15 Chapter 15 Shoujo Effec (1/2)

The sun's spring-like glory had waned into early evening by the time they reached the ramen house.

Kou and Saski were standing beside an outdoor dining table, near a fiery red awning displaying the name Matsu Ramen House in free flowing calligraphy. Duran couldn't see any obvious damage. He hoped the trouble he and Kou had caused ended up trivial.

'Tsubaki-kun you're here.' Duran squealed with surprise. He blushed and averted his eyes from the others.

Himeko chuckled.

'I guess we need to make good on our reputation.' Kou sighed. He felt tense at the situation.

'Especially for the school's reputation.' Saski added to the reason's for Kou's nervous tension.

The restaurant's door swung aside to reveal a burly worker whose head was covered with a labourer's handkerchief. His body donned in a white t-shirt, jeans and waiter's apron tied around his waist. Although, his features were predominately manly, his face held a softness to the edges. It was almost as if someone decided to mix the body of a construction worker to the face of a part-time rock star. Garnish his chin with a goatee patch and set a stern expression in his eyes.

'You kids that caused trouble earlier eh?!'

'J-ju-just me and him,' Duran stammered and pointed to Kou.

The worker towered over Duran and Kou. He peered at them with a stern expression.

'Yeah. I recognize the uniform and both of you. So where's that cat?' he asked them.

'Es-escaped,' Duran timidly answered.

He bowed low before the worker and politely asked to speak with the manager, so he could apologize to him.

'Well you can talk to me. I co-own this place.'

Duran frowned when he noticed Kou still standing upright next to him. He prodded him into a low bow.

He explained on their reasons for chasing the cat and causing the ruckus.

'Huh? Good grief. Come in. Better to retell with my bro.' The worker sighed.

They stepped into a set-up that was far from fancy. The mould stained plasterboard walls were softened with a few faded pictures of the country side, which was probably somewhere in the Kansai area. The tables themselves were lacklustre with their butcher paper table cloths and condiments centrepiece. Duran counted three dining sets (able to seat four people per set). And a long front counter with a row of stools where people could watch meals being made in the kitchen area beyond.

The place had enough space to be cosy. He envisioned the place cramp on busy days.

'Jiro-san. I've finished setting the tables. Do you need me to stack the shelves?' A young worker said as he entered the restaurant through the staff's entrance behind the counter.

'Yeah. That'll be good.' Jiro-san confirmed.

The worker was about to leave when he spotted Duran and Himeko standing near a table.

'Kita-kun!' The worker called out excitedly.

'Izuki-senpai. You work here?' Duran said when he recognized the quiet boy he had met earlier.

'Yes. Just started my shift. You've come to eat?'

'Er, well, not really,' Duran mumbled. 'I and Hayashi sort of caused problems today.'

'Bwahaha! You're the culprits with the cat. Jiro-san was complaining to me when I got here and started drilling me on the school's complaint person,' Isao laughed.

'It sounded funny.' He added but changed his tone upon noticing Jiro-san's curt glare. 'But terrible at the same time.'

'Yeah. We copped a lot of complaints from our regulars as well. Had to kiss butt to keep their patronage.' Another person entered the conversation through the staff entrance and stood before Duran and the others.