In the bustling city of Suki, life was usual as always; people in different classes were busy as they walked on the streets, some were heading for work, some were students who went to school, and others were casually strolling in the city. This is a common view in the city, where tall buildings surround many old homes that first settled there.
The economy was doing great for almost everyone, for "almost" every one that is. Amongst the ones struggling was a small traditional wooden shop on the far side of the city, the shop was specifically located next to a river bank, and a two-story traditional wooden house was next to it where the owner lived.
Inside the shop was a few rows of wooden shelves where the items for sale were stored and displayed, there were also two beverage refrigerator where various drinks and beverages were stored, two freezers where various sweets, desert and chilled products were stored, a simple wooden cashier desk where the current owner and only employee tending the shop was sitting on a chair.
The young man was the nineteen-year-old Yozora Asa, he had black hair, sharp eyes, an oval face, a sharp nose, and a handsome mixture of Eastern and Western looks, he inherited his looks from both of his parents, his mother was an Easterner while his father was a westerner, unfortunately, both of them died early when Yozora was merely seven years old since then he was taken care of by his grandmother, Yokohama Juichi, however, his old grandma passed not long after as well due to old age, it was three years ago since his grandmother died.
Yozora had to only rely on himself, he inherited the house and small shop from his grandmother, and since then he has taken care of the shop, It is also the only source of money for him since he only graduated high school, Yozora couldn't find jobs other than being a salaryman where a black company will hire him, however, Yozora doesn't want to be like those salarymen whose eyes are full of dark bags due to lack of sleep and rest, always working 12 hours a day for an average income.
As such Yozora chose to keep the shop alive by tending to it, taking care of the equipment, restocking, and tending to the customers, however, as the city grew, larger stores began to appear, most came from large and famous companies, and they offered much more in every aspect than Yozora's modest shop, costumers started to buy in much larger stores, the appearance of convenient stores from another famous company didn't help Yozora's struggle, he was losing many costumers which affect his shop's income to the point that he was losing money from the electrical and water bills for both his house and shop.
Sighing heavily, Yozora even considered selling the house and the shop, however, his heart could not do that, This place is where his grandparents settled and died, and this very shop and house were full of their memories including Yozora's childhood. Yet he was now losing money, the simple advertisement and posters he made could only help so much, he tried to be creative by making some discounts, raffles, and other possible ways to gain customers, but how could he compete with giant corporations and companies that employed hundreds if not thousands of employees whose sole jobs were to increase their branches fame and get more costumers.
Yozora's current pocket could only cough little money, unlike the giant corporations and companies who can make it rain. Putting various items in the plastic bag, Yozora took charge and gave his current customer's change, a person he knew, was Kei Asagawa, a friend and classmate back in his high school days.
"Yozora have you already changed your mind? You know my offer is still-" Kei once again tries to sway Yozora.
Yozora only shook his head and smiled while staring at the beautiful woman in front of him, "Thank you for your concern, Kei. I know you are worried about my current struggles and I'm aware of it, however, I can't just stop here, it's still not over yet."
Kei could only sigh with his friend's stubbornness, "Hah~ Yozora, sometimes I admire you and your will to not give up, but sometimes you need to face the reality... You can always contact me if you need any help okay? I'll see you later then, Goodbye"
Yozora observed Kei as she left the shop, When she was out of his sight, Yozora slumped on the chair, "Hah~ I'm just stubborn, am I? Haha."
He was grateful for the help and attention his friend Kei was giving him, yet Yozora couldn't just sell this place, With no other family left, Yozora had nowhere to go, this was the only place that held memories of his only family, it's not a simple inherited place of land, it was his home.
Yozora also knows no person who can tend his shop and his house if he ever found a job, his stubbornness to keep the shop going was causing him to struggle financially, however, it is the only thing that Yozora cannot give up, and he can't even find a girlfriend because he was always tending the shop yet he has no regrets.
Yozora then stood from his position as he inspected the shelves, "Ah, we're out of Chocolate bars again, Kei sure loves chocolate, Hmm, I don't have anything to do today guess I'll restock some items."
He then closed his shop temporarily, Yozora walked to his home where he got his bike and money, and he then rode his bike heading for his supplier. Riding his bike, Yozora crossed a small bridge, this bridge led to the industrial district of the city where his supplier's warehouse was located.
After around 30 minutes, Yozora was able to buy a box full of chocolate bars and two boxes of other products such as instant ramen and canned goods. He then placed the boxes on his bike where a special wooden shelf was attached, he placed one box on the front and the two on the back and used a rope and tie them to avoid falling.
Yozora then rode his bike to return to the shop, as he rode, he observed various tall and large buildings in the district, he remembered back when he was a kid, the city of Suki was still small, and there were only a limited amount of tall buildings that he was seeing now, as time pass by many powerful elites who saw potential in the city hastily invested and constructions sprung here and there, even Yozoka himself could not believe how the city grew so fast.
Ignoring his thoughts, Yozoka turned and rode straight until his eyes laid upon a beggar, they were not a common sight in the city, mostly beggars were mentally ill, bankrupt individuals, or addicts, the city welfare department mostly took care of them, not leaving them to wander in the streets for both the safety of the beggars and the public.
However something particularly was strange about the beggar, he wasn't covered in dirt or any type of filth, rather, the beggar was dressed too well, in a gray shirt with a black jacket, gray trousers, and dark boots, and most of all, he was exceptionally handsome to the point that Yozora's own somewhat handsome face looked like a mob in a novel where the beggar was the main character.
The beggar then took notice of Yozora, he eyed him for a while when suddenly his eyes flashed in delight, Yozora felt something was off about this man, he then got goosebumps and was quick to press the pedal of his bike to get away from the creepy beggar.
However before he could get away, the beggar dashed and held the bike's handlebar, Yozora slowly looked up at the man, the "beggar" meanwhile smirked as he caught his victim- benefactor, "My! Escaping already when we haven't talked yet? I'm Anders, I have something to offer you in exchange for a little cash!"
Yozora forced an awkward smile and replied, "No Thanks."
The man persisted, "Just wait a minute, trust me, this is a very favorable deal for you!"
Yozora sighed, surely the beggar he encountered today was weird in any way, he then looked at the handlebar of the bike, this guy just dented his bike's handle and was seemingly unaware of it, "Alright I'll hear you out." he replied
The man smiled as his prayers were finally answered, while Yozora was only forced since he couldn't escape and this man might become violent, unknown to Yozora, he was dealing with a person not to be trifled with and all governments in all countries wanted to have connections with at all cost.