The Replacement Helper

Tanaka is an owner of a boxed meal(bento) store. A hard working man but has a soft side in him. 'A customer retained is better than getting a new customer.' He lived by that motto ever since he started this bento store. He would wake up early and start his business way before any of the other shops open for business. He is a of small build with spectacles. Unlike those big boss who treats his employees with an iron hand, Tanaka treats them like his family, sometimes too close to even reprimand them. Such is the soft side in him. It's kinda sad that Tanaka is not married, his cooking can be compared to those big name chefs working in hotels and restaurants. Any lady who is married to him will definitely enjoy his wonderful cooking.


There are a total of four people working there. Tanaka himself as the head chef of the bento store. Mrs Oniji and Ms Shiori, the former wife of Mr Oniji and the latter their daugther, are both his kitchen helpers. They help Tanaka with his preparation of the ingredients of all his bentos. Then there is Mrs Dohmoto, a friendly and lovable person who mans the counter of the store. She is in-charge of the cash register since Tanaka trusts her the most. But its not just the trust that Tanaka has for her, its her smile and friendliness that brings in customers daily. Customers always comment on her friendly approach and her smiles to everyone, it makes them feel good to buy from her. As business is picking up, Tanaka decides to hire one more helper just to assist him in the lunch hour orders. He puts up a sign outside his store, 'Part-timer Wanted'.


Ms Atchara, a young girl of 21 years. A rounded face with almond eyes and a nice tanned skin tone. She is a foreign student from India, she arrived in Japan to study. But her family is poor and her school fees are paid by some company that will hire her on a 10-year contract when she finishes her studies. If not, she have to pay a fine for breaking the contract. So for monthly expenses she decided to take up a part-time job in the district near her place. She ate at Tanaka's place once and decided to work there, due to his amazing fried chicken bento. So morning she will have her classes at the university, during afternoon she helps out at Tanaka's bento shop. When evening comes, she buys a dinner bento and proceeds to her Japanese language class. Sometimes she works at the pub to serve drinks during the weekends. What a hardworking girl she is...


Everyday Tanaka would open the store, his employees would arrive later and they will start to make bentos of all kinds. In the afternoon, Atchara would come and help out in the kitchen. The afternoons are always chaotic with people lining up his store to purchase those tasty bentos he makes. The cash register would ring non-stop with cash going in and change going out. At the kitchen, sounds of pot and pans clanging, water running from the tap to wash used utensils, sizzling sounds from the oil on the pans and the frying of prawns, chicken patties and other things fills the kitchen. When evening comes, a special bento is made for Atchara and she leaves the shop for her language class. As for the rest, they help Tanaka to pack up his store before heading home to prepare dinner for their family. Tanaka would be the last to leave, he counts his daily earnings and inspect the kitchenwares before locking up everything and heads for home. His dinner is simple, a packed bento cooked by himself. Life is simple for Tanaka. So as he thought when chains of events assualt him faster than he can react...