Our Friendly Ramen Owner

POV: Saiki Kusuo

T: Where are we going, Kusuo?

S: To get lunch.

T: That's another question. You're usually content with the homemade food we make. There's still a lot of ingredients left as well.

S: We're getting lunch and we're meeting someone we haven't seen for a while. 

T: Who is it?

I didn't answer as I already enter a ramen place, and Kokomi followed me without looking at the sign name.

?: Welcome!

T: I feel like I've heard that voice before-

We turn to the counter where we can watch the chef cook the ramen, and the chef is familiarly tall with a butt chin and a scar on his left eye while wearing a white chef skull cap and a white uniform. 

T: Nendou?

Nendou turns his head towards us when his name was called.

Nendou: Oh? PAL! Teruhashi! I didn't expect to see you here!

T: You work here now?

N: Yeah.

S: Not just that. Nendou owns this place.

T: Really?!

N: Yup. I inherited from my sensei.

T: Sensei? 

N: The previous owner that took me in. 

S: We should probably take our seats. 

We both sit down in front of Nendou, and Kokomi continues the conversation. 

T: Actually, we never knew what you did after we graduated PK. What have you been up to?

N: Well looking back, I'm just happy that I graduated high school. I'm not smart enough to get into college like you two. I don't think I could've afforded it either.

Watching Nendou and Kokomi's conversation, I realized how different Nendou is compared to 8 years ago. Nendou used to be an absolute unaware idiot, making trouble wherever he goes. Fortunately, that means he's innocent and always means well. Everyone obviously matures when they get older, but it is jarring to see Nendou more mellowed down and calm. 

N: So I decided to find work. It took an entire year, and I'm pretty sure I asked almost every store in town. But they find it hard to deal with an idiot like me.

...Even though I'm right, I feel bad now since it was hard for him to find a job. 

T: Is that when the kind ramen shop owner hired you?

Nendou lightly laughed from Kokomi's question.

N: The opposite. Sensei hated me. He would yell at me over every single mistake I make, even if it's small, and I haven't seen him smile once for the 6 years I worked with him,

N: But he never wanted me to leave. 

N: Everyone else would bow down, apologize and kindly show me the door, but after 11 hours of tiring work for 6 days a week, 

Previous Owner: I'll see you tomorrow.

N: He'll welcome me back the next day. Knowing how serious he is, he wouldn't have even bothered to teach me if I was in the way. And his strictness showed me that he really loved this store. 

N: And that's why I am where I am 8 years later.

T: It sounds difficult.

N: It was. But the reward at the end was well worth it. 

N: I can finally let my sensei rest.

T: Where is he now?

N: ...somewhere far away.

T: Oh...I'm sorry to hear that.

N: It's okay, I'm sure he's happy there in Hokkaido.

T: Hokkaido?

N: Yeah. My master has a wheat farm there. That's where I get my ramen dough. 

T: ...oh. Your mother must be proud of you.

N: She is...she would've been happy to see you two as well. 

T: What's wrong? Did something happen to her?

N: She's...not with us right now.

T: ...I see-

?: Riki!

A closed door suddenly bursts open to see a woman that looks exactly like Nendou, but with bushy hair and scars across both of her eyes instead of one. 

Midori Nendou (Nendou's Mother): Do you know where the garlic chives are?

N: They're at the back. Before you go, look who suddenly showed up!

Nendou's mom walks out and see us.

Midori: Oh my! It's Teruhashi and Kurumi's son! I haven't seen you two in a long time!

T: Ah i-it's good to see you. Mrs. Nendou. 

M: I'm happy to see you all healthy and grown up. I hope you enjoy my son's ramen. Send my regards to Kurumi as well. 

T: We will.

She goes back to the other side and closes the door.

T: I thought you said she's not with us.

N: She's not. She's upstairs making gyoza while watching TV. We decided to move here when I started becoming the new owner.

T: ...This conversation isn't good for my heart.

S: He really needs to work on wording his sentences.

N: So, you want some ramen?

T: Of course!

We both looked at the menu and decided.

S: I'll just settle for braised chicken roll ramen. And a cup of green tea.

T: Spicy seafood ramen for me! And a glass of orange juice.

N: You got it.

T: Actually, how good are you with spicy food, Kusuo?

S: I can tell when something's spicy, but that's about it. I don't like it enough to eat it often.

T: *Expected as much, seeing that you can literally control fire.*

N: You're talking about Pal's spice tolerance? It's pretty amazing! I remember going to a place that had the spiciest ramen with pal and Kaidou, and we had to bring the runt to the hospital. Throughout the whole trip, pal didn't even flinch.

T: Was it that spicy?

S: I remember that, it did had a good kick to it. So it makes sense that he wouldn't handle it.

After a few minutes, Nendou puts two bowls of ramen in front of us.

N: I hope you enjoy.

My ramen had seaweed, half of a boiled egg marinated in soy sauce, narutomaki and a flew slices of braised chicken roll emitting steam from the clean light brown broth, while Kokomi's had reddish-orange broth generously topped with numerous seafood like scallops, squid and shrimp.

S: I don't remember you liking seafood that much.

T: I'd like to think it's a special occasion, meeting an old friend. Of course, you're paying right?

S: Good grief.

S&T: Thank you for the meal.

I pull up my ramen with my chopsticks and watch the steam rise up as it escapes the hot broth. I pick up a chicken roll and seaweed with the ramen and take a big bite. The multiple flavors from the seaweed and soft meat of the chicken roll blend compliment well with the mild and savory broth, all on the smooth and chewy noodles. 

Every bite makes me feel warm inside and gives me a sense of comfort.

S: How's the seafood?

T: It's so fresh! It's not too spicy either so I can enjoy it. This is so good Nendou!

N: I'm glad you two enjoyed it. 

S: Where do you get the seafood?

N: My master has a friend from the nearby fish market. 

T: Actually, is there another reason we're here, other than seeing Nendou?

S: I-

?: Owner!

Nendou turns his head and we see and office worker with a jacket, collared long sleeve and a tie.

N: Oh? Ryo-san! You want the usual?

Ryo: You bet!

The office worker sits next to me comfortably. Seems like he's a regular here.

N: How's your week been, Ryo-san?

R: I had better days. A problem came up in my current project, risking a delay.

N: And those better days will come back. Maybe the problem gives you a chance to make it even better. 

R: ...maybe.

N: Here's your beef ramen.

R: Thank you. 

Ryo drinks the broth and sigh in relief.

R: I gotta say Owner, your ramen really gives a breath of fresh air during my 30 minute lunch break.

N: I appreciate it.

Nendou notices we were watching the conversation and apologizes.

N: Sorry for being distracted.

T: It's fine. We're just surprised that you get along with your customers. 

N: It wasn't always like this. I tried to be a server while my sensei was the chef, but he kicked me out to the back of the kitchen because I look too scary. But years has passed by and the customers slowly accepted me. 

T: I see. What were you about to say, Kusuo?

I open my mouth as I start to talk verbally. 

S: Another reason I came here is because, 

"I would like Nendou's advice as a business owner." 

Kokomi and Nendou look at me in surprise.

N: ...really?

T: I didn't expect that.

N: I-I don't know if I'm the best person to ask pal. I'm sure you're smarter than me and know more about business because of your education.

T: I'm not undervaluing Nendou, but knowing you, you probably have a lot of ways to get advice from more well-known and experienced people. 

She's not wrong. I'm very much capable of picking the best business advice and strategies of people all around the world. However,

S: That's true. But I would rather talk to someone I trust. Seeing Nendou keeping his ramen place running for two years now made me more sure. 

During this, Nendou was multitasking preparing the ramen noodles and ingredients, but his actions paused when he hears my reasoning.

N: I...appreciate you saying that, pal. Let's have a good chat over some beer after you finish your ramen. 

S: Will do.

N: I have to go to the back kitchen for a minute. I'll be right back.

T: Oh, okay.

Nendou leaves and Kokomi gives me a warm smile.

T: You're such a good friend, Kusuo.

S: ...Whatever.

Kokomi lays her head on my shoulder.

T: That's the tsundere I love.

S: What's that supposed to mean?