Author's Note:


I am adding two more females characters. Shin's and Kumai's younger sisters.

So, in these chapter we may not have Shin&Kumi action!

Also, if it works out, we may have a second … even a third love story. I am just still working on that idea though.

The types of Ramen that I added were based Japan Tokyo Most Famous Ramen Restaurants.


Chapter Eight: Aya Vs Yamato


Kuma's shop was lately doing good, with all of Yankumi's students and friends having it as a stake out. These days more of her formal students would show up, hopping they would jump into Yankumi, or just to taste Kuma's great Ramen. Kuma's younger sister, was also hired by Kuma. He and Ami, couldn't alone keep the shop running.

Kumai Aya had changed a lot since she was a kid. She was chubby, with a childish attitude, like kumas. But after a lot of bullying, that she actually had hidden from her family and brother, she become a very formal, pretty lady. The death of their father, and having Teruo working hard to keep the shop running and feed them, made her mature sooner. As hard as her day would be in school, she would always return home with a smile. After meeting Yankumi, she wanted to become also a teacher. Although she was a bit jealous of Kuma, that he had a teacher like yankumi, to take care of him. She was now a 2nd year college student, living with Kuma and Ami. In her free time she would work at the shop, or look after Kuma's Kid.

Today, was one of those days were Aya was helping Ami with the shop, and Kumai was out delivering food. All eyes were mostly turned on Aya. She used to capture all the attention, although, she never sought it. Aya was dressed with a cute short, colorful dress, and casual, and comfortable shoes. She was a short and petite girl, with long straight hair.

On the other side of the shop was sitting Ogata and Kazama trying to decided what to order. Ogata found work immediately after finishing college. He and Kazama would have their lunch at Kumai's shop, since it was really near to were they worked. Ren had met kumai's sister before. That's how Aya knew he was a formal student of Yankumi. But Yamato had never seen her before.

"Have you made up your mind?" Aya asked them as she walked by to take their order.

"Pork Ramen for me" ordered Ren "and fast ...I am so hungry!"

Aya waited a bit, since Ogata didn't replay, she asked again "Have you decided what you want to order?"

Yamato shook his head and went back looking at the menu. Kumai had lately updated the menu, and added few more new plates. That confused Yamato more.

"The dry ramen... no wait the Tokyo .. no wait .." he was mumbling confused.

"Should I come back later?" Aya asked him again a bit annoyed.

"No wait! .. wait..the Tokyo Hurogau... noo noo the Tokyo Setagaya" Ogata said.

Aya huffed and repeated just to be sure "Pork Ramen for you Ren and a Tokyo Setagaya Ramen for you. Is that all?"

Ren nodded and she went to get the order. She was totally annoyed with Ogata's behavior.

"Yamato if it takes you so long to choose every time... our lunch break will not be enough!" Ren teased him.

"Is it my fault, that Kumai, put new plates in the menu. It confused me?" he answered while he was still looking at the menu.

"You were never so picky. You always were more like 'what ever' or 'I will pass'?" Ren went on teasing him.

"I am not picky. I just want to enjoy my food.." he respond.

Aya cut them off, as she had brought the order. The order was fast served and Ren was super happy. She first placed Ren's bowl at his side "Alright a Pork Ramen for you" she said. Then she placed the other bowl at Ogata's side. "And a Tokyo Setagaya Ramen for you" she added and took her leave.

Ogata looked at the ramen "Wait no.. no that is not what I wanted..." he said.

Aya had a feeling that would happen, she turned and faced him. And waited for him to tell her what was wrong. Ren started eating and looked at them talking.

"Tokyo Hurogau … I wanted a Tokyo Hurogau... not a Tokyo Setagaya..." he explained.

"You said Tokyo Setagaya ..I even asked you to confirm it..." Aya replied with high tone.

"Take this back and get me a Tokyo Hurogau..." Ogata demanded.

Aya that was trying to keep it calm "I can replace you order if you want. But it will take some time?" she said and since she was annoyed it would take for ever.

Ren giggled at Ogata as he was enjoying his food. "Just eat it.. Told you Yamato you become too picky" he teased him.

"No fine.. it will take too long...just next time be more careful.." Ogata mumbled and started eating the noodles.

Aya left pissed off. How was that her fault. She took the order, she even checked it. She asked Ami to make a ' Tokyo Hurogau'. When it was ready, she returned and served it. Aya couldn't just let it slide.

"Here is your Tokyo Hurogau.. its on the shop" she said and placed it next to the other bowl. "Although you did ordered a Tokyo Setagaya."

Ogata pissed now put his chopsticks down with force. "I did not... I said it clearly Tokyo Hurogau..." he yelled.

Ren kept looking, eating and laughing. He found it that too silly that Ogata would care about the Ramen. And more silly that he would even be pissed about something like that.

"You stop yelling and .. ordering me around..." Aya snapped at him.

"Where is Kuma.. I will get you fired.. what kind of attitude is that.." Yamato went on threading her.

"Are you serious now.. You didn't just threat me with that.."Aya shouted and grabbed the bowl with the Tokyo Setagaya and throw it at Ogata.

Ren froze for a second, looking at his friend and started laughing "Looks great on you Yamato.." he teased him as he went on eating.

Aya cracked a smile "Enjoy now your meal." she said and felt satisfied with the out come.

Ogata freaked out, he didn't laugh at all. He had to be back at work in few minutes. His meal was ruined and his clothes were filled with ramen. He stood up and grabbed Aya from the shoulder and turned her around. She gazed him boldly with her black big eyes. Act, that made Ogata more furious.

"Really now..." he yelled at her and grabbed her from her arms tight "what are you doing?"

Aya tried to pushed him off, But Ogata's grip was strong, and she couldn't escape it. "Let me go you hurting me.." she yelled at him.

But Yamato, that was facing lately many issues in his life, didn't listen. He had really snapped at Aya. Ren that finally got serious, and noticed that Ogata wasn't kidding stood up and tried to pull him away from Aya. Aya that was trying to break free, kicked him at his low feet. And things become a mess, with Aya and Yamato yelling and fighting.

Suddenly, a loud voice made everyone stop "Guys what are you doing?"

Ren, Yamato and Aya turned and looked at the entrance. It was Yankumi who was yelling at them angry. "Ogata put your hands off, Aya. What happened here?" Yankumi asked as she walked over where all 3 were standing.

Yamato calmed down, and noticed that he was still grabbing Aya. He released his grip and let Aya free. "Yankumi.." he said and stepped back "I got my order wrong". He blinked thinking how stupid it sounded.

"All that mess because you got your order wrong?" Yankumi yelled at him.

Aya that was still holding both her arms, since the grip was strong, and was still hurting her, spoke " I didn't get you the order wrong. You ordered a Tokyo Setagaya, I even checked the order. And you insisted that you ordered a Tokyo Hurogau. I even brought you a Tokyo Hurogau, and told you its on the shop. And you snapped at me" Aya explained in a long talk that didn't made much sense.

"I didn't snapped at you. You throw the Tokyo Setagaya at me. How could I not snap?" Ogata yelled "I have to be at work in less than 10 minutes and look how I look."

"It looks good on you...it matches your crappy personality" Aya went on attacking him.

Ren and yankumi looked at each other "I thought something big happened." Yankumi asked at Ren.

Ren laughed "No nothing big, just Ogata being picky".

Ogata looked at his watch, noticing he was already late. If he had time he would not let that argument go. "Chikusho! I am running late!" he yelled. He had to go back at the office, and to clean up his clothes. He pointed at her "You... these isn't over I will be back later to finish that talk!" he said and run with out even saying bye at Yankumi and Ren.

"Are you alright?" Ren asked Aya "Don't take it personally.. He is lately too odd"

"I am fine Ren!" Aya said and pulled down her sleeves to hid the light bruises from Ogata's Grip.

Yankumi pause and took a look towards the door, thinking something must be up with Ogata. After checking that Aya was alright, she and Ren left. Ren had to go back at work too. And Yankumi promised Shin that they would spend some time together.

❧ ✿ﻬ ✿ﻬ ✿ﻬ✿

Minutes later an old friend of Kuma and formal student of Yankumi appeared. He was wearing his work clothes. After noon, the shop was not that busy. Ami went to feed her child, Kuma was still out, and Aya was alone. That old friend walked in and took a seat.

"Nyah! I need some food?" he said with a funny pitch voice.

Aya gazed at him and cracked a smile. She knew him since she was a kid. Back then when Kuma had issues with the land sharks, he helped him a lot. Since that day he was always around Kuma's shop. Kuma's siblings grow up with him. They always thought him as a older brother and a good friend.

"Yabuki!?" Aya reacted surprised "when did you arrived ?"

"It has been few days? Where is everyone?" he asked "are you working now here?"

Aya went and sat with him. "Ami is home to feed the kid. Kuma is out. Yes, I started working few days ago. Kuma needed help, and I needed a part time job so we agreed!" she said.

Yabuki and Aya had always a great friendship. When ever Aya had issues or was bullied, she would tell everything to him. And Yabuki, would always come to her aid. They sat down and talk for a very long time. Aya even told him about what had happened earlier today.

"And you throw at him the Ramen?" he said chuckling "wasn't that hot?"

"No .. Noo I checked it before..." she said.

Simultaneously, a client walked in. It was a very pretty lady, skinny wearing a suit. She looked as she had a very busy day. Aya seemed to know her too. She stood up and gave her warm welcome. The cute girl sat at the same table were Yanbuki and Aya were sitting. Yanbuki noticed how cute she was. He would only act like that when he was with his friends for fun. But know that girl had really gotten his attention.

"Natsumi, I will get you something to eat!" Aya said,and was happy to see her. She havn't seen Natsumi for a while. But lately since her brother was back, she would pass by Kuma's place many times.

"Hayato, this is.. Shin's Sister.. Nastumi!" Aya told him and grinned. "And these is Hayato, friend of my brothers and Yankumis formal student."

"Shin.. Sawada's sister..." he mumbled. 'Kuso! I dont dear even to think anything odd. Sawada will have me killed' he thought. "Nice to meet you Nastumi" he added.

"Nice to meet you too. I see you know my brother. Then I am safe!" she giggled with a serious face.

"Yes you will be safe. On the other hand I will not be." Yabuki said "When did Sawada returned?"

"Since the summer break started. He lives with Yankumi and her family." she said smiling.

Those two were talking for hours now. He and Natsumi glitched since the first second. Aya Kept watching at them thinking how cute they both looked. She also noticed that they have already changed contacts.

"Yabuki.. I hope you didn't start anything odd with my sister?" Shin voiced as he got into the shop.

Hayato looked at him and smiled "No way. Long time not seen!" he added.

"Brother!" Natsumi yelled and gave him a warm welcome.

Shin tapped her head friendly and sat with them. Later on, yankumi joined them. They sat down, eat and spoke for some time. Ami and Kumai also joined them. It was a fun evening, everyone having good time. Yankumi was again happy that she was surrounded by her students. She went on with her proud speech. Yabuki and Nastumi, couldn't stop talk and looking each other. That made Yankumi super happy, and Shin a bit worried. After all Natsumi was his sister, and he was over protective.

Night grow old really fast, and slowly one by one left. First Natsumi, since she was working early in the morning. Yabuki offered to walk her home, since it seemed they lived close enough. Shin acted worried, but he was happy that Natsumi wouldn't walk late at night alone. Ami left next, to go home and put her kid to sleep. Kumiko, Shin and Kumai left together. Shin wanted to go check how the Director was doing at the hospital. Lastly, after Kuma made sure Aya had not issue to close the shop on her own, he left too.

❧ ✿ﻬ ✿ﻬ ✿ﻬ✿

It was almost midnight, and Kuma's shop was still open. It was a busy night. The last customer had just left, and Aya was getting ready to close the shop. Suddenly, the door opened with a fast move. A young man, with bit long hair and casual clothes went it. He was wearing jeans and a light cotton shirt.

"We are closed. I am just getting ready to ..." Aya tried to explained as she looked at him. The face looked familiar. "The... Tokyo Setagaya... guy.. what are you doing here?" she yelled in surprise.

Ogata looked different with out the suit. More refreshed, cooler and chilly. "I told you I will be back, to finish that talk." he informed her with a monotonic tone.

She mumbled "My lucky today..." as she smelled troubled and was not really in the mood to get in any fights again.

"What more do we have to say?" Aya asked as she kept cleaning the counter.

Ogata walked few steps closer were she was standing. He looked at her, noticing she was smaller than he thought. "It almost cost me my job today. I will not let it be.. You throw at me a bowl of Ramen. And I didn't get any apology!" he demanded.

"Huh.. you sure have some nerves. It was you who started it.." Aya responded.

Soon both of them were fighting again. Ogata asking for a apology, and Aya not giving one. No way she would give a apology. She didn't do anything wrong.

"If it is dry cleaning costs, I will pay. But I am not saying sorry." she made it clear.

Both got closer and kept arguing for some time. Ogata tried to grib again Aya's arm softer these time "In any case throwing food at Customers, even if you think you are right, is not polite!" he voiced.

"Itai!" Aya yelled as she pulled her arm away from him "What ever I need to close now, so you better leave"

Yamato recalled that he had grabbed her arms with a lot of force back then. He almost had forgotten that. He remembered her face, and trying to break free. 'I was totally overtaking by my thoughts I never noticed' he thought. "Let me see?" Ogata said with a serious face and he rolled up her sleeves.

Aya pushed him back and rolled them down. "What the heck are you doing? Get out now!" she yelled at him.

Ogata was shocked, it was not only because he caused her bruises. How could he not pay attention, and be so reckless with a girl. But there were old scars and cuts on Aya's hand. Even he that was in many fights before didn't have so deep scars.

"Now are you're deaf too?" she yelled at him and almost kicked him out of the store and locked the door. The bulling she was through all these years, was really bad. It had left her with many scars and cuts. The worse part was that she was hiding it until these day, not wanting Kuma to find out. "What is wrong with him" she mumbled and went on finishing the cleaning.

Ogata moved only few steps away from Kuma's shop. Maybe he was still irritated by her, but hurting her was never into his thoughts. 'Who is that girl? And what is with all those scars?' he asked himself and was walking really slow down the road.

Aya locked the doors and took the way back home. It was already very late. She started walking faster thinking these day couldn't go any worse. As she accidentally crashed against someone and fall down. She stood up and was about to apologize. As more than one person appeared.

"Sweet Sister you didn't pay attention." one boy told her as the rest gang up around her.

'Shit' she thought 'I am in trouble.' "It was my mistake. I am sorry. I didn't see you there!" Kuma's younger sister said and tried to break free and by pass them.

"Why are you in such a hurry!" a second boy with reddish hair asked her "Let's go somewhere and play?"

Scared now, since there was none there to help. "Today was a tired day for me!" she said as she tried to reach for her phone.

But a shorter male with gray hair, grabbed her bag and tossed it away. While the other with the red hair, started pulling her with him.

"I told you I don't want to.." she yelled now trying to escape but she couldn't.

"She told you... She doesn't want to play!" a scary voice spoke from the background. A male figure started walking towards them.

Aya, gazed up but could not clearly see who it was. She was still pushing them away.

"If it was for a wrong order you would yell and scream like crazy.." the man told her as he run towards the men and broke their chain around her. He grabbed her hand and yelled "Run!" Both started running as fast as they could, but the gang followed them.

She gazed up only to see that it was the boy from before. She hold his hand tightly and kept running with him. Ogata thankfully had not left, and he saw her when those boys ganged up. So he had to help her. But their luck run out as soon the boys reached them and narrow them behind an alley. Ogata pushed Aya behind him and shield her. "What are you doing?" she whispered at him but he signed at her not to talk.

The older member of the gang who seemed also to be the boss, laugh "Should we play now?" He said as they gang up around them. Yamato kept her behind him. "Let's stop these!" he said.

"Stop it? but we just starting the fun!" another member yelled.

With out a warning, the boys were trying to push Ogata away and grab Aya. They pushed him, kicked and punched him many times. Although he remain shielding Aya. "Are you crazy what are you doing?" she yelled at him worried. "Stop hitting him!" she yelled at them and was trying to pull him of her, so they would stop beating him. Ogata turned all beaten up and hugged her beneath him. "Close your eyes." he said and remain there protecting her.

When the reddish boy, was about to hit the final kick, a loud voice made them all pause. "What are you doing to my precious student!" Yankumi said. Ogata lifted his head and after making sure it was her, he crashed against the ground.

The gang now left and moved over to were Yankumi was. "Give me back my precious student." she yelled again.

"But he involved himself with us. We just wanted to play with him?" they told her "But we can now play with you?"

Yankumi went on with her big speech. That was violence, and shameful. They attacked her, Yankumi fought them. They were not a small threat. They gang against her. She started fighting them, while one of them sneaked behind her and tried to hit her. But Shin appeared and blocked the hit. Kumiko and Shin took care of them.

Meanwhile, Aya had turned Ogata around to check if he was still alive. He was breathing, but had fainted. He was all bruises and was filled with blood. The boy that she was so mad at had just saved her life. And she didn't even know his name.

Yankumi and Shin walked over, after beating the last one of the gang. "Ogata are you alright?" she asked. Shin checked if Aya was ok. "Were is my phone lets call ..." Aya said as Ogata cut her off. "No hospitals or doctors.. I will have issues in my work" he said and fainted again.

Shin lifted up Ogata, pulled him against him. "Let's go home Yankumi, we can treat him there." he said.

It was only the next morning, when Ogata opened his eyes. He was still wearing his jeans. His upper body was shirtless and all badged up. He tried to sit up but it was painful. He felt someone next to him and looked. It was the girl from last night. 'Thankfully she is safe' he thought.

In an Sudden, Aya opened her eyes and gazed at him. "You are awake..." she said in a sweet voice "we were so worried. How are you feeling?"

"To many questions at once.." he whispered "I am fine. Its painful but I am alright! And you?.. were you hurt" he asked her.

"No I wasn't. I am totally fine." she said as she looked at Ogata and then again lowered her gaze.

"Ogata.. isnt..it" she Asked.

"Yes Ogata..." he replied.

"Ogata-San, for helping me..Thank you...For causing so many troubles.. I am Sorry! I owe you!" Aya said with a calm voice filling guilty.

"You don't owe me anything. I am glad you are safe..em.. your name again?" Ogata asked sitting now fully up.

"Kumai.. Kumai Aya..." she said and gazed at him, and blushed when her eyes met his nude chest.

He noticed the gaze and the blush and cracked a smile "Wait Kumai.. you are Kuma's sister?" he asked her.

Aya nodded. "Yes I am.. Though how did Yankumi come over there?" she puzzled.

"I called her. There was no way I could handle them alone." he explained.

"Aws thats why they found us. Makes sense now. Are you a formal student of hers?" Aya asked again.

He nodded "Me and Ren remember..."

"Yes Yes.. thats how you are connected with Ren" she said.

"Work .. damn... I" he mumbled.

"I found you business card in your walled, I called them and told you were in a accident. You don't have to go today." Aya informed him.

Yamato nodded and fell asleep again, as he was still hurting. Aya lean against the wall next to him, and closed her eyes.

((continuing Chapter 9 ...))