Turning on the light to his studio apartment, Hiroyuki turned to look at the young boy. The stranger he invited into his home looked to be in his teenage years.
Hiroyuki gestured with his hand for the boy to take a seat. While he filled the electric kettle with water, he also brought out two bowls of instant noodles.
He had hardly set down the bowls when the boy tackled the chopsticks. In a flat two minutes he had devoured both bowls, which included Hiroyuki's portion.
But Hiroyuki was more shocked than upset. Just how hungry was this kid?
"Are you still hungry?" Hiroyuki asked.
The boy wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve and quickly answered, "Thank you for the meal. I'm full."
It was as if the boy was afraid to be seen as disobedient, so he had to answer as fast as he could.
Hiroyuki fixed himself another bowl of noodles and sat back down to eat. After eating, he opened a can of fizzy soda and handed it to the kid. The boy gladly took the proffered beverage.
"What's your name?" Hiroyuki asked, as he drank his cold beer.
"Mifune Jiro, pleased to meet you," the boy timidly answered. Jiro bowed respectfully in greeting.
"Asano Hiroyuki and the pleasure is all mine," Hiroyuki introduced himself.
"Why were you . . ." Hiroyuki frowned at his own stupidity.