Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a baker in Fukuecho is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up at the crack of dawn, right? The sun’s barely peeking over the rooftops on Kōen-dōri, and I’m already knee-deep in flour. I mean, who needs sleep when you’ve got dough to knead?
First thing, I’m mixing up this new matcha croissant recipe. Fukuecho is famous for its green tea, so I thought, why not? I’m all pumped, right? But then, bam! The mixer starts making this weird noise. Like, come on! I just bought that thing! I swear it was possessed. I’m wrestling with it, and flour’s flying everywhere. I look like a ghost.
Then, I get a call from my buddy Kenji. He’s like, “Yo, you gotta check out the festival at Fukuecho Park!” I’m like, “Dude, I’m kinda busy here!” But then he mentions food stalls and live music. Ugh, my heart says yes, but my dough says no.
So, I finish the croissants, barely. They look decent, I guess. I pop ‘em in the oven and dash out. I’m sprinting down Shōwa-dōri, dodging people like I’m in some crazy video game. The streets are packed! Everyone’s buzzing about the festival. I can smell yakitori and sweet dango in the air. My stomach’s growling louder than a train on the Fukuecho Line.
I finally get to the park, and wow! It’s a whole vibe. Lanterns everywhere, people laughing, kids running around. I spot Kenji, and he’s munching on some takoyaki. I’m like, “Dude, save me a bite!” He just laughs and says, “Only if you share your croissants!”
So, we’re trading food like it’s some kind of culinary barter system. I take a bite of his takoyaki, and it’s like fireworks in my mouth. I’m grinning like an idiot. Then, I remember my croissants. I pull one out, and it’s still warm. I hand it to him, and he takes a bite. His eyes go wide. “Bro, this is amazing!”
But then, outta nowhere, this kid runs by and knocks my croissant right outta Kenji’s hand. It’s like slow-mo. I see it fall, and I’m like, “Nooooo!” It lands right in the dirt. I’m fuming. I mean, come on! Who lets their kid run wild like that?
I’m about to say something, but then I see the kid’s face. He looks so guilty, like he just committed a crime. I can’t stay mad. I just laugh it off. “Hey, kid, it’s cool. Just don’t let it happen again, alright?”
After that, we hit up some stalls. I try some mochi, and it’s like a flavor explosion. I’m in heaven. Then, I hear this live band playing near the fountain. They’re jamming out some sick tunes. I’m swaying, feeling the vibe. Fukuecho really knows how to throw a party!
But then, my phone buzzes. It’s my bakery. The oven’s gone haywire! I’m like, “No way!” I sprint back, heart racing. I get there, and the place is filled with smoke. I’m panicking. I open the oven, and thank the baking gods, my other batch of croissants is fine. Just a little crispy.
I’m standing there, covered in flour, smelling like a bakery explosion, and I can’t help but laugh. What a day, right? I mean, who else can say they almost lost a croissant to a kid and saved a batch from a fiery doom all in one day?
So, I wrap up the day, head back to the park, and grab a beer with Kenji. We’re laughing about the craziness. Fukuecho, man. It’s wild, it’s beautiful, and it’s home. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.