"The next station will be Tokyo. Thank you for taking the shinkansen. The next station will be Tokyo. The doors on the left will open." With the automated voice informing all passengers of the incoming destination, Yumi slowly rolled up the blind whilst looking out the window.
Hamamatsu to Tokyo took roughly 2 hours by bullet train.
"Woaaaahhh.. So this is Tokyo..?" Dazzled by the compact infrastructure and sheer scale and size of the city, Yumi was engrossed by every small detail. From skyscrapers reaching the clouds to billboards on every building hugging one another, taxis and cars occupying every inch of the roads and much more. The difference between the countryside and metropolitan cities was simply night and day.
With her mom travelling on a business trip during the weekend to meet old acquaintances, Yumi had managed to convince her to tag along. Stepping out of the train carriage together with one suitcase each, Yumi found herself somewhat struggling to haul it around, as it was filled with books, sunscreen and a few pairs of clothing.
Eventually navigating their way out of the massive Tokyo station, they were both instantly met with the intense heat of the July sun. In spite of the heatwave, it didn't stop her from constantly taking pictures with her phone.
"It is quite hot today, is it not mom?" Despite wearing a tucked in short sleeved blue shirt coupled with white shorts, she still found herself drowning amidst the heat.
"Yeah.. Here, take this handheld fan, dear." Handing over a small machine made to combat intense summer heat, Yumi promptly activated the fan and put it in front of her scorching face, subsequently cooling it down.
"Answer my request, flow still as water.." Not needing a fan herself, Ayanami was simply able to activate her own Valve and regulate her body temperature instead, thanks to her affinity for water.
'Whew. That feels much better. Has it always been this hot?'
"Aaaaah, thiiiiiis feeeeels muuuch beettrr, thaaanks mooom." Satisfied, Yumi silently held on to her moms hand so as to not get lost in the street sprawling with an endless amount of life.
"We'll need to switch to the JR line Yumi, so hold on to me tightly because the trains tend to get full here."
"Mm.. Okay!" With an excited demeanour, Yumi was eagerly looking forward to touring Tokyo while visiting the headquarters up close and inside.
In due course, they made their way through the massive JR line and finally, their destination where the headquarters was located. Getting off the local train, not only were they accompanied by salary workers and regular people but a select few even had fancy looking weapons wrapped in bandages so as to not accidentally hurt civilians alongside sigils on their shoulders and chests signalling their origin.
Likewise, her mom also had a sigil hidden on the bottom of her right wrist, although it was small and didn't represent any major groups or organisations. By contrast hers was an etched half moon with broken rubble.
"..S-so many people here. And stabilisers as well.." Whispering to herself in a skittish tone, she felt slightly overwhelmed, especially compared to the countryside where Stabilizers were rarely seen alongside huge concentrated masses. For her, everything was quite new.
"Don't worry, I'm here with you." Holding her hand gently but also tight enough, Yumi felt safe with her mom.
-Grumble, grumble!
"?" Although the crowd's rumbling footsteps overlaid most noise. Yumi's stomach growled fairly loud to the point a few pedestrians even grabbed their own stomach thinking they were hungry..
Feeling her own white shirt being tugged softly, Ayanami looked down beside her.
"Can we try the ramen?" Yumi's light voice spoke, her vibrant blue majorelle eyes stared in anticipation.
Letting out a small chuckle, Ayanami patted Yumi's head, roughing up her hair and loosening the ponytail slightly. "Of course dear! I know a good spot nearby, follow me."
…
Not too far from the headquarters, Yumi and her mom found themselves by a relatively quiet street. In front of them stood a plain wood door with no visible sign indicating whether it was open or a restaurant.
"Are you sure we are at the correct spot, mom? Looking slightly confused at the door and matte black glass panels, it proved to be difficult to peer in from outside. In addition, her stomach continued to grumble louder.
Gasping audibly in disbelief, Ayanami asked rhetorically.
"Yumi-chan, dear.. Are you trying to say that your mom might finally be going senile!?"
"Quoi? Finally..?" Raising an eyebrow at her, Yumi appeared even more puzzled than before. Although it didn't last too long before they broke into laughs that filled the secluded street.
"Shall we head in, dear?"
"Mhm!" As Ayanami opened the door, a cool breeze alongside a heavy scent immediately overcame their senses. From the dark wooden counter to the round leathered seats and old decorations, the aroma of 8 hour chicken and pork broth simmering filled every corner of the restaurant. Pairing with the old 90's style of interior framework, jazz tracks played from an old jukebox situated to the right..
Standing behind the counter stirring the gigantic simmering pot was a man in his mid 50's. His skull was devoid of any hair except a headband covering part of his forehead. Furthermore, he wore a black shirt with sleeves rolled up to his broad shoulders. In spite of having no hair, he had a short beard that had begun turning grey.
"..My apologies, we're opening in an hour at 11:00 am.." With his back turned, Ayanami answered back in a confident declarative tone.
"Well, it's open now for both of us." Upon hearing her assertive order, he stopped stirring and turned around with a melodramatic face while Ayanami and Yumi looked on, awaiting his reaction.
"..Huh? Oh, hey Ayanami-san! It's been a minute!" His tired morning gaze morphed into an eccentric one upon realising it was Ayanami.
"..Hehh, indeed. I believe it's been around a year now, Haruki-kun?" Forming a relaxed smile whilst catching up, Yumi finished setting aside both their suitcases before sitting down beside Ayanami at the counter.
"Who's this adorable young fella you've got with you today? You're usually here with the rest of your group." Processing Haruki's question and peering over to her mom before barely managing eye contact with him, Yumi responded with a shy voice.
"Uhm.. Hello, my name is Shinano Yukihime, I am here with my mom today.. Nice to meet you..!"
-Grumble..
Unable to bear the embarrassment of a grumbling stomach anymore, Yumi pouted whilst keeping her head down.
"Haruki, one large bowl of Tokyo style ramen please, I'll just have some edamame." Grinning ear to ear, Haruki laughed before preparing their orders.
"Coming right up!" Without wasting a beat, his hands and body moved fluidly and remarkably. From preparing the base to layering the different broths alongside the various toppings resting on the firm noodles. Each movement conveyed a supreme self-confidence only attainable through years of work.
"A work of art.." Yumi uttered in silent admiration. Haruki's display reminded her of vanguards who's able to weave between the thinnest threads during confrontations.
"He's pretty cool when he's working isn't he?" Sensing Yumi's interest, her mother prepared the utensils while speaking away.
"Haruki-kun actually used to work as a vanguard overseas for the American defence division, whenever he had time and came back to visit, we'd all go grab a bowl of ramen. It was the one dish that kept him grounded despite being deathly homesick at times.."
Nodding impressed, Yumi peacefully continued listening along.
"For him, nothing hit the spot better than a nice bowl of ramen. That's how he found his passion and drive post retirement."
"Does that mean he is able to cook every style?" Yumi asked apprehensively.
"You bet I can!" Haruki responded passionately whilst chopping onions and putting on the final touches.
"Haha, since he traveled between cities and provinces to refine his taste a year after his retirement, he's become extremely proficient in every style of ramen."
"Here ya go miss, enjoy!" At last, Haruki put the steaming hot bowl of ramen in front of Yumi and thereafter her moms Edamames.
"Thanks for the food."
Separating her chopsticks, Yumi put both her side triangle shaped wisps up behind her ears so as to not get in the way of eating. The medium-thin noodles rested on the brown soy broth accompanied by medium pieces of chashu pork, thinly cut green onion, long bamboo stems and a few kombu seaweeds clinging on the side.
"Wow, what a light aroma.." Scooping the broth up carefully with her spoon, Yukihime also used her chopsticks to grab the noodles. Sipping the spoonful of broth in one go, her tastebuds instantly exploded with flavours.
"The broth is really light and not too sour either.. This is amazing!" Getting another spoonful of broth, she consumed it in one go again but with noodles this time promptly followed by a slice of chashu. She couldn't stop eating, it was too delicious.
"Although my daughter appears quite dignified, Yumi-chan's rather gluttonous, hehe." Yumi's head spun towards her Mom with red cheeks encapsulating her face in embarrassment.
"..Mom! You don't say that about me!" Kicking her mom's leg aggressively, Yumi tried her best to hide her embarrassment, all while Aynami and Haruki kept laughing.