Another morning, another mostly sleepless night. Kyle had spent most of it just staring at the ceiling, pondering past events and wondering where to go from here. He breathed out a long, heavy sigh. It seemed to be the only thing he did at home lately.
He didn't have the motivation to get out of bed. 'No, I can't stay here all day. I've got to get my mind off of this, get a clear head.' He couldn't get the image of that kiss between Sabrina and Asahi out of his mind. And then suddenly, the door opened without warning.
Irina was not pleased to see her son still lounging around. She opened the curtains to let in some light. "I don't care if you shine, but you're going to rise or else. Also, I have some important news."
Kyle covered his eyes and groaned. "Too... much... light!" He adjusted to the brightness and looked at Irina. "What is it, mom?"
"It's about rent. You're going to start paying it." Irina was completely serious. "1000 yen per week. Your first payment is due right now."
Kyle was confused. "How am I supposed to do that? I don't have a job anymore, remember?"
Irina smiled. "Find another one, of course! Now, hand it over. I know you have at least that much. I am your landlady from now on, and if you don't pay, I'll kick you out."
"Ugh, fine. Like I need any more reason to earn some dough. I'll search after breakfast." He was about to head out the door when Irina stopped him.
"Hey!" She held out her hand. "The money?"
Kyle had almost forgotten... or rather, thought he could get away. "Dammit! Okay, you win. Here you go." He handed her the cash.
Irina smiled and took it. "I knew you had the money, dear."
"Ugh...whatever. See you later." Kyle got up and headed downstairs to get some food.
Out in town, Kyle wondered who would hire someone who was fired so terribly at their last job. He checked in with all the stores he could think of in the shopping district.
"Sorry, we ain't hiring, kid." The fish monger shooed him away. One down already, but plenty more to go.
"Nope, you'll have to look somewhere else." The lady running the bakery didn't want him either. On to the third store.
"Someone of your... uh, 'talents'... might be better suited elsewhere." Of course the local maid cafe wouldn't take him.
With nowhere else to turn, Kyle thought of something. Something that would make him swallow his pride and get it done. 'I hate to say it, but didn't Sabrina's dad need someone to work at the shop?' Outside the ramen shop, Kyle took a deep breath and put his game face on. He opened the flaps and stepped inside.
At this time, the shop was much less busy. It was between the breakfast and lunch rush with only a few elderly patrons. There were also some delinquents skipping school, but they weren't bothering anyone. Not today, anyway.
Kyle went up to the counter and addressed Itsuki. "Mr. Kanou? It's me, Kyle."
Itsuki looked up at him and grinned widely. "Hey-o! Whatcha doin' here at this hour, kid? Not lookin' to work for me, are ya?"
Kyle rubbed the back of his head and laughed nervously. "Haha, well...you see-"
"What, you're serious?" Itsuki never believed that anyone would take the offer in a million years. He threw his hands in the air, utensils still in them, and accidentally launched some noodles in Kyle's face. "Hoho, that's great news, boy! I got a spare apron and hair net in the back, go get 'em and come back behind the counter. Your training starts today. We still have time before the lunch rush!" Itsuki pulled Kyle into the back room.
Kyle was about to object to starting immediately, but he figured it was for the best. "Thanks... I guess?"
"Here they are. Let me get them ready for ya!" Itsuki patted the work uniform for Kyle and a thick layer of dust revealed how old they really were. "Sorry, these were originally meant for Sabrina." He handed him the meager attire.
Kyle didn't think much of it and took the clothes. He put them on and made sure they were a good fit, and they were indeed.
"Great! Let's get started. The room you're in now is the stock room. This is where you'll be to take inventory and fetch items."
Kyle nodded. This was part of his last job from time to time, so it's old news. "I got it. What's next, dude?"
"A fast learner, excellent!" Itsuki showed him to the kitchen. "I take care of the prep work and the cookin'. I'm a great chef and super quick, so there's not much for ya to do in here except place the things ya got from the stock room."
Sounds simple enough. "No problem. Anything else?" Kyle was enjoying the tutorial, somewhat.
"Your biggest job when it gets busy is to bus the tables and run the food to the customers."
"Okay." Kyle just went along with it.
"Oh, one more thing." Itsuki pointed at his head. "Ya can't work with those noodles!"
Kyle had almost forgotten that he had food on his face from the earlier incident. "Holy crap, I totally forgot! Where's the bathroom?"
Itsuki laughed and pointed to such a place. "You better hurry up! It's almost lunch time, boy!"
When Kyle finally left the bathroom after cleaning up, he went back to the main floor and immediately received orders.
"Quit bumming around, boy, we need more pork from the stock room!" Itsuki was hard at work preparing for the impending rush.
"Yes, sir." Kyle moved with purpose and quickly found the pork. It was reasonably well-organized so it wasn't too difficult. He found, however, that some of the boxes were quite heavy. Using his legs to alleviate the strain on his back, he lifted the box on his shoulder. "HNGGGGGGRRRR! There we go!" He carried it to the kitchen and plopped it down. Using his handy pocket knife, he cut the tape effortlessly. He was about to leave when Itsuki yelled at him some more.
"Hey, hold on! Yeah, you're supposed to leave them in the box, but cut the flaps first so they don't get in my way. Come on, I shouldn't have to tell ya this stuff, it's common sense!"
"Oh right, sorry. I never worked in a restaurant before, but I'm doing my best." Kyle did as asked and was about to go back into the stock room.
More yelling from Itsuki. "While you're back there, get some Korean cabbage! Not Romaine, Korean! We don't serve that other crap here, it's no good with the broth!"
Kyle knew this was going to be a hell of a day. Fortunately for him, the crates were clearly labeled.
The rush finally arrived, and Kyle was put out on the floor. He was running around with way too many bowls in his hands and arms. In his rush to get the food to the tables quickly, he would often spill some on his apron. This was normal, but it was quickly getting saturated in brothy goodness.
"More udon noodles, make it quick!" Itsuki was working at his legendary speed.
"I'm on it!" Kyle ran to the back at top speed and picked up the noodles, then brought them to kitchen.
Kyle somehow survived the rest of the lunch rush. He spent the quiet hours becoming more efficient at the basic tasks. The dinner rush was actually not as bad since some families prefer to eat a meal cooked in their own home most of the time. Still, there were plenty of hungry customers to feed. He did a great job this time, doing much better and spilling less food. He was able to do more by himself and so there was less yelling as well, thankfully.
It was finally the end of the work day, and Kyle was completely exhausted. He couldn't imagine doing this every day. But he would have to if he wanted a place to live. 'Man, I'm beat. Hopefully tomorrow will be easier, since I know my way around.' He suddenly felt a painful whack in the back.
It was Itsuki up to his usual tricks. "Great work today, boy!"
"Well, to be honest, I'm having a hard time keeping up." Kyle was ready to hit the hay. "How do you manage to do this every day?"
"Well, we don't open on Sundays, so it's not every day, hoho!" Itsuki was clearly amused. "Help me close up shop. Dump the rest of the broth, we can't use it anymore."
"Yes, sir." Kyle lazily shuffled over to the huge pot. It was hard to grasp and his arms were tired, but thankfully he managed to dump it without any problems. 'There. Finally done for the day.'
The next day at lunch time, Kyle entered the ramen shop for another day of work.
Itsuki saw him come in. "Yo! Get yer apron on. We got work to do."
Kyle nodded in response. "No problem, Mr. Kanou sir." As he headed to the backroom to grab a few items, he inadvertently opened a small, one-person changing room without checking first. His mouth was wide open at what he saw.
There Sabrina was, who had no top except for a bra, and was in the middle of taking off her skirt, revealing an exquisite set of lacy underwear that she no doubt wore for Asahi every once in a while. But today, it was witnessed by someone else for the first time.
There was nothing being said between the two for a few seconds, until Sabrina suddenly screamed out as she realized what this situation was."Y-You... stupid punk! JUST DIE!" She punched Kyle right into the opposing hallway wall before he could fully enjoy the view.