"Just five more minutes!"

Eiji tried to get up to take a shower and make coffee, but Ash was clinging to him, refusing to move.

Since Ash had stood in front of Eiji's room after a terrifying nightmare a few weeks ago, Eiji had convinced him to sleep next to him. Ash had stubbornly refused at first, not wanting to trouble Eiji with his nightmares and interrupt his sleep all the time. Eiji, however, had patiently explained to Ash that he had slept more soundly, and his nightmares had appeared less often when he had slept next to him. They had often fallen asleep on the sofa together or on his bed while watching a movie, and Ash had always slept peacefully next to him.

If Ash was perfectly honest with himself, he had observed that as well. He really slept much better next to Eiji, and his sleep was interrupted less often. Eiji called that slow recovery, describing it as a sign of healing and overcoming his trauma. He told him he couldn't expect miracles, but he would slowly get better. Eiji just wanted to help him and worried about him. Even Ash had realized that by now. The confidence and the compassion reflected in Eiji's chocolate brown eyes made Ash finally give in and accept his offer.

Still, Eiji had a hard time waking him up every morning. Ash had the habit of clinging to him like a lifeline while his head rested on Eiji's chest. Eiji had explained to Ash that he didn't mind, that it also helped him because he sometimes had nightmares as well. Eiji had told him that after all he had gone through, it was understandable that he needed to feel Eiji next to him to relax and finally sleep soundly.

However, he constantly complained that he was a hopeless sleepy head and impossible to wake up. Eiji always tried to be annoyed with him, but his honest features and his soft voice always gave him away. He was incapable of hiding the faint smile playing on his lips and always messed up his hair affectionately when scolding him. He was convinced that he had to go through hell to deserve meeting an angel like Eiji.

Eiji always found new methods to get him out of bed. One time he had kissed him, and Ash had been so shocked he had fallen out of bed, cursing. Eiji had just smirked wickedly. Another time he had only held a bowl of natto in front of his face, knowing Ash couldn't stand the smell with nearly the same result.

"Ash, that's what you told me fifteen minutes ago. "You have to be on time today. Don't you have your written exam today?"

"Yeah.", Ash mumbled into the cushions while still clinging to him. "So?"

"So wake up already, or you'll be late. Japanese people are really strict. They can exclude you from the exam if you're late.", Eiji warned him.

"Fine.", Ash slowly muttered before finally releasing Eiji, but not getting up, burying his face in the blanket instead.

Eiji sighed deeply before leaving the room, probably to shower and prepare coffee. He had apparently fallen asleep again because the next time, Eiji stood in front of him with a cup of coffee for him while scowling.

"Ash! You're a lost cause, you know that?", he chastised him. Yet, he couldn't hide the amusement in his voice. He handed him a cup of coffee. "Drink this, grumpy cat."

Ash finally sat up and looked up at Eiji, nipping at the coffee. Eiji stood there wrapped just in a towel, his hair still dripping wet and smelling like this flowery shampoo he always used.

"Have I ever told you that I love it when your hair is dripping wet?", he said seductively.

He finally got up and removed some wet strands out of Eiji's face. He saw a faint blush run across his face when he moved closer. Suddenly, Eiji's eyes were overpowered by determination as he put a hand on his chest and pushed him away.

"No kisses before you haven't showered and gotten dressed!", Eiji told him sternly before moving to the kitchen to make breakfast. Ash pouted, but Eiji couldn't see it anymore. Then he sighed, put his cup of coffee on the table, and went to shower and dress.

While they were having breakfast in their kitchen, Ash tried to decipher a Japanese newspaper while Eiji looked through some photos for a last assignment he had to hand in a few days later.

Then Ash put the paper down and looked at Eiji, who was still looking through his photos. Feeling Ash's gaze on him, he looked up again.

"Why are you staring at me like that?", he asked curiously. "You want to ask me something?"

Ash nodded and was about to do so when Eiji looked at the clock hanging in the kitchen.

"Shit, we have to go, or we'll be late.", Eiji exclaimed. "I've lost track of time while looking through my photos. You'll be late for your exam!"

He stuffed the photos into his bag and took his camera. Ash grabbed his bag as well, and they left the apartment in a hurry.

"Calm down, Eiji. We still have enough time. If we run, that is.", he grinned wickedly when they were outside. He put his bag around his shoulder and grabbed Eiji's hand. Then he started running as fast as he could.

"Ash, wait!", while Ash pulled him along running. "All the people are staring at us! What will they think?"

"Probably that we're late?", Ash called back while continuing to run at lightning-fast speed, dragging Eiji along behind him.

"That's not the way to the language school!"

"It's a short cut. I've calculated the shortest route to my language school.", Ash called out while dragging him through small alleys, backyards and house entrances. Too bad he couldn't see Eiji's astonished face.

When they reached his language school, he still had ten minutes until his exam. Eiji needed a moment to catch his breath.

"How in the world did you calculate that route? I didn't even know most of the back alleys, and I've grown up here." Ash just grinned at him.

"Of course, I've memorized the entire map of Izumo.", Ash explained matter-of-factly. Then he looked at Eiji in amusement who had bent down, hands on his knees, and was still breathing heavily.

"Weren't you an athlete? Out of shape?"

"Shut up, you damn idiot. You haven't worked out since coming to Japan, either. There are beads of sweat on your forehead, too." He gave him a dirty look, pointing at him.

"Besides, this wouldn't have happened if you had gotten up in time!", he gasped out.

"Now go! If you fail your exam because you're late, I'll wake you up at 6 a.m. every day and feed you natto for the rest of the month.", he threatened him.

Ash's features twisted in pure disgust, and Eiji grinned smugly at him.

"Don't you dare. The last time you prepared natto, our whole apartment stank like that for three days.", he complained. He winked at him before entering the building. "See you at lunch."

"Good luck!"

~

After his exam, Ash went to his favorite café that was situated next to his language school and also to Eiji's college. He had discovered it after they had enrolled for their courses at the beginning of the semester. When seeing it, Ash had abruptly stopped walking and had stared at the café with wide eyes. What had caught Ash's attention at once was that they had books lying on every table. When he had peeked inside, he had noticed that shelves occupied every corner of the café with books in several languages. Seeing how Ash's eyes were practically glued to the window, Eiji had just rolled his eyes and had dragged him inside for a coffee.

Ash had liked the cafe at once. It kind of reminded him a bit of the Public library. The café had the same tables and uncomfortable wooden chairs, and the floor was made of the same dark wood and gave the café a vintage and rustic atmosphere. As he had seen from outside, all the walls were covered with shelves filled with books, newspapers and magazines in a variety of languages.

At the center of the cafe was the counter where you could order a coffee to go on the right side. On the left side, we're some bar stools where you could also sit at the counter and watch the barista prepare your coffee. Old-fashioned lamps only dimly lit the cafe, and there were quotes and pictures of famous writers everywhere he looked. He instantly fell in love with this café and knew that's where he would enjoy his second cup of coffee of the day.

Eiji had smiled when he had seen his astonished face and his widening eyes while slowly looking around like a little kid that visited a sweets store for the first time. He had remembered that the café had been famous for their excellent coffee, and it had been one of his favorite places before going to New York. Eiji had told Ash he hadn't recognized it at the beginning because it had relocated to the other side of college since he'd gone to New York.

Looking around, many international students spent time here because they had international newspapers and books, which was rare in a small town like Izumo. They also held literary events from time to time, collaborating with the literature department. There were flyers everywhere announcing the next events. Most were readings of local authors, but they also had collaborations with some professors about international literature and classics. Some even were held in English.

Eiji had told him the café belonged to the family of his former classmate. They had been really good friends, but the family had moved to the US when he was sixteen. He hadn't known if they were back in Japan. Eiji swore that before leaving Japan, they had made the best coffee in Izumo, and if he was lucky, they still had an American brand. The couple running the café at the time had been an American-Japanese couple whose aim was to create an international atmosphere. They also had a passion for literature and arts and supported local artists and the college.

Ash had tasted the coffee and fuck, that finally tasted like good coffee. Eiji had burst out laughing when he had seen his face light up when trying it. Ash had often complained to Eiji that the coffee in Japan just tasted different from the one in New York. Coffee was supposed to be bittersweet darkness, but as far as Ash was concerned, Japan took the bitter part to another level. Eiji had just told him this was just the way coffee tasted like in Japan and to use some sugar. That it wasn't any use whining about it because they both couldn't change it.

So when language school and college started, he usually hung out here until Eiji's courses would finish. They took an hour longer, so he often sat down here and finished his Japanese homework or just read a book while enjoying a good cup of coffee.

At first, the other people were on their guard and had been staring at him from time to time. However, it had never been hostile; they were just shooting curious glances in his direction. He guessed it couldn't be helped. Naturally blonde hair and green eyes were a rare sight in Japan. But they eventually got used to him spending his time here.

When Ash came in, the café was empty since most students came to study here in the afternoon. Ash slowly looked around and noticed there were only a few people here. Most of the regular customers at this hour he knew by now. The businesswomen who enjoyed her coffee her while going over some documents. An older man who was writing and from his eccentric behavior and his disheveled clothes had to be a writer. A younger couple, probably students, who enjoyed a late breakfast here. A group of students who spent time here enjoying themselves until they started working on a group project. And another man who sat at the counter, sipping his coffee while watching the people around him.

Ash had gotten to know one of the baristas here and started to like him when he had stumbled over the few Japanese words he knew while ordering a coffee here the first time. It had been his first day at language school. He had read all the books Eiji's sister had given him and therefore had been told to enroll in the advanced course. He could remember kanji and all the other writing systems pretty quickly but had a hard time pronouncing Japanese syllables. In Japanese, vowels were the key to the language, after all. So his grammar and writing were excellent, but his pronunciation was a disaster. At least his teachers had told him so. That and Hana's books never talked about ordering a coffee in Japanese since they were directed at Japanese students and not foreigners like him.

When Ash had gloriously failed to order in Japanese, the barista had watched him with an amused grin on his face for a moment before saying the magical words Ash had thought he'd never hear in Izumo.

"Just order in English. It's fine."

Pure relief had run over Ash's face as he gave him a grateful look. He had honey brown hair tied back in a ponytail with some shorter strands dangling at the sides of his face, and there was a mischievous glint in his coffee-brown eyes that aroused Ash's interest. His skin was tanned from the sun from spending much time outside in the sun.

"Thank God, I hate how Japanese pronunciation is all about vowels."

"Yeah, it can be hard at first. But you'll get used to it. Language school?"

"Yeah. First day."

"Good luck then." He took Ash's order and smiled warmly at him. "Where are you from?"

"New York. You're American, too?", he asked, wondering why his English was so good. He seemed to be fluent in Japanese as well since he switched effortlessly from English to Japanese while talking to his customers.

"You're half right." When Ash looked at him in confusion, he elaborated further."I'm half Japanese and half American. I grew up here in Izumo, but my family moved to the States a few years back. San Francisco.

Ash smiled. "It's nice to meet someone who speaks English fluently.", Ash admitted honestly.

"I'm Ash."

"Rai."

"Like The Catcher in the Rye?"

"Yes, more or less. But it's written R – A – I. No one in the US could write it correctly. They either wrote Ray or Rye." He pointed to his book. "You're a book worm through and through, huh?"

"Meaning?", Ash frowned up at him.

"It was a compliment, Ash. Not many people appreciate literature nowadays."

This time Ash really smiled up at him. "This café is nice. Reminds me of New York a bit."

"Then, I'll probably see you more often from now on."

Ash nodded. "Probably."

There was something about Rai's behavior that felt somehow familiar. His cheerful attitude reminded him of someone, but he couldn't place it. For now. He was pretty popular and talked with most of the customers in a familiar way while serving them. He had an easygoing way that cheered everyone up. Even Ash. And if he was perfectly honest, he had missed talking to someone else in his mother tongue. He had only realized how much just at that very moment.

Ash usually didn't talk to anyone else and just read books or did his Japanese homework. As a foreigner, it wasn't exactly easy to find friends. Especially when you can barely speak Japanese. And if you had severe trust issues and had to learn that not everyone talking to you had ulterior motives and wanted to kill you...

He couldn't care less about finding friends. For him, it was enough he had Eiji by his side. He knew, however, that it was important to Eiji that he also had a social life in his new hometown. For Eiji, it was a sign he had settled down here.

Still, since Rai had found out he loved literature, he often talked to him before or after his shift and wasn't phased by Ash's monosyllabic responses in the least. At the beginning, Ash was just annoyed that he interrupted his reading, but when he had told him he studied literature, his interest was sparked, and he slowly began warming up to him. When Ash threw a death glare at him or was unnecessarily rude, Rai instantly saw through his motives or just ignored it. Yet, his death glare hadn't scared him away. Eventually, Ash lowered his guard, enjoyed their conversation about literature and relaxed. Not that he would ever admit that. But maybe Eiji was right, and people in Izumo were harmless.

Today, Eiji had a group project which took longer than usual, so when Ash was finished with his homework, he read The Old Man And The Sea. While reading his book, he noticed someone standing in front of his table. To his credit, he didn't flinch. He just didn't react, hoping he would go away if he kept ignoring him long enough. Suddenly, another cup of coffee was placed in front of him. That made Ash finally look up.

"I didn't order another one.", Ash said, frowning up at Rai.

"It's on the house. I wondered if you could do me a favor. Please, I need your help."

Ash didn't say anything and waited expectantly for him to go on.

"I saw you reading The Old Man and the Sea. I have to write an essay about the meaning of the marlin in that work. But I have no clue about Hemingway."

"No.", Ash replied sternly without looking at him, returning to his book.

"What?", he asked in bewilderment. "Why not?" Ash sighed, finally put his book down and looked at him.

"Did you read the book? And with reading I mean the book and not a summary from SparkNotes.", Ash asked him.

"Yes, I've read the book. Most boring hours of my life. But I'm just not into Hemingway."

"I think you study literature?", Ash asked. "I don't waste my time helping people who don't appreciate Hemingway.", Ash stubbornly replied while continuing with his book. When Rai's face fell, and he practically begged him for help, he finally looked up at him again.

"I won't help you correct your essays you write behind the counter while working."

Rai looked at him, pure surprise crossing his face.

"How did you – "

"I'll help you if you write another version of your essay at home while really concentrating and thinking hard about the topic, researching it, and writing everything down at the end. Then show me the result tomorrow, and I'll see what I can do.", he promised him, half-smiling.

"Really? Thanks, Ash! You're a lifesaver!" Ash's cheeks flushed in embarrassment before he looked away.

"So, what can I do for you in return? Besides the coffee, I mean?"

"Nothing, it's f – " Ash stopped himself suddenly and pulled out a book. "Can you correct these? It's my Japanese homework."

Eiji had to finish a final project so he wouldn't find the time to do it, and he didn't want to bother him. His exam was over, but the course wasn't finished until his oral exam next week. Rai nodded, smiling.

"Let's see... this exercise is correct. But you have to correct this one and this one.", he explained to him, circling them with a pencil. "These are irregular verbs with a different form. You want me to write them down?" Ash nodded, squinting at the signs he'd written down. Rai smiled knowingly, took an extra sheet of paper, and wrote them bigger and more slowly. Ash smiled at him gratefully and relaxed as recognition flashed in his eyes.

"Thanks."

~

When Ash and Eiji returned home, Eiji brought the ingredients for their dinner into the kitchen before returning to their living room.

"Ash, don't let all of your belongings fall where you stand.", he scolded him when Ash had collapsed onto the sofa. "Tidy that up. Now! Your Japanese exercises are covering the whole floor.", he added while picking up some of them and shoving them into his face. "I'm not your maid, you know!"

"Fine." Ash finally stood up, took the papers Eiji had pushed into his face, and collected the rest. Eiji looked at some of them with new interest, looking over his shoulder while standing on his tiptoes, his arms flung around his shoulders. "Who corrected them for you? I don't recognize the handwriting."

Ash thought at first, he was suspicious. Yet, when he looked back at Eiji, he just looked curious, and his huge, honest eyes just reflected pure warmth while he looked at him. He really should have known Eiji better. While he always expected the worst in people, Eiji always saw the good in people first. Despite all his horrible experiences in New York, that innocent belief in people had never changed. It was a part of Eiji he truly loved and admired. He smiled at Eiji and told him what had happened.

"Someone at the café did. He saw me reading Hemingway and asked me if I could look through his Hemingway essay. I asked him if he could help me with my homework in return since your busy with your latest project. So he did.", Ash told him honestly.

Suddenly Eiji beamed at him, and his whole face radiated pure happiness while his eyes were shining, changing to a golden-brown color.

"You made a friend, Ash! That's great!"

Pure surprise crossed Ash's face as he stared at Eiji. The idea that he could have found a friend had never crossed his mind at all...

Is he right? Have I really found a friend...?

A smile lit up Ash's face while he looked at Eiji. "A friend, huh? Maybe...", he muttered more to himself, breaking eye contact and shrugging. Did he deserve a friend? He had understood that Eiji loved him by now, but he still had a hard time trusting other people.

Eiji had read his mind again because he looked at him in this intense way he had while taking both of his hands and coming so close that their foreheads were touching.

"Ash, you deserve a good friend. You're kind, smart and the best friend anyone could have, ok? But your stubborn attitude always gets in your way. Please don't distance yourself from him. Give him a chance to become your friend, ok? This isn't New York. Most people are nice here. But you have to give them a chance to get to know you."

Ash pulled back but didn't let go of his hands while he lowered his gaze.

"Thank you, Eiji. I think you're right. It's just hard for me to trust anyone besides you. But I'm trying, I promise."

Eiji gently touched his chin and moved it up again so that he looked into his eyes. "Ash, I know you are. And I knew it's not easy for you. I'd like to meet your friend eventually. When Ash flinched, Eiji put a hand on his shoulder.

"It doesn't have to be now. Just someday, ok?"

Relief washed over Ash's features, and he relaxed again. Then he nodded. "I promise."

Then he hesitated for a moment. "What about you, Eiji? You always tell me about your friends you do projects with. Why haven't I met them?", he asked, sadness darkening his green eyes.

"You don't – "

"It's not what you think.", Eiji interrupted him. "I just didn't know if you felt comfortable meeting them.", Eiji explained patiently. "They sure want to meet you.", he added, smiling at him.

"They do? Why?", he asked while his eyebrows furrowed a bit.

Eiji scratched his cheek nervously while avoiding his gaze. "I kind of talk about you. A lot. So they asked me if they could meet you for lunch one day. You can meet them next week if you'd like? The semester is over, and we have more free time then."

"Sure. So what have you told them about me?", Ash asked curiously.

"The truth.", Eiji simply said.

"That I'm a ruthless gang leader from New York?"

"No, you idiot.", he scolded him, smacking him lightly at the back of his head. "That you're brilliant, kind and a hopeless book worm. And that I love you." He had added the last one while his cheeks flushed in a faint pink color. "And I've shown them a picture of you. I always get the same reaction when I do that.", Eiji complained softly but didn't stop smiling.

"Which is?"

"People always ask me. You're dating someone like him? How did you manage that? He looks like a supermodel!"

Ash grinned despite himself. "They're exaggerating. It's probably just because they've never seen blonde hair. You're pretty handsome yourself, Eiji."

Eiji didn't answer and merely shrugged. Ash put an arm around him, whispering something into his ear.

"You'll always be the most handsome guy to me, Eiji. I could drown happily in your warm eyes."

Then he looked into his eyes, turning serious. "But it's not only about looks. You have the most beautiful and brilliant soul I have ever seen. And you possess the kindest heart. That's what makes you special. You shine from the inside. Everyone can see that."

Pure happiness was reflected in Eiji's eyes before he turned around and slowly kissed him. Ash was surprised but returned the kiss, pulling him closer.

"Thank you, Ash. I'm so glad I've met you. I love you."

Ash just froze up for a second before a genuine smile crossed his face.

"I love you, too. You're just too good to be true. Sometimes I think I'm dreaming and that I'll wake up without you."

"That will never happen. I've never been so happy. My dream has come true, after all."

"Which is?"

"To take you to Japan where you don't need a gun and can live the peaceful life you've always wished for." The softest smile escaped Ash's lips as he smiled at Eiji.

"Eiji, dreams should be about your happiness, not someone else's. But this is so you. Thank you for convincing a clueless idiot like me to come here. I'm happy here. With you by my side.

After a moment, he put an at around his shoulder, adding with a grin:

"Let's make dinner, ok? I'm starving. I was on time for my exam. So no natto, please."

~

"So, what do you think?", asked Rai hopefully after Ash had read his essay.

"It's not bad, but you should add more in-depth-analysis about the meaning of the marlin in Hemingway's book."

"Such as?"

Ash scribbled something underneath his essay and continued on the back. It wasn't just notes but two whole pages of analysis with quotes and references. Rai stared at him with wide eyes as he wrote all of that without looking at the book even once.

"How did you do that? You wrote that in less than five minutes. And how do you know all the quotes of the book by heart to prove your point? And all the references? Are you a fucking genius or what?"

"Something like that.", Ash said, embarrassed at Rai's outburst of amazement.

"Will you check my homework now?"

"Yes, of course." He corrected the few mistakes Ash had made.

"Fuck, I made the same mistake yesterday. A genius looks different."

Ash sat on the counter today because Rai had to work behind the counter and was responsible for accepting and putting away all the goods that were delivered before his shift was over. The café was pretty empty like most mornings, so there was only one other person sitting at the counter.

While Rai stowed away coffee beans and other supplies, he watched Ash curiously, who continued reading The Old Man And The Sea.

"Why do you love Hemingway so much?"

"I love how he describes loneliness.", Ash answered without looking up from his book.

Even when I was in a crowd, I was always alone.

That made Ash finally look up from his book in surprise, his eyes widening.

"You kind of remind me of that phrase from Hemingway. You look so lonely most of the time. Although it slowly fades away. You didn't come to Japan to be lonely, right?", he asked him, smiling.

Ash smirked at him. "No, I was blackmailed into coming here."

Rai grinned at him. "Your eyes tell something different. They reveal that you're happier and more content now. The reason is probably someone whose name begins with an E.", he added, pointing to the necklace Ash was playing with.

"You're pretty observant. It's Eiji. The name of the one dragging me to Japan."

The barista's jaw practically hit the floor as he stared at him. "Eiji as in Okumura Eiji, our pole-vaulting star?", he gasped, nearly dropping the cup of coffee he had just prepared for himself.

"You're dating him of all people?", he exclaimed a bit too loudly.

"Yes, that's him. Why are you so surprised?", Ash asked while his eyes tightened, the color darkening slightly.

"Because I went to school with him and he had never been interested in dating or a relationship. I don't think he's ever dated anyone while in school. Or college.", Rai explained. As a nice guy and a successful pole-vaulter, he had enough offers, but he turned everyone down. The only thing he cared for was pole-vaulting."

Ash smiled, a bit relieved. He had been worried to admit he was dating a guy in Japan because he didn't know how people here would react. Rai paused a moment before continuing.

"I just wondered how you've done that. Getting him to date you, I mean. You're pretty handsome, no doubt. But if Eiji hasn't changed much, he wouldn't be this shallow and only date you for your beautiful face. He would only date you if he truly loved you."

"He apparently does. Beats me, why.", Ash muttered while fumbling with the necklace.

"It's pretty obvious to me. You're just a nice guy. Behind your stubborn attitude and your rude outbursts, that is." Ash just glared at him but didn't reply. Deep down, he knew he had a point.

When he opened his purse and slid some money across the counter, he accidentally pulled a photo out along with the money without noticing.

"You dropped this.", Rai said, handing it back. "Is that you and Eiji?"

"Yes.", Ash said, his features softening at once when looking at it. He showed it to him. It was the photo Eiji had given to him a few months before when they had just moved here. In the picture, Ash was sleeping soundly, his head resting on Eiji's shoulder. Eiji was sitting next to him on the sofa, his hand draped protectively across Ash's shoulder, pulling him close.

Rai smirked. "So nothing has changed. He still looks like a grade-schooler.", he said, laughing.

Ash grinned back. "Yes. But don't tell him that. He'll get mad as hell."

Then Ash's gaze shifted somewhere else. He had started observing a guy who sat next to him and had drawn his attention by fumbling nervously with his sleeves. Droplets of sweat were running down his temples while he drank his coffee. Ash had seen him before and had noticed that he was watching the routine behind the counter a bit too carefully. His instinct had told him that he meant trouble. However, he often overreacted, so he had just watched him these last few days.

He had noticed how he had been watching the café's routine for the last few days. It was what he had done if he had planned an attack. First, you learned the routine of the place and their employees, then you learned the outline of the site and where the real money was located. Then you strike. The person was a complete beginner, though. The way he was acting it was completely obvious. He probably was just desperate because he had lost his job or something similar. He had never done anything like that before. He would perhaps try to steal a purse, or he would rob the café. Which Ash would prevent at all costs. This was his second home, after all.

So Ash pretended not to care and held his book in his right hand, continuing to read.

When the guy wanted to leave, Ash grabbed his wrist lightning-fast and kept a firm grip, making it impossible for him to do so.

"Give it back! Now!", Ash ordered in Japanese, his voice turning suddenly ice-cold and his eyes glowing dangerously in the dim lighting. The guy cried out in pain and fought against his grip but stood no chance against him.

Finally, some action. I was slowly getting bored.

"Ash, what the hell – ", Rai exclaimed, complete shock on his face. "Let him go!"

Without looking at him, Ash said:

"Your purse. You have a bad habit of leaving it on the counter."

"Shit! It's gone!", Rai exclaimed in a panic, looking for it everywhere.

"Yeah, of course, it's gone. He's stolen it. Or do you think I'm keeping him from leaving just for fun?", Ash answered calmly as if discussing the latest soccer results with him.

"Tell him for me that he should give it back, and if he ever comes back here, I'll give him a treat he'll remember for the rest of his life.", Ash said, still looking at the stranger with a death glare, making him tremble in fear.

Rai translated, his voice shaking badly while doing so. When the guy didn't react, Ash twisted his arm in an unnatural way behind his back until he screamed out in pain and cowered on the floor.

While still having a firm grip on his arm, Ash looked through his bag and finally found the purse. Along with ten others, probably customers of this cafe. Ash handed the purse back to Rai. "Check it. Especially the money.", he told him in a serious tone, still focused on the guy in front of him and holding him down.

When Rai nodded that everything was fine, Ash let go of him. The man rubbed his arm and stormed out of the café as fast as he could and rounded a corner. Without his backpack. "You should call the police. I took a photo of him."

Rai came to him and put an arm around his shoulder. Ash was surprised at first, but to his credit, he didn't do anything to block it. He just said, "Stop it!"

"No way, you scared my customers. If I put an arm around you, they know you're my friend and relax again.

Ash looked around. "Damn, you're right.", he said before giving the customers the brightest smile he could muster. Rai apologized for the little disturbance and told them to keep enjoying themselves.

"How can I make that up to you? Free coffee forever? Oh, wait, now I know. What about working here? Weren't you looking for a job?"

Ash looked at him in surprise. "You were looking at job offers at our bulletin board and in the newspaper as well as in our college paper.", he explained.

"You think that's a good idea? I can hardly speak any Japanese.", Ash reminded him.

"You're Japanese is good enough by now to take orders. It would also improve your horrible Japanese pronunciation.", he reminded him with a grin on his face while Ash just glared at him.

"There are also many international college students here, so many people can't speak Japanese either. And you can also work behind the counter and just prepare the orders. You're smart. You'll figure it out.", he continued, utterly unfazed by Ash's scowl. In the end, Ash's eyes softened and he accepted the offer.

"Ok then, fine. I accept. Thanks.", he replied, lowering his gaze and feeling a bit uncomfortable at the thought that someone would do so much for him.

Rai rolled his eyes at him. "We're friends, Ash, you know that, right? So it's not a big deal."

~

Ash met Eiji in the cafeteria at Eiji's college, where they usually had lunch together. When Eiji saw him and waved, he sat down next to him.

"You're happy.", Eiji said at once. "Something good must have happened. Are you going to tell me about it?", he asked, his chin in his hand while his elbow was resting on the table, smiling encouragingly at him.

"I can't keep anything from you, can I?", Ash complained, but he couldn't hide his smile.

"I've found a job.", he told him, grinning.

"Ash, that's great! I'm so happy for you!" Then he got quiet, thinking about it in more detail.

"Wait, the job is safe and legal, right? It doesn't involve violence or danger?", he asked him in a serious tone. "And your friend isn't a dangerous gang leader or professional killer, right?" Ash didn't say anything for a moment to tease Eiji a little.

"Aslan Jade Callenreese!"

Ash's features contorted with pain. "Not that name, Eiji. You only use it when I did something seriously wrong." Eiji smirked at him in satisfaction.

"So?"

"The job is safe and legal. It's just a part-time job at a café." Relief flooded Eiji's face.

"That sounds great, Ash. Is it the café you're always waiting for my classes to finish?"

Ash nodded. "But you won't like how I got the job.", he added, suddenly flustered while running a hand through his hair.

Ash told him what had happened at the café this morning and how Ash had prevented someone from stealing by twisting his arm.

"You just twisted his arm? He's still alive, right?", Eiji asked suspiciously, knowing his impulsive behavior and his nearly inhuman strength.

"Yes, he's fine. That's all I've done, I swear.", Ash said defensively, raising his hands to emphasize his innocence.

Eiji's eyes burned with happiness. "That's amazing, Ash! I'm so proud of you. You're my hero!", he exclaimed before hugging him and giving him a peck on the cheek.

Ash blushed faintly and played it down. "I didn't do anything. And I'm not a hero, Eiji!"

"Firstly, I didn't say you're a hero, but you're my hero. And secondly, you do realize that's exactly what a hero would say, right?"