Episode 6: "A Little Spark"

"That's enough for today."

The factory manager's voice came from behind me.

"Yes, sir."

I answered, though in my mind I was thinking,

I'm in the middle of welding...

Already?

I wanted to keep working a little longer.

But business had been slow lately, and overtime had become a rare luxury.

...

When I stepped into the locker room, the young women who had been chatting and laughing suddenly fell quiet.

"Good work today."

"See you tomorrow."

Their voices overlapped as they greeted me.

While I was changing, Wakana, the president's daughter, walked in.

"Long day, Tsubaki?"

"Sure was."

"We haven't walked home together in a while. How've you been?"

"I'm doing well."

Wakana and I had joined the company in the same year.

Maybe that was why there was never any awkward distance between us, even though she was part of the owner's family.

Outside, the early autumn breeze felt refreshing.

The thoughts that had been circling endlessly in my head about work finally began to settle.

Wakana smiled.

"You really are always thinking about work."

"Is it really that much fun?"

"Huh?"

I laughed.

"I... guess it is."

"I mean... maybe."

"Yeah..."

"I think it is."

She looked at me and burst into laughter.

"What are you talking about?"

"Are you even awake?"

"I am!"

I laughed too.

Come to think of it,

it really had been a long time since we'd walked home together.

Seeing the amused look on Wakana's face,

I couldn't help laughing with her.

"You really are different, you know that?"

"Am I?"

"And you think you're one to talk?"

We both laughed again.

"You know, Dad was praising you today."

"He thinks very highly of you."

"He's giving me far too much credit."

"The factory manager said something too."

"I don't really understand welding, but he said that besides him, you're the only one who can do this particular job."

"Are you really that good?"

I shook my head.

"Of course not."

"There are plenty of people who are better than I am."

As we talked,

I could feel my thoughts drifting back toward work again.

Trying to shake them away, I said,

"By the way..."

"Are you free this Sunday?"

"We haven't gone anywhere together in ages."

"How about lunch in Yokohama?"

Wakana smiled apologetically.

"Sunday won't work."

"The man I met through that matchmaking introduction..."

"I promised I'd see him again."

"I see."

"Well... that can't be helped."

She grinned.

"Then ask one of the girls from work."

"You're surprisingly popular, you know."

"I bet you've even gotten love letters."

I pulled a playful face.

"Love letters?"

"In this day and age?"

"Not a chance."

Wakana watched Tsubaki and smiled.

She's beautiful...

They had started together as office workers.

Yet somehow,

before anyone realized it,

Tsubaki had chosen the factory floor,

preferring to spend her days covered in soot and sparks.

At this rate...

She might become a master welder before she ever thinks about getting married.

The evening sun painted Tsubaki's profile a brilliant shade of red.

"See you tomorrow, Tsubaki."

"See you tomorrow."

Tsubaki smiled and waved.

Wakana stood there,

watching until her friend disappeared around the corner.

The autumn breeze

felt just a little colder.