Welcome to Tenderness!
A quaint seaside town in Kitakyushu, Mojiko is full of hidden delights. And one unexpected treasure is the 24/7 convenience store, Tenderness.
At first glance, it's a store like any other.
Sure, it's a bit odd that the handsome manager has his own fan club. And perhaps the customers are somewhat eccentric. But there's a warmth about Tenderness that draws you in.
The bright lights are always on. The employees know you by name. And the shelves are stacked with delicious treats, from strong hot coffee to sweet parfaits, egg sandos to ramen, crispy fried chicken to refreshing soba.
After a while, you get the feeling that whatever you need might just be waiting for you here...
Celebrating the joy of connection and community, The Convenience Store by the Sea is the heartwarming international bestseller from award-winning Japanese novelist Sonoko Machida. Translated by Bruno Navasky.
Final copy to come**
Located in a quiet port called Kitakyushu Moji Port, the Tenderness convenience store is always noisy. Women who claim to be fans of the handsome store manager, Mitsuhiko Shiba, swoon over every word and gesture. Only Mitsuri Nakao, another employee, seems immune to his charms, allowing her to watch his interactions with customers of all ages with interest.
The story is set in a convenience store, a friendly and ordinary place where the lights are always on 24 hours a day. It tells the pleasant and warm stories of the convenience store's customers and employees.