"お料理をお楽しみいただけなかったことが残念です。"
I'm sorry you weren't able to enjoy the meal.
Kenji looked toward the unfinished dishes.
His expression became sad.
Then he quietly answered.
"私もです。"
So am I.
He left.
The shoji screen closed.
And the private dining room became silent.
For several seconds, Amara stood perfectly still.
Then she looked toward Sachiko.
The elderly woman studied her face.
"Are you all right?"
Amara nodded.
But her eyes were wet.
Sachiko approached.
Then placed both hands around Amara's.
"You handled yourself well."
Amara tried to smile.
"I wanted to throw the soup at him."
Sachiko laughed unexpectedly.
A warm, genuine laugh.
Then she squeezed Amara's hands.
"Hiroshi would've been proud that you didn't."
Amara began crying.
Not because she'd been frightened.
Not because she regretted identifying herself.
But because Masaru's comments about her mother had struck a place in her heart she still protected fiercely.
Sachiko pulled her into an embrace.
For a while, the young owner and the elderly woman stood together beneath the lantern light.
Then Ayaka appeared from the kitchen.
She looked toward the scattered dishes.
Her face changed.
"What happened?"
Amara wiped her eyes.
"We need to talk."
The staff gathered after the final guests departed.
Kenta sat near the back of the dining room.
Maiko stood beside the entrance.
Ayaka remained near the kitchen.
Sachiko sat at the head of the table.
Amara placed the evening's menu before her.
Then explained what happened.
She didn't dramatize the encounter.
Didn't imitate Masaru's insulting tone for entertainment.
And didn't ask the staff to feel grateful that their owner had defended the restaurant.
She simply described the questions, the language he used, the way he'd handled the tray, and his comments concerning the proposed acquisition.
Kenta looked frightened.
"Does that mean he'll stop trying to buy us?"
Amara considered.
"I've declined the offer."
He nodded.
"But his company?"
She looked toward him.
"He may continue looking for ways to acquire the business or influence the property arrangements. We're going to handle that through our legal and commercial advisors."
Kenta swallowed.
"Can he make us close?"
Amara shook her head.
"Not simply because he wants to."
Maiko looked toward her.
"But he could cause trouble."
"Yes."
Amara didn't pretend otherwise.
That mattered to the employees.
They didn't need a dramatic speech promising that everything would be fine.
They needed an owner who understood the risks.
Amara continued.
"We'll review our supplier relationships, financing, and property agreements. I also want everyone to tell Maiko or me about any unusual requests or statements made by Kuroda representatives."