Hanada Wants to Earn Cash
Hanada stood at the crossroads of a new beginning, the second volume of his life unfolding before him. It had been a rollercoaster of a first year, full of love, loss, and self-discovery, but now he was ready to face the future with a renewed sense of purpose.
He had decided it was time to earn some cash. Not just for the sake of having money, but to gain independence and perhaps, fund a trip to visit Akari more frequently. College life was expensive, and Hanada wanted to take some of the financial burden off his parents.
He was scrolling through job listings on his laptop when Yui popped her head into his room.
"Hey, Hanada-kun, what are you up to?" she asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"Looking for a job," Hanada replied, not taking his eyes off the screen. "Figured it's time I start earning some money."
Yui walked in and sat on his bed. "That's a great idea! What kind of job are you looking for?"
"Anything, really. As long as it pays decently and doesn't interfere with my classes," Hanada said.
Yui's eyes lit up. "You know, my cousin works at this cool café downtown. They're looking for part-timers. Want me to put in a good word for you?"
Hanada looked up, intrigued. "That sounds perfect. Thanks, Yui. I'd appreciate that."
A week later, Hanada found himself in a quaint little café called "Brew Haven." The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans filling the air. The walls were adorned with local artwork, giving the place a cozy, eclectic vibe.
"Welcome to Brew Haven," the manager, a friendly woman in her thirties named Mika, greeted him with a smile. "You must be Hanada."
"Yes, that's me," Hanada replied, extending his hand.
Mika shook his hand warmly. "Nice to meet you. Yui has told me a lot about you. Let's get you started with the basics. Ever worked in a café before?"
"Not really," Hanada admitted. "But I'm a quick learner."
"Great!" Mika said, clapping her hands together. "We'll start you off easy. Follow me."
She led Hanada to the back, where the other employees were busy preparing for the morning rush. Mika introduced him to the team, a mix of college students and young adults, all friendly and welcoming.
"This is Miki," Mika said, pointing to a petite girl with short, spiky hair. "She'll show you the ropes."
Miki gave him a cheerful grin. "Welcome aboard, Hanada! Don't worry, we'll have you making lattes like a pro in no time."
---
Hanada quickly settled into his new job at Brew Haven. Miki was patient and thorough, teaching him everything from brewing the perfect cup of coffee to handling the cash register. The work was demanding but fulfilling, and Hanada enjoyed the sense of accomplishment that came with each completed task.
One afternoon, as he was cleaning tables, Hanada noticed a familiar face walk through the door. It was Reiko, looking as stunning as ever, her eyes hidden behind a pair of stylish sunglasses.
"Hanada?" she exclaimed, lowering her sunglasses and giving him a once-over. "What are you doing here?"
Hanada laughed. "Working. What brings you here?"
"I come here all the time," Reiko said, looking around the café. "They make the best matcha lattes."
"Let me get one for you," Hanada offered, heading behind the counter.
As he prepared her drink, Reiko leaned on the counter, watching him with a curious smile. "I never pegged you as a barista."
Hanada shrugged. "Trying something new. It's actually pretty fun."
Reiko chuckled. "I'm glad to see you're doing well."
"Thanks," Hanada said, handing her the matcha latte. "Here you go, on the house."
"How generous," Reiko said, taking the cup and winking at him. "Maybe I'll come by more often."
Hanada watched her leave, a small smile playing on his lips. Working at Brew Haven had its perks.
---
As the weeks passed, Hanada fell into a comfortable routine. His days were filled with classes, work at the café, and evenings spent studying or hanging out with friends. He even managed to save up enough money to plan a trip to visit Akari.
One evening, after a particularly busy shift, Hanada sat down with Miki for a well-deserved break.
"You're doing great, Hanada," Miki said, taking a sip of her iced coffee. "You've really picked up on everything quickly."
"Thanks," Hanada replied, feeling a sense of pride. "It's been a lot of fun."
Miki smiled. "So, what's next for you? Any big plans?"
"Actually, I'm planning to visit Akari soon," Hanada said, his eyes lighting up at the thought. "She's been in touch more lately, and I think it's time we saw each other again."
"That sounds wonderful," Miki said, genuinely happy for him. "You two deserve some time together."
As Hanada sat there, enjoying the camaraderie and the sense of accomplishment that came with his new job, he felt a renewed sense of hope for the future. This was the start of something new, and he was ready to embrace it fully.
---
The day of his trip to see Akari finally arrived. Hanada packed his bag with care, making sure to bring along the small gifts he had picked out for her—a handcrafted bracelet he found at a local market and a photo album filled with memories of their time together.
As he boarded the train, Hanada felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. It had been a while since he had seen Akari in person, and he wondered how things would be between them. But the thought of seeing her smile and hearing her laugh again filled him with anticipation.
The train ride was long, but Hanada passed the time by reading and listening to music. He replayed their last conversation in his mind, remembering how Akari had explained why she had to leave. It had been a difficult decision for her, driven by family issues and the pressure to succeed. Understanding her reasons had brought them closer, and Hanada was determined to support her in any way he could.
When the train finally pulled into the station, Hanada grabbed his bag and stepped onto the platform. He scanned the crowd, his heart racing, until he spotted Akari standing near the entrance, her face lighting up when she saw him.
"Hanada!" she called out, waving enthusiastically.
"Akari!" Hanada responded, weaving through the crowd to reach her.
When they finally met, Akari threw her arms around him, and Hanada held her tightly, feeling a rush of emotions. It felt like coming home.
"I've missed you so much," Akari whispered, her voice filled with emotion.
"I've missed you too," Hanada said, pulling back to look into her eyes. "It's so good to see you."
They spent the day exploring the city, visiting their favorite spots and creating new memories. They talked about everything—school, work, friends, and their hopes for the future. Hanada felt a renewed sense of connection with Akari, and he knew that their bond was stronger than ever.
---
As the sun began to set, they found a quiet spot in a park overlooking the city. They sat down on a bench, watching as the sky turned shades of pink and orange.
"Hanada," Akari said softly, her hand in his. "I'm so glad you came. I needed this."
"I needed it too," Hanada said, squeezing her hand. "Being apart was hard, but it made me realize how much you mean to me."
Akari looked at him, her eyes shining with tears. "You mean everything to me too. I'm sorry for leaving the way I did, but I had to do it for my family."
"I know," Hanada said gently. "And I understand. We'll get through this, Akari. Together."
Akari nodded, her tears spilling over. "I love you, Hanada."
"I love you too," Hanada whispered, pulling her into a tender embrace.
As they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, Hanada felt a sense of peace and contentment. The future was still uncertain, but he knew that as long as they had each other, they could face anything.
---
The next morning, as Hanada prepared to head back to campus, Akari walked him to the train station. They held hands, savoring the last moments of their time together.
"Promise me we'll see each other again soon," Akari said, her voice trembling slightly.
"I promise," Hanada said, leaning in to kiss her. "I'll come back as often as I can."
They shared a lingering kiss, and then Hanada boarded the train, waving to Akari as it pulled away. He watched her until she was out of sight, feeling a mix of sadness and hope.
As the train sped towards his destination, Hanada reflected on the past few days. He felt more determined than ever to make things work, both with Akari and in his own life. He had a job he enjoyed, a plan for the future, and a renewed sense of purpose.
This was just the beginning of a new chapter, and Hanada was ready to embrace it with open arms.