Dubious Quality

These cafes served some Japanese food, but they also served waffles and other traditionally Western foods. I like Japanese food, but I've never crossed the border into liking cold noodles for breakfast. 

Since almost every café served waffles, that became our go-to for breakfast. These were small waffles, mind you, not even Eggo-sized, but it was enough to get us started. Oh, and no syrup, either. Almost every café served honey instead, which I wound up liking very much. 

Part of that is how things taste differently in Japan. Apple juice tastes like nectar. Honey tastes like candy. Simple things that taste generic here (and are) taste wondrous in Japan. Don't even get me started on wasabi.

So we were having breakfast in this little restaurant, eating our waffles and playing Kings in the Corners (Eli 22.2's favorite new card game), and I noticed the song that was playing in the background. It had some distinctive sections, and I swear I'd heard it a few minutes ago. A few minutes later, it started again. 

"Is that song repeating?" I asked.

Eli nodded. "I think this is the fifth or sixth time," he said.

"What kills me is that no one else notices," I said, "All these employees and no one seems to know."

We kept playing cards, and it kept repeating. Seven times. Eight. Nine.

We'd almost finished the card game, and I pretended to be hearing the song for the first time. "Catchy tune," I said, looking at Eli. "I wonder if we'll hear it again."

He burst out laughing. A few seconds later, the song started again, which sent both of us into laughing fits. I had tears running down my face from laughing so hard.

We didn't get a chance to go back, but I bet that song is still playing.