So...I was told that anything is possible when you just make the right impression. The nastiest people would turn an eye over, the nicest people would not even think about upsetting you. Heck, even the biggest of idiots would suddenly use their last remaining braincells just to get an idea of what you were like. The first look counted for all. Past that?
"AND GET OUT OF HERE, YOU FOUL-MOUTHED BRAT!"
"SCREW YOU, BALDHEAD! AND TELL YOUR SECRETARY THAT SHE'S HOARDING YOUR SHAVING WAX!"
Eh, mostly the first look. Can't believe this was the fifth time I was already rejected by one of these stupid suits. Qualifications this, proper behaviour and etiquette that and one of these tailored fabric mannequins called "coworkers" stuffed in with there. Not gonna lie, they all reek of bullshit. Especially that guy, didn't see his beloved creeping away with that bottle of booze.
'Wonder if they really don't someone with actual personality,' remained as an afterthought with every rejection piling up. For context, my father wants me to find an internship so I can finally tackle the "real life", as she calls it. No more goofing off with little Gareth a few grades under me, nope. But honestly, it was difficult to actually have any of them consider me for more that one second. They see my miserable grades, my current work experience...and then my first words:
"Wow, your office table really looks boring, you know?"
Come on, a plastic flower and some swinging metal balls!? How stereotypical can one be!?
...Now I feel kind of bad flunking all of those offers that father organized with giving them their own word.
She'll most likely call me a failure or something along the lines for the family. Big Bro Gorilla is already off studying and becoming a top-notch policeman, Gareth aces all her classes and midterms; probably even the end terms with how often she panics yet breezes through. Damn, even my relatives are more popular and smarter, one of them is even making a living as some stupid ballad singer!
"ARGH! WHY IS ADJUSTING TO REAL LIFE SO DAMN DIFFICULT!?", came as an reflex, my own thoughts suddenly overflowing with any lack of reason or rhyme. I kicked the nearest trash can to my left, ignoring all these stupid side glances when none of them knew what exactly was going on. At least the sun was comfortable shining towards my face, the city breeze making my attire somewhat bearable.
Who knew one could hate a professional business attire so much? Well me of course! They itch, they don't leave any space to move and the sleeves can't even be pulled up! And then the tie, that dang TIE! Come on, cut more even more of my air, why don't you?
My inner charade came to an end as my stomach made itself quite clear; loudly gurgling after all the dissapoint having come to me today. Bad habit of my family, if you could even call it that. "Yeah, yeah...me and you both, guy," I sarcastically said to no one, closing my tired eyes for a moment to poke fun at my own organ. "We'll make a stop somewhere so bare with it a little more." It felt odd to have so many worries while remaining so uncaring at times. Those people around me probably didn't even care gazing any longer.
Most of them would only see the messy ponytail held together at the base, the maroon-red jacket I bought for myself (not like my family needs to know about it) just above the boring, grey suit and red tie I got bought for today. Well...it was boring in itself, but I'd still wear it since someone wanted me to look good in it.
'Maybe I should just head home and tell her how it went, plain and simple,' would be the other option left. The sun would soon set above the tall buildings and skyscrapers around me, leaving my family to wonder where my presence went. Father might call the police to report me missing, despite their always stern expressions…
And Gareth or god-forbid, the Gorilla-
All that left my mouth was a deep sigh, idly trodding down the sidewalk towards a place where my stomach could be filled without burning the rest of my money. I already had to use most of it for the public bus since driving myself was off the table currently. Maybe if I hadn't spent all the money on getting sweets and some gifts for Fran, my wallet wouldn't be in such big trouble.
Idly put, while living with my family meant that most finances would be covered, a lot of what we spent would still be reviewed and checked at the end of the month. Father loves to call it "keeping tabs on our adult sense of spending", but I call it being a greedy hag-
*RING RING*
E-Eh!? W-Wha…!? Please don't be who I think it is. Oh god no, no no-
*Incoming Call: Father*
...Oh oh.
*Beep*
"Hello-"
"Mordred. I just got word from one of my partners on what happened." And there it was, that in itself soft but currently bone-chilling voice of none other than my father. I could already imagine them sitting in their business car, voice playing from the side and passively glaring at the road ahead of them. Oh how I wish I wasn't trembling right now.
"H-Hi, Father. It's not how it sounds like-
"Not what it sounds like? Not what it sounds-!? Even your uncle Emrys makes less trouble than this and he caused the soda table at Gareth's birthday party to crash!", came as the angry reply from my old phone, making me wince and hold this piece of junk away from the head. "I will not tolerate any excuses on this matter. We've done our best to prepare you for this important, next step in life so I'd expect at least a sense of responsibility!"
"But I AM responsible! I keep looking after Fran and Gareth, I keep her and Gorilla's rooms clean and-"
"This ISN'T about your family or friends, but yourself Mordred!", was basically the end of that argument, smiting me down in one single comment before I could even give another reply. Both my throat and hand felt dry, merely gazing with blank eyes at the few people bustling around on the streets. There was also an awkward silence on their end before something was finally said. "...We'll have a talk when I return from work. Don't be out too late."
*Beep*
…
Now getting back home early wasn't an option as well.
At least the noodle bar was in sight. Some of my friends took me there first time I went out hungry without lunch, had to finish a paper mid-break after all of there would've been more screeching from Father. Good times, at least that left me enough time the day before to help Fran score well in History. What many don't know, I ain't that big of a dolt. Sure, Math or Chemistry are pretty much lost on me, yet when it came to doing sports of speaking about awesome battles, sign me up!
Also, acting was something many say I'd find myself naturally in...ever since my childhood even.
Whatever, some good steaming udon with fried pork sounded good right about now to keep my head and stomach distracted. So stepping inside, making sure the small folder with references for today's failure wouldn't hit the doorframe I sat myself down on the few spots available and gazed at the duo working around. They've both been immigrants to England after local competition grew too much, but here they found a spot of gold.
The ginger-haired kid was a prodigy at cooking dishes but never really talkative about them eating fast food while the blond man held a flair for the extravagant, never looking exhausted or angered unless someone was rude to his customers. Pretty sure that muscle-line isn't supposed to be this ripped, but it suited him.
"Well, what do have here~? Our cub returning for some good food?", came the greeting of him just as fast, always leaving me unsure on how that set of glasses on him always steams up which made looking into his eyes difficult. "You're quite on time- eh, what's up with that non-golden suit? Had a run-in with a sales manager?"
"Multiple actually. Father had me apply for a job at some companies, says I needed the experience to get along in life. What about you, Toki? Anything new from your or Fuuma's mother?", I asked without trying to let my snappy remarks shoot out. Those two were actually very chill, so they deserves at least that. Speaking of, the silent cook turned around with his head, waving at me before turning back to a batch in the making.
"Yup. Raikou and Danzou are going to fly over in a few days, so we gotta get our apartment cleaned up else it'll be quite an uncomfortable weekend," the blonde-haired owner answered, managing to hide the tiniest of flustered expressions. Usually when their distant family were over, both of them were left on edge and always tidying up anything they came across. It was funny to witness the first days but now there was only painful understanding on my part.
"Ouch, that's harsh. Hope you two got the guest room polished."
"Yeah we do. Touta's going to hold the reverse shifts until this all blows over anyways. So, the usual for you?"
"Mmhm, make it extra large or else I'll feel my hunger collapse in on itself, aight?"
Trying not to grumble at the loud chuckle blistering from his chest, Toki nodded before turning around and already getting to work as his partner was done preparing the noodles for at least a handful of bowls. I could at least rest my head on the counter, passing the time in silence as sweet smells assaulted my senses. 'Hmm...maybe I could grab myself some dango for the way home. Or perhaps a pack of gyoza for Gareth? She seemed always happy when trying foreign food-'
"...So good."
Hadn't I been stuck so deeply in my thoughts, I wouldn't have been bothered by that sudden noise next to me. Yet once it reached my ears, all that was left would be me looking over to the side and only seeing how that stranger eating a freshly-made bowl of ramen...with a spoon and fork.
With an EFFING spoon and fork-
Okay, no, calm yourself Mordred. Calm down, this is okay. It ain't about that stranger breaking every culinary rule of good dining but yourself unable to accept what was visible to your eyes-
'THIS IS NOT OK!', interrupted my head like a quarterback slamming into me at full sprint, not registering on how my feet went up, made a line for whoever was such a dimwit and give them a verbal correction on their manners. And yes, I AM OK! NOT! ARGH! Let me turn you around by your shoulder so I can look you in the eye-!
…
What greeted me instead of the rough-skinned jerk or some bratty high-school snob that had no idea on how to treat others right, I...instead found myself gazing at a patch of blonde hair sitting neatly in a bob cut.
I found myself staring at their youthful looks, the black jacket hanging from their shoulder and equally colored gloves, the white shirt and tailored vest with gold accent lines hugging their frame.
I found myself staring at the set of glasses on their face, shining orbs in a green tone looking up in an odd sense of nervousness and shock.
…
"Uhm...is the seat next to you still available?"
If you wish to find out why this girl just suddenly went up just to interrupt me mid-eating, I suggest you look forward to the next Chapter's release.
...What did I even do wrong? All I did was having a quiet dinner after work. Maybe it was my posture? Perhaps I should apologize to her for being so...uh, passive?