This summer, we will be opening our second store in Aoyama, Tokyo. I remember it was around April because I was still wearing a thin jacket, but we were planning to open a store in Aoyama in one to two years, so I went to Aoyama with Kamei and other shop members to check the average rent prices. That was all there was to it, so it was completely unexpected, but we all fell in love at first sight with the small building along Gaien Nishi Dori. It's a small, four-story building, and although it's compact, the floors are divided so it seems like a variety of experiments could be done. The exposed concrete, which looks dilapidated in places, creates a nice atmosphere, and I really liked the fact that it has the same smell as a manufacturing site as the main store in Ogikubo. "What do you want to do? It was amazing, wasn't it?" "No, no, I haven't prepared or planned anything." "But maybe we'll never meet again?" "No, no, isn't it too early right now?" If it's not something we can talk about sober, we'll talk for 30 minutes while drinking beer. "It'll work out! Let's give it a try!" And so the decision to open a store was made quickly. Looking back, it was 20 years ago when Kamei and I were just 25 years old and preparing to launch KOMA. I remember walking around the Aoyama area many times with a longing look in my eyes, dreaming of what I wanted to be like, what I wanted to make, and what kind of store I wanted to own, something that was far beyond my reach. Over the next 20 years, my relationship with Kamei went through many ups and downs. Within a year, they had a falling out, then started again, and there were times when they couldn't accept each other, but Kamei's attitude of never running away when things got tough has saved KOMA many times. After all those twists and turns, we've now come to have a deep respect and trust, and I believe we've become the best of partners. I understand that all of this is the result of his efforts and patience with me, a shitty person. Oh yeah, the Aoyama branch has a small rooftop. Kamei said this with a beer in hand in a place that could be described as tiny. "I never imagined back then that I would actually be able to open a store in Aoyama." "Anyone can open a store," she said, laughing at my curt response. "You're such a good guy, you're even happy for a moment!" says Kamei as usual. "What is our purpose in doing this? It's only going to make things even more difficult than they are now," I said. "The greater the hardship, the greater the fun!" Kamei is the clumsiest when I'm in doubt, but he always gives me straight-forward words. That's why I always feel like I have no choice but to do it. Looking around, there are many taller buildings, and even though it's a rooftop, the view isn't that great, but I like that it feels just right.
