, here's your teriyaki chicken cup noodles. Be careful, it's hot."
Kawamoto gently pushed the prepared cup noodles in front of Mitsui, his face still bearing that impeccable business smile.
Mitsui looked at the steaming cup of noodles in front of him, then at Kawamoto's smiling face, which seemed to be wearing a mask.
He suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness, like punching cotton; he almost had no energy left to be angry.
Thank you again for your patronage. Enjoy your meal!
Kawamoto's voice remained enthusiastic as he bowed to Mitsui, who was walking dejectedly towards the dining area with his cup of noodles in hand.
Mitsui walked to the corner of the convenience store and sat down on a high stool. He looked at the bowl of teriyaki chicken cup noodles in front of him, and then looked up at Kawamoto Kazuki.
His feelings suddenly became extremely complicated.
This little brat in first grade...
What kind of person is he exactly?
Dissociative identity disorder or just an obsessive workaholic?
He picked up his fork and stirred the ramen in the cup; the rising steam blurred his vision.
He recalled Kawamoto's cold question on the street earlier, and then his overly enthusiastic sales pitch at the convenience store.
"Just for myself..."
Mitsui repeated it in a low voice, then used his fork to twirl a strand of noodles and stuff it into his mouth.
Surprisingly, it tasted pretty good.
As he slurped his noodles, he glanced at Kawamoto Kazuki behind the counter again out of the corner of his eye.
That wretched fellow was meticulously checking the cigarette inventory on the shelf with a register.
His profile appeared calm and focused under the bright lights of the convenience store.
"Tsk, putting on airs."
Mitsui pursed his lips, the annoyance of being brushed off resurfacing in his mind.
He finished the noodles in a few bites, even drinking the soup clean.
He pushed the empty cup aside, stood up, and walked back to the counter.
Kawamoto immediately put down his notebook, his face instantly switching back to his impeccable business smile, "Hello, sir, is there anything else you need?"
Mitsui crossed his arms and deliberately scanned the deli and beverage counter with a critical eye. "Hmm... another fried chicken nugget, freshly fried, not refried! A large Coke, with ice! And a grilled rice ball, with mentaiko! The rice ball should be heated up!"
He ordered a bunch of items that needed to be made to order or processed on the spot, his tone carrying a hint of nitpicking.
Let you sell!
I'll teach you to ignore me!
Let's see if you can handle this!
It's best to be flustered and show signs of impatience!
I'll file a serious complaint against you then!
However, Kawamoto's smile did not diminish at all; on the contrary, he seemed even more delighted because he had received a large order.
He turned around deftly, took a few pieces of fried chicken from the freezer, and put them into the fryer.
Then I picked up a mentaiko rice ball and put it into the special heater.
At the same time, he didn't forget to get a large Coke from the vending machine and add plenty of ice.
The whole process was orderly, fast but not chaotic, and there was even time to ask, "Do you need sauce for the fried chicken nuggets? We have tartar sauce, sweet chili sauce, and yellow mustard."
"I want them all!"
"Okay, I understand. Here's your sauce packet, please take it."
Kawamoto put the three small sauce packets along with the fried chicken pieces into a paper bag, wrapped the heated rice balls in a special paper bag, and neatly arranged them on the counter along with the iced cola.
"Your order of fried chicken nuggets, mentaiko rice balls, and a large Coke with ice comes to 680 yen."
Mitsui paid the money, and seeing the satisfied smile on Kawamoto's face, he felt even more frustrated.
That Kawamoto...
Don't you ever feel impatient?