It's a normal day in the cafe - Taro and Maki are fighting, Minagawa's trying out a new cake, Toku tries to juggle 13 orders at once, and Jun decided to take the old huge freezer out to the curb. But Master's been evesdropping on the customers too much, and his attempts at presenting the boys as normal don't end so well...


[Master]: Tokyo is Mushashino town. Here in Kichijyouji, the streets are lined with verdant green, and nostalgia hangs about the town. On one corner, Café Kichijyouji is a café known for its delicious cakes and tea. However, the cakes and tea aren’t they only popular items; the boys working there, too, are popular… supposedly…
[Girl1]: Ah, what a fashionable store!
[Girl2]: It’s just as their reputation said… I’m so glad we came here…!
[Master]: Hmmmmmm, a lot of customers have come today, too. If this keeps up, today’s sales will be the best of this month… Aah, right now the customers are lining up nicely. Recently, our reputation has been spreading farther I guess. Those guys were a good idea
[Taro]: Here’s your coffee
[Customer]: Thank you
[Girl1]: Hey, hey, isn’t that Taro-san?
[Girl2]: He looks so grown up, and kind… how wonderful!
[Maki]: Here’s your Darjeeling tea
[Customer]: Over here Maki-chan! How’ve you been?
[Maki]: Ah, you came again! That makes me happy
[Girl1]: That’s Ohkubo Maki-san over there, right?
[Girl2]: He’s so good looking, and such a fun person!
[Minagawa]: Here is your raspberry tart
[Customer]: Ah, thanks
[Girl1]: Ahh, that’s the infamous Minagawa-san?
[Girl2]: He has such a mysterious aura, and he’s so successful…
[Toku]: Um, I got two coffees, a Saint Marc, strawberry mille feuille, and, um, anyway, I brought ‘em all!
[Customer]: Um, I asked for lemon tea, not coffee…
[Toku]: Huh? Uh, seriously? Ah I’ll go exchange it right now!
[Girl1]: Ahh, that guy is Tokumi-kun, isn’t he!
[Girl2]: He’s amusing, isn’t he? So cheerful and energetic and cute…
[Jun]: All right, here’s your royal milk tea
[Customer]: Th-thank you…
[Girl1]: That last one is Jun-kun, right?
[Girl2]: In any case his face is so cute!
[Master]: Even looking out over the floor like this, over half the customers have come with Taro, Maki, Minagawa, Tokumi, and Jun in mind. They’ve brought in such a good lot… However…
(lightning strike)
[Master]: On the other hand, we can’t let the customers know that those boys have strange tendencies… (sigh) In order to avoid lowering our image, as Master I have to work hard to protect those tendencies from making themselves known to the customers. Hah, that is my bitterest struggle
[Customer]: No way, are you serious?
[Maki]: What’re you talking about? It’s true I tell you
[Customer]: No way, I don’t believe it!
(she and Maki giggle)
[Master]: Hm? Is that Maki? He’s really blind when it comes to girls
[Customer1]: Hay, wait a minute. Maki-san isn’t coming by here at all
[Customer2]: That’s discrimination. This is awful
[Master]: Ah, this is no good. The other customers are getting upset. But… I can’t really have him spend time with all the girls… Hm, there’s no other choice. I guess I’ll have him step away from the floor for a bit
(footsteps. Master clears his throat)
[Maki]: I’m telling you, you’ll get it if you come with me next time
[Customer]: Hmmm? What should I do?
[Maki]: Come on, it’s fine right?
[Master]: A-hem
[Maki]: Huh? Master, what’s up?
[Master]: Ah, Maki, a moment. We’re fine out here. Can I get you to help in the kitchen?
[Maki]: What? Now?
[Master]: Please
[Maki]: Ah, I understand…. Ah, I’ll see you later ladies
[Customers]: All right!
(Maki walks to the kitchen)
[Master]: (sigh) He’s a problematic one…
[Maki]: (sigh) Just a little more and I coulda had ‘em…
[Taro]: Hey Maki
[Maki]: What, Taro?
[Taro]: You know, you should notice before you have to be told
[Maki]: Notice what?
[Taro]: Don’t his on the customers during work! Separate your work from your private life!
[Maki]: That’s my choice, isn’t it?
[Taro]: You know…
[Maki]: Ah, so that’s it, I get it now
[Taro]: What?
[Maki]: Taro, you’re no good at those kinds of things. You’re jealous of me, aren’t you?
[Taro]: What? Who would be jealous of you?
[Maki]: Aah, the inferiority complex of an unpopular man is so unsightly. Get out of here
[Taro]: I’m not so handicapped that I can’t go without calling out to every girl
[Maki]: What, you wanna fight?
[Taro]: All right, bring it on! Let’s go!
[Master]: Maki! Taro!
[Taro, Maki]: Master…
[Master]: Can’t you be a little quieter? There are customers, after all
[Taro, Maki]: Aaahh…
[Customer]: Was that really Taro-san?
[Customer]: That kind, mature Taro-san…?
[Customer]: I wonder if we can change waiters…
[Master]: Um, anyway, for now will the two of you please take care of the kitchen? Huh?
[Taro]: Ah, yes. I’m sorry
[Maki]: Ah, come on Taro, let’s go
[Taro]: Don’t sound so high and mighty!
(they walk off)
[Master]: Man. If only Taro hadn’t snapped all of a sudden… He’s really a calm guy. Anyway, hiding them in the kitchen until they calm down is the thing to do now
[Minagawa]: Were you satisfied with our Charlotte Poire Chocolat?
[Customer]: Really… delicious… inspiring…
[Master]: Hm? Minagawa?
[Minagawa]: Is that so? I’m pleased. I’d like to thank you… I have here a brand new cake. If you would be so kind as to try this, as well…
[Master]: What? A new cake?
[Customer]: Eh? Minagawa-san’s…? I’d be happy to. I’ll eat it!
[Master]: Wait-wait a minute!
[Customer]: Huh?
[Minagawa]: What is it Master?
[Master]: Uh, a- a moment, Minagawa
(they step aside)
[Master]: Hey, you know…
[Minagawa]: Yes?
[Master]: Do you plan on selling that cake?
[Minagawa]: Yes, of course
[Master]: It doesn’t have any strange characteristics, right?
[Minagawa]: Huh?
[Master]: I’m asking if it’s safe!
[Minagawa]: Ah, I didn’t really… only…
[Master]: O-only?
[Minagawa]: It’s a bit… packed with squirming shrimp…
[Master]: What? Aah, uwah, uwooh!
[Minagawa]: (laughing) Aren’t they cute?
[Master]: M-Minagawa! You’re needed in the kitchen for a while too
[Minagawa]: Really? All right… Ah Master?
[Master]: What?
[Minagawa]: Our customers are, for the most part, female, so perhaps you shouldn’t shout…
[Master]: Huh?
[Customer]: Hey, that Master…
[Customer]: He’s kind of… weird
[Master]: Agh, why? … Why do I always…?
[Toku]: Okay, sorry for the wait!
[Master]: Huh? Woah! He’s…!
[Customer]: (giggling) Toku-kun! Over here, over here!
[Toku]: I brought coffee for 13 people, all at once!
[Customer]: Toku-kun, you’re amazing!
[Toku]: Hehe, I have confidence in my strength!
[Master]: That idiot, why’s he holding so many? … Oh!
(china rattles)
[Toku]: Huh?
[Master]: Toku!
(Master dashes as Toku begins to lose his balance)
[Toku]: Woah… the balance is… woah, I’m gonna spill!
(rattling of china)
[Master]: That was close
[Toku]: Ma-Master, that’s amazing! You caught all the ones I dropped!
[Master]: You know…
[Toku]: Your position right now looks kinda like one of the performers at New Years…
[Master]: So I’m Somenosuke and Sometaro*? Are you telling me to spin all these plates around larger than ever? Ah, never mind, you go to the kitchen too
[Toku]: Ah, but…
[Master]: Leave the rest to me. Please!
[Toku]: Oh, okay…
(he walks off)
[Master]: (sigh) Seriously…
(Master unloads the coffee cups. Clunking in the back ground)
[Customer]: Hold on, over there…
[Master]: Huh? Aaagh!
[Jun]: Ah, Master!
[Master]: What’re you doing?
[Jun]: Ah, this big freezer has been acting up, so I was going to take it outside
[Master]: Huh?
(Jun starts carrying it again)
[Customer]: Wait, that boy…
[Customer]: He has to carry such a huge thing…
[Master]: What!
[Customer]: Poor thing. The master here is like an ogre!
[Master]: kk… J-Jun!
[Jun]: Yes?
[Master]: I’ll carry the heavy things, you go to the kitchen, all right?
[Jun]: But…
[Master]: It’s fine
[Jun]: Okay… here
(Master’s spine cracks)
[Master]: Ooohh!!
[Jun]: Thank you!
(He trots off. Master struggles under the freezer for a bit, then drops it with a crash)
[Master]: Stuff this heavy… Is he really human?
[Customer]: What’s with that Master?
[Customer]: He’s so disorderly
[Customer]: Trying to stand out in front of young girls…
[Customer]: He’s creepy!
[Master]: kk… Why me?
[Customer]: Now that you mention it, the boys have disappeared…
[Customer]: No way! And I came here just for them!
[Customer]: Should we leave?
[Master]: Nnngh, shoot… I sent them all to the kitchen without realizing it…! I’ve got to bring a couple of them back out on the floor…
(he jogs back to the kitchen)
[Master]: Hey! I need someone on the… huh?
(pots and pans clattering, water rushing)
[Taro]: Ah, Master!
[Maki]: Crap!
[Taro]: Hurry up and fix this
[Jun]: What/ But…
[Master]: J-Jun?
[Jun]: When I turned on the water, the faucet broke…
[Master]: Did you do this?
[Taro]: Didn’t I tell you all those times? You’ve got too much brute strength so you have to regulate it!
[Master]: Aaaah, at any rate, stop the water! Uh, I’m sure the water main was over… Ah!
(squeaking faucet, the water lets up)
[Master]: Finally stopped it. I guess putting these guys in the kitchen was my failure…
(hissing)
[Master]: Wh-what is it now?
[Toku]: W-woah! I-I can’t stop the gas flow!
[Maki]: Ah, come on, move it! You can’t handle mechanical things!
[Toku]: It’s not mechanical; it’s just a gas valve!
[Maki]: For your muscle brain, gas valves are about as high-tech as a laptop… AAaaagh!
[Master]: Maki?
(slight crackling)
[Maki]: It’s safe now, Master…
[Master]: But you’re… burnt to a crisp…
[Maki]: I just got blasted a bit
[Minagawa]: (humming) …. And four more…
[Maki]: What are you doing, Minagawa?
[Minagawa]: I’m creating a new cake…
[Taro]: Aaaagh, you’re making something weird again!
[Minagawa]: I’ll call it “Face Wings Strawberry”
[Maki]: What?
(it latches on to Maki’s face)
[Minagawa]: It’ll attach itself to your face when you peek at it
[Maki]: (unintelligible mumblings)
[Master]: You, you guys!
[All]: Huh?
[Master]: This is saddening
[All]: Master?
[Master]: You know, listen up. This store, you know, it’s the store you guys raised! Especially! The girls, the female customers, the majority of them come to see you all. So for you to go all to pieces, and send the store all to pieces… Please. You guys. Please, be just a little more aware that you’re the ones holding this shop up! Please! If you don’t, I… I can’t…
[Taro]: Master… I’m sorry
[Maki]: I apologize too. I wasn’t doing it on purpose
[Jun]: I didn’t realize you saw us like that…
[Toku]: (crying) I’m touched!
[Master]: … So… you guys understand?
[Maki]: Yeah, our eyes have been opened
[Taro]: Okay everyone! We can’t cause any more trouble for Master. From now on, let’s do this with spirit!
[All]: Right!
[Minagawa]: Well then, I’ll spiritedly get to work on my new cake, right away…
[Maki]: That, we don’t need
(back out front)
[Customer]: Hurry up!
[Customer]: Excuse me!
[Customer]: Isn’t it ready yet?
[Customer]: Where’s my chamomile milk tea?
[Customer]: Hey, what’s up with this?
[Customer]: How long are they going to keep us waiting?
[All]: Sorry for the wait!
[Cstomers]: Huh?
[Taro]: I’ve brought your cappachino
[Maki]: Here’s your chamomile milk tea
[Minagawa]: Here is your chocolate parfait
[Toku]: Here’s your club sandwich
[Jun]: Here’s the seasonal cake set
[Customers]: Kyaaaaah!
[Customer]: They’re so cool!
[Customer]: The boys at this shop are so amazing…
[Customer]: We’ve got to come again
[Customers]: yeah!
[All]: Thank you very much!
(short pause)
[Master]: Ah, good work everyone
[All]: Thanks
[Master]: Today’s sales were the highest this month. Thanks!
[Maki]: Well, we can attribute that to my good looks. Hey Master?
[Master]: Hm?
[Maki]: You should give me a special bonus with my pay
[Taro]: What are you talking about, stupid?
(clang!)
[Maki]: ‘kk. That wasn’t anything to hit me about!
[Taro]: Master, we should be the ones thanking you. Thanks to you, our eyes were opened today
[Master]: Nah, nah. I’m pleased with the sales, but more than that I’m pleased that you would say that. While this is my store, it’s your store too. If we’ve come a little closer because of today, it was really a good day
[Jun]: Being told that all over again, it kinda makes me blush
[Toku]: Really, really
[Minagawa]: Well then, let’s make today an anniversary and create a new cake
[Maki]: I’m telling you, we don’t need that!
[Master]: (chuckles) Anyway, good job today. I expect good work again tomorrow!
[All]: Right!
(they troop out)
[Taro]: Ah, that’s right. Master, before I forget
[Master]: What is it?
[Taro]: I calculated this, just in case
[Master]: Calculated?
[Taro]: Well then, see you tomorrow
(the bell dingles)
[Master]: Yeah… What’d he calculate? Woah!.... Cost of breaking the gas valve, cost of breaking the water faucet, cost of the bad freezer and breaking the floor, etc, etc, add that all up and…? It’s far more expensive than today’s sales! We’re completely in the red. I know I said I’m happier with their feelings than with the sales but…! With this, how can I…? I knew it, those guys are… unforgivable!!!

END.

*Ebiichi Somenosuke and Ebiichi Sometaro are brothers who juggle and perform comic stunts at New Years