Sengoku Diner

The station platform was buzzing with activity as the evening train approached, its lights cutting through the twilight. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of food from nearby street vendors, and a sense of anticipation hung over the group. We stood near the edge of the platform, waiting for the train that would take us into town.

Emma and Aisha were chatting animatedly, while Otsuki, Rebecca, and Naomi were exchanging excited glances, already looking forward to trying the new Sengoku Diner.

I stood a little off to the side, leaning against a column with my hands stuffed casually in my pockets, watching them interact. It was nice seeing them all so lively and carefree, especially after everything that had happened earlier. The tense confrontation with The Hounds felt like a distant memory now, and I was more than ready to relax and enjoy the evening.

"Ooo, I can't wait to try their teriyaki burgers! I've been seeing ads about it all week, and they look so delicious~" Emma practically squealed, bouncing slightly on her heels as she hugged her sketchbook to her chest.

"Yeah, I heard they have this exclusive menu for the grand opening," Rebecca said, grinning. "Apparently, they're bringing out a special burger recipe designed by some American celebrity chef. Wonder what it'll taste like!"

Aisha glanced over at me, a playful smirk on her lips. "Think you'll find something to remind you of home, Saki? Maybe you'll be the expert on this American chef's creation."

I chuckled, pushing off the column and moving closer to the group. "Depends. If it's drowning in cheese and oversized, then yeah, it's probably got a little taste of home in it."

The girls laughed, and I couldn't help but smile. It felt good to be part of this energy.

The train finally pulled into the station with a rush of air, the doors sliding open. We waited for a few passengers to exit before stepping inside, quickly finding seats together near the middle of the car. I ended up in the corner, with Aisha on one side of me and Emma across the aisle. Otsuki and Rebecca sat together, and Naomi took a seat near the window, already glancing outside at the passing lights as the train started moving.

"So, Motosaki," Otsuki said, leaning forward a bit to catch my eye, "what's your impression of Japan so far? You've had quite a… let's say, eventful first day."

I shrugged, a small grin tugging at the corner of my lips. "Can't say I expected to be in a fight on my first day, but aside from that, it's been interesting. I mean, I'm not sure if every day is gonna be like this, but hey, I'll take it."

Emma giggled, shaking her head. "Not every day involves you fighting off a delinquent gang, I promise! Usually, it's just school and homework, with maybe a bit of drama sprinkled in."

"You sure know how to pick your battles though," Naomi said, her tone light but with a hint of admiration. "I don't think anyone's ever stood up to Satori like that before. It's kinda impressive."

I nodded slightly, not sure how to respond. It was nice to hear them acknowledging it, but I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. "Just did what I had to do. But, uh, let's not make this a habit, alright?"

Aisha nudged me playfully. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you? First day and you're already making enemies and… winning over everyone else at the same time. It's kinda your style, isn't it?"

I smirked, leaning back in my seat. "Guess I like to keep things interesting."

The train ride continued, with the city lights flickering past outside the windows. We slipped into a comfortable rhythm of conversation, joking and laughing about everything from school gossip to wild theories about what kind of American celebrity would be at the diner's opening. At some point, Rebecca started recounting a funny story from class, and I found myself genuinely laughing along, feeling more at ease with every passing moment.

"Alright, listen up," Aisha said suddenly, clapping her hands together to get everyone's attention. "When we get to Sengoku Diner, we're trying as many things off that menu as possible. I don't care if we have to roll out of there afterward. Deal?"

"Deal!" the rest of us said in unison, raising our hands as if taking an oath.

The train's PA system crackled to life, announcing our upcoming stop. The excitement in our little group seemed to grow, and I could see Emma practically vibrating with anticipation.

"Looks like we're almost there," I said, glancing out the window at the approaching station. "Better get ready to feast."

{Chapter 8: Sengoku Diner}

We finally made it to Kojima Town, a local town along the outskirts of the bustling city of Tokyo. The train stopped at the station, allowing us to get off and Emma hurried ahead, her excitement bubbling to the surface as she looked around.

"Mmm!~ I missed this town so much!~ I'm actually so glad that Sengoku Diner is opening in this town! Finally something for the country folk who don't want to go into Tokyo for good food!" Emma said, gazing around the town with excitement.

Rebecca giggled at Emma's excitement, walking ahead and looking around with her. "I missed this town as well. I'm glad they finally finished their renovations. I can't wait to see what all else is new aside from the burger joint."

I walked ahead with the girls, my bag slung around my shoulder and my eyes glancing around my surroundings. I heard about Kojima Town from my mother as this was her hometown, born and raised. I couldn't help but to smile at the surroundings, knowing that I was where my roots really were.

Aisha walked beside me, looking around as well, letting out a nostalgic sigh. "I remember all the stories Mama Izuna told about this town~ The good, the bad, the legends..~ It feels so nice to finally be here again.."

I nodded as I gazed upon the different landmarks while we traversed down the sidewalk. "Maybe we can find her old home. She did say she left it for me in her will plus it'll be like a second home since I am still living with you."

Aisha's smile slightly faltered for a moment as she remembered my parents were gone now, but her soft smile returned on her face. "Maybe she left you something special~ Who knows, she was always the one for gifts and surprises!"

"Yeah, maybe she did," I said softly, my tone low and thoughtful.

As we continued forward, we finally made it to Sengoku Diner. Nestled within a bustling plaza adorned with vibrant paper lanterns and the soft hum of neon lights, Sengoku Diner stood as an intriguing fusion of contemporary design and nostalgic Japanese culture. The exterior boasts wooden beams reminiscent of ancient castles, combined with sleek glass panels that reflect the surrounding city life. A bold, stylized kanji sign hung above the entrance, beckoning passersby to step inside.

Upon entering, we were greeted by the warm aroma of grilling meat mingling with the delicate scent of teriyaki sauce. The interior was an eclectic mix of rustic charm and modern flair, featuring bamboo accents, low wooden tables, and plush cushions for an inviting atmosphere. Walls adorned with vintage samurai posters and contemporary art pieces create a lively yet cozy ambiance, while modern Japanese music softly played in the background, enhancing the dining experience.

"Ahh!~ New customers! Welcome in, welcome in!" A woman greeted, her voice welcoming and filled with bubbling excitement.

Emma stared at the woman and her jaw dropped as she immediately recognized her. Aisha and I stared at her as well, immediately recognizing her and our eyes widened slightly.

"Baylee Sanders?!" We all said in unison.

Baylee Sanders, a very popular woman from America for her voice acting in new anime, games, and popular media. On top of being a renown voice actress, she also used to be a creative arts teacher for me and Aisha in our high school in Texas when we were freshmen.

She had a youthful, vibrant look with wavy, blonde hair that cascaded around her shoulders, giving her a carefree and playful vibe. Her hair caught the light, adding a sense of brightness and warmth to her appearance. Her striking blue eyes were big and radiant, sparkling with joy and a hint of mischief, making her look approachable and full of life. Her skin was still tan, with a healthy, slightly flushed tone that complements her bright and cheerful expression.

"Baylee Sanders? Isn't she that chick from America who's kinda obsessed with Japanese Culture and a Gyaru Girl?" Naomi asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Baylee. "She's the celebrity helping with the grand opening?"

"She's not just ANY chick with a Japanese obsession! She's THE Baylee Sanders, popular voice actor, streamer, and most importantly a Sanctuary City Girl!" Emma gushed looking back at Naomi with sparkling eyes.

'Yeesh...any more of this glazing and I might have to identify Emma as a donut...' I thought, a soft chuckle escaping my lips as I glanced at Emma.

"Motosaki, Aisha!~ I barely recognized you two!" Baylee giggled and made her way toward us then placed her hands on our shoulders. "It's been so long since I last seen you two in person."

Aisha nodded, giggling softly at Baylee. "It's nice to see you as well, Ms. Sanders~ I still get some of your emails and it's nice to finally see you again in person~"

Baylee smiled warmly, her eyes filled with appreciation that Aisha still reads her emails. She turned her gaze to me, her smile warm and affectionate. "And how about you?~ I hope Jake and my brother wasn't giving you too hard of a time after I left."

"Nah, Coach Bell and Coach Sanders were pretty chill. They haven't been too hard on me during Gym Class," I smiled, my gaze meeting hers with familiarity.

Baylee nodded then let me and Aisha go then cleared her throat. "Well, I can see it's a table for six, so I can give you all a nice cozy booth that can fit all of you. Follow me!"

We watched as Baylee excitedly skipped down the aisle, leading us to our table. We all followed behind her, taking the time to look around the interior fondly as we knew this was going to be a more frequently hang out place for us.

Once we made it to our booth, we took our seats, Rebecca, Emma, and Naomi sitting on one side while Otsuki, Aisha, and I sat on the other side.

Baylee sat down our menus and clapped her hands together. "While I haven't been a waitress for anyone today, I am more than happy to be your waitress for tonight~ So what can I get you all to drink?"

We began to discuss what we wanted to drink amongst each other, our voices kept between each of us. Once we decided what we wanted, I took the initiative to speak up for the others and order drink for us.

"We'll have two Pink Lemonades, two Cokes, a water, and a sweet tea," I said, smiling at Baylee and watched her write everything down.

Baylee nodded, quickly writing everything down then tapped her pen against her notebook. "Alrighty!~ I'll be back with those drinks!" She beamed, walking off to get our beverages for us.

Emma watched as Baylee walked off then turned her gaze toward me and Aisha, her excitement bubbling to the surface. "So you mean to tell me that you had THE Baylee Sanders as a teacher and didn't think to even tell me once?"

Aisha smiled at Emma, an embarrassed blush flushing on her cheeks. "Well, it must've slipped my mind during that time when we first met. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal..~"

"Ha! That is a huge deal! She's literally one of the most famous women in America! She is a special category of women in America named a Destiny Woman and she's one of the many girlfriends of Shiro!" Emma exclaimed, her tone filled with excitement and joy as she spoke about Baylee.

Aisha giggled softly, rubbing the back of her neck. "Oh..~ I guess I never knew since Baylee never really spoke of her history before. It's nice to know now that she's a historical figure in the world.."

I chuckled softly and shook my head, looking down at my menu. "She has a lot of lore to her. Destiny Women are pretty important in today's history it seems from the historic side and their manga and novel counterparts."

As we looked at our menus, our conversations soon broke down into a smooth, light conversation about what we were planning to get to eat. Emma excitedly asked about more facts about Baylee and her friends since I seemed to know them personally. I was more than happy to tell her to appease her excitement and curiosity.

Soon, Baylee returned with our drinks and set them down in front of each of us, each of us thanking her. She took out her notepad then readied herself to write down our orders. "So what can I get for you all?~"

"Aisha and I will have the mixed style honey BBQ burger," I said, a warm smile spreading across my lips as I looked at Baylee.

"I will take a Teriyaki Burger with extra fries please!~" Emma beamed, humming softly.

"I will have the same as Emma, minus the extra fries," Rebecca said softly, a gentle smile curling on her lips as she looked at Baylee.

"For me, I'll have the Honey BBQ Burger, well done with a dash of Teriyaki sauce and no pickles, onions, nor tomatoes. I'd rather not have a sour breath after I eat my burger," Naomi said, looking up at Baylee.

Baylee giggled softly, raising an eyebrow as she wrote down Naomi's order. "Okay, Princess~ And for you?" She asked, pointing her pen at Otsuki.

"I'm not too big on eating meat since I have to keep my figure. I saw you have ramen on the menu, so I'll have a bowl of ramen please," Otsuki said, her tone elegant and tinged with a hint of pure refinement.

Baylee nodded, writing down her order then took out menus. "Alright, we should have your orders out in a moment!~"

With that, Baylee walked off once more, disappearing into the kitchen area. We continued our conversation with one another, sharing laughs and more stories of our past. The girls began to break off into their gossip while I got on my phone to text Jane and Michael, giving them updates on how everything was going.

After a few more moments of waiting, our food finally arrived and Baylee set down our orders in front of us and gave us a sweet smile before walking off. We began to indulge in our food, each of us enjoying the deliciousness of our freshly made burgers and ramen. The food tasted amazing, a definite ten out of ten from me.

After finishing our meal, we were all good and full, and Baylee came back to our table with the check. Setting it in front of us, Naomi and I reached for it at the same time, the two of us glancing at each other.

"Nuh-uh, I got this one, Naomi," I said as I picked up the check, a soft chuckle escaping my lips as I took out my wallet.

Naomi rolled her eyes at me, crossing her arms and smiling at me. "Well, I suppose I'll allow you to pay for us this time. But next time, the tab is on me."

"Right," I chuckled, paying for our meal with my card.

Baylee looked at the card reader and smiled. "Alright! It went through. Thank you for eating with us today!~ I hope to see you all again in the near future."

"Of course, Ms. Sanders!~ I'll be tuning into your next stream, hopefully you stream with Faith again. You two make such a good duo!" Aisha giggled as she slid her way out of the booth.

"I will in the future, but right now she's back in the UK with her family. But, we all should be meeting up in Texas again soon, so keep an eye out!" Baylee winked, a bubbly smile playing on her face.

With that, we began to leave the diner together, each of us walking around the plaza for a while to walk off our gained calories. The cool evening air hit us comfortably as we walked around, the neon lights glowing with the orange hues of the skies above.

Soon, the other girls began to head back to the train station to go home for the evening, leaving Aisha and I alone. Aisha and I decided to take a break from walking, the two of us sitting down on a bench nearby.

"Well, since it's just us two again, how about we visit Mama Izuna's old home?~ It would be nice to see it again for old time's sake..." Aisha suggested, leaning against me gently and smiled warmly.

I looked down at Aisha, humming softly and gently wrapped my arm around her shoulder. "Yeah, it would be nice to see how my mom lived before marrying my dad..."

Aisha felt a warmth envelope her as I wrapped my arm around her, a soft smile curling on her lips. With our last plans of the day set, we decided to relax in the plaza for a while longer before getting up to call a cab to the neighborhood nearby to see my mom's old home.