Nakahama

Parking was not always the best around Tetsuo Auto Repair. Oh sure, sometimes you were lucky and you could just pull into the garage and get immediate service. But sometimes when the shop was busy, you had to park blocks down the way, just as Taraka found herself doing this morning. It sure would be handy if good repair shops had a dedicated parking structure, but that never seemed to be the way. And so she walked the last couple of blocks to the shop, box in hand.

She looked about the reception area.

"Hey, Kaiu-san, you about? If you've got your hands full, I can wait." she called out.

Nagisa really shouldn’t have stayed out so late last night. She curses her past self’s actions as she downs some of the energy drink she opened up before she heard her name being called. Stepping out of her shop, she shields her eyes from the morning sun.

“Ah. Yasuki-sama. I was just about to open shop. So good timing.”

She eyes the box curiously before looking back up at the Yasuki proper. “What can I do for you?”

It was a simple box with the logo for Serenity Bakeries on it.

Taraka extended it with a smile.

"I suppose I could really use your opinion on which you like better, mochi or sweet buns." she offered. "The boys were impressed with the good work you did on the truck and asked if I wouldn't mind swinging by the shop to offer you thanks beyond an invoice paid on time and in full."

“I’m more of a mochi kind of gal, but I don’t need anything extra for my work.” Nagisa can’t help but crack a little smile at the offer. And that smile accompanied a little chuckle. “But maybe some sweets can help with this headache I have?”

Taraka nodded sympathetically.

"I've had those kinds of mornings after those kinds of nights. Sugar can definitely help. If you've got a little time, I wouldn't mind helping you out with the sweet buns while you work on the mochi. There's been so much going on in the past couple days that one has to take the opportunity to eat whenever they find a spare minute." she offers.

“This headache is the consequences of my own actions, I’m afraid.” The Kaiu shakes her head and sighs. “Well, my inability to turn off my brain at night.”

“I would appreciate the help. It’s such hard work eating all of this.” Accepting the box, Nagisa motions towards the waiting area inside. “Want to take a seat? It’s probably more comfortable than standing around out here.”

Taraka nods.

"I'll probably spend most of the day I my feet, so a chance to sit a spell would be nice." she accepts. She would follow the Crab in to the waiting area and take the proferred sheet, and produce napkins from her purse.

"What about you? Have a lot of work to get done today?" she asked.

“Not a whole lot yet. But the day just started, so that could change at any time.” Nagisa offers a chair next to a little table. “I took the day off yesterday, so I’m probably going to be swamped by the evening with people that waited.”

She leans up against the counter nearby, grabbing her energy drink before taking a sip. “It’s good for you to get a little bit of a break here and there. You’re a busy woman, Yasuki-sama.”

Taraka chuckled.

"My mother often used to say koku never sleeps, so why should we?" she admits. "Still, while I know there's no question you put in hours of hardwork with your arms firmly wedged in the guts of cars, I'm sure there is at least a little pleasure to be had that your customers typically drive to where you are, ne?"

She popped a sweet bun.

"Though I'm sure the level of angry customer when it comes to problems with a vehicle must be a lot higher too."

“At least your mother had a catchy saying, huh? Mine just nags at me nowadays.” She shakes her head before taking a mochi from the box and plopping it in mouth.

“Nagisa! You’re twenty-five! When are you getting married?” The Kaiu does her best to do a shrill impression of her mother. Whether or not it was accurate is only know to people who have met the woman.

Taraka laughed at the Kaiu's impersenation.

"Ahhh, there is no winning for you, is there Kaiu-san? If you point out the governor and the karo are also 25 and unwed, I can only imagine she'll segue into how you're not also in high political office at your age. Even if you're happiest right here."

She looked about the waiting room.

"It really is a nice shop you have here, Kaiu-san. You must be very proud of it.' she offered as a sincere compliment.

“You got that right. I think she’s not exactly happy in my decision to start up my own business instead of taking up the Kaiu Heavy Industries offer I got.” There’s a bit of weariness in her voice just talking about her mother.

“Ah, thanks. My shop is pretty much everything to me. I also wanted to make it as comfortable as possible for people that need to wait for their repairs to be done.” She motions towards the chairs. “Having people stand around and waiting would probably just make them irate with me.”

Taraka smiled a bit.

"Ah well, some customers are just like that, Kaiu-san. Like Yasuki Kaira, for example. She pitched an absolute fit over getting a consolation prize in a raffle and when she was given a second chance to draw from the raffle to placate her, she stole a raffle ball and lied about the result." she related.

Taraka shook her head.

"She made off with a voucher for a free dessert at Crabkaku. Given how she responded by saying it was for a 'free meal', I'm sure she was an absolute nightmare for Yasuki Honoka, unless she hasn't gone yet." she revealed.

“I… Uhhh… Haven’t had the, umm, pleasure of meeting her yet. I’ll take note of that in case she ever requires my services.” Nagisa’s face pales at the thought of such a woman being anywhere inside her shop.

“I would hope she refrains from touching my tools…”

Taraka took a moment to savor the flavor of the sweet bun.

"Ah, I think there's little chance of that, Kaiu-san. Knowing her, it would be a drama in three acts. First act, Kaira complains that she has places to BE and demands you push her car to the front of the line and work on it NOW. Second act, Kaira complains that you're taking too long to repair her car. Don't you remember she has places to BE? Third act, Kaira complains that you're overcharging her. For so little work, she could have had her cousin fix it for free." she said, laying out a customer service horror premise.

She looked about the shop.

"And really, there's no amount of staff that can shield you from her, she's always demand to talk to the person in charge. Honestly? If she does come around, you'd probably just be better off refusing her service. She'll scream about how dare you treat her this way, and drag the name of your shop through the mud with anyone she can corner in conversation, but no matter how nice you are to her, no matter how hard you work for her, she'll demand you work for practically nothing."

Sweet bun consumed, she looked around.

"I don't suppose there's a vending machine nearby? I really do love Serenity Bakery's sweet buns, but a little tea to wash it down would be nice."

The hypothetical situation where Yasuki Kaira visits her shop does not put her at ease one bit. She can vividly picture it in her mind.

At least that nightmare scenario is confined to her mind for now. “Ah, there is one nearby but I also just have some on hand if you need any.”

Taraka looked back at the Kaiu.

"Oh, well if it wouldn't be any trouble, Kaiu-san, that would be nice." she gestured at the box. "After all my intention was to give you a little treat, not make demands on your hospitality."

“No trouble at all!” Nagisa ducks back under the front counter, shuffling around before a hissing sound of a mini fridge opening is heard. This is quickly followed by Nagisa’s hand pops up to the counter and places a bottle of green tea down.

“I keep my mini fridge stocked with drinks and have some snacks in the back.”

Taraka accepted the bottle and with a Ksh! it was opened.

"Thank you, Kaiu-san." she said taking a sip of the delicious drink. "Ahhh."

Tea obtained she retook her seat in the waiting area.

"Good to be prepared for these long hours you expect to be putting in. Though when it comes to snacks, do you prefer salty or sweet? Just in case I need to send you more thanks for future work." she asked.

“Depends on my mood, really. I think in the morning it’s nice to have something sweet. When it gets closer to noon I crave salty. Oh, and on hot days, too.” Closing the mini-fridge, Nagisa rises up. Feeling a bit of soreness in her lower back, she stretches it out before leaning against the service counter.

“How about you?”