Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard
Chapter 303 - 237: The Path of Parting

Chapter 303: Chapter 237: The Path of Parting

November 26th, over a month later.

Uesugi Sakura brewed the last cup of Irish Coffee for Mr. Blaise at the Soho café.

"Haha, is this a thank-you gift?" Mr. Blaise laughed, holding his lazy blue cat.

"This is the best I can do, just this." Uesugi Sakura topped the cup with whipped cream and placed the goblet on the saucer, handing it over.

In the rustic-style café, Mr. Blaise shook his head with a smile, placing the cat on the bar and taking a light sip of the alcohol-flavored ’coffee’.

In a neat Western-style suit, Uesugi Sakura waited for Mr. Blaise’s response under the gaze of the British Shorthair blue cat.

"You know what I’m going to say, right?"

"’I have nothing more to teach you.’" Uesugi Sakura said.

"Very confident!" Mr. Blaise reached out to pat his shoulder, "But that’s just right. A barista must have confidence in their work. When a barista loses confidence in brewing a cup of coffee, the work becomes just that—a work, without its ’soul’.

However, don’t misunderstand it as some magical fantasy thing. ’Soul’ means how you attend to every coffee bean with different pouring, filtering, and steaming methods.

When you lose the ’soul’, you’ll only follow a script to brew coffee, and the distinct flavors of different kinds of coffee will blend together, leaving all coffee tasting the same."

"’Soul’ is a very important element for a barista."

Uesugi Sakura understood that Mr. Blaise was sharing the philosophy he had gained from over ten years of coffee brewing.

Over ten years of experience... In any case, it’s incredibly valuable.

"Thank you." He expressed his gratitude to this mentor.

"Nothing to thank me for. Some things must be shared. After you leave here, I hope you’ll maintain that attitude of learning. I hope one day when I visit Tokyo, I can drink the coffee you brew in your own café again!"

"It’s my honor, Mr. Blaise."

Upon hearing the words of mentor, Mr. Blaise just smiled, picking up his British Shorthair blue cat again and petting its head.

"Sakura, are you really leaving?" Miss Anna came out from the kitchen, taking off her gloves and asking.

"Yes, Hanabi has already taken care of things here, and we should set off early tomorrow morning."

"To be honest, I’ll miss having you, my money-maker, around."

Miss Anna chuckled and turned to take a big stack of money and two pottery mugs with the café logo from her backpack.

"Here’s your wages for the month and two small keepsakes from me."

The stack of money was twice as thick as the previous 4000 British Pounds.

Uesugi Sakura knew this was a salary far exceeding his own worth but understood that Miss Anna was the type of British person who doesn’t like to refuse.

So, he had no choice but to accept it.

Miss Anna patted his shoulder and said in a rather lively tone:

"Love also needs a view and fresh air. I hope you use this money to take care of Hanabi, take her to see more of the world. Everything you do for her is her happiness, as a woman, I understand this well.

"I really like her, and these two mugs are proof that you visited my little café.

"I hope that when you drink tea or water, you’ll remember that you used to have a cup at my Soho café every day."

After saying this, Miss Anna smiled at him.

Uesugi Sakura: "Miss Anna."

"Haha, no need to thank me. Seeing you all frequent the place in the afternoons has always made the café feel a bit warmer. Anyway, leave without worry, I might visit Tokyo someday!

"And don’t stop practicing the guitar! You’re the first student I’ve ever taught."

Facing Miss Anna’s cheerful smile, Uesugi Sakura also returned a gentle smile:

"Yes, I will, Miss Anna."

After changing out of his work clothes and cleaning the bar once more, he took a last look around the café.

Under the watchful eyes of Miss Anna, Mr. Blaise, and several staff members at the Soho café, Uesugi Sakura officially resigned.

Although his time there was brief, he had truly connected with them.

Mr. Blaise, who loved cats and traveling around the world with coffee and desserts.

Miss Anna, who loved money, played guitar, took care of her disabled husband, and gave him double wages even though he was new.

The time spent at the Soho café was short, but there was still a faint reluctance to leave.

Perhaps this is what people call bonds.

"Make sure to bring Hanabi to see us before you leave tomorrow!"

Shouldering his backpack, Uesugi Sakura turned around and saw Miss Anna and everyone under the sign decorated with vines at the Soho café, waving back and saying:

"I certainly will."

————————————

Returning to the villa beside the fountain square where Hanabi lived.

Beside a trickling hot spring, the saxophonist, dressed in a top hat, was still lost in his music.

Uesugi Sakura met Mrs. Margaret, who had just arrived at the door to say goodbye.

"Mrs. Margaret."

"Are you leaving?" Mrs. Margaret looked at his face.

"Yes, Hanabi has everything prepared. She’s completed her competition agreement with her teacher and will submit that painting."

Mrs. Margaret: "I heard the winning painting will be exhibited at the London Art Museum. If Miss Hanabi succeeds, many will witness her effort and talent."

"For Hanabi, it’s more about effort."

Uesugi Sakura was very grateful to this lady in her seventies who came to the house daily to prepare breakfast and dinner with Hanabi for everyone.