One Year Before the World is Petrified

It was strangely quiet in Shibuya, the soft pitter-patter of the footsteps of those still wandering the city the only sounds she could hear. It was slightly chilly, and as the wind blew she pulled her cardigan tighter around herself before relaxing further into the hammock swing that sat comfortably amongst the plant-covered balcony of her family apartment. She'd been watching him for quite some time now. He walked slowly, lost in thought as he idly played with a deck of cards. She thought he looked sad. No, not sad, just lonely. He hid it well, his shoulders straightening in confidence and charisma whenever a passerby glanced his way, but the charisma faltered as soon as he thought no one was looking. She smiled in understanding, well aware of the toll of putting on a mask.

His slow trek through the streets of Shibuya brought him ever closer to her. She rose from her creature comforts, silently opening the sliding patio door and tiptoeing through the house so as not to wake any of the other members of her family on her trip to their front door. Picking up the keys hanging on the cat-shaped hook with his stripped tail hanging down and quickly slipping her feet into a pair flats, she opened the front door of her apartment as quietly as she could, taking care to ensure that she closed it as softly as she possible and quickly locking it behind her. She hurried down the stairs as lightly as she could, the bottom reaching a back alley full of old cardboard produce boxes waiting to be recycled. Fishing the keys out of her pocket, she turned the lock of the steel door that led into the back of the restaurant her family lived atop of. The door was pulled open, and she winced when it creaked as it scraped against the asphalt ground. She waited for a second, making sure that she couldn't see the light of her parent's bedroom flicker on through their window. When her family remained in their quiet slumber, she rushed into the restaurant and pulled the door closed behind her.

The back door of the restaurant led into the kitchen, which held a view of the dining room through a large window and a small swinging door that made it easier to open when you were loaded down with plates of food. She pushed through the door and looked through the large windows at the front of the restaurant for any sign of the boy. He was still wandering wistfully down the sidewalk, but he was getting closer every second. She rushed back into the kitchen and pulled open the refrigerator door and grabbed a plastic container filled with broth and a bundle of noodles that hadn't been used earlier in the day. Two pots were placed on the stovetop, one was filled with water and the other filled with the broth. As she waited for them to come to a boil she ran back out into the dining room to look out the front windows. The boy was just passing by, his focus set solely on the deck of cards in his hands.

She flipped the latch on the front door and rushed out onto the sidewalk, the bell on the door jingling behind her. The boy paused at the noise to turn and observe her cooly. Her amber eyes were widened, and her dark hair was held up in a messy bun She wore a pink fuzzy cardigan that fell down to her knees over a simple tank top and pair of leggings. He looked much more put together than she did. His black hair was longer to one side and swept over his right cheekbone and bringing attention to his gray eyes that reflected the lights of the city. He wore a black button-down tucked snuggly into a pair of black skinny jeans and on his feet were a pair of dress shoes. He was the most beautiful person that she had ever seen.

The boy hummed softly, alerting her to the realization that she had been caught staring a little longer than was considered proper. She smiled shyly, looking down at the concrete of the sidewalk as though it were the most interesting thing on this planet.

He smirked, raising a brow as he looked at the sheepish girl in front of him, "Can I help you?" Oh good god his voice was like velvet.

She perked up, suddenly remembering the mission that had brought her out onto the streets of Tokyo in the first place. "Oh! Yeah, erm, sorry- I just- so don't freak out or anything. I just- I saw you, from- um- from there," she gestured towards the balcony above them, the mass of flora evident even from this angle, "and I- uh- Do you want some ramen?"

The boy stared at her in shock for a grand total of two seconds before slipping that charismatic smirk back onto his face and turning to continue on his leisurely walk. "Sorry, I don't take handouts from fans."

She gaped at his retreating form, her brows furrowing in hurt and annoyance. Fan? What was he going on about? "Sorry to have to take a shot at that ego of yours, but I have no clue who you are."

He froze, once again turning to observe this girl who had run out into the Tokyo night to meet him. He looked her over, looking for any sign of a lie, but all he found was the girl with her arms crossed, her brow raised and emanating nothing but the truth.

"Then why...?" he began, allowing his charismatic mask to fall and allow his confusion to seep through.

She shrugged and held out her hand form him to take, "As I was trying to say, I saw you and you just really looked you needed a bowl of ramen and someone to talk to. Besides," she giggled slightly, "it's free food. Who in their right mind would turn that down?"

"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to talk to strangers?"

"Eh, probably, but I was also taught to be kind, and that tends to override any survival instincts I have. That's... probably not a good thing now that I think about it..."

He huffed out a small laugh and took her outstretched hand. She felt her breath hitch slightly, it was barely any bigger than her own, and just nearly as dainty and much more dexterous. She smiled brightly, "I'm Akihana, by the way."

He nodded and flashed her a more genuine smile, "Gen."

Grinning once more, Akihana opened the door, the bell tingling brightly in the night as she pulled him through into the restaurant, the sign humbly labeled Hashimoto Ramen House swaying gently above them as they closed themselves off from the cool night air of Shibuya. It was going to be a good night.

Disclaimer
All of my knowledge of Shibuya comes from The World Ends With You, so if I get anything wrong blame, Tetsuya Nomura. Great game. You should all go play it. The Final Remix is on the Switch. Tetsuya Nomura really loves naming his remastered games Final MIxes. Such an oddly wonderful man.