Chapter 4: Memento

6 years ago

Akira's eyes were still fixed on the dog. The dog's eyes had begun to glaze over in the heat.

Minako had in vain put pressure on the dog's wound, and now had its blood mixed into the oil in her hands to form a sun-baked, crimson paste. "Useless pieces of shit cops; you'd think in a town as small as this, they'd at least give a damn about some innocent animal. It's not like they're on a drug bust. Bullshit."

Minako had returned to the shop, but felt like kicking the odd toolbox away from her.

Akira had the faintest sense to do...something. Not sure what, but now was one of those time where he let his true self guide the way.

"Sis, I'll join you in a minute!"

His attention was turned to Dad's old raft boat behind the shop.

Dad, when he was sauced enough, would keep on talking about this damn boat. About how he built it with the finest wood from around here. How woo'ed Mom with it by taking her and it to a nearby lake under the cover of the night. How he stared at the moon and the stars. How they floated together all that night. How they had their first kiss on that boat. And with their parents none the wiser.

Now, it sported fist-sized holes in the hull and was dingy brown instead of a pristine white, as suggested by the fading paint.

"Well, better use as scrap rather than as a symbol of my parent's relationship."

He reckoned it wouldn't take much effort to break a piece off. He leaned back on the right starboard of the ship to rip a piece off like one would do styrofoam.

4/11, Afternoon

With the short crack of the wood, Akira felt himself snap back to the chair on the Shujin rooftop. Eyelids heavy, he blinked slowly to find someone over him.

"YO DUDE WAKE UP!"

Akira opened his eyes to see Ryuji hovered over him. Looks like he showed up after all, Akira thought.

The sky though was a solid orange by this point.

"You're late."

Ryuji groaned. "I know, but that shithead counselor was giving me some lip. Kept up bringing my mom too….I got delayed by a lot. That's all I can say. Also….sorry for calling you up here like this. You look like crap."

Akira then stood up to meet Ryuji eye-to-eye. "It's fine. I got some rest anyway. Felt like I needed it, after today."

"Yeah…..I forgot how much shit you've gone through today alone. I can't say I haven't been through this before."

Akira was playing with the loose curl dangling in front of his face with his right, and twirling his phone in the other. "So I suppose Kawakami wasn't exactly wrong by saying you're a problem child?"

Ryuji scoffed. "Sounds like her. Probably said something like 'Stay away from Sakamoto-kun, Aki-...Aki-'?"

"Akira."

"Seriously, I wonder if that's how shithead teachers get their fun in between having to actually teach. Just chew someone out, y'know?"

Ryuji now had a noticeable growl on his face. Akira felt like responding in kind. "Sound like we're in the same boat; some teacher felt like being the same way to me before I even met Kawakami, and practically threw his back out trying to put on this 'tough guy' act on the fresh, new, delinquent student."

"Dude, I bet that was Ushimaru. Real effing asshole he is. Wish he retired already." Ryuji then changed the subject. "Seriously, though, you should have told me you had a criminal record."

"Oh great not you too…."

"Shit man, wait! I mean like…..stuff connects, you know?"

"What?"

Ryuji was visibly pained as he attempted to form the sentences that would explain himself. "I mean, with the cops before; and that castle and goddamn Kamoshida; no wonder you were so gutsy."

Akira felt flushed under his neck. "I wouldn't say I got that from breaking the law. And even then," he continued as he sat now on a laid-out desk, "I didn't get arrested because I intended to."

"Shit man; you have to tell me later about this, k?" Ryuji then hunched forward in the chair, propping his torso up with his elbows. "Either way…. about….that castle. What the hell was even happening there? It wasn't a dream…I think. You remember it too, yeah?"

Akira sighed. "Unfortunately."

"Doesn't matter that much however. Anyway…. regardless of whether it was a dream or not, you still saved me from Kamoshida."

"...Thanks?" Akira was pretty sure that it would have mattered if it were a dream or not. But somehow, he couldn't help but crack a smile and play along. After all...this would sound like the dumbest dream ever either way if he told it to anyone else.

"But man...just because he's some gold medalist that led the volleyball teams to nationals, he gets a blank check from everyone. Pisses me off. Especially when-"

"He's a pervert?"

"See, I knew it wasn't me!" Akira had unintentionally made Ryuji virtually froth at the mouth out of a rabid rage. "Seeing him in the castle, it drove me nuts. Him as the king of the school, the school being a castle...it felt too close to home."

Ryuji though returned back to neutral quickly as he left it. "I'm sorry; that had to have been a dream. As much as I want to visit there again, it had to have been a dream!"

"And after all that, if it were real, you'd still go in? You're quite a troublemaker." Someone like a teacher wouldn't be smiling when saying that. But after all...he was a delinquent, whether he'd liked it or not.

And, judging by the grin creeping on Ryuji's face, so did he. "So are you; I think we'll get along fine."

4/11, Late Afternoon

"Well, it looks like you'll perfectly healthy. For edging 65, that is," a doctor said while checking off on his diagnosis sheet, her legs bare and crossed, pointed away while being clothed in strappy black platform high heels.

"My, my, you don't mince words."

The doctor's brown eyes turned to meet a man draped heavily in traditional robes, showing a crooked smile while chanting under his breath with his right hand extended. For a man in his 60's, he could pass off as a 40-year-old based on his face alone; neither wrinkle nor grey hair was seen under the doctor's eyes. Near his right leg, a white Shiba Inu with reddish-looking eyes and a black harness, sitting patiently while staring ahead.

"Seriously? I may not be a monk, but I know from my early days that's a death prayer you're muttering."

"Relax, I'm pretty sure no one has died in your clinic. It's…for someone else," the monk said, his eyes now meeting the doctor, who was hosting dark blue hair in blunt bangs. "I'm surprised you recognize such things."

The doctor was now slightly grimacing. "It's hard not to. My parents liked to say that quite a lot in my childhood. Besides, your type has a way of attracting fearful, desperate families."

The priest laughed. "Perhaps. But, eventually, we return to Nature. Best thing is to have some people prepare those having a hard time accepting it."

"I suppose I should ask why you, of all people, would come out from meditating under some tree in the country to get a doctor's checkup."

The doctor then had proceeded to look down at his phone momentarily and twirl his phone on his middle finger with superhuman balance and speed. "Family business. I have to go see a lot of family members in the Tokyo area anyway." His dog meanwhile was meanwhile staring intently at the spinning phone; so much so that it was starting to rock back and forth, losing equilibrium.

"I suppose that's your business. Though...I should perhaps warn you as a doctor may increase the incidence of a cracked screen by 60 percent."

"Oh hush, Takemi-san; my meditation prepares me for multiple things. Even small tasks like these." The man then rose to leave. "Take care." He then turned his attention to his enthusiastic, furry companion. "Shall we?"

The Shiba barked and stood attention, as if it could understand human speech.

"Don't come back again now; I prefer low traffic through here," the doctor interjected as the priest and his furry partner exited her clinic.

Outside, awaiting the monk and dog were the tight walkways of Yongen-Jaya and gray. Gray everywhere.

"My my, grey is in season here now, isn't it?"

The dog nodded in response, ending with a whimper. To anyone observing, the case for an evolved form of canine was getting stronger by a minute.

"Well, perhaps we'll stop by Tatsumi and enjoy some beaches there," the priest said reassuringly to his dog.

The dog barked happily, its red eyes beaming radiantly.

The man though had one more thing to do: meet an old friend and his new assistant before returning back home south to the temple.

LeBlanc was, like the rest of today, occupied only by the sound of the monitor in the corner and Sojiro on a stool, lost in another crossword puzzle. Then, the doorbell rang. Instantly, Sojiro jostled up in his stool, away from his newspaper to meet the cause of the new sound.

Turns out it was a priest and his dog no less.

"I'm sorry but no pets are...wait...you again."

"Ahh...so your memory is still intact, I see. Despite your old age."

"You're practically the same age as me. Plus, I'm better looking anyway." Sojiro then remembered something else. "Anyways, Ryuzaki, I've been trying to call you all morning goddammit!"

Ryuzaki replied, much to his amusement. "You Luddite; perhaps if you saved my number one of these days, you would remember it and not misdial. That's the only thing I can think of as to why I didn't receive a call."

Sojiro could only growl in defeat. "You know, your boy was truant today. I doubt he even went to school at all today."

The priest couldn't help but raise his right eyebrow. "You act like that's foreign to you, given how you-"

"Don't get smart. I can still throw you out."

Ryuzaki smiled. "I would believe you if you had customers to consider. Plus, it's getting late. On a weekday. Sorry, but no one's coming."

Sojiro was starting to toot heavily from his nostrils. "...Why did you hock on me such a troublesome kid?"

Ryuzaki sighed and stared directly into Sojiro's eyes. "That troublesome kid is a well-intentioned, young man. I thought my sister briefed you enough."

Sojiro scoffed incredulously at him. "Ridiculous."

Ryuzaki's face flattened. "What, did you expect he was going to be some regular old hoodlum? Learn the barista trade, become a noble heart-stealer like you in a snap?"

"And yet, knowing how I've...already failed with one kid, you'd want me to try again here?" The mention of this "kid" was taking the color out of his cheeks.

"Consider this...a remedy if you will, in more ways than one. Besides...it was a desperate time. Still is. This was the best I could think of, given how I have my sister to consider. Plus...schools eat up the possibility of reforming 'delinquents.' They're carrots on the stick."

Sojiro at this point went around the kitchen counter to lean to the seat next to Ryuzaki. "Sounds like a bitter pill to swallow. Though I think you're conveniently lying about him being your nephew."

"Would it have mattered if he was? You've been well compensated for his expenses."

"Feel like it should have been better invested."

The dog on the other hand...

Sojiro then turned his attention to the furry companion sitting on the stool behind Ryuzaki, its expression one of conciliation. "Why'd you bring the mutt along, Ryu? You know I'm-"

The dog next to Ryuzaki growled and barked fiercely, brandishing its pearly-white teeth; it seemed like he didn't appreciate being called a mutt.

"Great, Sojiro, you hurt his feelings," Ryuzaki commented. "How are you supposed to interact with people if you can't be courteous to an animal? Especially one with great spiritual power?"

Sojiro rubbed his temples in confusion. "What the...man, why are you always so weird?"

"But to be frank, I'm holding this dog in the meantime for a fine young college student while he's away for personal business. And yes, I know you're running a store. But you'll have no customers here anyway, so it's fine." He then peered around. "You know I was hoping to cross paths with your new assistant before I return home."

"Well looks like you'll be disappointed then. Unless you're willing to wait and sip a cup of coffee." Sojiro then put on a smile. "Perhaps some of the Blue Mountain?"

"Just the Blue Mountain. None of your curry though."

The dog was whimpering, however; it seemed hungry.

"Maybe curry for the dog then?" Ryuzaki added on. "I'll pay."

"Jeez, I swear my life is now at rock bottom when my only customer is some Shinto priest and a dog...Fine. This is my one exception to the pet rule. Though if a health inspector comes in, it's your ass."

The dog barked happily in response. Sojiro went back around the counter to heat up his siphons, which he then loaded with Blue Mountain coffee beans. Sojiro then opened the slow cooker with his signature curry; in response, the dog started to pant heavily, staring intently at the curry. Ryuzaki turned and stared in amusement at his companion.

Sojiro handed the dog a fine plate of meaty curry and Ryuzaki a cup and saucer of freshly brewed coffee. "The dog's lucky I didn't add chocolate to the curry this time."

"I'm sure my friend will appreciate it."

Ryuzaki turned to find the dog furiously lapping up the curry; the didn't stand a chance. Despite seemingly being a messy eater, it still seemed to have a rather clean coat of fur around its mouth after slobbering it up. Ryuzaki, in turn, tried a Blue Mountain. Sojiro hadn't lost his touch; he personally wished for an endless supply of the mild dark roast himself, but he already knew at the back of his mind that coffee, like all remarkable things in life, don't last. So perhaps while he was crashing over at Sojiro's place, he would savor every taste while his old friend observed in a smug amusement.

"Sojiro, stop staring at my saucer. I've said it countless times: you've made excellent coffee," Ryuzaki said, finishing up his last sip.

"All's fair in taking pride in one's craft," Sojiro commented.

"Meditation on one's craft and skill is all fair in that it channels your energy into a positive good, yes. But pride breeds obsession if you're not careful. Creates...unintended consequences. Tell me...have you've seen anyone as of late? Other than, well "her" of course."

Sojiro's smile evaporated away.

Ryuzaki pressed even further. "It wasn't your fault, Sojiro. You probably don't want to hear me lecture you for too long, but at the very least-"

"...No, I really don't."

"Then I'll end with this: All things fade; the sooner you realize this, the sooner you'll realize to savor what's remaining." Ryuzaki then raised from his stool, along with his furry companion. "I must be going; I'm still on schedule, and it's unfortunate he wasn't here now. Just...bear with him. He's a good kid."

"Society doesn't care if the kid is 'good' or not. I'm supposed to keep him safe; the kid should realize that and keep his nose down. Nothing comes from not watching your back."

Ryuzaki became stern-faced. "There's a fine line between being safe...and being entombed in some prison."

He turned to his dog. "'Maru-san, come! I have something for you."

He turned back to Sojiro. "Before I do go, though, just so you don't forget it." The dog handed him a small white card. On it, his phone number, and on the flipside, a noticeably weird saying on the back. Well...actually, the first thing should have been why a monk would have something like a business card in the first place. But still: "Two in harmony is better than one in perfection." What the hell did that even mean?

Sojiro put the card in his wallet as the two walked out of the door. Probably another lame aphorism coming from his mouth.

A few minutes later, Akira dragged himself through the front doors of LeBlanc.

"It's only your first day and you're already showing up hours late?" Sojiro remarked sternly.

Akira was noticeably tired. Did the brat stay up, against my advice?

"I'm sorry," Akira said, head sunken down. Sojiro couldn't help but note that for a punk kid, he seems awfully meek about getting into trouble, especially with all of the smart-ass quips he was pulling out of his mouth.

Sojiro sighed behind the counter. "Look, behave yourself. Your life's forfeit if anything happens. You understand the meaning of probation, right? Now...just get to bed."

Akira as ordered went upstairs. And as Akira went upstairs, Sojiro couldn't help but wonder: was Ryuzaki not completely bullshitting about the "good nephew" part?

Whatever; it's none of my business, Sojiro said to himself. He was happy enough with the idea that the kid wasn't a shameless moron.

His phone began to ring. Sojiro pulled out his phone quickly.

"Yeah, yeah. Curry time, I know. I'm leaving in 5 minutes."

Sojiro closed his phone and proceeded to sigh and slightly sink over his bar counter. "It's time like this where I feel good locking him in each night." His hand then moved to the half-empty bottle of whiskey on the shelf behind him and then proceeded to pull out an old Polaroid from his wallet. In the picture was an adult in his 30s, dressed similarly to Sojiro, holding awkwardly on the shoulders a black, short-haired woman wearing black glasses and a black sweater vest.

"World being rough as it is, no need for another to fall through the cracks."

Notes:

This was shorter than expected. Trying to add Makoto events here felt a bit forced for me. That, and I felt like I could do something interesting with Sojiro character wise. Will try to put her back in probably within next two entries.

Hoping to keep going from here strong. Feel like there will be some struggle to write about the next events in the story since Ryuji's intro arc IMO drags a bit. Rest assured, it will come; don't worry.

Either way, feel free to give feedback if you feel like it; I appreciate hearing from you guys on how I can continually improve. In particular, I might do a big edit, depending on how I feel about the flashback sequence. Thanks!