Chapter Text
5:00 am rolled around faster than Y/N remembered, being awakened from her daydream by the elevator doors opening. Fumiko hobbled out from the small box, grinning at the young woman.
“Good morning. And how was the evening?” the older woman asked as the two began to walk back to the kitchen.
“Oh- fine, I guess…” Y/N began to mentally sort through what to tell her boss, as to not give her a heart attack, “A man came in at about 1:00 am, but that’s been all.”
“Accompanied?” questioned the woman
“No, ma’am. Alone.”
Fumiko spun around at such an alarming speed, you’d think she’d break her hip. A wily smile drenched her face, brows arched high up. Despite her age, her eyes shone like two black jewels, deep-set in her weathered and wrinkled visage. A heavy silence hung between them as Y/N eyes flickered over the grinning face; she examined her carefully, trying to piece together what the old woman’s face was hinting at. Fumiko waited expectedly before huffing, her body settling again.
Her tongue clicked impatiently, “What’s the point in being young if you aren’t adventurous?” She tuttered quietly to herself, feebly turning around again.
Y/N stared in confusion, falling behind her employer as she tried to piece together what Fumiko meant. She stood quietly for a moment before shaking her head, she had work to do. No use trying to understand the old woman’s puzzle.
The two quickly prepared the meals for the guests present. Most people who came to the ryokan were older businessmen, so they tended to eat plainly. They made a large pot of green tea as well as rice, grilled fish, natto (something Y/N didn’t mind eating herself), miso soup, and toast, which was surprisingly growing in popularity. The two women lugged the heavy carts to the small dining hall which was to the right of the elevators, setting them on small, rectangular where food was to be dished out. They soon after laid out bowls, plates, chopsticks and other utensils for the food to be served with as well as the other extra items, such as butter, jams, furikake* and pickled plums.
Y/N checked the dining room clock as she wiped her brow. Almost 6:00 am. While the food was still hot, the two slipped back to the dressing room, quickly slipping Y/N into a new kimono for the day. They chose a plum-coloured, cotton kimono with a beige obi. The thick fabric felt fresh against her still-warm body. After quickly refreshing themselves, they walked back to the lobby.
“You can do the wake-up calls this morning- I’ll be waiting with the food.” Fumiko directed before she puttered towards the dining hall.
Y/N checked the guest books, finding the rooms and names of the guests who requested a call. Each call was the same, a quick good morning before explaining that this was the wake-up call as she stated the time and date before ending with an invitation to come to eat breakfast in the dining hall. It was an easy task as most of the men were already awake when she called, although the occasional sleepy voice told her otherwise. As she finished up her last call, the electric doors opened for a young man. He looked around unsure before slowly approaching the desk. His young face, lack of noticeable stubble, and unsure expression suggested that he was pretty young, however his pressed blue shirt and starched pants made her reconsider. She smiled as he approached, meeting his gaze kindly.
“Welcome to the Hirayama Inn; How may I help you?” She bowed before looking back at him. His face read somewhere between shock and fear. He wiped his hands on his pants nervously before answering her softly.
“I’m- uh, here for a guest.” He huffed, whipping his head to the now opening elevator.
“Certainly. Who may I page to the lobby for you?”
He looked back to her before lowering his gaze sheepishly, “Uhm- I was more hoping to go up to his room?” He asked tentatively. She shifted, thinking quietly to herself.
“I’ll have to call up for approval before I let you up… Can I have the name of the guest you were hoping to see?” She picked up the phone as she finished, glancing at the guest book laid behind the counter. The man drew a shaky breath. His demeanour alone was making her anxious.
“Sure, it’s- ah… Mr. Majima Goro…?” The man offered the name as if it was more of a question than an answer. Y/N perked up at the familiar name.
“Oh, yes. He came in late last night.” She cooed as she quickly dialled the room’s number, “Who shall I say is waiting?”
“Nishida,”
The phone rang a bit before the dial tone stopped. A moment of silence was held before she held a gruff “Yeah?”
“Hello, this is the front desk. Mr. Nishida is here to see you.”
“Send him up, will ya?” He yawned before hanging up the phone abruptly.
What an ass…
Y/N quickly escorted the man to the elevator, telling him the floor and room number and inviting the two to eat breakfast before he left. After the doors finally closed, she sighed and left to rejoin Fumiko.
As the clock ticked past 8:00 am, Fumiko and Y/N began to pack away the remainder of the breakfast food, planning on using the extras for their own breakfast. Y/N bustled behind the breakfast station, cleaning silently before she felt a presence. Looking up, her eyes met with the one grey eye from earlier, only brighter now. She straightened her back, meeting his gaze fully before bowing.
“Good morning, Mr. Majima.”
He looked over the station, assessing her work, “Are ya finished here?” Majima asked calmly. She hesitated. His seemingly collected attitude was a starking departure from her previous interactions with him. She glanced over the covered food.
“N-no, but I can’t promise you it’ll be all that warm…” the woman hesitantly told him. He simply shrugged.
“Guess it’s my fault for dawdling.” He said, picking up a bowl. Y/N started into action upon seeing him begin to try and dish himself up.
“Oh, here…” She offered, gently cupping his hand with her own as she poured soup into his bowl. She felt him jump slightly at her touch, but only for a moment. Despite being preoccupied with trying not to spill, she couldn’t help but notice his calloused hands. He no longer was wearing gloves, something she remembered from the previous night. Y/N busied herself with arranging the rest of his breakfast, asking if he wanted an item and how much. He took a heaping portion of nearly everything, save for the Natto and toast. Fumiko served Nishida alongside her, giving him a few slices of toast and two cups of tea.
“Is there anything else I can get you?” Y/N asked as she finished giving him rice. He hesitated, before stepping forward.
“Would you like to join me? My subordinate and I would personally like to thank you for your hospitality.” Majima asked clearly. His deep voice was unburdened by his accent, catching her attention. She chuckled awkwardly, dipping her head in bow.
“Well, thank you, sir. We pride ourselves on being as accommodating as-”
“Miss Saito.” he interrupted.
She looked at him, noticing the softening of his facial expression. Y/N a quick breath in before glancing to Fumiko, who gestured to go ahead.
“I’m going to bring a cup of tea.” she offered, letting the men turn to seat themselves. As soon as their backs were turned, the older woman shot a shocked expression that Y/N pretended to not notice, occupying herself as she made tea.
“Saito? Dear, if something is-” the old woman began to whisper harshly before she was cut off.
“Later, I promise.” She shot back before quickly heading to the table.
She seated herself quietly, across from the two men who had begun to eat. The woman looked over the two, noting their age difference. She wondered to herself if they were coworkers of sorts, maybe related? She sipped her tea, focusing on Majima’s appearance. His gaudy jacket was swapped for a formfitting black collared shirt that had been rolled up to the elbows. The first two buttons were undone, leaving his neck slightly exposed. His face was exhausted, but not nearly as bad looking as the previous night. She scanned his face, noticing the scratch on his cheekbone before her gaze lowered to his lips. His bottom one had a split on the side, looking rather painful. The mouth grinned and she felt her eyes meet his again. Majima raised his eyebrows, smirking slightly.
“Enjoyin’ the view?” He asked casually, his voice chuckling slightly. Her cheeks flushed and she brought her teacup to her lips.
“No, just seeing how badly you lost your fight.” She answered cooly.
Nishida stifled a giggle as the other man gawked. Her body tensed slightly, feeling his electricity, but she felt a little too proud to be all that scared. Majima cleared his throat before speaking again.
“I asked ya over to be honest with ya.” He sighed, setting down his empty bowl. He leaned forward slightly, crossed arms propping himself up, “Last night was not good for me… But it coulda been a lot worse.” His voice was serious, coaxing Y/N to look up. His eye was focused elsewhere, not directly on her, almost as if he was replaying the night for himself. He sat up after a moment and his eye snapped back to her.
“As thanks, I want ya to have ¥500000* for ya and the boss lady.” He offered, smiling slightly at her. Her mouth hung open in disbelief. She sputtered nonsensically, trying to speak.
“But- that’s so much!” she gawked, glancing at Nishida, who seemed to pay no mind. Majima laughed, much similar to how he did the previous night.
“I guess! But ya didn’t rat me out!” He chortled.
Y/N furrowed her brows. She felt like she wasn’t understanding the joke. Maybe it was lost in translation.
“Why would I do that..? I don’t understanding…” She asked, peering at the two curiously.
Majima chuckled softly, giving her a questioning glance. He grinned so naturally, she really thought she was missing out on the punchline.
“Oh? Did you really not know?”
“Know what?”
“That I’m yakuza?”