Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, Wako really knows how to throw a curveball. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s blazin’ through my window, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I’m headin’ down to the shop on Naka-dori Street. It’s a nice little stretch, ya know? Trees on the side, people walkin’ their dogs, the smell of fresh sushi from that joint on the corner. I’m thinkin’ “Life’s good.” But then, BAM! I step in a puddle. Not just any puddle, but the kinda puddle that’s like a mini lake. My shoes are soaked. Great start, right?
So, I finally get to my stove shop, “Wako Stoves & Co.” (yeah, I know, super original). I’m all set to work on this custom stove for a fancy restaurant in town. They wanted a cherry blossom design. I’m like, “Sure, I can do that.” But then, I realize I’m outta cherry wood. Ugh! So, I hop on my bike and zoom over to the local lumberyard on Sakae Street.
Now, let me tell ya, the ride was wild. I’m dodging cars, cyclists, and this one dude who’s just standin’ in the middle of the road, lookin’ lost. I’m yellin’, “Move it, buddy!” but he just stares at me like I’m the crazy one. Wako traffic, man. It’s a whole vibe.
Finally, I get to the lumberyard, and guess what? They’re outta cherry wood too! I’m like, “Are you kidding me?” I’m about to lose it. But then, I spot this cute little cat chillin’ on a stack of wood. I can’t help but smile. Cats make everything better, right? I snap a pic and name him “Cherry.”
After that, I head back to the shop, still fuming about the wood situation. I decide to improvise. I grab some maple and start sketching out a new design. It’s not cherry blossoms, but hey, it’s still pretty cool. I’m in the zone, just vibin’ with my tools, when suddenly, the door swings open.
In walks this old dude, Mr. Tanaka. He’s a regular, always crackin’ jokes. He’s like, “Hey, stove master! Got any stoves that cook themselves?” I laugh, but then he pulls out this ancient stove from his pocket. I’m not even kidding. It’s like a mini version of a samurai sword but for cooking. He’s like, “Can you fix this?”
I’m staring at it, thinking, “What the heck is this?” But I can’t say no to Mr. Tanaka. So, I take it on. We start chatting about the good ol’ days in Wako. He tells me about the festivals on Wako River. Man, I wish I could’ve seen that. Fireworks, food stalls, the whole shebang.
Then, outta nowhere, the power goes out. I’m like, “Seriously?!” The whole block goes dark. I’m fumbling around for my phone, trying to find a flashlight. Mr. Tanaka’s just laughing, “Guess the stoves will have to wait!”
After a few minutes, the lights flicker back on. I’m relieved, but my heart’s still racing. I finish up the mini stove for Mr. Tanaka, and he’s stoked. He leaves, and I’m finally ready to call it a day.
But wait! I step outside, and it’s pouring rain. Like, monsoon-level rain. I’m soaked again! I sprint to my bike, laughing at the absurdity of it all. Wako, you crazy city!
As I pedal home, I can’t help but think about how wild today was. From puddles to power outages, and a cat named Cherry. Wako’s got its quirks, but that’s what makes it home. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So yeah, that was my day. Just another rollercoaster in Wako. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!