Before We Forget Kindness

In the fifth book of Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s heartwarming series, we return to the familiar, narrow backstreet of Tokyo. Inside the mysterious Cafe Funiculi Funicula, four new travelers prepare to take the seat that defies time. This time, the journey is not just about closure, but about the small, often-overlooked acts of kindness that can mend a broken heart. You will meet:

• The father who struggled to let his daughter walk down the aisle.
• The woman who missed her chance to give a Valentine’s gift to the one she loved.
• The boy who wants his divorced parents to see him smile one last time.
• The wife cradling a child with no name.

Follow the rules, drink the coffee, and remember: no matter how much you change the past, the present remains the same—but you may leave the cafe a different person.

Author: Toshikazu Kawaguchi

He was born in Osaka, Japan, in 1971. He has built a distinguished career as a producer, director, and screenwriter for the theatrical group Sonic Snail. His prowess as a playwright is showcased in acclaimed works such as COUPLE, Sunset Song, and Family Time. Kawaguchi’s transition from stage to page was marked by the extraordinary success of Before the Coffee Gets Cold. Originally written as a play for 1110 Productions, the story won the prestigious Grand Prize at the 10th Suginami Drama Festival before being adapted into the million-copy bestselling novel series that has touched the hearts of readers worldwide.