Friend-to-friend meetings

"Did you hear?!" The shout blew into the delicate face that looked down.

Silently nodding like a chick. Meanwhile, the shards of the glass bottle even scratched his cheek and foot. Small scratches spurted drops of blood, fortunately his feet were protected by shoes.

"I'm sorry, boss! I won't repeat the same mistake!" With a trembling voice he forced out a plea.

"Useless! Don't you know who you offended? Young master Kirigaya! Don't come to this place again," he shouted, closing the back door of the starred restaurant.

Blam! Just as he was about to speak, the door was closed right in front of his face. His eyes glazed over, this was the last job he could keep, who knew what else he would have to do to live.

Things weren't like this in the beginning. He felt how to have enough to eat and pocket money, without having to look for it himself. All the bad luck seemed to be cursing him one by one since last year.

Fukuda Aito, the boy's name. After graduating from high school, he didn't have much money to go to college. From one part-time job to another.

His face was delicate just like his temperament. His heart was too fragile for the harsh world of work. He walked unsteadily under the night lights of the street towards his home.

His skin was pure white like milk, his body thin and his waist narrow under the white shirt he wore. While both hands held tightly to the sling bag hanging from his left hand.

The two large eyeballs were glazed over, and once they blinked, the tears that he had been bearing would slide down his cheeks. Aito shrank hard on his cheeks that were starting to get unbearably wet.

It was not that he did not know who the Kirigaya family was, it was because he knew about them. However, instead of allowing him to work quietly there was causing trouble until now he was fired.

Aito sighed tiredly, unlocking the house that was the only family relic. The Fukuda family only had him as a successor. As soon as the door opened a cat with white fur was sleeping at the entrance.

Seeing that there was still someone waiting for him to come home in this empty house. Instantly Aito's tears flooded even more, quietly taking off his shoes and stepping closer. He hugged his favorite cat, Siro. It matched the color of his fur.

As if sensing the owner's arrival, the cat purred softly back to sleep on Aito's lap. Making the little man smile slightly. Annoyed by his behavior, he gently put the cat down on the bed before cleaning up and changing clothes.

"Siro, the outside world is so evil. People are changing beyond recognition. I'm alone, Siro. Don't leave me," he murmured as he stroked the fluffy ponytail.

"Meaow ...."

Hearing a soft roar in response, Aito hugged the cat tightly. Silently, his tears continued to lament the loneliness that was so empty. His once colorful world seemed gray now.

Dad, Mom, Ai here is very tired. Why did you leave so soon? Ai doesn't want to be alone.

. . .

He was dressed in a white shirt and a black vest with his name on it. His thin waist hangs over a pair of fitted black pants, looking slender. Aito walked slowly with a serving tray in his right hand, passing between the rows of tables.

With a friendly smile, his face was pleasing to the eye, making the guests unconsciously more relaxed. He delivered various dishes, moving faster as the restaurant was getting fuller by the evening.

Aito had to go back and forth from the kitchen, sometimes pushing the cart of orders. Serving them to the guests. His other coworkers are just as busy. On holidays, the number of customers soars.

Rows of round tables filled with couples or upstairs who have their own private space. So it's not just ordinary people who eat here. The upper ranks of the family occasionally visit here for banquets with colleagues and friends.

The selection to enter this restaurant was very strict as Aito recalled. He had to brace himself not to cry when yelled at or scolded by seniors and bosses, often working overtime. Even though he was a waiters, it was not uncommon for cleaning duties to be thrown at him as the new kid on the block.

Within three months of working under high pressure that had to be fast and demanding made Aito's body look thinner. Even so, with a high salary, Aito didn't dare to give up the job.

"Aito-kun, you were called by the manager!" An acquaintance who was also a waiter came to tell him.

"Is something wrong, Asuma-san?" Hearing that sudden call who wouldn't be worried, he hadn't made many mistakes like when he first came to work. Not to the point of having to confront the restaurant manager.

"Ah, I don't know either. I was just delivering the manager's message, he's waiting," Asuma replied, immediately nodded by Aito.

"I'll take over your work. You'd better get going, Aito-kun." Asuma warned taking the tray Aito was holding while gently pushing away the man who was still thinking about something.

"T-thank you, Asuma-san!" Aito ran a little while turning around to say thank you which was reciprocated by a wave of the hand.

A knock on the door was heard before a gruff reply was heard. Aito shrank his body as he went inside to see the fierce manager holding his phone. Speaking in a very different, flattering tone.

"Wait right there. Aito, now you serve room number 24, don't make the slightest mistake. The future of this restaurant depends on your attitude!" the manager ordered, leaving Aito confused.

H doe had never served the guests upstairs. After all, they weren't just any visitors coming in for a casual meal. "Yes, sir!"

Although confused, Aito immediately turned around to prepare the guests' orders upstairs. He pushed the food cart using the elevator while his other hand held the tray containing the drinks.

He served the food in the calmest manner possible, until Aito looked up. His face looked shocked before the person standing in front of him was someone he knew.

"Yo, Aito! How are you doing now? Pour me another glass." Kirigaya Danze, the young master of the Kirigaya family was holding out an empty glass with a mocking grin.

. . .