It had been a few weeks since Harumi started at Chen's, and she would be lying if she said she hadn't enjoyed it. The familiar routine was comforting, her shifts had become a rhythm of chaos and satisfaction. Each day, she wore her apron with pride, even as the hours dragged on and her feet ached from standing. Skylor's encouragement lingered in her mind, pushing her to embrace this part of her life. The praise from her coworkers made it even better, their laughter and camaraderie infusing the restaurant with a spirit she hadn't expected to find.
That afternoon, as she prepared one of her tables for the next group of customers, she could feel someone watching her but chose not to acknowledge it. It was probably just someone waiting to complain to one of the staff members anyway. However, the warning bells in her head were persistent. Finally, unable to shake the feeling, Harumi glanced over her shoulder and caught sight of a figure standing near the entrance. An overweight man with greasy hair and a stained t-shirt. He was looking at her with a look in his eyes that she had seen many times during her time with the SOG. He thought he was entitled to whatever he wanted and was going to make her miserable to try and get that. She watched as he argued with the greeter to place him in her section, and her heart sank when he succeeded.
"Welcome to Chen's, I'll be your server today. Can I start you off with a drink?" Harumi forced a smile, though her insides tightened with dread. The man, now seated at one of her tables, had a presence that oozed intimidation. He leaned back, eyes glinting with a mix of arrogance and interest as he surveyed her.
"Water," he grunted, dismissively waving a hand.
"Sure, I'll be right back with that," Harumi replied, her heart racing. She turned on her heels and hurried to the drink station, where Skylor noticed her unease.
"Hey, everything okay?" Skylor asked, filling a glass with ice.
"Just peachy," Harumi replied, forcing a laugh. "Got a real charmer in my section."
Skylor turned slightly to peer at the man. "Ugh, I saw him come in. He's got 'trouble' written all over him." She leaned in closer, whispering, "If he gives you any trouble, just nod at me. I've got your back."
"Thanks, I appreciate it," Harumi said, grabbing the water and taking a deep breath as she steeled herself to approach the table again.
As she placed the water down, the man looked up at her with an unsettling smile. "You're new here, huh? Bet you'd rather be somewhere else," he sneered, his voice oily and thick.
"Actually, I'm really enjoying working here," Harumi said, keeping her tone steady. "Can I take your order?"
"Just the special," he replied. Then, as she turned to leave, he added, "And maybe I'll have another drink, too. Something a little stronger." He leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "You know, you remind me of all the good things in life. I could use a friend like you."
A cold shiver ran down her spine, and she smiled tightly. "Alright, I'll get that for you."
As she walked back toward the kitchen, she overheard a couple of regulars at the bar whispering. "Same guy gave Jess a hard time last week," one said.
"Poor girl, he looks like a real creep," the other replied, clearly concerned. Harumi swallowed the knot in her throat, her grip tightening on her notepad. She had dealt with men like this before—entitled, overconfident, thinking they could say whatever they wanted without consequence. In the past, she might have had the power to put someone like him in his place, but here, she was just a waitress trying to do her job. If she just served him as fast as she could, then he would leave, and she wouldn't have to deal with him anymore. Harumi quickly placed the order for the man, eager to minimize her interaction with him. She could feel her anxiety rising, her hands shaking slightly as she put in the order for the special and an alcoholic drink that generally added an air of comfort to a customer's dining experience, though she had a sinking feeling it wouldn't do much to soothe this one. While waiting for the food and drink to arrive, she busied herself with clearing tables, trying to stay in the zone. Just a few more minutes, she told herself. Just get through this.
Eventually, the man left, and Harumi could feel herself breathe again. As the last sound of the man's laughing echoed out of the restaurant, Harumi let go of the breath she'd been holding since he first walked in. Skylor sidled up alongside her, putting an arm around her shoulder. "You did great, I saw him giving you a hard time. Don't let him get in your head, okay? You've got this."
"Thanks, Skylor," she replied, glancing back at the door, half-expecting him to march back in. "I just wish people could remember I'm here to serve food, not be their punching bag."
Skylor leaned in closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "You know what you need? You need to go out with us after work. A little fun always helps clear the mind. Some of the staff and I are going to a quiet little bar just down the street."
Harumi hesitated; this wasn't the first time Skylor had made the suggestion, but she had never gone out with others before. It had always seemed like something you do with friends, and did the others really consider her a friend? "I don't know, I'm not much of a drinker, and Lloyd had wanted to do some kind of meditation tonight." Both of those were a lie, but she didn't want to feel like she was imposing.
"Come on!" Skylor insisted, her enthusiasm contagious. "It'll be good for you! Plus, how else are you going to shake off the dirt from that creep? We all need a night of laughter and good company. Besides, meditation? Sounds like the perfect way to make you fall asleep, not unwind."
Harumi bit her lip, uncertain. The warmth of camaraderie was appealing, yet the fear of imposing felt heavy in her chest. "Are you sure I wouldn't be a third wheel?"
"Please," Skylor laughed. "I don't think you realize how much we all appreciate you. You bring a fresh vibe to the place! Just come along, I promise it'll be fun. You can order soda or something—no pressure to drink." It was then that Harumi noticed a small table of servers at the bar, laughing and sharing animated stories. She felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could be part of their lighthearted world.
"Okay, you win," she relented, trying to mask her excitement with a semblance of nonchalance. "But only for an hour or so."
"Great! I'll text you the details," Skylor grinned, and as the evening wore on, Harumi found her head buzzing with the prospect of stepping outside her comfort zone. It was strange to think that only a couple months ago, she was locked up in Kryptarium alone and hopeless.
That evening, Harumi and Skylor walked down the streets to a small bar nestled between an apartment complex and a tattoo parlor. The sound of soft music and laughter drifted outside, and Harumi could already feel herself relaxing. As they entered the bar, the dim yellow lights embraced them, and the low hum of conversations blended with the gentle melodies of a live guitarist strumming at the far end. Everything felt alive, and Harumi was suddenly aware of the nervous flutter in her stomach. It was a new world compared to the hectic atmosphere of Chen's.
"Just a warning," Skylor said, grabbing the barstool next to Harumi and sliding onto it. "When Karlos gets drunk, he starts talking non-stop about stuff he hasn't actually done, and there's no way to shut him up. Well, unless Vira wants to kiss him again."
Harumi chuckled softly as she leaned in closer. "What's the deal with those two anyway? It seems like they're always flirting at work, but she insists they aren't together."
"Ah, the age-old question," Skylor said with a wink. "Karlos has had a crush on Vira since before I even started working there. He's never been bold enough to actually ask her out, though. So there's a lot of back and forth—she flirts, he flirts back, but neither makes a move. It's kind of cute, really."
As they chatted, the rest of the group arrived. It didn't take long for the group to pull Harumi into their banter, and she felt warmth spreading through her chest. "Look who finally made it!" Karlos shouted theatrically, holding up a cocktail like it was a trophy. "The new girl graces us with her presence! I was beginning to think you didn't like us."
"No, she just finds you annoying," Jess joked as she pulled Harumi closer. "She's my baby sister now, and I think you should leave her alone. Honestly, what do you see in him, Vira?"
Vira rolled her eyes, leaning back with a laugh that lit up the dim room. "Don't let him fool you. Karlos is all hot air and mediocre stories. But he has to be good for something, right? Maybe a shoulder to cry on when my date takes too long to show up."
Karlos feigned a gasp. "Oh, the betrayal! I am the funniest person in this entire bar! How dare you, Vira?" He turned to Harumi, his expression shifting from hurt to mischief. "But, really, my dear new friend, if you need any comedy relief tonight, I volunteer as tribute."
Harumi giggled, feeling herself ease into the atmosphere. The clinking of glasses, laughter, and sound of the guitar began to blend into a comforting melody, drowning out her earlier fears. She leaned over to Skylor, who had just ordered a round of drinks. "This is nice. I didn't realize I could actually enjoy myself like this. You all are really fun!"
Skylor winked again, a bright spark in her eye. "See? You just needed a little push. Life's too short to keep anxiety as your home, you know?"
As she swirled back to the bar, Jess leaned in toward Harumi. "So, we're all curious—you and Lloyd? What's the deal, are you guys dating?"
Harumi blinked a little too quickly, her heart skipping a beat. She hadn't expected that question to drop in the midst of the lighthearted conversation. "Oh, um, Lloyd? No, we're just…friends. He's really supportive, and it's nice to have someone looking out for me. But, I don't know! I mean, after everything that's happened between us, I'm not even sure how I feel."
Vira leaned in with narrowed eyes, clearly not convinced. "Just friends, huh? It sounds like you're trying to convince yourself, not us," she teased, nudging Harumi playfully.
Harumi felt a flush creeping up her cheeks. "Okay, maybe I did consider the idea of something more," she admitted, unable to suppress a smile. "But we haven't discussed it…I mean, it's complicated. He's a great guy, but…"
"But what?" Skylor encouraged, her gaze gleaming with curiosity. "Come on, spill it!"
Taking a deep breath, Harumi squared her shoulders. "We both have our baggage. We've both been through... things." She could feel the weight of her past creeping in, but being amongst this group made her want to share for the first time. "Lloyd has his issues, and I'm just finally piecing my life back together after everything that happened. It feels like a lot sometimes."
The atmosphere shifted slightly, the laughter surrounding them fading into a more earnest conversation. "You're not alone in that, Harumi," Jess said gently. "We all have stories and struggles. The important part is that you're here now, right? You've got friends standing around you."
"Let's drink to that!" Karlos broke the serious moment, raising his drink high, and the others followed suit, glasses clinking loudly. "To friends, new and old! May we always find the light, no matter how dim the path ahead!" The cheer was infectious, and at that moment, Harumi felt a rush of gratitude for this new chapter in her life.
As the night stretched on, Harumi found herself truly relaxing, her laughter mixing with the easy banter of her coworkers. It was strange how natural it felt to be here, surrounded by people who saw her not as a former princess, not as the quiet girl rebuilding her life, but simply as Harumi. No expectations, no judgments—just a part of their team.
Laughing at some story Karlos had just finished telling Harumi made her way to the bathroom to freshen up. As she washed her hands, she caught her reflection in the mirror and hesitated. For the first time in a long while, she didn't recognize the expression on her face—it wasn't guarded, bitter, or weighed down by guilt. She looked… happy. At ease. It was almost unsettling how natural it felt.
With a deep breath, she pushed open the door and made her way back toward the bar. The atmosphere was still lively, the warm hum of conversation wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. But as she stepped back toward the table, a tall figure blocked her path. Looking up, she was face to face with the same guy from the restaurant, only this time, he had a few friends with him. "Well, well," he drawled, his smirk stretching wider. "Didn't think I'd run into you again so soon."
Harumi's stomach tightened. The guy had been a nuisance back at the restaurant, throwing around entitled remarks when she refused to give him her number. Now, seeing him here with backup, his confidence seemed inflated.
"Not interested then, not interested now," she said flatly, attempting to step around him.
One of his friends, a broad-shouldered man with an unimpressed scowl, shifted to block her way. "Relax, sweetheart, we just wanna talk."
Harumi tensed. The bar was still alive with music and laughter, her friends only a few steps away, but the casual atmosphere suddenly felt stifling. "I don't." Her voice was firm, even as her pulse quickened.
The guy tilted his head, his smirk twitching. "You act like we're the bad guys here. I was just thinking maybe we got off on the wrong foot. Let me buy you a drink."
"Thank you, but no," Harumi said, trying to step around him again, but before she could, another one of the guys wrapped an arm around her and his other hand covered her mouth. Harumi's heart raced as the sudden shift in her surroundings closed in on her. Panic flooded her chest, but she forced herself to remain composed. The grip around her was firm but not yet tight enough to restrict her breathing. She felt the warmth of the man's hand against her mouth, but she didn't struggle immediately—she couldn't afford to make any rash moves.
In the distance, she saw Karlos' head swivel in her direction, his carefree demeanor instantly shifting to alert. Skylor, too, had caught sight of her, and Harumi noticed the protective stance they immediately assumed.
"I said no," Harumi growled against the man's hand, her voice muffled but sharp.
The guy with his arm around her chuckled lowly. "You're feisty. I like that." His breath stank of alcohol, making her stomach churn. "But I think you're just being difficult."
Before she could react, there was a sudden burst of movement. Skylor was there in an instant, pushing through the crowd with a clear line of sight to Harumi. "Hey!" Skylor snapped, her voice commanding. "Let her go."
The guy who'd grabbed her turned toward Skylor with a sneer. "And what if we don't?" he asked, leaning into his bravado as his friends chuckled around him.
Karlos, now fully aware of what was happening, was already taking large strides in their direction. "This isn't your turf, man. You don't want to start something you can't finish." Harumi didn't wait for a confrontation to escalate. With the slightest shift of her body, she elbowed the man holding her in the ribs hard enough to make him grunt and stagger back. She took advantage of the moment, twisting her body free and darting past him. She found herself almost instantly in Skylor's arms, the two of them pressing together for a brief moment of reassurance.
"Go on, run along," Karlos said with a wild grin, glaring at the group of men, his tone dangerously low now. "Before I decide to make this interesting."
The men hesitated, glancing at each other before one of them shrugged. "Fine," the one who'd grabbed her muttered, stepping back. "You're lucky tonight, sweetheart." The group slowly retreated, their bravado dwindling as they realized they weren't going to get what they wanted.
"Hey, you alright?" Skylor asked, her voice softer now.
Harumi exhaled sharply, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. She gave a small nod, though her hands trembled slightly as she wiped them against her jeans. "Yeah… yeah, I'm fine."
Skylor frowned, clearly not convinced, but she didn't push. Instead, she wrapped an arm around Harumi's shoulders and steered her back toward their table. "Come on, let's get you a drink. Or some water. Whatever you need."
Karlos was still watching the retreating men with a sharp eye, his usual carefree demeanor darkened by lingering tension. "Next time, they're getting more than a warning," he muttered, flexing his fingers like he was itching to throw a punch.
Vira huffed as she crossed her arms. "Idiots. Thinking they can just get away with that kind of crap." She turned to Harumi, her expression softer. "You sure you're okay? We can leave if you want."
Harumi nodded slightly, feeling the sting of tears in her eyes. She couldn't believe she had let them get even that far, the old her would have slit their throats in no time at all. Squeezing her eyes shut, she scolded herself for thinking that. She was trying to turn her life around, and that meant she couldn't resort to violence. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to push the thought away. That wasn't who she was anymore. She wasn't the girl who solved problems with a blade or manipulation. She was trying—really trying—to be better, to build something real for herself. But moments like this made it hard to forget how much easier it had been back then, how simple it was to let fear do the work for her.
Skylor gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, grounding her in the present. "I'll take you back to the monastery tonight, so you don't have to wait for Lloyd to get here."
Harumi exhaled slowly, nodding as she let herself lean into Skylor's support. "Yeah… I think that'd be good." The tension in her body was still thrumming under her skin, but she forced herself to take another steadying breath.
The others didn't push her to stay or try to keep the night going. Instead, they rallied around her, offering quiet reassurances in their own way. Karlos, despite his usual antics, was uncharacteristically serious, his jaw tight as he muttered under his breath about what he should have done to those guys. Jess rubbed her back in slow, calming circles while Vira flagged down a waiter to get Harumi a glass of water.
Harumi accepted it with a grateful nod before taking a small sip. Her hands were still trembling, and she hated how much that annoyed her. She'd faced worse—so much worse—and yet, this moment, this normal moment, had shaken her. Maybe it was because she was trying to live a different life now, and it reminded her that the world wasn't always going to let her forget who she used to be.
Skylor caught her eye, and without a word, she tilted her head toward the door. "Let's get out of here," she said, already grabbing her jacket. "You don't need to stay in this energy."
Harumi nodded, standing with her. "Thanks, guys. I had a good time before… well, you know."
Jess gave her a small smile. "We'll do this again soon. And next time, no assholes."
Karlos raised his glass. "To Harumi, surviving yet another ridiculous night."
Harumi chuckled weakly, managing a small smile before she and Skylor made their way out. The cool night air hit her face as they stepped onto the quiet streets, and for the first time since that awful encounter, she felt like she could finally breathe. Skylor walked beside her, hands stuffed in her pockets, not forcing conversation but just there. And Harumi was grateful for that.
"Thank you for everything you've done," Harumi finally said once they had arrived at the monastery. "You really don't have to be this nice to me. I know it's inconvenient."
"You're my friend. I want to help you," Skylor replied with an easy grin. "Besides, friends have each other's backs, right? You're worth it."
As they approached the steps of the monastery, Harumi paused, glancing at Skylor. The moon illuminated the intricate details of the building, casting soft shadows that danced and shimmered. Did Skylor really see her as a friend, or was she just being nice? Harumi knew she shouldn't be questioning it. Skylor wasn't the type to say something just to be nice, but she had never had a friend, so the idea of having one after all this time felt surreal. Sure, there was Loyd, but everything with him felt different. With him, she didn't always have to think about everything; he just knew her better than she liked to admit. But this felt like something she had to work towards, and it made the reward all that more amazing. "Thanks, you're a good friend," Harumi said, surprising even herself when she wrapped Skylor in a hug.
After a short moment of shock, Skylor's smile grew as she tightened the hug. The past seemed like a distant fog, a bad dream almost. She could hardly believe that this was the same girl who had almost succeeded in taking over Ninjago twice. As they finally pulled away, Harumi felt lighter, and the lingering anxiety from earlier ebbed away just a little more. "I'll send you a text tomorrow," Skylor said, adjusting the strap of her bag. "We can grab coffee or something. Just to chat, you know?"
"Definitely," Harumi responded, the prospect of a relaxed morning making her smile. "I'd like that."