Kissaten
This is the plain transcript. Open the interactive version → furigana, audio, word-by-word gloss, grammar notes, and take over a role by typing.Stepping out of the bright shopping street into the quiet, dark-wood interior of the old kissaten. The rich scent of coffee fills the air.
いらっしゃいませ。空いているお好きな席へどうぞ。
Welcome. Please take any open seat you like.
ありがとう。ユメ、奥のあの、窓に近いテーブル席でもいい？
Thanks. Yume, is that table in the back near the window okay?
あ、あそこ落ち着きそうでいいね。
Ah, that spot looks nice and quiet.
They sit down at the dark wooden table. The master quietly brings water and two thick towels.
トニア、お腹すいた？私、今日は玉子サンドって決めてるんだ。
Tonia, hungry? I've already decided on the tamago sando today.
いいな。私は、ちょっと迷ったんだけど、やっぱり名物のナポリタンにしようかな。あと、コーヒーもお願いしよう。
Nice. I was a bit torn, but I think I'll go with the famous Napolitan after all. And let's get coffee too.
じゃあ、注文、トニアが頼んでみる？
So, do you want to try ordering, Tonia?
うん、やってみるね。あの、すみません、注文をお願いしたいんですが、よろしいですか？
Yeah, I'll try. Um, excuse me, we'd like to order, if that's okay?
はい、お伺いします。
Certainly, I'll take your order.
ナポリタンと玉子サンドを一つずつと、あとは温かいブレンドコーヒーを、サイフォンので二つお願いします。
One Napolitan, one egg sandwich, and two hot blend coffees, siphon-brewed, please.
かしこまりました。ナポリタンと玉子サンド、ブレンドコーヒーを二つですね。少々お時間いただきます。
Certainly. One Napolitan, one egg sandwich, and two blend coffees. It will take a little while.
The Napolitan and sandwich plates are cleared. The siphon coffee is half-empty, and the atmosphere grows quiet and personal.
そういえば、トニア、さっき話したいことがあるって言ってたよね？何かあった？
By the way, Tonia, you said earlier you had something you wanted to talk about, right? Did something happen?
うん、実はね…まだ誰にも言ってないんだけど、仕事のことで、ちょっと迷っていることがあって。
Yeah, actually... I haven't told anyone yet, but there's something about work that I'm a bit torn about.
え、仕事？何だろう、気になる。話せる範囲で全然いいから、聞かせて？
Oh, work? What is it? I'm curious. You don't have to share everything, but tell me.
うん。あのね、今の私の日本での滞在が、あと６週間で終わるじゃない？
Yeah. You see, my current stay in Japan ends in six weeks, right?
うん、そうだよね。寂しくなるなぁって、最近ずっと考えてたよ。
Yeah, that's right. I've been thinking lately about how lonely it's going to be.
それが、本国の会社から、リモートで仕事を続けながら、あと半年くらい日本にいていいっていうオファーをもらったの。
Well, I got an offer from my company back home. They said I could stay in Japan for about another half a year while continuing to work remotely.
ええっ、本当に！？それって、めちゃくちゃ嬉しいニュースじゃない！
Wow, really!? That's amazing news!
うん、嬉しいんだけど、すごく複雑で。国に戻れば家賃もかからないし、家族も私が戻ると思っているから、反対されるかもしれないし…
Yeah, I'm happy, but it's complicated. If I go back home, I don't have to pay rent, and my family expects me to return, so they might object...
あぁ、そっか…家族のこととか、帰ってからの生活もあるもんね。
Ah, I see... There's your family, and your life after you go back to consider, too.
でも、この一年で日本語もやっと少し話せるようになったし、何より、ユメみたいな大切な友達もできて、今帰るのはもったいない気がして。
But, over this past year, my Japanese has finally started coming along, and more than anything, I've made dear friends like you, Yume... it feels like a waste to leave now.
トニア…そう言ってもらえると本当に嬉しい。ねえ、もしそのオファーを受けるとしたら、一番の不安は何？
Tonia... hearing you say that makes me really happy. If you were to accept the offer, what would be your biggest worry?
うーん、やっぱりお金のことかな。東京の家賃は高いし、リモートワークで一人で仕事して、寂しくならないかっていうのもちょっと心配。
Hmm, I guess money, after all. Tokyo's rent is high, and I'm also a bit worried about whether I'd get lonely working remotely by myself.
確かにね。じゃあ、逆に、もし予定通りに帰国したら、後悔しそう？
True. But on the flip side, if you went back home as planned, do you think you'd regret it?
うん、絶対に『あの時もっと残ればよかった』って、何回も思い出しそうな気がする。
Yeah, I feel like I'd definitely look back and think, 'I wish I'd stayed longer back then.'
The master silently places a single custard pudding with two spoons on the table, cutting through the heavy air.
…そっか。答えはもう、半分決まってるみたいだね。あ、プリン来たよ。食べながらゆっくり考えよう？
...I see. It sounds like your mind is already halfway made up. Oh, the pudding is here. Let's eat and think it over, okay?
The classic pudding dish is clean, and the master is polishing glasses in the background.
ふう、美味しかった。やっぱりここのプリン、最高だね。さて、そろそろ行こっか。
Phew, that was delicious. The pudding here really is the best. Well, shall we head out soon?
うん、本当に。気づいたらもうこんな時間だね。すみません、お会計お願いします。
Yeah, definitely. Before I knew it, it's already so late. Excuse me, could we get the bill, please?
はーい、お会計ですね。二名様で千五百円になります。
Certainly. That'll be 1,500 yen for the two of you.
あ、ここは私に出させて。トニアにはいつもいろいろ助けてもらってるから。
Ah, let me get this. You've always helped me out in so many ways.
えっ、本当に？ じゃあ、お言葉に甘えて……ごちそうさま！ ……じゃあ、次は私ね。
Oh, really? Then, I'll take you up on that... thank you for the meal! Well then, next time is on me.
うん！ 次はトニアね。ふふ、楽しみにしてる。マスター、ごちそうさまでした。
Yeah! Next time is on Tonia. Hehe, I'm looking forward to it. Master, thank you for the meal.
ありがとうございました。またどうぞ。
Thank you very much. Please come again.
They step out of the quiet, dark-wood coffee shop onto the bright shopping street.
今日は私の相談に付き合ってくれてありがとう。なんだか、心が決まった気がする。
Thanks for talking things through with me today. I feel like my mind is made up now.
うううん、話してくれて嬉しかったよ。いつでも相談に乗るからね。じゃあ、またね！
No, I was happy you talked to me. I'm always here to listen. Well, see you!