Usagi and Me at the Night Cafe
Night coffee shop
I was exhausted as I walked home. It was completely dark, the moon was hidden by mist, and the only light illuminating the mountain path was the lamp in my hand. I could barely see what was ahead.
Either he took a wrong turn or was drawn by something, but he seemed to have gotten lost deep into the forest.
I can't walk any further. I'll rest for a bit and then try to find my way back. I sat down at the base of the tree, and all the fatigue I had been feeling came flooding back, and I fell asleep immediately, using the root as my pillow.
"Hey, why are you here?"
I wonder how long I had been asleep. I was woken up by a tap on my shoulder, and the baby rabbit was staring at me with a puzzled look on its face.
"I seem to have lost my way."
As I answered, I got up and looked around, and the scenery was different from the dark forest I had been in. I could vaguely see the lights of a building in the distance. It was an unfamiliar place, but for some reason it felt familiar and I wasn't scared at all.
"It's been a long time," said the little rabbit, and the little rabbit was surprised and asked, "Do you know me?"
The little rabbit looked surprised, and after thinking for a while, said, "No, maybe I'm mistaken after all."
"You look tired. Are you hungry?" said the little rabbit.
"Now that I think of it, I haven't eaten anything. I'm tired and thirsty," I replied.
"Can you drink any more?" the little rabbit asked again.
"Yes, I can. I had it for the first time the other day, I'm an adult now," I answered proudly.
"That's amazing. Well, come with me."
With that, the little rabbit walked slowly towards the lit building, keeping an eye on me. I followed behind the little rabbit, trying not to fall behind.
After walking a little further, I came across a building made of old, deep brown wood. It looked like a coffee shop. I could smell something wonderful.
"Hey, welcome back."
As he opened the door, a rabbit wearing a bow tie, slightly older than the little rabbit, spoke in a quiet, low voice from behind the counter. He seemed to be the owner of the shop.
Behind the rabbit owner, a large frog was cooking with its back to him. There seemed to be two other staff members working there.
A soft orange light bulb. Wooden pillars and old earthen walls. Relaxing, soothing music playing. Even though it was my first time here, I felt a sense of nostalgia, as if I had been there a long time ago.
As they sat next to each other at the counter, the little rabbit said, "I seem to be hungry and thirsty. Please give me something to eat and some alcohol."
The rabbit shop owner nods silently and calls out something to the frog behind him.
The frog said nothing, but the corner of his mouth seemed to be grinning.
After a while, a smooth, foamy beer was brought out, along with salad and small garlic toast on a round plate, as well as small dishes such as colorful pickles and sautéed mushrooms.
"This is a menu that we usually serve in the morning, but since you seem to be an adult now, I made it specially today to go well with alcohol," said the rabbit owner.
For some strange reason, I felt like I had seen this menu before.
"I'll enjoy having this"
I pick up the glass and take a quick sip, the cold beer flowing down my dry throat.
Salad, toast, pickles... The adult flavors of chili pepper and garlic make it a perfect companion for beer.
Once I had finished eating, I let out a big sigh.
When I looked next to me, the baby rabbit was looking at me with satisfaction.
"You seem to be okay now. You can come again whenever you feel tired," the little rabbit said in a gentle voice.
When he said that, I felt kind and replied, "Thank you."
"If you're tired on your way home, you should eat this."
The rabbit shop owner handed me a small wrapping paper.
"Well, will you be back soon?"
With that, the little rabbit stood up.
I stood up, opened the door and left the store, and was enveloped in a bright white light.
When I woke up, I was back in the forest. It was already dawn.
There is no sign of the baby rabbit or the coffee shop.
I wondered if I was dreaming. Thinking this, I got up and found a small wrapped piece of paper in my hand. It was a souvenir given to me by the rabbit shop owner.
It's okay now.
I felt a little happy and started walking home with a brisk step.
