“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!!?”

  It screamed at me with a surprised reaction without thinking about the people who it was amusing a while ago. When I say “it”, I am talking about Kira. I am really not in the mood to even consider her as a human being.

  I quickly turned and walked fast outside the cafe before attracting attention any further. I took a deep breath and went to the vending machine near the cafe to get a drink. It was an understandable reaction for the customers to fill the whole cafe. Like, who wouldn't like a tall cat girl in a maid costume.

  “God, how low have i steeped”

  I regret my personal opinion about Kira.

  It was evening, the sky was painted in the hue of orange and pink. The cafe’s door creaked open. One by one, the staff stepped out, their faces were tired but filled with satisfaction of serving their customers. The tall woman exited the cafe, taking big steps towards me, her gaze darting at me.

  “How did you find out I was working here?”

  My brain could not generate any answers to the sudden question.

  “Lucky guess? What’s up even if I found out where you are working, are you in a secret organization among the cafe staff or something?”

  “And why did you lie that you’re working as a cosplay model?”

  Kira raised her eyebrows in nervousness

  “I don’t prefer going around telling people I work as a cat girl maid in a cafe”

  Kira crossed her arms, turning her head.

  “Hmph, why are you looking bummed anyway? Something wrong?”

  I sighed slightly

  “I got turned down at every place asking for a job”

  Kira looked confused

  “Why do you need a job so bad?”

  “To get into a college of course!”

  Kira bent slightly, placing her hand on my shoulder. I could see her grinning mischievously, I knew in an instant that she was going to drag me into something.

  “Oh, poor Toshi. I could get you a job if you want. If you’re too choosy, then i can’t help you any further”

  “What kind of job are you talking about?”

  Kira smirked

  “You see, the cafe I'm working at needs a new cashier because the recent one is getting transferred tomorrow. Think about it Toshi! It’s fate!”

  Kira reached her hand. At that moment she looked like a goddess to my eyes, divine light surrounding her(it’s the headlight of a car coming towards us). She brought me to the manager who was closing the cafe.

  “Yo manager! I brought a guy who can replace the cashier”

  The manager turned around and looked at me.

  “Ahh! An acquaintance of Kira eh? Well, aren't you a handsome lad, hahaha! I am glad you’re willing to work with us”

  She was surprisingly energetic and welcoming, a stark contrast to Kira, the chaotic psycho. But isn’t it too much of a happy ending? There’s gotta be a catch to it, my life is not this easy. I asked the manager with a suspicious tone

  “Tell me more about this… cashier job”

  Kira jumped in and closed my mouth with her hands almost covering my face.

  “Alright, Yay! You got a job now Toshi!”

  She ended the conversation before it even started.

  “Hey, no! wa-”

  The manager was all cloud nine after Kira agreed for me.

  “You are a lifesaver Toshiro, looking forward to working with you!”

  I knew it! Something was up with this job

  “Hey! Tell me the details!”

  Kira smirked and just said

  “You will find out tomorrow Toshi”.

  Well, it was better to have a job than not having one, I thought.

  After the settlement, Kira patted on my back.

  “Let’s head home Toshi”

  Children were laughing and walking to their home together after school in the walkway, a couple holding hands and planning to have a drink together. Trees bristle with gentle breeze. Kira hums and skips on the way.

  “ someone’s being too happy, did something good happen?”

  “I’ve always walked alone and there was no one in the house to say ‘welcome home’. But not anymore!”

  “What about your work friends?”

  “They are…complicated Toshi”

  “They seemed cheerful”

  “Right, cheerful”

  Never knew she was feeling this alone. For someone who’s all hyper and looks good. I thought she’s popular or something. Better not ask more and ruin her mood.

  “Say, don’t you pull lots of attention just by walking like this”

  “Why would I?”

  “Because you’re…uniquely dressed?”

  “Oh, yeah I've been in the news before when I newly moved here titled Giant woman jumped out from anime, crazy huh? Hahaha. I also get lots of recruitment for modeling, but camera is not my thing”

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “What are you, a bigfoot?

  “ I'm really hungry, I'm heading to the grocery store to buy some things to cook, you coming?”

  “But we’ve got food in the house”

  “YOU, got food Kira”

  Kira and I went to the grocery store and luckily, there was a sale going on. Women were fighting for low priced chicken, shelves were emptied like a locust, a whole stampede happening on the cart section. Such a destructive sight to behold, okay, maybe it is not lucky.

  The pasta is on sale, 40% off! That’s a huge bargain! But things are not obtained easily. There is a lady going towards it as well, this is not good.

  “I don’t think we’ll reach it in time!”

  “Leave it to me Toshi”

  Before she could end her words, with incredible agility she breezed through the crowd, her tail waves according to her movement, how is it not coming off?! She took the pasta and brought it back.

  “How!!!”

  “Hehehe , this is why you need Kira the magnificent!”

  “Kira the magnificent! Go get butter, garlic, pepper, and cheese like you did just now!”

  “On it!”

  Hehehe it’s easy to get it this way among the chaos. She zapped away before I knew it, but looking at the floor…what is this burned mark, was it always there? She returned with the stuff I asked for.

  “Here you go! Wait, you’re just using me aren’t you! Toshi you idiot!”

  I was on the floor getting punched in the gut by her. Learn from me people… this is what you get when manipulating or using someone.

  We paid for the things and walked back to the apartment. I prepared everything to cook. Kira peeked from the entrance of the kitchen.

  “Woah, you look like you know your stuff, what are you cooking?”

  “Well, my feline friend, it’s a simple pasta i used to make back at home”

  Let me bring you all to a simple cooking guide where we will make Garlic Butter Pasta! First, fill your pot with water and place your pasta inside and let it boil. Meanwhile, we can mince the garlic finely. Toss in melted butter, minced garlic, salt, pepper and sprinkle cheese. Voila! A delicious feast!

  “It smells so good Toshi!”

  While I was about to walk away from the counter, carrying the pasta I made , a sharp piece from the broken window stabbed my feet. It hurts…really hurts, the pasta I made flew from my hands before I knew it. The throw was too perfect, it landed on the sink and everything was sucked inside. Kira was bursting in laughter seeing my almost cartoon-like disadvantage.

  “Wiping her tears too bad, y’know what! Let’s eat outside Toshi”

  The old man’s restaurant I got rejected earlier came to my mind, the aroma of the restaurant stitched to my heart for some reason.

  “I know just the place, follow me”

  Kira followed me to the “Shikisai”. As usual, the next moment I opened the door, an explosion of flavourful fragrance slapped me. The floor and walls were dark brown wood, ambient golden light blankets the whole atmosphere, a slow shamisen playing in the background. I wanted to watch how she would react to this, Kira kneeled down and spread her arms with tearful eyes and a big smile.

  “Finally, I've found Atlantis! Toshi, what..is…this..place”

  The old man chef head bobbed from the counter

  “Hey, you're back, kid. With someone interesting i see”

  We sat in front of the counter

  “What is your recommended dish here, and…. the cheapest”

  I opened my wallet just to see it with a little cash and pennies because I spent the remaining money on the pasta. I quickly realised the financial situation I was in. It’s not like my parents are too cruel or stingy with money. They do send me some temporarily till I get a decent part time job. FOOD THESE DAYS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE!.

  But, enough with me. I want to see what Kira orders. If it was a normal person, I wouldn't mind what they order. Kira is a special case, for someone who just eats cat food, tuna and always drinks milk. What will she order!

  “Give me your best Char Siu Ramen! A HUGE portion would be helpful”

  Kira ordered. Well, she does eat normal foods it seems.

  “What are you looking at, Order already Toshi”

  Well…reality hits hard.

  “I’ll just have a warm water”

  I ordered - words came out from my mouth filled with disappointment and regret.

  Kira hit my back strongly

  “I know you’re broke Toshi”

  Why am I getting reminded of my state over and over? well.. The next stage of denial is acceptance!

  “Dont worry Toshi! Let big sister Kira buy for you”

  I really wanted to eat something, my stomach is growling like hell, but my pride is holding me back. My alter ego inside me says “as long as we could fill our stomach, whaddya say”. You know what, pride can say goodbye! I held both her hands

  “Kira…YOU’RE SUCH A GOOD PERSON! I AM SORRY I CALLED YOU A CRAZY WOMAN!”

  Tears of thankfulness flowed from my eyes, I probably made the worst face known to mankind.

  Kira raised her eyebrows

  “Hahaha! There there Toshi- wait, crazy wo-”

  “A bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen my dearest chef!”

  It was a close call, a bowl of delicious ramen nearly went away from my grasp because of my emotional “slip”.

  Moments later, the chef came to the table with a huge bowl. The aroma which could move the most stoic man’s heart, split the ocean into two. It was filled with big slices of tender Char Siu pork, golden soft boiled egg on top of it, the yolk slowly flowing on the broth, bean sprouts and mushrooms are perfectly chopped and placed on the noodle. Truly… it was the food of the gods.

  “One big bowl of Char Siu ramen for our feline friend, Enjoy!”

  “WOAAHHHHH! WHAT IS THIS TOSHI! IT’S MAJESTIC!”

  Kira barely contained, shivering on the chair.

  “I-i can’t eat this…it’s too perfect…”

  She swallowed hard- bracing herself for impact, She took a bite of the noodles.

  Kira became completely silent, and continued eating. The once chaotic Kira became different, Not a single word or a sound. The tonkotsu ramen I ordered arrived before me. It was a sight to behold as well.

  But I could not focus on my ramen’s deliciousness because Kira’s sudden silence overwhelmed it. She finished her bowl, so did I. We exited the restaurant. Kira's legs wouldn’t stop shaking, she fell on her knees on the walkway.

  “Toshi, I can't walk… I could not recover from the aftershock. It's no ordinary food Toshi!.”

  “Yes, it was good indeed”

  I replied to her. She grabbed my shoulder and started shaking me feverously

  “Good? It was incredible Toshi!”

  I felt so full and tired.

  “I'm so tired of feeling anything, I'm heading home. Are you coming or going somewhere else?”

  “Nope, I'm coming home too. I'm feeling super lazy after eating a feast like that!”

  We arrived at our apartment.

  “Kira come with me, I need to see the landlord”

  “Why should I tag along?”

  “I need to complain about the neighbour next door, bringing you would win a majority don’t you think?”

  Kira pushed me to the door of our room, it was unlocked.

  “Oh, that. Relax Toshi, I've got this.”

  The door was unlocked. I swear to god I locked it before getting out. Did someone break in? A thief?.

  Kira used my face to push the door open. Inside was a woman sitting on the floor with an unsheathed katana.

  “Don’t tell me you’re the one”

  She said with a low grunting voice.

  My thoughts were only saying

  “WOAH”.