May 30, 2023
Inspired by the Japanese and Korean Drama series The Midnight Diner.
Warning: Occasional OOC and Corniness
An arm glides across a stained maple countertop, wiping at the spritz cleaning solution that trails with a shiny finish. The bar counters sparkle, and the overhead lights' cloudy reflection illuminates them. Twenty minutes before opening, cleanup concludes. With nothing else to do, Tsuna relaxes behind a counter and occupies his brief free time with his phone. Cat videos are watched in a moment's fascination, but he loses interest. Without reconsidering, he exits the app.
A slight spine tilt presses his thin frame back against the counter as his body suspends atop a high stool. Unknowingly he bounces his leg in anticipation. Eyes gaze in a daze toward wooden ceiling beams, and an impromptu game ensues. He follows their structure as they connect and intercepts one another with purpose and intention rather than a puzzle or maze to work around. Eyelids shut briefly, accompanied by a deep inhale and 5 minutes… only 15 minutes till opening.
Eyelids flutter open.
Besides the earful muffle of blown air from the aircon, it's quiet…
Passersby were scarce, the neighborhood strays yet to mewl for dinner, and even the cicadas postponed its orchestra.
…Tsuna didn't like quiet.
It left him to think.
Reflect.
Consider things… that end up leaving a bad taste in his mouth. Things that make him, against his wishes, remember. Unpleasant memories with equally unpleasant emotions linger as he recalls… his heart squeezes. Aching. Feelings of being depressed and miserable.
As the sole employee, conversations are, as one could guess, nonexistent. The empty air was kind, though; not much of a conversationalist but a great listener. Loneliness has been a good friend since his parents' extended absence a year ago. Although on friendly terms with many of the older residents that frequent Tsuna's shop, not a single companion his age.
Tsuna admits… he's kind of pessimistic at the prospect of friendship.
Barely could he obtain or keep a friend at school due to his reputation. When he finally befriends someone, in disappointment, they're just like the rest—only finding merit in him as a gopher or upside their status. I mean, who could be worse than Dame-Tsuna? A plethora of people agree.
Although he prefers adults slightly less concerned with popularity and reputation based on looks, academics, or athletic prowess, a friend his age would be nice. Even though not all adults are kind, his teachers or neighborhood moms come to mind. If anything, strangers are more willing to accept and celebrate Tsuna, whereas many of his peers could not.
Tsuna's vision panes over to three perfectly lined picture frames inches apart. Behind each glass was a captured moment of people. The restaurant's signature uniform drapes each form as they stand tall and proud at the front of the diner's entrance. From left to right, each photo gets progressively colorful and sharp. The first was in faded black, white, and gray, while the third had intense color and high resolution.
It all began with a lovely couple who had to migrate from Nara to Namimori with two sons and a daughter. The oldest took over, turning the restaurant into a generational family business. Years later, the son had a child, Nana, Tsuna's mom.
For all that Tsuna could recall and make sense of, the restaurant was meant to be his.
It made sense.
Tsuna's mom was to inherit the business. Already she had taken the reigns in the kitchen, working alongside her parents. But destiny had plans. In a rush to catch her flight one summer in her twenties, Nana crashes into a blonde Japanese Italian who saves her with a catch and an elegant dip.
It was love at first sight. "You're the most beautiful woman I have ever met," Tsuna recalls Nana gushing at the first words ever spoken between the two.
That settles it. Nana would marry the man and have Tsuna, who would eventually inherit the store. Or that's how it should have gone.
But destiny was an author. And for whatever reason, it wants the store's inheritor to love the diner as much as it does, but not without facing hardships.
Around when Tsuna was old enough to walk and talk, he observed his mom and grandparents at work. Since she conceived him, Nana has always set aside time to help at the restaurant around the busiest times of the year. She refused to take over until Tsuna was old enough to stay home alone.
Tsuna's father wasn't around much. He was appearing two or three months out of the year. Tsuna felt a substantial amount of contempt toward Iemitsu for it. How could a construction job require a person's services for what felt like 24/7, 365 days a year?
Loneliness was a common emotion among the waiting family. Of course, Nana seemed to be all flowers and sunshine until, unknowingly, the perceptive stare of her child caught sight of her vulnerability. Nana's lovely rich chocolate eyes turn downcast and cloudy, and her lips settle into a slight frown that taints her beautiful face. Small, almost inaudible whispers of, "Dear. Love. Anata. We miss you."
Late into the night, a child stood and stared like a deer in headlights but dared not unveil themselves from the shadows to the lonely form at the dining table. If only the dark curtains could do more. Although it could conceal his frame, it held no power to hide him from the truth and reality of the situation. Hence, Tsuna will love his father indefinitely but have an age-long resentment over his blithe disregard for family.
Nana and Tsuna were visiting the grandparents' home for the New Year. As protocol, Nana would become a temp. The izakaya has a 12-seat bar that centers the restaurant. It encloses a small area where servers serve and prepare drinks for the customers. The kitchen is further in through a wide-open doorway. On both sides of the bar are floor-seated tables on an elevated tatami mat, with cushions instead of chairs.
The restaurant was in a festive swing, with a full house and a night of celebration—customers brimming with merriness and excitement and laughing, smiling, and eating and drinking like no tomorrow.
"Mama, can I watch you work in the kitchen?" Nana stares down to see her little Tsuna try and tug at her waist-apron. Try, she notes but sees that her son is shy of grasping it, even on tippy toes. Nana gushes at his adorable antics.
Usually, Tsuna staying up past his bedtime was banned, but she decided to let tonight slide, especially when doe eyes plead like a puppy. How could her son be this cute? And to be fair, her parents were just as enthusiastic about showing off.
Sitting at a bar corner seat, Nana orders Tsuna to be good, who nods in compliance; Tsuna earns a sweet smile.
"Grandpa will make you something if you're a good boy." The grandmother comes and tenderly strokes Tsuna's head which awards her an innocent giggle that melts her heart. The grandma gives hugs and kisses until she resumes work.
The adults work diligently and efficiently while Tsuna watches them fascinated—speckles of orange dance and flicker in his eyes. The grandparents cut, flip, and stir with ease regardless of age and the ache their bodies suffer due to years of labor. When the food comes out, the customers visibly brighten when partaking in meals. Even the most tired had a bounce to their step.
An hour almost passes, with the restaurant less filled but still bustling.
"Here you go, Tsu-kun. Thank you for being good."
With a tray in hand, the grandma carefully steps toward Tsuna, and steam wafts with a delicious aroma. Tsuna bounces in his seat in excitement from the familiar smell. It was his favorite.
Hamburger steak, glazed with a soy-sauce base and caramelized onions, tops a fried egg with steamed rice and freshly prepped vegetables, especially for Tsuna. Tsuna's mouth watered when the steak was sliced open, and yellow cheese oozed out. Tsuna gave an elate thanks and eagerly bit into the cut-up steak. The taste diffused into his palate… and he knew.
Destiny's bullet had struck with a piercing wound that would fester into a dream. The dream of cooking foods that will spread warmth, providing some comfort—the desire to bring color to the tired, dreary, or just plain hungry.
Years passed, and both grandparents passed due to the rules of life. Nana took over with Tsuna, who acts as a part-timer, and two other full-timers. But an unfortunate incident resulted in Nana's collapse and the temporary close of the restaurant. She's fine, no worries. Instead, she's enjoying herself on a long-needed vacation. Iemitsu lets Nana accompany him on business trips to explore while he takes care of business.
Tsuna was in his third year at Namimori High School, and despite the epiphany of New Year's Day, he had put his dream on the back burner. When elementary school began, Tsuna got trapped in a downward spiral. Deem dame-Tsuna by his classmates for his lack of athletic and intellectual capabilities and ability to trip over air. He was the ideal target for bullies and ridicule from classmates and teachers.
Yes, he wasn't the most active, but he was not incapable. His clumsy nature and low stamina seem to blind eye anyone to see that.
He was bottom of the class, but with guidance, he could improve. Since grade four, Tsuna has struggled to comprehend new concepts and has yet to receive proper teacher assistance.
His luck was just an unfortunate coincidence due to circumstance—many of his accidents could be traced to the actions of bullies who wanted a good laugh.
Tsuna took this change in strides. He grew used to the title and came to accept it. Falling victim to labels has become the truth. Tsuna had given up.
Until...
Arriving home late afternoon, Tsuna returned with a surprise waiting for him. Iemitsu had come back, with his mother adoring him with love and vice-versa. Last checked, his dad was in America. But he must have taken the first flight home after the call about Nana's collapse two days ago. She was still in the hospital last night but has now been discharged.
When Tsuna enters, his parents greet him and then urge their boy to wash up just before dinner a little too earnestly. They smiled, but there was a strain. Nana prepares dinner regardless of protest from the two males, while Iemitsu tackles his little Tuna-fish in hugs.
"My handsome and adorable Tuna-fish, Dad is home!" Tsuna groans at the compliments.
Handsome, Tsuna could accept, but adorable?
Tsuna ignores Iemitsu, still trapped in a hug, and instead attempts to focus and uncover the sense of worry and anxiety that's been nagging him since he got home. Unknown to Tsuna, a small voice whispers at the back of his mind to warn or guide him when matters arise. Its guidance was soft and warm, yet it spoke with no sound. But Tsuna understood. He understood how he knew his parents had something to say. Banking it be anything but good.
In a half-an-hour, the family starts dinner, but part way through the meal Tsuna, tired of his instinct's persistent rattle, decides to bring it up first.
"Um… Mom, Dad, there's something you want to say?" Both parents halt with a chopstick halfway to their mouths. "You guys are tense…."
Iemitsu and Nana eye each other with a brief pause. They both share a knowing, a hint of surprise, glance, and Nana decides to speak.
"Tsu-kun, Papa, and I talked. Maybe…" She pauses. "... we should close the diner down." Tsuna's face contorts from confusion into shock to borderline upset.
"Wa-wait! Close the diner?!" A chair streaks across the wood floor from an abrupt stand before letting gravity topple it. "But it's been in the family forever. Way before me, even you were born." Pale hands clench. "We love this restaurant."
Nana nods in agreement and finds maintaining her son's gaze hard.
"Of course, Tsu-kun. We all still and will forever love the izakaya." Nana does her best to reassure him but finds it hard to convey the following words she needs to say. Picking up on his wife's toil, Iemitsu speaks on her behalf, turning Tsuna's attention.
"Tsuna, your mom is not ready to return to work after what's happened. She needs a break, and I'm planning to let her join my travels for work. Like a long vacation, it'll be a good chance to relax and destress."
'Mom's leaving?' Tsuna lets Iemetsu's words sink in but nods slowly in understanding, prompting Iemetsu to continue speaking.
"Of course, with Nana leaving and having no other suitable person to take over the restaurant, it's best we shut it down." Now that hurts.
"No other suitable person." The youth parrots. The words strike a chord in him. Although not evident on his face, his action earns a confused expression from the other two. Iemetsu dismisses it and continues to talk.
"As for your studies, schooling while traveling is tricky, so this might be the last resort. Although not off the table. Of course, we'll consider your opinions and wishes. I encourage you to stay in Namimori since you're already in your second year of high school. Don't worry, I'll provide..." Iemetsu continues to talk with the occasional input from Nana. Still, the receiver checked out from the conversation a while ago, unbeknownst to them.
Tsuna understands his father's words without telling him, especially concerning his mother. He sees her face is worn and tired; a break was long overdue. As for school, staying here to finish his studies makes the most sense. But he's a little put off that they considered leaving him here.
"Tsu-kun, Mama will be back, and when I do, maybe we can reopen. And if you really don't want me to, I won't go. Tsu-kun is most important! "
Tsuna smiles a little, relieved to hear his mother's words, and the slight pang that was bubbling settles back down.
The prospect of Nana leaving is troubling, especially with the slow and daunting realization of how much he relies on his mom for everything. Home has become his haven, with no need to worry about food and cleaning, an emotional anchor—escapism from the troubles outside his house.
But Tsuna knows she needs this break. No, she deserves it! Tsuna clenches his fist, determined to make sure that happens. He can do it. Taking care of himself, he could do it.
Yet his fist slowly seizes to ease as a new problem comes to the forefront—the restaurant's faith. Tsuna's expression starts to wilt, slightly confused over addressing this concern.
'Could I?' Contemplation casts onto the youth's face—an array of emotions battling within him to emerge supreme.
Tsuna's memories play like a black-and-white film featuring his classmates' ridicule, the disappointed sighs of his teachers, the gossip of the neighbors, the bullies cornering him for a beat-up, or gopher him into buying them food from the canteen. Worse, his inability to deny and even agree to it all. It manifests as a murky lake bleached with gray and black, taunting and refusing to let him forget.
But off the horizon, a tiny wave shimmers and draws closer. Its body bends to highlight the bright orange that alludes to warmth and safety—a collection of cherished memories.
The first dish his mother taught him was hamburger steak, his favorite. No matter how many mistakes he made, sugar instead of salt, burning the glaze, nicking his finger, his mom never gave up.
Or when his grandparents gifted him a chef's knife for his high school debut. After an especially humiliating day, his grandparents' kindness made it all disappear.
The joy from learning new recipes and the satisfied grin from his first-ever customer. His dad. When Tsuna cooked for Iemetsu for the first time, his father's expression filled with pride and praise. One of the rare moments with his dad.
More and more bright memories were collected, as did the number and size of the waves, until they smashed into his painful memories, dying the bleak, somber waters with the sun's kiss.
Now. Now is the time Tsuna has been waiting. Now is when everything falls into place.
Everything is calm.
Tsuna stares at the two. His usual brown eyes were bright, almost orange, like a sky at sunset. The parents think it's a trick of the light.
"It's okay, Mom. I agree with dad. It would be best for you to go and for me to stay home. And..." Tsuna breathes in a deep breath.
"If you would," He pauses. "Let me take over the restaurant!" The words toll full of conviction, initially awkward but conviction, nonetheless.
Nana and Iemitsu stare with shared surprise at the unexpected proposal. Never have they seen Tsuna full of zeal and earnestness.
Nana is pleased and proud of her son for having the will to pursue something. But at the same time, worries fester with a deep wariness of her son's life without her. She knows her son still has many shortcomings and issues to sort through. The mom was not entirely privy to the opinions of others about her son. Unfortunately, she, at some point, shared some of their sentiments. Outside of cooking, she had little belief in her son's achievements. Even with cooking, she was unsure. Her son's demeanor and overall drive fell drastically at the start of middle school. Tsuna did help in the kitchen, but she chalked it all up to obligation and filial piety.
To Nana's astonishment, when she peeks at her husband, he has a gaze that mirrors their son. A fire. A flame. Iemitsu's facial features display a calculated look that thoughtfully considers the request. Like the moment they first met and what made Nana fall in love. Of course, love was in the mirror of Iemitsu's heart at the time, but that is not what she meant. More specifically, determination? No, that is not right either.
Resolve.
"Nana, we should let Tsuna do it. But since the store is yours, I'll let you decide."
Now her husband gazes at her, and that confident and dashing look is all she needs. Looking back at Tsuna, whose face never looked more like his father than now. She beams.
"Okay, Tsu-kun. Let's give it a try."
Nana and Iemitsu's consent pierces Tsuna's nervous ears. Getting blessings from both his parents, he thinks he hears bells. Tsuna feels his heart hum, and joy quickly blossoms in his expression. A big smile. They acknowledged his resolution in return.
"But before I leave, I'm going to beat everything you need to know into you. Cooking. Cleaning. Everything. Also, I'm not letting you quit school no matter how hard it gets. I promised myself you'll get a high-school education, and I'm sticking to it. Juggling it all will be hard, but you'll have to make it work somehow. Okay, Tsu-kun?" Tsuna could only sheepishly nod.
"Alright, thank you guys! I'll make you proud."
It's been two years since then. A fond smile stares sentimentally upon the third picture frame. As the previous owners stand in the last photos, Tsuna and his parents are in this one—eyes dash to the wall clock. The time reads one minute till midnight. Tsuna strides out of his enclosure and toward a white sign, flipping it over. The business was officially open.
Sawada Tsunayoshi: An izakaya chef living a content but lonely life.
Little does the youth know that his life will drastically change for the better.
Terminology:
Anata - means 'you.' However, when used for one's spouse, it has an affection meaning such as 'Dear' or 'Honey.'
Izakaya - an informal Japanese bar that people typically go to after work.