Man, what a day! Seriously, I’m still reeling from it. So, I wake up in my little shack near the mountains, right? The sun’s barely up, and I’m already thinking about the charcoal I gotta make. You know, the usual grind. But today? Oh boy, today was a whole different ball game.
First off, I head down to the Shinshiro market on Route 151. It’s buzzing, like always. Vendors yelling, people haggling, and me just trying to grab some supplies. I’m standing there, minding my own business, when I spot this old dude selling the freshest veggies. I mean, these carrots looked like they just came outta the ground! I’m like, “Yo, give me a bag of those!” But then, outta nowhere, this kid bumps into me. I spill my cash everywhere! Ugh, I was so mad! Like, c’mon, kid! Watch where you’re going!
After that chaos, I finally get my stuff and head over to the charcoal pit. It’s on the outskirts, near the Shinshiro River. The smell of burning wood hits me, and I’m like, “Ahh, home sweet home.” But then, I see my buddy Taro. He’s supposed to help me today, but he’s late. Classic Taro, right? I’m standing there, tapping my foot, thinking, “Where the heck is he?”
Finally, he rolls up, all outta breath. “Sorry, man! Got caught up at the shrine!” The shrine? Seriously? I mean, I love the Shinshiro Shrine, but c’mon! We got work to do! I give him a hard time, but we laugh it off. That’s just how we roll.
So, we start working, and it’s hot as hell. I’m sweating buckets, and Taro’s cracking jokes about my “charcoal fashion.” I’m like, “Dude, this is a serious profession!” But I can’t help but chuckle. We’re just two guys, burning wood and making charcoal, living the dream, right?
Then, outta nowhere, this storm rolls in. I mean, it’s like the sky just opened up! Rain pouring down, and I’m thinking, “Great, just what I needed.” We scramble to cover the charcoal, but it’s too late. I’m soaked, and my charcoal’s ruined. I’m fuming! Like, why today of all days?
But then, as we’re standing there, drenched and grumpy, I see this rainbow peeking through the clouds. It’s like, “Whoa, that’s kinda beautiful.” I forget my anger for a sec. Taro’s like, “Dude, that’s Shinshiro for ya. Always a surprise!” And he’s right. This city is full of surprises.
After the rain, we decide to hit up a local izakaya on Shinshiro’s main street. I’m starving! We order some yakitori and a couple of beers. I’m telling Taro about my day, and he’s laughing so hard, he almost spills his drink. “You’re a mess, man!” he says. And I’m like, “Yeah, but I’m your mess!”
As the night goes on, I start to feel grateful. I mean, yeah, the day was a rollercoaster, but that’s life, right? I love this city. The streets, the people, the little quirks. Shinshiro’s got this vibe that just gets to you.
So, we finish up, and I’m walking home, feeling kinda good. The stars are out, and I can hear the sounds of the city winding down. I think about tomorrow. More charcoal, more surprises. And I’m ready for it. Bring it on, Shinshiro!