Selection of Bestselling Novels from Japan II

Author: (Japanese) Akiyama Akiko / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Alright, our Miki Kuni, finally starts to seriously encounter a girl. She is a waitress at the soba restaurant opposite the gym he visits every day, where he often goes for lunch. Miki first became aware of the girl's existence on his fourth or fifth visit to eat there. However, to be more precise, he had a subconscious sense of her presence during his second and third visits—and this awareness had been subtly stirring within him until that day when he stepped into the restaurant and heard the greeting, "Welcome," which struck him as utterly beautiful. It wasn't a human voice but rather like a melodious, ethereal tune drifting from the cosmos. Miki was so captivated by the kind and pleasant voice that he felt as if he were dreaming, his body moving mechanically as he sat down at the table. Only when he was seated did he suddenly realize that the girl who had spoken was, though her attire offered no clues, definitely foreign. The girl placed a cup of water in front of Miki and asked cheerfully, "What would you like?" Her Japanese pronunciation was impeccable, and her speech—no, more accurately, her voice—was utterly unlike the repetitive, mechanical, and dull tones of the other waitresses. It was completely clear, without any hesitation or mispronunciation, like a lovely melody that resonated clearly in Miki's ears. Miki was instantly transported into a dreamlike state, unable to himself. From then on, every time Miki visited the restaurant, he would be enchanted by the beautiful voice, and the girl would always greet him with great warmth, a bright smile spreading across her face as she exclaimed, "Welcome." However, her smile and her voice were the same for every customer who entered the store. This always left Miki feeling somewhat puzzled. He was a regular at the restaurant, so was there perhaps something special in her smile? He watched as the girl, holding a cup of water, approached him and asked warmly, "What would you like?" Then she turned and relayed his order to the kitchen window, her back to Miki. Even then, her voice remained as melodious and pleasant as music. From behind her, her figure left a deep impression. Like most Japanese women, she was of average height, with the gentle and elegant demeanor of a young girl. Yet she was slender and graceful, her simple dress fitting her perfectly, her waistline smooth and refined, her legs straight, especially the delicate skin of her calves, which seemed supple and elastic. Her posture while standing was also distinctive. With her slender legs slightly apart, she stood firmly, exuding an air of dignity and composure. This posture was unique to Japanese women—Miki recalled the Japanese women he had known in the past and was suddenly moved by the girl's stance. Japanese women would inexplicably feel shy, standing with their legs tightly crossed and their weight concentrated on a single point, making their bodies appear unbalanced. This artificial and awkward mannerism had always repelled Miki from the bottom of his heart. Ah, yes, she was Chinese! As Miki gazed at the girl's graceful waist standing by the kitchen window, he suddenly made this realization. Her posture was exactly the same as that of the stout owner of a Chinese restaurant in Yokohama's Chinatown, who often crossed her arms over her hips and glared at customers with a stern expression—except for her expression and weight. The guests in the restaurant gradually became fewer. Seeing that there was nothing else to do, the girl sat down on a small chair by the window and picked up a book-like object from the table in front of her to read. However, as soon as a new customer entered, she would immediately stand up, and the beautiful, music-like "Welcome" would resound once again. This voice truly stirred Miki's heart to the core. P167-169