Secret Ramen Shop

Ryo had barely settled into his office when Emi noticed the crowd of reporters gathering outside. Their cameras and microphones were poised, ready to bombard him with questions about the recent incident that had put the Harada Corporation in the spotlight. Ryo glanced out the window, his expression unreadable.

He knew leaving the office would be impossible unless he was ready to answer dozens of questions that might negatively affect him, as well as the company. 

"We can't let them catch you right now, President," Emi said, her voice tense. "They'll twist whatever you say. It's better to avoid them altogether."

Ryo nodded in agreement. "Let's use the back door. It is there for an emergency like this."

Emi led the way to a secret door at the end of a hallway. This wasn't just any door—it was a personal exit, known only to a few trusted employees. The Harada Corporation had built it to ensure that the company's top executives could slip out unnoticed during emergencies or high-pressure situations like this.

The drivers and the bodyguards were already there when Ryo left the secret door, so he didn't have to stay there any longer, since he could do his remaining tasks online or just leave all of them to Emi.

Once they were outside, away from the prying eyes of the media, Ryo felt a little more at ease. The tension in his shoulders eased as they made their way to the car waiting for them in the alley.

As the driver pulled away, Ryo noticed that Emi seemed unusually quiet. "Is everything okay, Emi? You seem lost in thought."

Emi hesitated for a moment before answering. "I was just thinking about my family... They've been asking when I'm going to settle down. You know, get married, start a family of my own. I don't know if I'm ready for something like that."

Ryo raised an eyebrow curious that she opened up to him like that. "And what do you tell them?"

Emi shrugged, her expression unreadable. "I tell them I'm too busy with work, which is true. But I know they're worried I'll end up alone."

Ryo nodded, understanding her dilemma. "You shouldn't rush into anything just because people expect it of you. Marriage is... complicated. If you feel like you're not ready, don't allow anyone to force you. Itis your life after all."

Emi glanced at him, curiosity in her eyes. "You sound like you're speaking from experience."

"Haha! I'm 25 years old. Do you think I have marriage experience?" Ryo tried to smooth things out knowing he muttered something out of his character.

Emi feeling a little bit closer to her boss, thought about asking about the woman called Akemi, but before she could do that, the silence in the car was broken by the unmistakable sound of Emi's stomach growling. She blushed, embarrassed. "I skipped breakfast. Too much on my mind."

Ryo chuckled. "We should stop somewhere to eat."

Emi quickly shook her head. "No, we can't. The media might spot us, and it'll cause more trouble."

Ryo thought for a moment, then suggested, "What about a small place? Somewhere off the beaten path where we can eat in peace."

At first she heavily disagreed thinking Ryo would find places like that not matching for his status, but after seeing how changed he was Emi considered it, then nodded. "Alright, but let's make sure it's really out of the way."

As they continued driving, Ryo spotted a small ramen shop tucked away on a quiet street. It looked modest, almost rundown, but something about it caught his attention. "Driver, stop here," he instructed.

The car pulled to a stop a short distance from the shop. Ryo took off his coat and loosened his tie, trying to look more like an ordinary businessman than the head of a global corporation. He turned to Emi. "We should blend in. Take off your jacket, and let's go in like normal people."

Emi looked at him, surprised by this sudden change in his demeanour. This wasn't the Ryo she was used to—the stern, commanding presence that everyone feared. This Ryo seemed... different. But she didn't question it. She simply nodded and did as he suggested, following him into the small shop.

As they entered, they were greeted by a little girl with light brown hair, no older than seven or eight. She smiled up at them with bright eyes and led them to their seats, handing them menus with a polite bow.

"She's so well-behaved," Emi remarked as she watched the girl. "You don't see that often these days."

Ryo smiled, though his thoughts were elsewhere. He watched Emi, noticing the way her eyes softened as she looked at the child. It was a side of her he hadn't seen before—one that made him wonder what kind of life she might have had if she weren't so devoted to her work.

"This woman! Am I really going to make her one of my victims? for my own advantage," He thought about the consequences of his actions, possibly Emi losing trust in everyone but he steeled his heart.

They sat down and opened the menus, scanning the options. The ramen selection was simple but tempting. After a moment of consideration, they both decided on the house special, a bowl of rich, steaming ramen that the menu promised would warm their souls.

The little girl returned to take their order, her small hands holding a notepad that seemed too big for her. Ryo couldn't help but smile as he handed her the menu. "I'm curious," he said to Emi after the girl had left. "If the server is this little girl, who do you think the cook is?"

Emi chuckled. "I'd guess her mother or father. They must be running this place as a family. You don't see that much in big cities anymore."

Ryo leaned back in his chair, feeling oddly relaxed. "You're probably right. Family-run places like this have a different kind of warmth to them. It's something... I think I've missed out on."

Emi glanced at him, a slight frown on her face. "Your family would be furious if they knew you were eating in a place like this. You know how they are about appearances."

Ryo clicked his tongue dismissively. "I don't care what they think. They've controlled my life for too long. Maybe it's time I start living for myself."

Emi was taken aback by his words. This wasn't the Ryo she knew, the man who always put pride and family above all else. There was something different about him today—something that intrigued her, even if it made her comfortable to be with.

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their food. The little girl placed the steaming bowls of ramen in front of them, smiling shyly as she did.

"Thank you," Ryo said, returning her smile.

As they started eating, they were both surprised by the rich flavor of the broth. The ramen was far better than they had expected from such a modest-looking place. The noodles were perfectly cooked with a little bit of chew, the broth was savory and complex, and the toppings were fresh and generous.

The one Ryo ordered was Miso, and Emi ordered a Tonkotsu Ramen with some sides, that could help to cleanse their palate.

"This is amazing," Emi said between bites. "I never would have guessed a place like this could serve food this good."

Ryo nodded in agreement, savoring the warmth that spread through him with each mouthful. It was a simple pleasure, but one he hadn't allowed himself to enjoy in a long time. "I want to meet the chef," he said after a while, looking at Emi. "If the food is this good, I want to thank the person who made it."

Emi smiled. "I'm sure the little girl will be thrilled to introduce her parents."

True to her prediction, when they asked to meet the chef, the little girl dashed off with an excited grin. She returned a moment later with a woman who looked to be in her early thirties, with the same bright eyes and warm smile as her daughter. Her hair was tied back in a simple ponytail with the same colour as her daughter, and she wore a well-worn apron that hinted at years of hard work in the kitchen.

With a beautiful face that radiated both kindness and confidence, she had a natural allure of a mother that was hard to miss. Her skin glowed with a healthy warmth, and her lips, painted with a subtle shade of pink, curled into a charming smile that could light up any room. 

The way she moved was effortlessly graceful, each step revealing the gentle curves of her figure beneath the apron. Despite the modesty of her attire, there was an undeniable eroticness in her presence, a blend of strength and softness that made her captivatingly attractive.

"Thank you for coming," the woman said with a slight bow. "I hope the food was to your liking."

Ryo looked at her for a moment, taken aback by how effortlessly beautiful she was. There was a grace in her movements, a quiet confidence that spoke of someone who took pride in their work.

"It was delicious," Ryo replied, returning her bow with a respectful nod. "Thank you for the meal."

The woman smiled, her expression softening as she looked at her daughter. "We're glad you enjoyed it. Please come back anytime."

As they left the shop, Ryo couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. He had spent so much of his life focused on duty, on fulfilling expectations, that he had forgotten what it felt like to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. He had missed out on so much—family moments, genuine connections, and experiences like this, all because of the demands placed on him by Akemi and the world she had dragged him into.

But now, as he walked away from the ramen shop, he made a silent vow to himself. He wouldn't let his past mistakes define his future. He had been given a second chance at life, and he intended to make the most of it.

For Anzu's sake, he would protect her and be the father she needed. But for his own sake, he would start living life on his terms, free from the chains that had bound him for so long.

As they got back into the car, Ryo glanced at Emi, who seemed lost in her own thoughts. "You know, Emi," he said quietly, "life is too short to let other people dictate how we live it. We should enjoy the moments we have, because we never know when they'll be taken from us."

Emi looked at him, a small smile playing on her lips. "You're right, Ryo. Maybe we both need to start living a little more."