Chapter 1: Izumi

Tokyo, Japan

2024

20:35

"Thank you for coming!"

I waved the last two customers goodbye and cleaned the table where they sat after them, with a deep sigh I finally set down to eat my own meal before I closed down the shop. It had been a long, slow day, I couldn't wait to go home and finally....

"Oh, hello! Are you still serving some ramen? I'm starving!"

My head turned to the door to see a man shake off umbrella causing raindrops to fall on the wooden floor. "I would like what you're having." He pointed to the bowl in front of me.

"Actually, I was about to close but...I can make an exception for you." I put down my chopsticks and turned the stove back on for the man who's attention had turned to the bar.

"Man...I think I could use a drink or two..." he examined the bottle between his slender fingers and before I could offer him a glass he took a swig straight from the bottle.

"Hey! I can give you a drink but don't come into my shop and drink straight from the bottle, those are for the other customers as well!" I poured the ramen into a bowl and put in on the counter as well as the chopsticks.

"I'm very sorry sweetheart," he started "I haven't had a good day you see." He ran his finger through his bleached blonde hair and sighed. "My boss is after me." He took another swig of the bottle putting it on the table before him and began to eat the freshly made ramen.

From what I picked up it sounded like he was a Yakuza member, what other boss is going after their own workers right?

"It's not my job to put my nose in the lives of strangers but, I hope your boss isn't gonna be too harsh on you." I shrugged as I sat down to eat what was left of the remaining ramen in my bowl.

After a long time he hummed as a response to me.

"Hmpf, I don't think so...but thank you for the meal! It was very delicious!" He put some money on the table and grabbed the bottle before he walked towards the door.

"Gotta go now, guess I'll take this one with me if you don't mind, Izumi."

My eyes widened, I never told him my name....

I watched him slowly turn around with an eerie grin plastered on his face.

"Right, Izumi?"