15 Chapter 15: The Ramen Guy

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" The door opens to reveal a maid and the moment she saw me, her hospitality faded away, "What do you want?" Finally, something normal.

"Afternoon to you too. My name is—"

"I know who you are."

"Uh, seems like it," I laugh, "I'm here for the, uh, scheduled interview with Mr. Yuki from my school about his work." Let's see if this excuse will work this time.

The maid deadpans me, "Mr. Hatsu did not mention any scheduled interview scheduled today. He's not even active anymore." Guess not. "So, excuse me—"

"Wait a second." An old, husky voice reveals himself. A gray-haired, stuffy man goes to the door and spoke, "Karen, are you really going to shut off one of our beloved guests from the Harrison household?" Don't know why but his aura reminded me of Uncle Iroh from The Last Airbender.

"Mr. Hatsu! You shouldn't leave your bed, you should be resting!" Karen demanded.

"And you should show some respect to Mr. Harrison," he says in a bold tone. He turned to me and said, "Come on in, Karen will be getting both of us some Green Tea."

He definitely reminds of Iroh.

Karen shot me a look before scurrying to the kitchen. Mr. Hatsu smiles and gestures for me to come inside and I do.

"I wouldn't have expected you to visit me one of these days, Rhys Harrison, but I'm delighted to see you." He comments while walking slowly with a cane I just now realized.

"Glad to be here, Mr. Hatsu."

Kinda.

We were both walking at a slow pace, but I was busy observing his home. The room I entered in was completely different than the room I'm about to enter. The interior design seemed very Japanese culturally based and old, but gorgeous. The floor was dark wood and the scent of the area smells like plants I have never smelled before. It feels like I'm in Japan right now.

I'm not one for being a fan of architecture and place… structures but this is legit one of the best houses I've ever seen. And this is like one of the only houses I've been to in Winterville. Even so, it's very different that usual interior designs I would see, and I was just blown away by things I either know or have absolutely no clue of. The vibes just felt relaxing. For this exact moment, I do feel slightly peaceful. After gushing around town, it feels like I really did hit a jackpot. Except for Karen's behavior towards me (even though I am already used to it).

He coughs, "Oh, how rude of me. Just call me Yuki."

I notice he takes his shoes off and walks to the another type of wooden-floored room bare-footed. I do the same and he comments, "That's kind of you, Rhys. You know, the last time I saw you, you were a baby. You must have not known much about me, now, have you?"

"Didn't know at all. How do you know me, Mr. Ha—Yuki?"

"I hope you have time, because that's a really fun story."

I mean, I do have time, but I have a feeling I'm going to be stuck here for a longer time than I would like. This was my decision anyway, so I'll have to push through. We both finally enter inside, and it looks like a Japanese tearoom. On the side, there was one of those low table which I think were called Kotatsu. I cower because I realized I might have to kneel or sit on the floor the entire time, and I do not do well with that.

It took me a while to notice, but apparently, and thankfully, there were sofas. After him, I also sit comfortably but we were both silent for a second as Yuki catches his breaths.

Yuki tries to calm down for a moment. I ask, "You okay?"

"I'm fine, being old just takes a little toll on you."

When he replied, Karen goes inside the living room with a tray of a tea set. She sets them down on the small coffee table in front of us and pours the cups with a dark green, oozing tea. "Thanks." I simply say, but she shoots me another look.

"Thank you, Karen." Yuki says sweetly.

Karen replies with the fakest smile on her face, "Of course, Mr. Hatsu. Enjoy your scheduled interview. I will just be here if you need anything." And she leaves the living room immediately.

"Scheduled interview?"

"Oh, I just said that so she would let me talk to you. I do actually have a lot important questions to ask you if you're cool with that."

Yuki grabs the teacup and relaxes on his seat, "Of course! I've been preparing for this. How did you find me, anyway? I haven't had any visitors lately."

"I went to the ramen shop you were working because your name sounded familiar, and I chimed all the way 'til I ended up here. Oh, and I bought this for you." I hand him the ramen I accidentally bought, "I know you technically already worked there, but thought I'd give you a gift." Smooth.

"I didn't just work there Rhys, I own the place!"

"Oh, I didn't know that." This is awkward.

"No worries. I understand your gran Prim's memory must be fuzzy by now." He laughs.

"So, wait, how do you know about us again?"

"Ah, well, to start off and answer your first question, your family and mine are relatively close. I've talked to your father and his father a bunch of times before he left. Why did he go, if you don't mind answering?"

I was surprised that even he wouldn't know even as apparent close friends. I struggle to find the right words, "Uh, I don't exactly know, too. He just left, I guess. But it's fine." I awkwardly laugh. He gives a concerned look and I change the topic, "So, how did our families start to get close, Yuki, sir?"

"Before that, I suppose you do already know about a few things."

"Well, I know that your relative, Haku, approached my great grandfather Jacob that one time. They were going to do some research on… something important. That's all."

"That is quite a short information there, but you're right. I trust that you know what it is they're researching about, right?"

I nod.

"Then, let's take you back about a century ago."