Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a baker in Nabari is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up at the crack of dawn, right? The sun’s barely peeking over the hills, and I’m already knee-deep in flour. I live near the Nabari River, and lemme tell ya, that water is cold enough to freeze your thoughts.
First thing, I’m mixing dough for my famous anpan. You know, the sweet red bean buns? Yeah, those. I’m humming some old J-Pop, feeling all good, when suddenly—BAM! The power goes out. Like, seriously? I’m standing there in the dark, flour everywhere, and I’m like, “Great, just great.”
So, I grab my phone, and it’s dead too! Ugh! I’m about to lose it. I run outside to see if the neighbors are awake. I’m sprinting down Kōen-dōri, and it’s like a ghost town. No lights, no sounds, just me and my panic. I’m thinking, “What if I can’t bake today? What if I let everyone down?”
Finally, I see old Mr. Tanaka. He’s out watering his plants like it’s a normal day. I’m like, “Dude, the power’s out!” He just shrugs and says, “Ah, it happens.” I’m like, “Happens? I’m about to lose my bakery!”
So, I dash back home, and guess what? The power’s back on! I’m like, “YES!” I crank up the oven and get back to work. But then, I realize I forgot to buy more red bean paste. I’m like, “No way!” So, I hop on my bike and zoom down to the local market on Kōen-dōri.
The market’s buzzing. I’m dodging people left and right. I see my buddy Hiro, and he’s like, “Yo, you look like you’ve seen a ghost!” I’m like, “Nah, just a power outage.” He laughs and hands me a mochi. I’m like, “Dude, you’re the best!”
I finally get to the store, and they’re out of red bean paste! I’m about to lose it again. I’m like, “What is this, a conspiracy?” But then, I spot a little shop on the corner of Kōen-dōri and Shōwa-dōri. It’s a tiny place, but they have the best stuff. I rush in, and the lady behind the counter is super sweet. She’s like, “You need red bean paste? I got you!”
I’m so relieved, I could hug her. I grab the paste and race back to the bakery. I’m mixing, kneading, and shaping those buns like a madman. The smell is heavenly. I’m in my zone, you know?
Then, just as I’m about to pop them in the oven, my phone buzzes. It’s a message from my friend Yuki. She’s like, “Hey, wanna hang out later?” I’m like, “Sure, but I gotta finish baking first!”
Finally, the buns are in the oven, and I’m feeling like a champ. I’m dancing around the kitchen, singing off-key, when the timer goes off. I open the oven, and oh man, they look perfect! Golden brown, fluffy, and just waiting to be devoured.
I pack them up and head to the shop. The streets are alive now. People are out, chatting, laughing. I set up my display, and folks start lining up. I’m feeling like a rockstar.
Then, this kid comes up, and he’s like, “Can I have one?” I’m like, “Sure, buddy! But only if you promise to share.” He grins and nods. I hand him a bun, and his face lights up. That’s what it’s all about, right?
But then, outta nowhere, this lady storms in. She’s like, “These buns are too sweet!” I’m like, “Lady, they’re anpan! What do you expect?” She rolls her eyes and storms out. I’m like, “Wow, some people just can’t be pleased.”
As the day winds down, I’m exhausted but happy. I pack up the leftovers and head to Yuki’s place. We chill, eat some buns, and laugh about my crazy day. I’m like, “You won’t believe the power outage!”
Nabari, man. It’s wild. One minute you’re baking, the next you’re racing through the streets, and then you’re a hero handing out buns. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Just another day in the life of a baker