Off to class I go. The stories take place in the order they're listed from top to bottom, enjoy reading up on the tale of The Dual Fools so far! Note to self...update Social Links page when I get back...
Summary: Akihiko (literally) runs into Kanji while searching for Aiya.
Akihiko looked around in confusion and heaved a frustrated sigh. He was good when it came to following directions, but this was simply ridiculous.
He squinted at the piece of paper that served as his map. Aiya was supposed to be around this corner, but why did he find himself in front of Junes?
He scanned the area for any sign that pointed towards the Chinese restaurant, all the while gripping his black umbrella. According to his flyer-slash-map, this place hosted a Rainy Day Special Mega Beef Bowl Challenge during rainy days. It so happened that he was around the area that day, so he decided to look for the shop and try his luck.
Unfortunately, it looked like the stars were working against him that very moment. While walking through the rain, he was so absorbed with making sense of the map provided with the flyer that he crashed into someone.
getbentpunks:
>Kanji walked toward the exit of Junes, holding a bag of food for his mom. He had told her he was going to head over to Aiya’s for the Beef Bowl challenge, but instantly regretted it.
Damnit, ya’ old hag, couldn’t have gone and get yer own food…
>Since he was going out, she had basically forced him to bring her some food back after he had eaten. Kanji knew she wasn’t fond of Aiya’s beef bowls, so he’d gone out of his way to head over to Junes. He scoffed. Like he’d let her know he’d made sure to get her some good food. As he exited, the rain hit Kanji’s bear head. In his haste to get his mom off his back, he’d forgotten an umbrella. He frowned as his slicked back hair fell in his face.
Shit!
>Out of the corner of his eye, kanji noticed an unfamiliar figure looking at a map, obviously lost. He hesitated; he wasn’t very good at people, and he didn’t want to freak this guy out by randomly talking to him.
goldenboysanada:
For a moment, Akihiko was taken aback by the appearance of the stranger in front of him. His instincts were telling him not to mess with this guy, just from his appearance.
Akihiko was bracing himself for a confrontation, yet to his surprise, the blond in front of him did not make any moves towards that action he was expecting. Seeing that he was going nowhere with his map, he decided to ask this man instead. After all, desperate times call for desperate measures.
He hesitantly offered his umbrella. “Hey… Do you know of a place named Aiya? It’s a Chinese diner around this place.” Akihiko took a deep breath. ”Unfortunately, I’m feeling a bit lost…” He paused for a moment. “No, I’m definitely lost. It’s my first time around this area, and this map of mine is as useless as an empty water jug in the middle of the desert.”
getbentpunks:
>Kanji watched the boy hesitate and look at him accusingly; probably because of his appearance. Just as he was about to snap at him, he was surprised to hear him ask for his help. Kanji blushed slightly and pointed at himself.
M-Me? Uh, y-yeah, ‘course I know where it is!
>His words sounded harsher then he would have liked. Damnit, he was horrible with people.
I-I m-mean, uh, I could show ya’ where it is? Be a lot easier then me confusin’ the shit outta ya tryin’ ta tell ya directions. Just gonna head over there myself fer a Beef Bowl.
goldenboysanada:
Akihiko’s eyes lit up at his words. The person’s reply was better than he expected. He smiled inwardly, because for some reason, this person reminded him of Shinji.
Akihiko smiled at him. “Sure, if it isn’t much trouble for you. What a coincidence, I was going for that special too.” He stuck a hand towards him. “By the way, I’m Akihiko Sanada.”
getbentpunks:
>Kanji blushed slightly and grasped his hand, shaking it strongly. He wasn’t used to shaking hands with people; most people avoided him.
C-Cool! Guess we could eat together then, h-huh?
>Kanji gulped, afraid that Akihiko would get the wrong idea about that. he seemed like a cool dude, so Kanji just shrugged it off. He started to lead the way, looking back to make sure he was following.
O-Oh, right! The name is Kanji. Kanji Tatsumi.
goldenboysanada:
“Tatsumi-san, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Akihiko smiled absent-mindedly at Kanji. As he followed him, he wondered why Kanji was so nervous about meeting him.
He noticed that the blond wasn’t carrying an umbrella, or any protection from the rain. “You’re getting wet.” He gestured to his left. ”Come here, there’s enough room under my umbrella, and I wouldn’t want you to catch a cold.”
getbentpunks:
>Kanji blushed and looked at the offered umbrella. His hair, which was now drenched, hung down and not slicked back.
U-Uh, s-sure! Th-thanks, dude!
>He slipped under the umbrella as they walked.
’s not a far walk, so it won’t be long. S-So, what brings ya’ all the way down here just fer a beef bowl?
goldenboysanada:
“I saw a flyer of theirs some time this morning. The Rainy Day Special caught my attention, and I overheard someone saying that it was akin to a ‘portal to the meat dimension’.” Akihiko smiled bemusedly once more. “I haven’t met a beef bowl that I haven’t finished, and this special looks like the right challenge for me. How about you?”
getbentpunks:
>Kanji ruffled his dripping hair and swept it back as best as he could.
Huh. Didn’t know they advertised ‘n stuff like that. M-me? Just a usual thing I do on rainy days; tend to eat out at Aiya’s a lot. My Ma’s shop is a few doors down.
>A slight smirk twitched at the end of Kanji’s lips.
Yeah, it’s been said to do shit like that. Ya’ think ya’ can beat this? Tch. We’ll see ‘bout that!
>Though his words sounded harsh, kanji’s tone was almost playful- well, as playful as it could get for Kanji.
goldenboysanada:
”Challenge accepted.” Akihiko smirked back at Kanji. This was a challenge he was going to take any day.
“And afterwards, mind if you show me around your shop?” Admittedly, he was curious as to what kind of shop a man like Kanji would possibly inherit.
getbentpunks:
Alright, I’m lookin’ forward ta’ seein’ this!
>Soon, a familiar aroma began to fill Kanji’s nose as they neared Aiya’s.
Oh, we’re almost there! Get ready, Senpai, yer gonna regret acceptin’ this challenge- Wh-what? My Ma’s shop? Uh…
>Kanji scratched his nose, blushing slightly.
… S-Sure… I guess.
goldenboysanada:
Akihiko briefly wondered why Kanji was so nervous about his mother’s shop, but his train of thought was interrupted when they neared Aiya. The smell coming from the shop was so enticing that he stopped on his tracks to simply enjoy the familiar scent of gyudon.
“So, I think I hear our beef bowls calling.” He smiled mischievously at Kanji. “Shall we?” He took his first step inside the shop and looked back, checking if Kanji was still up for the challenge.
getbentpunks:
>Still nervous about the prospect of Akihiko seeing their shop, Kanji shuffled on his feet for a moment. However, as the smell of Aiya’s hit his nose, his body began to relax slowly. Noticing how empty his stomach really was, Kanji turned toward Akihiko with a determined look on his face.
Hell yeah! I’m ready!
>Now fired up for the challenging glint in Akihiko’s eyes, Kanji followed him into Aiya’s and sat down at the bar.
Yo! Two beef bowl challenges, ‘n hurry up!
>Though his yelling to the cook might have seemed rude to anyone else, nobody in Aiya’s flinched at Kanji’s loud tone.
goldenboysanada:
Akihiko sat to the left of Kanji and observed him. He wasn’t that surprised at the informal way he addressed the cook, since Kanji did mention he frequented the shop. He reasoned that it was probably the culture at Aiya’s, since their patrons didn’t seem to mind Kanji’s brusqueness.
He thought that it would be prudent if he tried making small talk while waiting for their beef bowls. “So, Tatsumi-san, how many beef bowl challenges have you finished already?”
getbentpunks:
Huh? Uh…
>Kanji rubbed the back of his head.
W-Well, I ain’t never finished one, actually. I’ve been comin’ here mostly every rainy day to eat the beed bowl challenge ‘n I never finished one.
>He found himself blushing and turned his head away to hide it.
Tch. Well, maybe this time I’ll finish it now that I got some competition!
goldenboysanada:
“Alright.” Akihiko gave Kanji a small smile as he challenged him. His brusque manner was something he could get used to, considering how often he hung out with Shinjiro. However, he did not know whether to be amused or to be a little bothered by the fact that this guy had a tendency to blush every so often.
Before he could pass judgment on that, their beef bowls arrived. It looked like a fairly normal extra large beef bowl. Nothing that Akihiko has never seen before. However, judging by the strange smile their server threw them and the snickering he heard behind the counter, it was probably worth every yen in that 3000 yen penalty that hung over them. It was a rather disturbing thought, but he tried not to let it bother him. Much.
He took his chopsticks and tilted his head towards his competitor. “Shall we?”
[The clock struck midnight and television sets across Inaba flickered to life. The gentle sound of rain pattering down on buildings was the only other thing heard except for the static reception of a TV coming into focus. Slowly, the blank white screen took shape and a scene faded into view with a short black haired boy standing in the middle of the screen as the focal point. Gleaming golden eyes greeted the screen and all who was watching. The male was garbed in a traditional ceremonial attire that would be associated of someone of high class. Behind him stood tall iron gates and the entrance was to his back. The boy blinked slowly and brought the microphone that he was holding up to his mouth.]
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I am Kou Ichijo, your host for the night.
[As the boy said that, his face scrunched up into a scowl. He glared and let out an audible hiss. The male on the screen stomped his foot in frustration and wildly shook his head.]
No! No! No! It shouldn't be this way! This isn't supposed to happen!
[The male on the screen let out a groan and lowered his head so that his expression was not easily read. The person on the screen was clearly conflicted with what his duties were and what he wanted. His own desires were taking over and any formalities that he was supposed to uphold was not of importance. The boy lowered his voice to a more somber tone, his brows were furrowed as his gaze wasn't directed to the screen as he spoke.]
This... This isn't what I want. I-I...
[The person couldn't bring himself to complete the sentence and he lowered the microphone back down to his sides and his face offered a dejected look, his eyes refused to meet up with the viewers. Without warning, the teenage boy on the screen turned his back on the audience and ran down the paved stone path into the Ichijo manor. After that, the screen faded to black and the television turned itself back off, leaving the rain to fill in the void for the silence.]
