At the beginning of February, the streets of Tokyo still have a feeling of spring cold, and although the weather has gradually warmed up, it still gives people the feeling that spring is not yet approaching and winter has not yet passed.

Walking through the streets of Ikebukuro, it is common to see groups of male and female students strolling here after school, and the streets are full of youth and energy. As one of Tokyo's most famous business districts and transportation hubs along the Yamanote Line after Shinjuku and Shibuya, the streets of Ikebukuro are lined with numerous department stores, electrical appliance stores, fashion stores, movie theaters, restaurants, and amusement centers. In recent years, due to its repeated appearances on the stage of TV series and novels, especially those young people who pursue fashion have been eagerly looking here.

In the novel "Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park" written by writer Ishida Yoshira, which appears as the background of the novel, next to the inconspicuous coffee shop of Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park in Toshima Ward, a woman who looks to be about 30 years old, with long hair neatly tied into a ponytail, exudes a mature and intellectual atmosphere, slowly stirring the coffee in front of her with a small spoon. Her eyes didn't stop at the coffee in her hand, but on the cold, dimly lit West Exit Park across the street.

The music playing in the café is not the usual soothing soft music played in a coffee shop, but a rock-inspired "Don't Throw in the Defeat".

"Don't Throw in the Defeat" is a well-known song in Japan, and although it is a bit inappropriate to put this kind of music in a coffee shop, the energetic vocals of the singer inspire everyone who hears it.

In 1993, shortly after the end of the bubble economy and the "lost decade" of long-term economic stagnation, the people were under much greater pressure than before, and it was against this backdrop that "Don't Admit Defeat," with its moving whirlwind and positive lyrics, symbolizing tenacity and spirit, was born. The sincere "hold on" in the lyrics is very contagious, so it has become the motivation in the hearts of many people to move forward bravely and not admit defeat. Since its release in 1993, "Don't Throw in the Defeat" has not only been favored by many television programs, but has also received support from the educational community and has been enjoyed by men, women and children of all ages. Whether you're lost or want to rejuvenate, this song gives the listener courage and vitality, and pushes people forward.

負(ま)けないでもう少(すこ)し

Don't throw in the towel, it's just a little bit off

最後(さいご)まで走(はし)り抜(ぬ)けて

Please keep running until the end

どんなに離(はな)れてても

No matter how far away

心(こころ)はそばにいるわ

My heart will be with you

追(お)いかけて远(はる)かな夢(ゆめ)を

Chasing that distant dream

何(なに)が起(お)きたって

Come what may

ヘッチャラな顔(かお)して

They all look like they don't care

どうにかなるサとおどけてみせるの

Jokingly, there's always a way

Listening to this song, the woman couldn't help but hum along. There were no customers in the café at the moment, and the manager listened to the woman's humming and couldn't help asking, "Guest, are you also a fan of Sakai Izumi-san?" ”

The woman smiled, neither affirming nor denying, but asked rhetorically, "Does the store manager Sang like this song very much?" ”

The store manager, who looked to be a bit old, smiled and said in a nostalgic tone of nostalgia, "Of course, at that time, the bubble economy had just ended, and the whole of Japan was in a state of economic downturn. I was also laid off from the company at that time and lost my job. "When I mentioned that period of time, which was dark for the whole of Japan, the store manager's face was full of emotion and memories that had gone a little bit.

The woman did not interrupt the store manager's memories, but smiled and listened quietly to the store manager's narration.

"At that time, I also felt that my whole life had lost its purpose, I didn't know what I was living for, and I was so confused that I even thought about suicide at that time." When the store manager said this, he smiled self-deprecatingly: "At that time, I was sitting in the West Exit Park opposite, and I had even thought of a way to commit suicide. But I happened to hear the song "Don't Admit Defeat" humming by a young man, which made my whole body feel like electricity. After shuddering, I suddenly woke up, and the lyrics of the "don't admit defeat" made my whole body feel like I had been injected with courage. 'Don't throw in the towel', just a simple phrase, made me re-energize and find a job as a waitress in a coffee shop again. At that time, whenever I felt lost and depressed, I would listen to this song to give myself the courage to regain my courage. Later, with the support of my wife, I opened this coffee shop, and it can be said that this song changed my whole life, and I became one of Sakai Izumi-san's most loyal fans. ”

Looking at the store manager who was recounting the past in front of her, a trace of joy and relief appeared in the woman's eyes, put down the small spoon in her hand, took a sip of coffee, and after a slightly bitter taste, it was a sweet and mellow aftertaste.

"It's a pity that Sakai Izumi-san withdrew from the entertainment industry five years ago due to physical reasons, and I can no longer hear her voice of courage and vitality that can arouse people's hearts." When the store manager talked about Sakai Izumi, the singer of "Don't Admit Defeat", his tone was filled with nostalgia and regret that could not be concealed.

"Ah, I'm sorry, let you listen to my uncle nag about these old things." The store manager patted his head, bowed to the woman and apologized, took out a plate of dim sum from the bar, put it down in front of the woman, and said: "In order to thank the guests for listening to my nagging, and also thank the guests for your love of this song "Don't admit defeat", this small snack is considered a giveaway." Try it, my wife made it herself. After saying that, the store manager smiled happily.

The woman smiled and picked up a small snack and put it in her mouth, the sweet taste filled her mouth, she smiled and squinted her eyes, and nodded at the store manager: "It's delicious, the store manager must have a virtuous wife." ”

"Haha, thank you for your compliment." The store manager accepted the woman's praise with a smile: "Then don't disturb the customer, please use it slowly." ”

When the manager returned to the bar, two more women pushed open the door of the coffee shop and walked in. They seemed to know the woman, and after saying hello, they sat down.

"It's been a long time, Sachiko." Ruodie chuckled and looked at the leisurely and quiet woman in front of her, and greeted her after ordering a drink for herself and Nana Hashimoto.

"Is this the girl you are talking about? It's a girl idol.,The image is very good.。 The woman, known as Miss Sachiko, also smiled and greeted Wakadie, while her eyes lingered on Nanami Hashimoto.

Seeing that the woman in front of him was paying attention to herself, Nanami Hashimoto hurriedly introduced herself: "Hello, I'm Nanami Hashimoto. ”

The woman looked at Nanami Hashimoto, who was a little nervous, and smiled, and joked to her, "Will a girl idol be nervous in the face of an ordinary person like me?" Then when you perform on stage, don't you have to cry nervously when you face the meal? ”

The woman's joke made Nana Hashimoto let go of her nervousness, covered her mouth and smiled, and said, "Because Wakadie-san introduced that Miss Sachiko, you are a senior, so you are a little nervous." ”

At this time, the store manager came over with the coffee of Ruodie and Nanami Hashimoto, and after putting down the coffee, the store manager looked at Nanami Hashimoto and asked with some uncertainty, "Are you a member of Nogizaka 46?" Did you climb Mt. Fuji recently? ”

Nanami Hashimoto hurriedly nodded and said, "Yes, I'm Nanami Hashimoto from Nogizaka 46." Does the store manager know us? There was unconcealed joy in his tone.

"Haha, it's the stinky boy at home who is your meal, in order to buy your CD, this stinky boy who is usually too lazy to even ask his mother to wash his socks will actually go out to work to earn money." Although the store manager complained about his son, he couldn't hide a proud smile on his face. The woman who was called Sachiko and Wakadie looked at the store manager with a bright smile, and they both felt the store manager's pampering and pride in their son.

"If that stinky boy knew that his idol came to the store today, he would definitely regret that he didn't listen to me and came to the store to help." The store manager seemed a little embarrassed, but for the sake of his son, the store manager still said, "Well, although I'm embarrassed, can I ask Miss Hashimoto to sign for my son?" If that stinky boy knew that Miss Hashimoto was in the store, I wouldn't have asked him for an autograph, and he would have been messing with me again. After saying that, the store manager was embarrassed to take out a signature board and a marker.

"It's okay, it's an honor for us Nogizaka 46 to have such a faithful meal as the son of the store manager, San." Nanami Hashimoto smiled and took the signature board from the store manager's hand, picked up the marker and asked the store manager, "What is the name of the store manager's son?" Do you need me to write something? ”

"Shunsuke, my son's name is Shunsuke." The store manager hurriedly said, "Miss Hashimoto, you can just write a few sentences, I'm already embarrassed to bother you." ”

Nana Hashimoto wrote the signature board carefully, and after handing it to the store manager, he looked at the store manager with some envy and said, "I really envy the store manager San, your son, having such a loving father." ”

Nanami Hashimoto's words made the store manager blush, and hurriedly went to the bar to put the signature board away, and served a plate of snacks for Nanami Hashimoto and them.

The woman known as Sachiko looked at Nanami Hashimoto and said with a smile: "The current girl idol is really amazing, not only can it sell millions of orders, but it also attracts countless young people to chase it." The store manager still claimed to be my faithful rice just now, but he didn't even recognize me, but the moment he saw Hashimoto-san, he asked for an autograph for his son. ”

"Huh? Is the manager-san Sachiko-sato's meal? Was Sachiko-san an artist before? Nana Hashimoto covered her mouth in surprise.

Ruodie listened to Sachiko's words, chuckled and said, "Who made Sachiko hate being on TV so much?" Even when you were most famous, no one recognized you when you walked down the street, let alone now, five years after you retired? You say yes, Miss Sakai Izumi? ”

"Huh! Sakai spring water mulberry? Nana Hashimoto exclaimed in surprise without suppressing her voice.