Anime World?

[A/N: Happy New years everybody, I specially made the chapter long but I've got more in the back!]

Word Count: 2502

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'Resturant Yukihira?' I read in my mind realising the name. 

It was pretty familiar.

Too familiar...

Looking at the place with a sceptical look and a few questions, it didn't take long before Grandpa nudged me forward and we entered.

*Creak*

Making my way inside I took a look around the restaurant and immediately felt its "homey" vibe. It had a warm feel while an oaky smell permeated through the place. In front of me were some short stools that ranged from left to right which also turned a left corner. Above them was a long table that made a rectangular closed-off area which I assumed was the kitchen.

'The kitchen is empty, they must still be prepping some stuff.' I thought turning to my right where the rest of the tables are.

"Let's sit in the corner where they cook, I'll help you order some food and we can watch them make our meals." I hear Grandpa say with a slight excitement in his voice. Watching as Grandpa made his way to I assume his usual spot, I followed right behind him.

The place had multiple seats arranged in many different ways and was hard to describe, but everything was somewhat packed and made of wood. In all the place looked pretty aesthetically pleasing with a "minka" design.

Taking a seat we suddenly heard a voice coming from the back.

"Souma! There are customers outside, go and greet them!" An energetic woman's voice could be heard shouting. With an imaginary sweat going down my face, it didn't take long before a boy with spiky red hair with small bangs entered through a door in the kitchen.

Watching as the character I recognise as a young Yukihira Souma enters with some menus in his hand, the recognisable signature clothing he would keep on wearing when he was older was still being used. He had a black shirt with the Yukihira logo on the back and left chest area of his shirt and to pair with it was a white apron over his waist.

He didn't have the famous headband yet.

"I'm sorry ma, on the way!"

My eyes widen at the confirmation of the anime character in front of me.

'His mother is still alive right now.' I thought hearing his first words while walking towards us inside the kitchen.

As he approached he suddenly got a glint in his eyes seemingly in recognition. Looking at him, his eyes stare back at mine while squinting. Souma rubbing his chin with his fingers suddenly widens his eyes in some sort of realisation.

"Hey, you're from my school!

You are the giant that always sits in the corner of class. I've tried to talk to you so many times but you always ignore me!" He bluntly says making me raise an eyebrow at the situation I'm being thrusted into. Amused by his words and the situation overall, a raised eyebrow could be seen on my face.

"Shouldn't you introduce yourself?" I respond nonchalantly.

Yukihira who heard my question showed a signature smile which could probably light up the whole shopping district. "My name is Yukihira Souma, at your service!"

'Damn, how much did I ignore homie to get a wide smile like that.'

Grandpa who was off to the side just stayed silent not talking which made me curious about what was going through his mind right now. But my questions were answered as a woman whom Souma looked like a mini-version of, appeared behind him.

The only difference was her brown hair.

"Oi you have to greet them properly Souma, I'm sorry for his actions." She chuckles while shaking her son's hair. "Here's the menu."

Grandpa Tokei taking the menu just nudged my shoulder to also take one. "It's fine Tamako he's still young, how old is little Souma now."

'They're on a first-name basis huh? He must be a regular here.'

Souma who was being suffocated by his mother tried to complain but got manhandled while having his hair harassed. Watching the pouting kid, I couldn't help but smirk at his unfortunate predicament.

"Hey, I'm not a ki-" Before that sentence could be finished Souma's head was pushed downwards making him bow in apology.

"He's currently ten and from what I heard a bit ago my little boy is in the same class as your... child? Hey old man aren't you too old to have a ten-year-old son, Also what are these unfair genetics!" She says seemingly pissed as she was probably shorter than me.

Grandpa Tokei with visible veins budging out of his head couldn't keep it to himself.

"Listen here I'm still young! And no Ego over here is my grandson, he will be living beside me from now on as has amnesia." He responds in a "gangster" manner which made me look at him with a surprised Pikachu face.

'You learn something new every day.'

Tamako after getting the answer she wanted just showed a smug look and didn't question further probably out of respect. After a few seconds of back-and-forth looks, she just grabbed Souma by the back of his shirt.

"Well if that's the case then he can befriend Souma, my little kid is too mischievous and out of control to make any friends. Maybe the calm and cool Ego can handle him." She says looking at my lax face.

Seeing her gaze I just nodded in approval as there was no reason to say no. Souma would honestly be an annoying friend but if we actually became buddies he would have my back.

Interacting with him can build my low social battery higher.

'This is real life though, so I'll need to get to know him first and not depend on the anime.' I thought looking at the mother and son duo. My mind couldn't help but inwardly laugh seeing the squirming ginger being dragged to the back of the restaurant.

"Dad help me, mother is going rogue ag-!"

Ignoring the child being dragged away I shift my focus back to Grandpa who coughed into his closed fist to get my attention? 

He might have a stern look but I can recognise that little embarrassed gesture anywhere.

"I recommend the Beef Stew with some rice on the side, but there's an item from the secret menu called Mackerel Onigiri Chazuke if you want to try it." Grandpa Tokei says in a monotone voice.

Taking a good look at the menu which included food such as Transforming Furikake Gohan, Mapo Doufu Meal, Chef's Specialty Fried Rice and many more. The images on the menu looked extremely enticing and I was drooling just at the looks.

Grandpa seeing my non-functioning expression just ended up tapping my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"I'll buy you The Beef Stew and the Chef's Special Fried Rice alright? We'll bring whatever you don't finish home."

Hearing this was like music to my ears as I just frantically nodded. It didn't take long before we made up our minds and a man entered from the back rooms. Recognising this man as Joichiro Saiba or known as Joichiro Yukihira right now, my anticipation started to skyrocket wanting to eat his meals.

The guy currently has long, brown hair which is swept back, besides on set of a single bangs that hanged over his face.

'I better not moan like a quick shot when I eat.' I off-handedly though not too concerned.

"Hello, Joichiro it's been a little bit!" Grandpa says giving the man himself a quick nod.

Joichiro seeing this showed a wide smile. "It's been a little bit Tokei how's your business going so far?" 

Watching the two men converse like Asian mums at a random location, I started to tune them out and just stared at the kitchen in front of me. The place was unexpectedly spacious.

Their conversation went on for a few minutes before I heard my name mentioned.

"So Ego what do you want to be when you're older," Joichiro questions me out of the blue. Hearing this textbook answer when you don't know how to talk to a child, my mind already had an answer.

"I want to enter the NBA and become a billionaire." I honestly answered, which made both guys blink multiple times. While Grandpa Tokei was a little confused by the NBA part he definitely understood the latter.

For Joichiro who has been overseas and to many different countries, a league like the NBA well known to him which surprised the man while the latter part kind of went over his head. With both men being interested in two different things I've said I clarify.

"I want to become a professional basketball player and then use the money to be an entrepreneur and investor. I'm already pretty tall so a sport like basketball wouldn't be too bad of an option." I say making both men nod in approval.

In theory, it wasn't a bad idea if pulled off correctly but the chances of making the NBA in itself or being able to capitalise on the situation is even harder. On top of being successful after that, it's honestly somewhat taken care of by my future knowledge.

Creating a game like Flappy Bird or using Bitcoin for liquid funds in the future could help.

Like a lot...

A statistic I heard back in my past life was that 17% of 7-foot people in the world were in the NBA which seems false.

2-3% seems more believable but being 6'11 and basically seven foot with shoes on, I've got a better chance. But because of this there will be some problems like coaches trying to make me a center which I will decline, the minimum is a Power Forward.

While I plan to be an overall player who can do anything, being center is the last position I'm willing to fill. Remembering some frustrating coaches from my past I inwardly frown.

"The NBA huh, you'll need to be the cream of the crop to compete with those monsters. I remember working for a player a little bit." Joichiro says making my eyes shine. Already expecting my interest Joichiro leaned forward with a smug look immediately reminding me of the small ginger from before.

'So that's where he gets his cockiness, then his happy-go-lucky attitude is from his mother.' I thought amused.

"Who did you cook for?" I question with a clear interest in my voice.

Joichiro hearing this just rubs his chin in thought. "His name was David Robinson I believe, he just won the NBA championship last year. Quite the monster he is at 7'1."

'Damn, his connections all over the world are serious.' I thought with my eyes practically bulging at the information. Ignoring his amused expression my immediate thoughts were to fanboy but realised a small problem.

*Grr*

"We should probably order food now." Grandpa thankfully intercepts as both of our bellies were grumbling at this point. "One Beef Stew, Chef's Specialty Fried Rice and Mackerel Onigiri Chazuke."

"Alright, coming right up! Honey a number 5, 20 and your specialty!"

Not before long Tamako came back to the kitchen with her and Souma's future signature headband. The ingredients were all laid out and they were about to start cooking our food, while this happened a certain ginger took a seat next to me.

"Why haven't you gone to school in a while?' Souma questions. 

'Why does this kid's cheek look so chubby.' I thought distracted which made Souma tilt his head in even more confusion.

"Hey are you still the-"

*Szzzzzzz!*

All three of us seeing Tamako and Joichiro get to work immediately switched our attention. At this point, I couldn't tell if Souma had ADHD or we both did, but that's not the focus right now. A few seconds after Jouchiro started to cook a wild smell started to emanate from his side of the kitchen.

"Oh, Dad's starting to cook!"

"Hey, Souma who's the better cook out of your parents?" I say with my eyeballs stuck to the kitchen. Souma who heard this did the same for me and kept on looking with interest.

"I'm the best. Mum told me so!" He responds with a pout, crossing his hands. Chuckling at his reaction and complete dodge of my original question, we started to converse a little more.

It was actually quite easy to converse with him ironically even with my low social battery, it wasn't too hard to keep up with the conversation as it mainly included our favourite things. 

Not before long the food ended up being served which looked extremely delicious. While I'm a bit suspicious of the fried rice because Tamako cooked it, the beef stew was guaranteed to be a certified banger.

"Itadakimasu..." I heard Grandpa whisper to which I quickly did the same. There was no reason to be a dick head and be disrespectful so I respected the little custom.

While prepping my utensils the Yukihira family were all watching us with anticipation. Little did we know they weren't the only ones watching as there was a small crowd shushed behind us looking eagerly.

"Eat the fried rice first." A stranger said to which I got a little confused but ended up doing it anyway.

Taking my chopsticks and getting to the friend rice first, I take my first bite.

'Hot!' I thought opening my mouth for a second to cool the food. Starting the chew the food I could tasty the dish was, it was hard to describe but the rice had a sauce?

Feeling not only the heat but a little spice from the dish I couldn't help but grab the bowl and stuff myself with more. The crowd and the Yukihira family watching had a small grin while some men in the back had different expressions.

"Damnit she made a good fried rice today!" One man said in devastation.

"I told you she messed that dish up too much to fail now haha!" Another man chimed in making a few more chuckle at the amusing situation itself.

Ignoring the outside world my dumbass was just scoffing down the rice like my life depended on it. Joichiro who saw the sauce on the rice got a curious expression and looked at his wife which screamed "I want to know"

"I added msg, soy sauce, chilli oil with teriyaki sauce." She said with a proud look. Her husband looking at her with doubt obvious on his face just shrugged, in the process making her pissed off.

"How would that even work." He grumbled to himself.

Souma seeing the growing conflict tip-toed out of the kitchen to save himself. But to his ire, Tamako did an immediate head turn with glowing eyes.

As the unfortunate ginger had goosebumps, Grandpa and I were enjoying our food as the restaurant started to gain more people.

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