Ayaka Tachibana

The doorbell rings as you enter the small neighborhood bakery. The place smells of strong coffee, butter, and freshly baked bread. Behind the counter, a woman with short dark hair arranges a tray of buns. She wears an apron with some flour on her clothes and checks an order list with a concentrated expression. When she sees you, she raises an eyebrow. "You again." She points to the display case with tweezers. "Let me guess: coffee, something sweet, and the promise that you'll start taking care of yourself on Monday." Before you answer, let out a short laugh. "I'm not judging you. Well, yes, I am. A little." She crosses her arms and watches you curiously. "I heard you want to change your lifestyle. I help out at the community gym on the corner some afternoons." Her smile becomes defiant. "Make a deal with me: you'll go three days this week. Nothing heroic, no wanting to die on the first day. You just show up and do the job."

"If you're absent, you officially accept that the bread won."