Wow, what a day! Seriously, I’m still reeling from it. So, I’m a librarian in this quirky little town called Himimachi, right? It’s nestled in the mountains of Japan, and lemme tell ya, it’s got its own vibe. The streets are narrow, and the buildings are all old-school charm. You got the main drag, Kōen-dōri, where all the shops are. And then there’s the river, the Himimachi-gawa, which is just beautiful, especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. But today? Oh boy.
So, I start my day at the library, right? It’s a cozy spot, filled with books and the smell of old paper. I’m just organizing some manga when this kid bursts in. He’s like, “Miss! Miss! I lost my cat!” I’m like, “Dude, chill. Where’d ya lose it?” Turns out, he lost it near the Himimachi Shrine. I’m thinking, great, now I gotta help find a cat.
I grab my bag and we head out. The streets are packed. I mean, it’s a weekday, but everyone’s out. I swear, I almost tripped over a tourist taking selfies by the river. Like, c’mon, dude, watch where you’re going! Anyway, we get to the shrine, and it’s super peaceful. But no cat. Just a bunch of pigeons.
I’m starting to feel bad for the kid. I’m like, “Let’s check the market on Shōtoku Street.” It’s always buzzing with life. We get there, and I spot this fluffy orange ball of fur. I’m like, “Is that your cat?” The kid’s eyes light up! But then, the cat bolts. Of course. Typical cat behavior, right?
So, we’re chasing this cat through the market. I’m dodging old ladies selling pickled veggies and trying not to knock over a stand of mochi. I’m sweating like crazy, and the kid’s laughing his head off. Finally, we corner the cat near the Himimachi Post Office. I’m like, “Gotcha!” But the cat just looks at me like, “Nah, not today.”
After what feels like an eternity, we finally catch it. The kid is over the moon. I’m just relieved. I’m thinking, “I’m not cut out for this cat rescue stuff.” We head back to the library, and I’m ready for a break.
But nope! The library’s packed. Turns out, there’s a book fair happening. I’m like, “Great, just what I need.” Kids everywhere, running around, yelling about their favorite books. I love books, but this is chaos. I’m trying to help a kid find a book on dinosaurs when I overhear this group talking about the best ramen spots in Himimachi. I’m like, “Dude, I need to join that convo!”
So, I sneak over, and they’re raving about this place on Takamatsu Street. Apparently, they have the best tonkotsu ramen. I’m drooling just thinking about it. But then, I remember I’m supposed to be working. Ugh!
Finally, the day winds down. I’m exhausted but happy. I close up the library and head to that ramen spot. It’s a tiny place, but the smell? Oh man, it’s heavenly. I order a bowl, and when it arrives, I’m in heaven. The broth is rich, the noodles are perfect. I’m slurping away, and life is good again.
As I walk home, I can’t help but smile. Himimachi is wild, but it’s my wild. I love this place, even on the craziest days. I mean, who else can say they spent their day chasing a cat and then devouring the best ramen ever? Just another day in the life of a librarian, I guess!