Author's Notes

Being the child of naturalized Japanese-Koreans that migrated back to South Korea before she was born, Jo Sana (Japanese name: Minatozaki Sana) grew up speaking Japanese in their home and Korean outside with her friends in their quiet neighborhood in Daegu. Visiting her grandma's place (and mother's hometown) in Osaka has been the highlight of her Summer every year because Sana always did tea ceremonies with her grandma and takes care of new plants for fresh tea bases. But as she grew older, Sana had acquired different hobbies but she still never missed the tea ceremonies though her visits became shorter.

For the first time in the 19 years of her existence, she will be staying in Osaka not for vacation but for a job. Since it'll be her last vacation before entering Kyunghee University in Seoul, her parents gave her the freedom to choose between going to college in the fall and inheriting her grandma's tea business.

Osaka is known for their takoyaki and Sana's job is hidden within an alley of a line of takoyaki specialty restaurants and other food restaurants. Passing by them has been familiar for her ever since she was a little girl whenever she visits Osaka. Then on one fine summer day, she sees a striking yet calming figure in one of the takoyaki stands at the streets...