《Lamp 021》 Here, I am not a reporter, a subordinate, or a young girl; I am just a customer.

"Daily Lunch Special" (Listener B ②)

A short walk from the editorial office, there is a coffee shop called "Gaslight."
It has no flashy sign, just the feeling of a place that has been there forever.
At lunchtime, it fills up nicely with local office workers and elderly regulars.

My only pleasure is eating lunch here.
In particular, their daily lunch special costs 1,000 yen, but I think it's worth it.
Every day, I ask for the menu, place my order, sit in my seat, and for a while, I don't think about anything.

It's only a short amount of time, but that's something I can rarely do at the editorial office.

Megumi-san, who works behind the counter, is someone a little special to me. For me, having come to Tokyo, Megumi-san was like a mother figure.

She doesn't say anything particularly special.
"That sounds tough," or "Don't push yourself too hard," and so on...
But that is enough.

I don't tell her everything that happened at the editorial office.
I tell her about half of it, like a funny story.

Megumi-san doesn't deny it.
"That's not your fault, Hikaru-chan."
Just with that, the things that had been piling up deep in my chest loosen up a little.

The food is brought over, and I eat while talking with Megumi-san.
Steaming miso soup and flavors that are a little on the strong side.
Only during this time can I feel that I am still okay.

Here, I am not a reporter, a subordinate, or a young girl,
I am just a customer.

When I finish eating, I say, "Thank you for the meal."
Megumi-san replies, "Come back again."

With those words at my back, I return to the editorial office once more.

The moment I open the door to the editorial office, the air changes.

The editor-in-chief is standing in front of my desk, waiting.
I can tell just by looking that he is irritated.

"Hey."

Even though I have a name, that is how I am addressed.

"I've got a good scoop."
"It's about someone who always looks like they're in the right."
"These are the most dangerous ones."

Without waiting for my reply, the editor-in-chief continues.

"You, go and get it."

Where I am going, or what I am going to ask about, at that point,
I still don't know everything.

The scent, the taste, and the voice from just a moment ago fade away.

I pick up my bag and stand up.
After all, he did say, "Go and get it."