Three years ago, she left home shouting, "I'm going to become a top-class soba master!" Until then, she had always obeyed her parents, attended school, and taken a job at a company they approved of. Everything changed during a company trip to a small soba shop in Togakushi, Nagano. That experience completely transformed her life. When she saw the menu, she couldn't hide her shock—only three items: "zaru soba," "oroshi soba," and "soba dumplings." For someone who had lived her entire life swayed by others' opinions, it was a revelation. Yet she could feel the chef's pride and dedication, and the taste was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. She was deeply moved to learn they used filtered mountain spring water. The soba, tightened with cold water, glistened beautifully. Dipped in a slightly sweet sauce, it released a delicate aroma that made her smile involuntarily. It was incomparably delicious. In that moment, she knew—she wanted to become a soba artisan. She decided to quit her job. Her parents strongly opposed it. Her mother wept, lamenting, "You were such a good girl all this time..." while her father trembled with rage. But she was grateful. She just didn't want to keep living a life dictated by others. She had expected this reaction. She had already resolved to leave home. Becoming a master soba chef would surely earn her parents' approval. With that dream of repaying their kindness, she walked out. Two months later, she found herself standing in the kitchen of a soba restaurant. Rejected countless times for her age and lack of experience, it was her sheer passion that finally moved the owner to accept her. Starting completely from scratch, her dedication was beyond measure. She took early morning trains for training, sometimes staying overnight, completely absorbed. She endured harsh criticism, nearly breaking down many times. But the thought of returning to her old self kept her going. Three years have passed, and she still feels she hasn't reached the taste of that unforgettable soba from Togakushi. Yet there have been moments her master acknowledged her progress. Her dream is to recreate that cherished flavor and open her own shop. Then, she believes, her estranged parents will finally accept her. To raise funds for that dream, she decided to participate in this production. Today, we hope she works just as hard—replacing her rolling pin with a meaty rod.