Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a bookmaker in Kodaira is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I hit up the local konbini on Kōen-dōri. Gotta grab my morning coffee, ya know? But guess what? They’re outta my fave blend! I mean, c’mon! How am I supposed to function without my caffeine fix? So, I settle for some random stuff. Tastes like burnt rubber. Ugh.
Then I head to my shop on Kōen-dōri. It’s a cozy little spot, but man, it gets wild. I’m setting up my boards, and suddenly, this dude bursts in. He’s all frantic, like he just saw a ghost or something. Turns out, he’s got a hot tip on a horse race. I’m like, “Dude, chill! What’s the scoop?” He’s rambling about some horse named “Lucky Star” or whatever. I’m skeptical, but hey, I’m a bookmaker. I gotta take risks, right?
So, I throw down some odds, and the guy’s practically vibrating with excitement. I’m thinking, “This better not blow up in my face.” But whatever, I’m in. I take his bet, and he bolts outta there like he’s on fire.
Fast forward a bit, and I’m glued to my phone, checking the race updates. I’m pacing around like a caged animal. The race is happening in some far-off place, but I swear I can feel the tension in the air. I’m sweating bullets.
Then, BOOM! Lucky Star comes outta nowhere and takes the lead! I’m jumping up and down, yelling like a madman. People outside must think I’m nuts. But who cares? I’m about to make some serious cash!
But then, just as I’m about to celebrate, my phone buzzes. It’s my buddy Kenji. He’s like, “Yo, did you hear about the accident on Kōen-dōri?” My heart drops. I’m like, “What?!” Apparently, some delivery truck flipped over, blocking the whole street. Great. Just great.
Now I’m worried about my customers. They can’t get to my shop! I’m pacing again, thinking about how I’m gonna explain this to my regulars. I mean, I can’t just say, “Sorry, guys! A truck crashed, so no bets today!”
But then, outta nowhere, my phone buzzes again. It’s the dude from earlier! He’s back, and he’s got a huge grin on his face. Lucky Star won! I’m like, “No way!” He’s jumping around, and I’m just standing there, stunned. I’m about to hand him his winnings when he says, “Let’s celebrate!”
So, we head to this little izakaya down the street. It’s on Kōen-dōri too, but it’s packed. I’m thinking, “This is gonna be a nightmare.” But we squeeze in, and the vibe is lit. I’m ordering all kinds of food—yakitori, edamame, you name it.
We’re toasting to Lucky Star, and I’m feeling on top of the world. But then, I remember the truck accident. I’m like, “Man, I hope everyone’s okay.” The dude’s like, “Yeah, but we’re winning tonight!” And I’m like, “True, true.”
But then, just as I’m about to dig into my food, my phone buzzes again. It’s a message from my landlord. He’s raising my rent! I’m like, “Are you kidding me?!” I’m fuming. I mean, c’mon! I just had a crazy day, and now this?
So, I’m sitting there, trying to enjoy my food, but I’m just stewing. The dude notices and is like, “What’s up?” I spill my guts about the rent. He’s like, “Dude, that sucks! But hey, you just made a killing today!”
And you know what? He’s right. I did. So, I take a deep breath, let it go, and we keep celebrating.
By the end of the night, I’m feeling a mix of emotions. Happy, angry, surprised—like a rollercoaster, for real. I’m walking home along Kōen-dōri, the lights shining bright, and I can’t help but smile.
Kodaira, man. It’s wild. Full of surprises. Just another day in the life of a bookmaker. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow