And his gaze upon the woman is unbroken, strides made to make his way towards her. Today’s afternoon was one absent of both classes and homework. Rumors spread of some sort of budding hangout place among his peers, particularly the girls. The name had an odd sound to it, one he could not remember, but there were certain details which failed to escape his mind. One without many friends to spend his time with, it was a strong draw for his curiosity, to see if the whispers were speaking truth.
❝ Hello there! Er, would you happen to know where this love cafe would be found? Many people I am acquainted with have gone but I’ve never been myself! ❞
Holding the heavy boxes of materials needed for the cafe, Tina strode among the streets with a slight struggle that the sheer weight that the boxes provided her with. However, nothing was more important than transporting these boxes so that her cafe could continue to open. Just when she was about to turn a sharp corner did a young man suddenly appear within her peripheral view with a question that startled her. The already precarious boxes fell from her slim arms and in front of the young gentleman. “Oh my god… i’m so sorry” she apologised in great heaps of agitation before she caught the few significant words that she grew up knowing love, and cafe. She paused, half-bent to pick up the boxes and tilted her head upwards to catch a glimpse of the young man. “You mean, Cafe, Waiting, Love ? If so, Yes !I’m actually the owner of the cafe…” She replied with a warm smile and the boxes she half picked up slipped from her mind.
“I can totally bring you there !But – hold on let me pick up these boxes.. i’m so sorry about the mess” She replied as her train of thoughts returned to the boxes at hand.
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.