The next day.
Sunlight streamed through the windows of the flowing somen restaurant and fell across Teiichi's table. The decor was simple yet cozy, its wooden tables and chairs and bamboo troughs forming a tranquil scene.
Teiichi sat by the window, a bamboo trough split lengthwise into a half-moon shape set before him. Long, thin noodles drifted slowly along it with the flowing water.
He gently dipped his chopsticks into the trough, deftly picking up the noodles one by one and swirling them lightly in his bowl to coat them in rich sauce. The fragrance of the noodles mingled with the aroma of the sauce, making his mouth water.
As Teiichi enjoyed his meal, he watched the owner working nearby. He noticed how practiced and vigorous the owner's movements were, every serving of noodles prepared just right.
"Boss, are there any fun places to visit in Aomori City?"
At his question, the owner looked up and smiled at Teiichi. "Fun places? Are you here to see the sights in Aomori City?"
"Slurp, slurp."
Teiichi slurped up some noodles from his bowl and answered indistinctly as he chewed, "Well, you could say that."
Hearing that Teiichi was visiting, the owner enthusiastically offered a suggestion:
"Would you like to go hiking? If so, you could climb Mount Hakkoda here. The scenery is lovely!"
Teiichi swallowed his noodles, thought for a moment, then declined. "Hiking? I'll pass on that. I came from the mountains myself. I look at mountains all day."
The owner burst out laughing at Teiichi's answer. He explained, "Not all mountains are the same. The scenery on our Mount Hakkoda is quite different from most places. The trees are lush, and the air is fresh and pleasant. And when winter comes in another two months, snow will cover the whole mountain, making it even more beautiful. You can ski, too."
"But since you don't intend to go hiking, Aomori City's seaside and harbor also offer beautiful sights you shouldn't miss."
Smiling, the owner offered Teiichi another option.
"Just imagine standing by the sea, feeling the sea breeze on your face and gazing out over the boundless water. That tranquility and grandeur are sure to lift your spirits. The harbor is also a busy place full of everyday life. You can watch all sorts of boats coming and going and experience the city's vitality and prosperity."
The owner paused, then continued:
"Of course, if you'd prefer a leisurely city tour, taking a tram around town is a good choice, too."
"A tram..."
Teiichi softly repeated the word, picturing the trams he had seen running along the roads when he first arrived in Aomori City.
The idea appealed to him. He thought it sounded good; he had never ridden a tram like that back home in his previous life.
Hearing Teiichi repeat the word, the owner assumed he did not know what it was and explained:
"A tram is an electric train with tracks on the ground and wires connecting it to the power lines overhead. It's quite a novelty! Most places don't have them!"
Teiichi did not explain. He smiled at the owner. "All right, got it. Thanks, boss!"
At Teiichi's thanks, the owner's face lit up with a warm smile.
"You're too kind. I take it this is your first time in Aomori?"
"Yes. Why?"
Teiichi answered with some confusion.
The owner sighed, as though lost in recollection.
"Actually, I came here from somewhere else, too. I opened this little shop here and barely scrape out a living. Although I've been in Aomori City for several years, I'm busy running the shop every day, so my knowledge of the city is only superficial. If this is your first visit, I suggest considering a tour guide. They're sure to know Aomori City better than I do. Besides, hiring a guide isn't expensive. A cheap one only costs five or six hundred sen."
At the owner's words, Teiichi's brows drew together slightly, and he felt a little put off. He worried that the owner wanted to introduce a guide and take a commission. With a trace of displeasure, he said:
"What? Do you introduce tour guides on the side, too?"
The owner seemed to notice Teiichi's displeasure and hurried to explain:
"No, no. Uh, that's not quite it. There's just a little girl who works here, Yoshida Rena. She's a very unfortunate child. Her mother ran away when she was little, and she and her father depended on each other as she grew up. Then, a couple of years ago, something fell on her father while he was working and left him paralyzed. Now her family depends entirely on her. I was going to say that if you needed a guide, perhaps you could consider giving her a chance. But since you don't need one, never mind."
Teiichi could not help being moved by the owner's words. "Where is the girl?"
A delighted smile appeared on the owner's face as he answered:
"She washes dishes here for me now. She should be here in a little while."
Teiichi was taken aback. "She washes dishes for you? Then how can she be my guide?"
"It's fine. We're not busy here. She can be your guide first, and I can wash the dishes myself. Once you've left, she can come back and help me wash them again. I originally let her help out in the shop because I felt sorry for her. But business at this little place is only so-so, and I can't pay her very much. That's why I came up with this idea."
After a moment of silence, Teiichi nodded. "Then I'll meet her when she gets here."
A grateful smile appeared on the owner's face at Teiichi's words.
He turned back to his work, while Teiichi continued enjoying the food before him as he waited for Yoshida Rena to arrive.
Before long, the doorbell chimed softly.
Accompanied by a patter of cheerful footsteps, a little girl pushed open the door and came in.
"Uncle Yamamoto, I'm here!"
Her voice was clear and sweet, as pleasant to the ear as a mountain spring.
"Rena, you're here! Come over, come over. Uncle Yamamoto has something to tell you."
At the shopkeeper Yamamoto's words, Teiichi turned his gaze toward the entrance.
A girl of eleven or twelve walked in, dressed in simple, unlined clothes. Though somewhat old, her clothes were washed clean and tidy, and her neat, short black hair made her look especially bright and lively.
"Yama... cough, cough."
Rena had barely begun to speak when a faint bout of coughing interrupted her. She hurriedly cleared her throat and continued:
"Uncle Yamamoto, what is it?"
Rather than answering Rena right away, Yamamoto frowned and asked, "Have you caught a cold?"
Rena smiled and replied, "It's fine. It's only a slight cold. I'll be better in a couple of days. It won't affect my work."
The owner nodded at that and said nothing more.
He turned to Teiichi and gestured toward Rena.
"This is Yoshida Rena. She grew up in Aomori City and knows the place very well. Mr. Teiichi, if you need a guide, she can take you to all sorts of places."