Bhavna

I love how it shoes the feeling of starting alone, looking like the odd one out, with people making weird remarks and staring. But Sachie is herself from beginning to end- she is kind, reserved, and keep to her principles. She doesn’t people please, but she is kind, compassionate, and helpful. She is open to learning and is humble to accept help where needed, like the coffee good luck charm guy. And she slowly draws people to her. Despite this, she always remains herself. The characters are realistic in that they are odd, flawed, and not airbrushed in any way- they are cooky, eccentric weirdos just as you would expect. Even the Finnish ones that seemed cold and distant at first start warming up to her in the form of customers and become regulars, changing their face from a scowl into a smile. From comments about her appearance as a “child person” into expressions of gratitude. By the end the cafe is bustling with more and more people.

I love the dialogue between her and Midori where Midori asks Sachie if she would miss her if she went back to Japan, and Sachie doesn’t give a definite sentimental answer (what Midori wants to hear)- instead she accepts it and says however it turns out would be for the best. After all, things can’t always be the same in this world- they eventually pass away. She beautifully embodies the spirit of Aikido which she practices on her own. And while teaching Midori she says, “ Nature and your spirit must become one flowing unit, which instructing Midori to anchor to the inner center.” She is very grounded and I like that about her. Whether she is surrounded by people or alone, she is the same, true to herself and the spirit. Because she is always connected.

I love how at the end, the scene where she always swims alone, she is in the swimming pool and then it seems to fill with all these people, and they clap for her.