My days were a mess, both personally and professionally, and my fatigue had reached its peak.

Both my shoulders were as stiff as rocks, my breathing was shallow and irregular, and my fingertips were cold.

I n e e d a b r e a k────.

Normally, I'd grab a paperback and head straight for bed, but sometimes when I'm tired but feel like I could still move, I venture out alone.

───I'm going somewhere far.

───I'm crossing the sea.

And so, I decided to go to Miyajima. Even though it's in the same city as my home, the ferry ride makes it feel like a distant escape.

Actually, there was a particular shop I'd learned about through work that I'd always wanted to visit in my private time.

From Miyajima Pier, I made my way through the bustling Omotesando shopping street, turned into a narrow alley, and then climbed an even narrower set of stairs. Beyond that point, there were no people and no signs, so if you didn't know the exact location, you could easily get lost.

My breath grew a little short on the slightly steep stairs, and just as I began to worry, 'Am I even going the right way?', I finally reached the shop.

It was 'Tenshinkaku,' the scenic cafe run by Itsukiko Coffee, a coffee shop in Miyajima.

I passed through a small gate and entered the cafe, which was a renovated old folk house. Inside, it was a simple yet stylish cafe. The pricing system here is a little unusual: there's an admission fee of 550 yen per adult. In return, a cup of coffee is an affordable 110 yen, and once you've paid the admission fee, you can linger as long as you like, adding more drinks or cakes.

It's the perfect spot for people like me who declare, 'Today, I'm doing absolutely nothing.'

Above all, the view from the wooden deck terrace is magnificent.

There's no fence obstructing the view, allowing you to gaze out over the sea and greenery surrounding Itsukushima Shrine, as well as the Five-Storied Pagoda and Senjokaku, both popular tourist attractions.

While it is indeed a spectacular view, it's not so much a panorama as it is a slightly secluded, perfectly framed view of the cove, which gives it a wonderful 'locals know' or 'hidden gem' feel.

Several natural trees also grow on the terrace, giving it the ambiance of taking a break on a scenic mountaintop.

Perhaps because it was a weekday, the only other patrons were a foreign couple and one other solo guest, like myself.

The weather was clear, and the view was magnificent; a relaxed, warm atmosphere permeated the air, quiet yet completely free of awkwardness.

───Perfect, perfect.

I settled into a shaded seat overlooking the sea and opened the novel I was reading, while waiting for my ordered coffee.

Occasionally, birdsong echoed in the distance.

When my eyes grew tired, I'd look at the scenery or sip my coffee.

The couple, too, simply gazed at the view, not conversing much.

The other solo guest was reading a paperback, just like me.

No one disturbed anyone, nor did anyone move busily.

Under an unspoken 'let's relax' alliance, a comfortable sense of unity permeated the space.

"Oh."

As the novel approached its climax, I uncovered a certain 'amazing thing' hidden within the story, and a small sound escaped my lips.

───This is incredible.

Excited, I laid the book face down on the wooden table and exhaled slowly.

The calm scenery of the cove before me gently enveloped my unsettled self, caught between the narrative and reality.

Once more, I picked up the paperback, re-tracing the impact of what I'd read.

───They got me~...

I squirmed with delight, all by myself.

Though I didn't make eye contact, I felt an urge to share it with the couple and the other solo guest, as if to say, 'Hey, check this out!'

Chirp, chirp, a bird sang peacefully.

Leaving the shop, I descended the stone steps and once again walked through the bustling shopping street.

My mind was still full of the novel, but then the delicious aroma of sauce wafted from somewhere, making me turn around.

───I'm hungry.

I realized I was breathing deeply.