( ` his bowl is sat on the counter as he pulls his wallet from his back pocket. he produces picture, a jagged line down the middle where it was ripped from the frame back in her apartment. he slides it across and waits with the kind of patience that comes from having this conversation one too many times. of course she’s dead. it’d be cruel to get his kicks by wandering around announcing the deaths of people others care about. she can’t know that, nor can she know what such a false confession could do to his career. instead his wallet is flipped open to reveal his badge )
” Special agent Choi. Unfortunately it’s not a prank. Discovered this morning. Autopsy hasn’t confirmed manner of death just yet but foul play has to be assumed. I’m sorry for your loss. Did you know her well? Would you have time to answer a few questions for me?“
[’ She holds onto the picture and stares at the familiar lady. Tina’s cropped hair covering her delicate features as tears fell from the tips of her bottom lashes like raindrops from a broken water tap. She takes in a deep breath and even though the young lady hasn’t visited for the past month, she remembers how the young lady would come visit Tina every time she frequented her store and chat with Tina like old friends. ]
[’ she gives a glance at his badge and nodded as she returned the photo to him ] Ah… no it’s fine, I’m sorry for lashing out on you… and sure, of course.[’ she mumbled without meeting his eyes. She signalled one of her workers to take her place and guides the young man to one of the empty tables ]
NAME: Tina Tamashiro
AGE: 20
PROFESSION: Owner of Cafe, Waiting, Love.
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single
RELATIONSHIP PREFERENCE: Unsure…
HAIR COLOR: coffee brown
EYE COLOR: light brown under sunlight~
ACCESSORY: carries glasses around at all times.
❝不愉快です. // How unpleasant.
Tina watched the time pass bit by bit, customers come and go, and every story unfold. She remembered the strong, unwavering love her parents had for each other. She remembered their love as clear as the clear sky, but she couldn’t understand it. She couldn’t understand how they could love each other so much despite all their flaws. Tina had witnessed many unpleasant aspects of love; yet, when she recollected her memories, she remembered the laughters and innumerable stories that only her parents knew, like a shared secret between the both of them that Tina had no part of.
However, life wasn’t kind and laughters didn’t last long. When her parents passed away due to a unfortunate accident, they had left the cafe shop they had built together to her as a reminder that Tina would one day find someone, no matter how long she had to wait. Hence, the name: Café. Waiting. Love, was born. Of course, Tina didn’t believe in what her parents had said to her. However, they were words she took to heart. Tina’s mother was originally from an affluent family. However, her mother was chased out from her own family and removed from her family register due to her love for Tina’s father. If Tina could say so herself, it was the classic Romeo and Juliet. The only difference in the two stories was that a child was born. Tina was born out of love.
Tina was normal, regular and enjoyed chatting with customers while watching busy walkers take hurried steps to reach to their destinations as she sat by the window sill with her head leaned against the clean glass. Regardless of her past, Tina had witnessed the miracles of the cafe. It was as if her parent’s love had permeated and placed a special love charm on the people who walked into the cafe. She had witnessed first- time customers go from lonely singles into committed lovers in a coincidental meeting of another partner in the cafe. Ironically, she still had not met her faithful partner. Did it bother her? Not one bit, but she always found a indescribable joy when she was able to help a lonely person find an anchor, a support. After awhile, she noticed how the city is filled with isolation and empty dreams, Sometimes, instead of returning to her apartment, Tina would fall asleep in the cafe. It was just as if she lives in the cafe.
❝THE CAFE? — //
每一個人，都在等一個人. Everyone is waiting for that someone. This is what the cafe is about. It is for the people out there who are looking for that special someone. It is for those people out there who just needs a place to pass time, and fill in the emptiness they may feel from the coldness of society with a warm cup of coffee.
Café, Waiting, Love 。
NAME: Tina Tamashiro
