Before The Coffee Gets Cold

Summary and Analysis- The Sisters

In Part III of the novel, Toshikazu Kawaguchi introduces a unique twist to the cafe's time-traveling
experiences. A teenage girl is the sole customer in the cafe, and she has traveled from the future, though
her purpose remains unclear. Both Nagare and Kazu are struck by her presence and beauty, yet they have
no knowledge of who she's waiting for. The girl, when asked by Nagare, insists that she's not expecting
anyone in particular. Nagare, eager to impress her, serves her toast with his renowned homemade butter,
offering it as a complimentary treat. However, his excitement deflates when the girl doesn't acknowledge
the butter's deliciousness, leaving him disheartened.

Kazu returns from a gynecology appointment and is captivated by the girl's allure, yet she remains oblivious
to the girl's identity. Subsequently, Kei arrives, having been to a convenience store, and shares her joy about
the appointment, indicating her still-flat stomach with a peace sign. The girl watches the interaction between
Kei and Nagare, her expression warm and enigmatic. Later, the girl surprises Kei by requesting a photo
with her, capturing the moment with what appears to be a transparent business card. As Kazu takes the
photo, the girl quickly finishes her coffee and transforms into steam, making way for the return of the
mysterious ghost woman.

This occurrence is the first of its kind, where a customer comes back to the cafe with the intention of meeting
one of the cafe's staff members. The narrator reiterates the rule that nothing in the present is altered due to
such visits from the future; any events, even a potential tragedy, lead to a surreal intervention to preserve
life. As a result, Kazu remains unfazed by visitors from the future, as their actions have no consequential
impact. The cafe staff, it appears, possess a deeper understanding of these temporal occurrences and their
purpose.

Kohtake makes her entrance, and Nagare addresses her as Mrs. Fusagi, indicating that it has been three days
since she received her husband's letter. However, she's disappointed to find her husband isn't present at the
cafe, as she had planned to walk him home. She orders coffee prepared using the pour-over cone drip
method, a testament to the cafe's attention to detail in catering to individual preferences.

The theme of grief resurfaces when Kohtake inquires about the absence of Hirai's snack bar, which is
typically open every night. Nagare reveals that Kumi, Hirai's sister, died in a road accident, and
consequently, Hirai went back to their family's inn on the outskirts of Sendai. Nagare learned this tragic
news from a matter-of-fact email sent by Hirai herself.

Hirai arrives at the cafe, attired in mourning attire and requests glasses of water, which she drinks one after
the other. Hirai, though outwardly composed, expresses the emotional burden of her sister's unfortunate
death. When questioned by Kohtake about her early return from Sendai, Hirai explains that her parents
blamed her for Kumi's accident, as it happened after Kumi's visit to Tokyo. Her parents refused to engage
with her at the funeral.

The narration delves into Hirai's perspective, revealing how she learned of her sister's death from an email
sent by the head waitress at the inn. Hirai's immediate arrival at her family's home was marked by a sense
of shock, as she found her father, who had not spoken to her in thirteen years, in the presence of Kumi's
body. Hirai's dispassionate observations at the funeral included an exchange of eye contact with her mother
without any verbal communication.

Hirai shares her deep sadness with the cafe's occupants, particularly Kohtake, who reaches out to offer
solace. Kei gives Hirai the letter that Kumi had left with her three days earlier, and as Hirai reads it, a single
tear rolls down her cheek. The letter indicates Kumi's persistent hope and desire to see her sister again.
Hirai is moved by Kumi's unwavering faith in her and her repeated visits to Tokyo to try and reconcile.
Hirai expresses her longing to return to the past.

The revelation of Hirai's pain and guilt unfolds as Kazu offers a solution: using the cafe's time-traveling
abilities to go back to that fateful day. Hirai, despite being aware of the cafe's rules, recklessly grasps the
ghost woman's arm in her desperation to change the past. As a consequence, the ghost woman curses her,
leading to Hirai's temporary paralysis.

To rescue Hirai from her predicament, Kazu employs a clever strategy, serving the ghost woman coffee
after coffee until she needs to use the restroom. Hirai is then able to reclaim her seat. In the process, it
becomes apparent that the ghost woman is bound by certain rules and cannot refuse a coffee refill, even if
it makes her uncomfortable. The ghost woman finally leaves her seat for the restroom, freeing Hirai from
her temporary paralysis.

Hirai seizes the opportunity to fulfill her promise to Kumi, which involved returning to the inn and mending
the broken relationship with her parents. As she vanishes into the swirling steam, the cafe's staff watches,
and Hirai's emotional transformation and reconciliation are palpable.

The section concludes with Hirai's arrival in the past, a moment of time travel, where she interacts with
Kei, Fusagi, and her sister, Kumi. Hirai surprises Kei by expressing her willingness to speak with her sister,
despite her previous avoidance. Kumi appears, and Hirai's initial efforts to communicate leave her sibling
puzzled. Kumi orders multiple items from the cafe's menu, and they sit together.

In a poignant revelation, Hirai realizes that Kumi's dream was not about personal aspirations but rather to
run the family inn alongside her sister. This understanding leads to a heartfelt moment where Hirai holds
back her true feelings and instead conveys gratitude and affection to Kumi.
The time-traveling experience concludes with Hirai back in the present, tearful yet content, having had a
chance to mend her relationship with her sister, albeit in the past. She pays for her coffee and leaves, with
the intention of returning to the family inn. Kei's lingering thought hints at her inner struggle, particularly
as she rubs her stomach, leaving a question about her own choices and challenges.