The small ramen shop, Ramenya, was alive with the quiet hum of conversation and the clinking of chopsticks on bowls.
The fragrance of miso, soy, and spices permeated the air, wrapping around Kazuki like a cozy blanket. He saw Ren and Aya at a corner booth and waved them over. Aya had already grabbed the menu and was flipping through it like a woman on a mission, while Ren sipped water and appeared as calm as ever.
"You are late," Aya murmured, without even looking up as Kazuki slid into the seat across from her.
"I was fashionably late," Kazuki explained, smirking as he put his jacket on the chair.
"You know, keeping the suspense flowing. Makes my appearance seem more dramatic."
Ren chuckled. "You're about as dramatic as a broken vending machine."
Kazuki gripped his chest, mimicking damages. "Ren, you wounded me. "I am nothing if not a man of flair."
"More like a man of questionable taste," Aya mumbled, placing the menu down and giving him a sharp look.
"Now, order something good this time, or I'm confiscating your chopsticks."
---
When the server approached, Kazuki sat back in his seat and motioned grandly.
"I'll take the House Special Ramen with extra spice. Add a side of gyoza—no, two sides. Actually, do you have...
Ren interrupted him with a groan. "He'll order the miso ramen with normal spice and one side of gyoza. "Please and thank you."
"Traitor!!!" Kazuki exclaimed, staring at Ren as the server wrote down the order and went away, repressing a giggle.
"Someone had to save you from your bad decisions," Ren remarked, smirking.
Aya was already giggling, her shoulders quivering as she struggled to control herself.
"Kaz, you do this all the time, and Ren always has to come to your rescue. "It's like clockwork."
"Well, excuse me for living my life on the edge," Kazuki said, but the corners of his mouth twitched up in a smile.
---
As they waited for their food, the conversation turned to lighter subjects, such as movies they wanted to see, summer plans, and the latest news about their classmates.
Aya's eyes brightened up as she discussed a new art project she was working on, while Ren told an embarrassing incident about one of their teachers accidentally calling him the wrong name for an entire semester.
Kazuki leaned back, watching his pals laugh and taunt one another. For a brief period, he was overwhelmed with a feeling of gratefulness.
"You guys ever think about how lucky we are?" he asked abruptly, breaking the flow of the talk.
Aya tilted her head and gave him a questioning look. "Lucky? "For what?"
"For this," Kazuki said, gesturing vaguely toward the spot where they always eat ramen.
"You know, we have each other. I mean, we have gone through a lot, right? And we are still here. "Still us."
Ren grinned, revealing a rare warmth in his otherwise somber demeanor. "Yeah. "I suppose we are."
Aya reached across the table and flicked Kazuki's forehead, causing him to grimace. "Stop being so sentimental, you dork."
"You are going to make me cry into my ramen."
Kazuki laughed and rubbed his forehead. "Hey, I am just saying. You guys are very awesome, that's all."
"Don't get used to hearing that," Aya remarked, smiling. "
I won't," Kazuki said, his tone playful but his eyes serious.
---
The server reappeared with their bowls of boiling ramen and sides of gyoza, disturbing the silence.
Kazuki's eyes brightened up when his miso ramen was placed in front of him. "Finally! "I've been dreaming about this all day."
Aya laughed. "You mean you've been dreaming about food and failing your exam all day."
"True," Kazuki replied, grabbing his chopsticks.
"But now that the exams are over, I'm free to focus on what really matters..ramen."
Ren shrugged his eyes, but smiled as they dug in, the talk flowing naturally between bites.
---
By the time they were done, the table was strewn with empty bowls and plates, and their laughing resonated throughout the small little establishment.
Aya reclined back in her seat, a pleased expression on her face. "I do not think I can move. I'm officially 90 percent ramen."
"Same," Ren said, patting his stomach.
Kazuki grinned as he raised his arms over his head. "See? This is what life is all about: excellent food, nice company, and a little wild fun."
Aya rolled her eyes, but did not dispute.
Kazuki felt an odd combination of contentment and melancholy as they went outside into the cool night air.
This might be one of the last times they all hanging around like this, carefree and focused solely on the future.
But, for the time being, he dismissed that thought. He had his pals, and he had this opportunity. That was sufficient.
___( End of Prologue 2)___