Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a bartender in Higashine is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. One minute you’re chillin’, pouring a cold one, and the next, BAM! Chaos hits like a freight train.
So, I roll into work at this little joint on Kōen-dōri, right? It’s a cozy spot, you know? The kind of place where everyone knows your name, and if they don’t, they’ll make sure to learn it after a few drinks. I’m just setting up, wiping down the bar, when this dude bursts in. He’s soaked, like he just swam the Mogami River or something. Turns out, it’s pouring outside. I mean, like, monsoon-level rain.
I’m like, “Yo, you good?” He just laughs and orders a sake. Classic. I pour him a glass, and he starts telling me about his day. Apparently, he was out on Yamagata Street, trying to catch a bus, but it never showed. I can’t blame the bus, though. Who wants to drive in that mess?
Then, outta nowhere, this group of tourists strolls in. They’re all hyped up, taking selfies, and I’m just trying to keep up with their drink orders. “One more beer! Another cocktail!” I’m like, “Chill, folks! I’m not a machine!” But hey, they’re fun. They’re from Tokyo, and they’re here to see the cherry blossoms. I mean, who wouldn’t wanna see that? But it’s not cherry blossom season yet, so I’m like, “Good luck with that, fam!”
Then, this lady walks in. She’s got this wild hair, like she just got electrocuted. She orders a whiskey neat, and I can tell she’s had a rough day. I’m pouring her drink, and she starts spilling her guts about her job. Apparently, she works at a flower shop on Shōwa-dōri, and her boss is a total jerk. I’m like, “Girl, you need to quit that gig!” But she just laughs and says, “Yeah, but the flowers are pretty.”
I can’t help but smile. I mean, who doesn’t love flowers? But then, she gets a call. It’s her boss. She answers, and I swear, I can hear the dude yelling through the phone. She hangs up, slams her drink, and storms out. I’m just standing there, like, “Wow, that escalated quickly.”
By now, the bar is packed. I’m running around like a headless chicken, trying to keep everyone happy. I spill a drink on some guy, and he’s like, “Dude, what the heck?” I’m like, “Sorry, man! Free drink on me!” He laughs, and I’m relieved.
Then, the power goes out. Just like that. One minute, we’re vibing, and the next, it’s pitch black. People start freaking out, and I’m just standing there, holding a bottle of beer like it’s a flashlight. I’m like, “Stay calm, everyone! It’s just a little blackout!” But inside, I’m panicking.
Finally, the lights flicker back on, and everyone cheers. I’m like, “Phew, that was close!” But then, I notice the tourists are gone. I guess they couldn’t handle the drama. I mean, who can blame them?
As the night winds down, I’m cleaning up, and I can’t help but think about how wild today was. Higashine is a small city, but man, it’s got a big heart. From the rain-soaked streets to the crazy characters that walk in, every day is an adventure.
I lock up the bar, step outside, and take a deep breath. The air smells fresh, like rain and hope. I’m exhausted, but I wouldn’t trade this job for anything. Tomorrow’s another day, and who knows what’ll happen next? Bring it on, Higashine!