Euforia

08. Ramen at Night

DOR

I saw you die before my eyes. Every night, I was plagued by these nightmares. I thought I was going crazy. But... I just went further and further, to the point that I didn't realize that I had changed.

But it's still just a dream, right? I don't need to fall into it. It's just that my weak and overly sensitive heart can't just forget it. I, who should have been filled with a new hope by you, fell into a black hole.

I now have trouble distinguishing between right and wrong. In my eyes, everything looks the same.

Restless, I couldn't sleep peacefully. I picked up a children's storybook. I opened it and read the book seriously. Usually, when I have trouble sleeping, I read children's storybooks.

The story is so good. I have an interesting idea to do something in the future.

***

"Enough you two, stop fighting!" I broke up with Nakamori and Hassel, who were continuing to argue.

Nakamori sneered, looking unhappy. "This little savage is acting too much like he doesn't know his manners!" he cursed.

Hassel was about to retaliate, but Graiss quickly stopped him. The boy abandoned his intention to retaliate against Nakamori.

"Kamo-chan, stop watching your mouth; you're not a kid anymore! Besides, this boy has a name, and his name is Hassel. You should call him properly!" I advised Nakamori.

"Cih, you're the one who's not self-aware. Just shut your mouth!" Nakamori looked away.

"Forgive me and my brother. I'm sorry for all this insolent behavior. I apologize," Graiss said sincerely. He even stood in front of Hassel and protected her. The little girl lowered her head humbly.

"Graiss, you are not wrong. Miss Pot Ass does have a bad nature and attitude. You don't deserve to apologize to a freak like this." Hassel pulled Graiss away.

"HASSEL, KEEP YOUR TALK!" snapped Graiss. The girl turned to face her twin sister with a serious face. "Remember, Uncle Lotto taught us to apologize first. Especially if we've done something wrong to someone else. Hassel, you must learn not to be selfish."

Hassel was silent as he bowed his head. After that, she walked up to Nakamori and extended her hand along with these words: "Miss, I apologize for speaking carelessly in front of you. I also apologize for my unruly behavior."

Nakamori looked like she didn't want to pay attention. Seeing that the girl was still exalting her pride made me a little provoked. She was too self-centered, even in front of children. I almost forcefully pulled the girl's hand away, but who would have thought that Nakamori would return Hassel's hand?

"I also apologize for offending you." "I also apologize for my unkind words to you," she said.

"Isn't it nice like this? Ah, I guess we can't linger here as Uncle looks very worried right now," said Graiss while observing someone from the direction of the road. Graiss then extended his hand to Hassel. "Hassel, come on!" he called out.

Hassel accepted the hand and took the time to say thank you and sorry. After that, she left with her sister.

"You two, be careful on the road!" I said as I waved goodbye to both of them.

The two children then left, leaving Nakamori and me behind.

"Those kids are so annoying," Nakamori muttered under her breath.

"No, they're not. They're both so cute. I like them both," I said.

Nakamori strangely looked at me, like she was mocking me. This woman was a master of mockery in every sense of the word.

"If you're interested in them, you should just become their adoptive father. You're acting like an old man; a poor young man like you is acting too much if you want to be an ideal father. Just take care of your life properly," he snapped.

Those words successfully made my stomach's acid rise. I still wasn't used to her harsh words. This woman was a master at causing unexpected illnesses.

***

"Would you like to eat with me?" I offered it to Nakamori. I didn't have any intentions; I just wanted to treat her.

"I didn't bring much money," he replied.

"I see. Mm... actually, I'd like to treat you to some ramen. Would you like some?" I glanced at Nakamori.

Nakamori did not answer. But she soon opened her mouth. "You seem like the type of person who has no shame. I mean, how could I eat with someone who's stalking me? That's crazy."

Nakamori's words were right. It seems like that girl is traumatized by the bad behavior I've displayed. How could I possibly invite her to eat like a close friend? I got too carried away. A perpetrator like me lightly asking out a victim without any guilt? I'm embarrassed; where do I put my shame?

"Sorry. I don't seem to be self-aware. I got too carried away. Sorry for making you feel uncomfortable," I said regretfully. I promised myself never to see this girl again. I didn't want her to feel traumatized by me.

"Mm. I'm grateful; your brain is still working properly." She turned around and walked away.

I'm shameless. I seem to be an insensitive person.

***

I let the special savory soup enter my mouth. My tongue was completely healed, even though my heart was stinging. Even though I was only enjoying this ramen by myself, I still felt a little comforted.

The hot ramen burned my mouth. But the taste was even better. I didn't expect that with just a bowl of ramen, my mood would improve a bit.

"Isn't the ramen here delicious?" asked the person next to me.

I nodded in agreement, even though I didn't see her face. I could hear a soft female voice that sounded a little heavy.

"The soup tastes very savory. Do you like ramen too?" asked the person again, who seemed to be a woman.

I turned my head toward the person. I could see that the face of a mature woman in her late 20s looked very beautiful and elegant. She looked like a woman with a brilliant career. It's almost impossible for a classy woman like her to eat at a roadside stall like this. Usually, women like this prefer to eat luxurious dishes at expensive restaurants or places like that.

"Yes. I like ramen and also noodle-based food," I replied. The scent of this woman's perfume stung my nose. It looked like she was wearing rose-scented perfume.

The woman stopped eating and looked at me intently. "I used to have a close friend who liked ramen. Also, my friend had the habit of bringing his chopsticks when eating out. He was very unique in that habit. In particular, the chopsticks he brought from home had a crane motif," the woman said in an excited voice. She seemed to be very excited to tell a stranger like me about her close friend.

I glanced at my chopsticks, which I always brought from home. The chopsticks with the crane motif were a gift from my mother. I always use these chopsticks when eating, even if I'm eating out. Without these chopsticks, the food I eat would never taste good in my mouth. These chopsticks always remind me of my mom's cooking.

"I don't know what your friend is like. But it seems like your friend has similar habits to mine." I looked down at the little bit of ramen soup left.

"This seems like a rather horrible coincidence," the woman said.

"You're not trying to stalk me or anything?" I asked with a hint of uneasiness. I didn't want to try to be mean, but this woman was suspicious. It felt like I was getting karma quickly for stalking Nakamori.

The woman burst out laughing. For some reason, her laughter sounded a little horrible to my ears. "No... no. Gosh, I'm sorry I made you feel uncomfortable. That friend of mine did have habits similar to yours. Besides, he passed away a long time ago. I just miss him too much to be so sensitive when I see other people having habits similar to his," she explained.

Not wanting to make things worse, the woman left. She apologized to me and even paid for my ramen. I didn't know where she was going. But I could see her figure disappearing into the darkness of the night.