Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a stove-maker in Tochio-honcho 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 market on Kōen-dōri. You know, the one with all the fresh veggies and fish? I’m just tryna grab some ingredients for my lunch. But nah, the fish guy, Mr. Tanaka, decides today’s the day to haggle like it’s the Olympics. I’m like, “Dude, it’s just a mackerel!” But he’s all, “No way, man! This is premium stuff!” I’m like, “Yeah, premium for a reason—cuz it’s swimming away from me!”
So, I finally snag the fish, and I’m feeling good. I stroll down to the riverbank by the Agano River. It’s beautiful there, man. The cherry blossoms are still hanging on, and I’m just vibing. But then, outta nowhere, this kid runs by, kicks a soccer ball, and BAM! Right into my lunch bag. Fish everywhere! I’m standing there, mouth agape, like, “Really, kid? Really?”
I’m fuming, but whatever. I head back to my workshop on Shōwa-dōri. It’s a cozy little spot, filled with wood shavings and the smell of fresh pine. I love it. But today? Today, my tools decide to play hide and seek. I’m searching for my chisel, and it’s like it vanished into thin air. I swear, I checked under every bench, behind every stove. I’m losing it!
Finally, I find it—under a pile of old newspapers. I’m like, “Great, now I’m a hoarder too.” But I get back to work, and I’m shaping this beautiful stove. It’s gonna be a masterpiece, I can feel it. But then, my buddy Hiroshi pops in. He’s always got some wild story. Today, he’s raving about this new ramen shop on Kōen-dōri. “Best ramen ever!” he says. I’m like, “Dude, I’m busy!” But he’s relentless.
So, I finish up my stove, and I’m like, “Fine, let’s go.” We head over, and OMG, the line is around the block! I’m thinking, “This better be worth it.” We finally get in, and I order the spicy miso ramen. It’s like a flavor explosion in my mouth! I’m slurping away, and I can’t help but smile. This is what life’s about, right? Good food, good friends.
But then, as we’re leaving, I see this old lady struggling with her groceries on the corner of Shōwa-dōri. I rush over, and I’m like, “Hey, let me help you!” She’s super grateful, and we start chatting. Turns out, she used to be a stove-maker too! What are the odds? We bond over our love for stoves, and she tells me about the old days in Tochio-honcho. It’s heartwarming, man.
But then, just as I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy, I trip over a crack in the sidewalk. I go down hard, and my pride takes a hit. I’m lying there, and all I can think is, “Great, now I’m the guy who fell in front of an old lady.” But she just laughs and helps me up. “You’re a good man,” she says. I’m like, “Yeah, but I’m also a clumsy one!”
So, I head back to my workshop, exhausted but happy. I’ve had a day full of ups and downs, but that’s life in Tochio-honcho, right? It’s messy, it’s chaotic, but it’s home. I plop down on my stool, look at the stove I made, and think, “Yeah, I did good today.”
And that’s how you survive a day in Tochio-honcho. Just roll with the punches, eat some good ramen, and help an old lady when you can. Life’s too short to sweat the small stuff, ya know?