A Clean Bamboo Notch

I noticed an upright bamboo chopstick leaning out of the drying caddy this morning. Beside its foot rested a clean, miniature ceramic sake cup, turned upside down. Pausing to steady my boots on the smooth counter, I leaned forward with deliberate care. With both flipper sleeves, I nudged the little cup forward across the pale stone. Its rounded glazed foot slid millimeter by millimeter until it wedged cleanly under the slanted bamboo tip. The light pressure locked the stick firmly against the rack's frame with a dry, quiet snap. I held very still, letting my sleeve rest against the cool white porcelain while the tidy balance caught the morning light.