Ch.002 – Thither here – 01

The smooth car engine whirring on the narrow backstreet, the window of the building row reflecting black sedan on the road. New leaves caught the sunlight, and the cherry blossoms were pale clouds of color against the blue sky, the signs of mid-spring unfold.

"Miss Reika, do you still want to take another round around the road?" the driver asked.

But the woman in the back seat didn't respond. Her eyes silently out the window staring far beyond the scenery in front of her, her poised expression betraying a foul mood.

The car had been wandering aimlessly through the city, with no clear destination. Just a numb drift she told her driver to take to declutter her thoughts that scattered from too many things.

But eventually, a pang of hunger pulled her back. She took a glance at her wristwatch as she held her growling stomach.

…Almost 3 pm… I haven't had anything since afternoon… yesterday…

"You can stop there." She suddenly said when her eyes catch a lone restaurant in the corner of the street ahead. And the driver had pulled up exactly there, right in front of a small dumpling shop.

"Understood. I'll wait outside," the driver said as he opened the door for her.

"Won't take long."

Reika stepped out and stared at the worn-out sign above the canopy that catches her eyes:

'Warai Gyoza Honpo (笑い餃子本舗)'

Then she lowered her eyes to the door sign with anime-like fonts, level with her nose.

'Open!'

"… Such a… straightforward name." Thus, she walked in with zero expectations.

This is that, right? the kind of place that exists just to exist.

The place was small, old and kind of gloomy to boot, contrary to its restaurant name. The white tile of the floor yellowed by years of stain and oil. The cement walls peeled and cracked in several places. In the middle of it all stood three tables, each with two mismatched plastic chairs.

Not a single customer?

She considered turning back but instead sat down with a sigh.

"Excuse me?" she called out with clear voice echoed in the empty space.

A few seconds passed.

Then finally, an old man emerged from behind the counter. Probably in his sixties at a glance. Wearing a loose shirt and dirty gray apron.

"Uh… you want to order, miss?" His voice coarse and confused, like he saw something that shouldn't exist in this place.

"…Yes. Any recommendations?" Reika asked, brushing off the dusty table with the back of her hand.

"Hmm… How about my spicy-sweet fried rice?"

"I'll take that. And… any side dish?"

"Let's see… Only thing left are xiaolongbao and chicken wontons, two piece each."

"I'll take both."

"…Sure thing. Give me a moment." With a cheerful smile, he disappeared into the kitchen.

Then she glances at the bright chiller beside her seat, filled with mineral water and cheap soda.

I guess asking for an afternoon herbal tea is out of question here…

Reika got up, grabbed a bottle of mineral water inside it, then sat back down. As she listened to the rhythm of cooking behind the counter, she drowned in her dismay.

…I'm wasting my time, am I not…? I should wrap that matter at the general assembly this morning…

Yet the voice of the doubt she hears too often too much interrupted her mind.

"There you go, you're not as sharp as your mother."

"Spitting on your father legacy again?"

"How long do you want to keep playing house, miss Reika?"

She almost entertains the urge to slam the innocent table under her fist.

"Tch…"

Then she glances at her phone screen.

'Missed call (15) – Shira Kurosawa'

…Guess it is my fault… I'll call her back later…

After a few minutes, the old man returned with her food in tray. "Thanks for waiting."

"Ah… Thank you."

The scent of her faint floral perfume was quickly overpowered by the aroma of soy sauce and garlic. The fried rice that is cooked with soy sauce as its base has a nice glistening color of light brown, and fresh green of chopped vegetables could be seen poking out here and there giving a nice contrast. And sometimes there's bright red colored chopped chili flakes could be seen, indicating this is going to be quite spicy. The dumplings too, were neatly arranged in bamboo steamers.

Hmm, looks decent…

She's appraising the presentation as if it's a contest inside her mind, when the old man went back to the counter, she picked up the utensils like it was a fine dining.

And in one spoonful— Her eyes widened slightly.

"…This is… actually good.…" She says it like an accusation. A real smile tugged at her lips. "Why's there no one else here?"

"Because I close at 2 pm, young lady. Hahah!"

"…Did I read it wrong? Your front sign says open?"

"That… well… usually I never bother flipping the sign… First time here, yeah?"

"… Yes..."

"Was cleaning up in the back when I heard heels tapping outside, and someone calling. Next thing I know, found you sitting here like a princess."

"Ah… Sorry. I should've asked…"

"No worries. Just one order's not a problem. Might as well since you're already here, right?"

His easygoing tone and warm smile made her slowly loosening the guarded air she wore all this time.

"So, you're the type of restaurant that had profitable morning I assume?"

"Can't say it's profitable. Only five, maybe eight customer a day. But that's enough for me. These old bones don't need much more."

That's… quite low

Reika thought. Her mind immediately started simulating numbers, rent, utilities, daily ingredients, margins, and so on.

The math didn't look good…

"You manage this whole place alone?"

"Yup. Used to have a part-timer though, but he found a better job. Can't blame him—couldn't pay him much anyway…" He's pointing his thumb at the yellow chicken helmet hanged on the wooden shelf.

She took another bite, savoring slowly, then asked offhandedly, "Your food's great. Better than most places I've been to. Why not expand?"

The old man sigh, a little flustered. "Expansion? I'm not really good at that kind of stuff. Managing permits, suppliers, tax forms— just running this one place makes me bald already…"

"You can hire people to handle that."

"Guess… I could… but at this point, I'm just trying to stay afloat. Everything's more expensive now—ingredients, utilities, even garbage collection. And there's taxes too… Can't afford to throw money at things I don't understand. Heck I can't even properly pay one part-timer earlier…"

"…I see." Her mind deep in thought. Still thinking about numbers, logistics, and possible leverage points.

Yet despite her bossy question, the old man didn't seem bothered. "Anyway, thanks for the compliment. But no, I don't think I would. As long as folks comes back to enjoy the food and smile, that's more than enough."

Reika stopped, her spoon still hovering above her unfinished fried rice.

The old man continued as if in nostalgia. "Didn't open this shop for serious grip to begin with. I just didn't want to spend my days doing nothing… Cooking's something I can do, that's all. And if people enjoy it… well, that's a bonus. Aannnd I grow to love doing it anyway."

"Hmm… So…" She paused and asked with a meaningful tone. "…You think this is what you're meant to do?"

The old man gave it some thought, then scratched his head.

"Eh… Not really… Wouldn't say I have a big purpose or anything. I'm too dumb for stuff like that, haha! I just… cook, that's all, really. And if that makes someone happy—I'm fine with that."

He didn't finish his words with a smile, yet his voice was filled with contentment.

"…You… grew to love it, huh…" She echoed one of his words.

Before she knew it, she'd finished everything. Not a single grain of rice left on the plate.

With perfect table manner, Reika set her spoon and chopsticks down perfectly aligned above the plate, side by side. She wipes her lips with a folded tissue, then lifted the bottle of water, tilting it just slightly to sip without a sound. Even seated in a dingy eatery, she carried herself like she was dining at a five-star establishment.

"…Thanks. That was a good meal." She stood up and walked to the counter.

"Glad to hear it. Come by again sometime. Preferably during business hours, but then again… I won't mind if you drop in a little later just like this."

Opening her leather wallet, Reika slid several bills across the counter.

The old man almost taking it, but with one confused glance, counting them again with his eyes to make sure. "Wait—this is too much."

"Keep it. Your food's worth at least that much."

He hesitated, already trying to hand some of it back. "No… thank you, young lady… I'd feel bad taking this much."

"…Then... do you do deliveries?" She put one finger at her chin as if deep in thought.

"I do, yeah... but I can't handle big orders," he said, sounding a little nervous at the prospect of her question.

She pulled a business card from her wallet and placed it neatly on top of the proper amount of cash. "Then starting tomorrow, I'll have what you made today. Just one portion. Delivered before lunch."

"Wait... starting tomorrow? You mean—every day?"

"Every working day." She nodded.

"…You're serious...? Even I'd get tired of the same dish every day."

"I don't mind. You can be creative with it. Add whatever you think is good."

"Heh… alright then. If it's just one portion a day, I can manage that."

"Great. Then it's a deal."

He picked up her business card, reading it slowly. "Reika Hiraga… Huh you're from KHX? CEO??"

"...It's just a title." She sighs, sounds more tired than proud.

"No, I mean I can see that you're… nevermind… Thank you, Miss Hiraga…" He gave a polite bow.

"Reika is fine. And your name, sir?"

"Ah—how rude of me. Name's Tetsuo. Nice to meet you, Miss Reika."

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Tetsuo." She bowed back, then stepped toward the door. "I expect another nice lunch tomorrow."

"Will do! I'll even throw in something extra, haha!"

Reika looked over her shoulder with a small grin. "Just in moderation, please. I can't eat that much."

Their laugh died down after she close the restaurant's wooden door.

Outside, her driver opened the car door as she approached. She slipped in smoothly, and the door closing with a soft click.

Noticing her relaxed expression, the driver smiled faintly through the rearview mirror.

"This place to your liking, Miss Reika?"

"…Better than expected." She said, smiling to herself. She stared out the window again, but this time, her thoughts were simpler.

She recalled the man's words:

"I just cook. And if people are happy about it… that's enough."

Those words lingered in her mind longer than she expected.

"I'll definitely return sometimes," she whispered, "for another serving."

When Reika arrived at her mansion, the sun was already low behind the horizon, casting a golden hue over the tall gates and stone-lined driveway. The vibration of the engine faded as her car came to a stop. Before the driver could even step out, one figure emerged from the front steps of the estate, her heels striking the pavement with urgency.

A tall woman approached with rigid posture. Dressed in a tailored black business suit, her long legs carried her with efficient speed. Her dark hair was pulled back into a straight, simple ponytail. Her face was pale, sharp, cold eyes, completed with a mouth pressed into a thin line.

"Miss Reika. I can't say I appreciate you doing this."

Reika stepped out, ignoring the door the driver politely opened for her. She didn't stop walking as she replied, giving a side-glance toward the woman who followed at her steps.

"I just needed to unwind," Reika said with a dismissive shrug. "That assembly had nothing to do with me anyway."

"That assembly has everything to do with you, Miss Reika. So I took the liberty of having it postponed until next week."

Reika halted just before the main gate. Her shoulders rose and dropped slowly along with her heavy sigh.

"…You really had to do it, huh… Shira…"

The woman in a ponytail took a step closer, her pressing voice low and stern. "Your position is already on the verge of collapsing. The board members are restless. Your random absence feeds their doubts. Please, next time, you must attend. Properly. As a leader."

The wind stirred the leaves and flowers around the courtyard. Somewhere in the distance, the faint chirping of songbirds lingered beneath the tense air, breaking the long silence.

"…Okay, fine. I understand." Reika mumbles, not even turning around.

The two stood still for a moment longer. Shira behind her like a shadow of obligation and quiet disappointment. Then Reika let out another sigh, lighter this one.

"Anyway, while you're at it, contact our middlemen in the food supply chain section."

"...What for?"

"Tell them to offer raw supply—produce, meat, spices, whatever they've got—to this address, at a lower market price." She handed over a slip of paper she'd kept in her wallet. It was folded neatly, handwritten in careful strokes.

Shira unfolded it. "'Warai Gyoza Honpo'...? Is this going to be a new front or logistics hub?" Her tone shifted, already trying to analyze the strategic angle.

"No," Reika said flatly, stepping up into the main gate. "I just like their food."

Shira stared at the paper, brain clearly cycling through scenarios that would make more sense than that.

"…Understood, Miss Reika." Yet, she just complies, slipping the note into her pocket. But her voice carried the faintest trace of disbelief, maybe even confusion.

Then Reika gone inside as the large wooden doors closing gently behind her. Shira remained outside, brushing back a loose strand of hair.

"…You're impossible sometimes…" She whispered, before heading back down the steps to carry out her next task.

April 2024. Back then, they hadn't known yet, that this would be the start of something that changed both of their life. The story of seven months ago, it had all seemed so simple.