It was the final stretch of time
before opening my own café.
If possible,
I really wanted to learn
at YOME Kitchen.
I shared my feelings
with the owners,
Papa-san and Nacchan,
and they kindly accepted me
for a month and a half
of training.
My transportation
was an electric bicycle
that I rented long-term
from Tokushima Station.
Early in the morning,
I would leave Maruko-san’s
guesthouse,
ride down the mountain,
and then make my way
to YOME Kitchen,
which was on the mountain
on the other side.
Everyone working
at YOME Kitchen
was incredibly powerful,
energetic,
and fun.
But it wasn’t just that
they were fun to be around.
When someone wasn’t feeling well,
someone else would naturally
step in and cover for them.
They also praised one another
so openly and warmly.
The food they made together,
laughing and chatting,
was filled with so much
good energy.
Packing the bento boxes
in the morning
was true teamwork.
Even in the rush
of a morning that felt
like a battlefield,
they would gently close
the lid
of each bento box
at the end,
saying,
“Enjoy your meal today, too♡”
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