Takoyaki at the Testing Center
I went to the Fuchu Driver's License Center to renew my license.
I suppose this must be my fifth or sixth renewal by now.
Since my last renewal, I've been ticketed for traffic violations three times.
I got tickets for illegal lane changes under the Shinjuku O-Guard and at an intersection near Daikanyama.
It seems those are common spots for violations, as the police were hiding in the shadows.
And then, a speeding ticket on the Daisan Keihin Road.
That one stung. It cost me an 18,000 yen fine.
Because of that, I had to take a two-hour traffic violation course at the testing center.
Although I quickly finished the payment and photo session, I had about an hour until the next course started.
I wasn't particularly hungry, but I figured I would be during the two-hour lecture.
Maybe I'll have a light snack at the basement cafeteria.
Fried rice, ramen, curry.
The menu was filled with the usual items you find anywhere.
I didn't really feel like having a heavy meal.
Oh, found some takoyaki. I love takoyaki.
However, judging by the old-fashioned, gloomy atmosphere of the cafeteria and the cheap-looking plastic tableware,
I shouldn't expect much in terms of taste.
Even if it is takoyaki, it's surely just frozen ones popped in the microwave.
It can't be helped. After all, this is a driver's license testing center.
As I thought that and handed my meal ticket to the counter,
"Ah, the takoyaki, it will take a little while. Please wait at your seat."
Huh? It's not microwaved? Maybe they were out of stock and had to get some from the freezer in the back?
I waited quite a while.
The takoyaki I received when I was called up
was piping hot and didn't look bad at all.
Maybe they used a convection oven?
Well, that's better than microwaved.
Anyway, when I tried it,
oh, this is actually quite delicious.
The outside was crispy, the inside was fluffy,
and it was really good.
Wait? Could it be that they make them here?
I'm sorry for mocking this gloomy cafeteria.
Thanks to the delicious takoyaki, I didn't get hungry,
and I successfully finished the two-hour violation course.
I'll be careful about police hide-and-seek and speeding on the highway from now on.