Before the coffee gets cold
Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a heartwarming novel set in a small Tokyo café that offers its patrons a unique opportunity to travel back in time. The story revolves around four main characters, each with their own reasons for wanting to revisit the past. The novel explores themes of love, regret, and the importance of living in the present.
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Keypoint 1: The Time-Traveling Café
Nestled in a quiet alleyway in Tokyo, the café Funiculi Funicula is not just any ordinary coffee shop. It holds a mysterious allure, drawing in patrons with the promise of a unique experience: the ability to travel back in time. However, this extraordinary opportunity comes with its own set of peculiar rules and limitations. The café's time-traveling feature is not widely advertised, known only to those who have heard whispers of its existence.
The process of time travel in the café is both simple and complex. Patrons must sit in a specific seat, one that is usually occupied by a ghostly woman who occasionally vacates it. The journey back in time is limited to the duration of a single cup of coffee, hence the title 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold.' Once the coffee cools, the traveler must return to the present, regardless of whether they have achieved their purpose or not.
The café's rules are strict: travelers cannot leave the café during their journey, and they cannot change the present. These constraints ensure that the past remains untouched, preserving the timeline as it is. Despite these limitations, the café offers a rare chance for individuals to confront unresolved issues, express unspoken words, or simply relive a cherished moment.
The atmosphere within Funiculi Funicula is one of warmth and nostalgia, with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the soft chatter of patrons. The staff, aware of the café's secret, maintain a respectful distance, allowing each traveler to embark on their personal journey without interference. This unique setting becomes a sanctuary for those seeking solace or closure, providing a brief escape from the complexities of life.
In essence, the time-traveling café serves as a metaphor for the human desire to revisit the past, to mend broken relationships, and to find peace with one's choices. It reminds us of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of cherishing each moment, as once the coffee gets cold, the opportunity to change the past slips away.
The process of time travel in the café is both simple and complex. Patrons must sit in a specific seat, one that is usually occupied by a ghostly woman who occasionally vacates it. The journey back in time is limited to the duration of a single cup of coffee, hence the title 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold.' Once the coffee cools, the traveler must return to the present, regardless of whether they have achieved their purpose or not.
The café's rules are strict: travelers cannot leave the café during their journey, and they cannot change the present. These constraints ensure that the past remains untouched, preserving the timeline as it is. Despite these limitations, the café offers a rare chance for individuals to confront unresolved issues, express unspoken words, or simply relive a cherished moment.
The atmosphere within Funiculi Funicula is one of warmth and nostalgia, with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the soft chatter of patrons. The staff, aware of the café's secret, maintain a respectful distance, allowing each traveler to embark on their personal journey without interference. This unique setting becomes a sanctuary for those seeking solace or closure, providing a brief escape from the complexities of life.
In essence, the time-traveling café serves as a metaphor for the human desire to revisit the past, to mend broken relationships, and to find peace with one's choices. It reminds us of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of cherishing each moment, as once the coffee gets cold, the opportunity to change the past slips away.
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