Chapter Text
A beautifully cloudy day could be observed through the apartments foggy window. Inside a maroon haired man was getting dressed for his first day on the job as a cook for none other than the heir to the Nakamura family, Azami Nakamura’s newest restaurant Rosuto.
To be honest Joichiro wasn’t all to excited about working under someone else but his savings from all the cooking competitions he’s won in the past have all but dwindled into nothing so he just has to bite the bullet and deal with it for a few months. It won’t be all bad though! At least it could be worse… If he had to work under anyone he’s glad it’s his old friend Azami and not some rando.
He reached up and fiddled with the collar of his shirt some more before finally deciding it was ‘good enough’ and scurried his way out the door. Quickly catching the bus he payed the toll and sat down at a seat near the middle, clutching his bag close to his chest he peered out the window and sighed. He would have preferred some sun but he’d be inside most of the day anyways so it’s not like it truly mattered.
When the bus had taken him to his destination he strode off and began jogging to the location of the restaurant, from the front the place was definitely fancy and gave that air of ‘don’t even think about eating here unless you’re willing to splurge.’ Oh well, it’s not like he hasn’t worked in places like that before, all he has to do is go in, listen to the briefing by the head chef and get out. Part of him hoped to see Azami inside but he must be a busy man so that was probably wishful thinking…
Or so he thought, but when he entered through the back door there in the flesh was none other than Azami Nakamura lurking in the corner. When they locked eyes silence emanated throughout the empty kitchen, the other man’s mouth went agape and the cigarette he was smoking fell uselessly at his feet. Joichiro stood there with a large awkward smile then decided it was probably best to actually say something.
“Hey Nakamura… Been a while…” The greeting seemed to snap Azami from his dumbfounded stupor. The next moment the smaller man was in his face bombarding him with questions.
“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? WHY HAVEN’T YOU CALLED!! WHY ARE YOU HERE???” All valid questions. He did disappear off the face of the earth for about three years at this point, his friend had every right to be completely at a loss. Maybe he was naive for thinking they’d have a friendly reunion before work started.
“Haha… One question at a time Nakamura, one of your subordinates was the one who hired me to work here!” The last question was the easiest and quickest to answer so he went with that first.
“YOU??? Work HERE???” Joichiro had never seen his friend so animated, in a way it was endearing. He gave a smile and nodded.
“Yup! You’re looking at the greatest chef this kitchen will ever witness!” The maroonette boasted with pride.
“Chef- No, NO! You are NOT cooking here!” Well that was harsh, was he going to get fired before he could even pick up a pan?
Azami suddenly grabbed him by the arm and dragged him into what was apparently his office before shutting the door behind them both and locking it from the inside as there was no way to from the outside. He took a deep, deep breath before smoothing back his dark hair, a few strands greyed early from stress dangled in front of his face.
“I can’t believe this… You’re actually…” He reached out to touch Joichiro, as if to make sure he wasn’t some strange hallucination but quickly retracted his hand when they’re gazes met.
“You actually want to work here? … Why?” Harsh suspicion replaced the bit of vulnerability he showed seconds prior.
“Well I need the money-“ That was probably the most obvious reason yet it still shocked the younger man.
Azami was quick to press. “What happened to all the money you got from competitions?”
“Spent it.” Joichiro shrugged nonchalantly.
“Ugh… You idiot I can’t believe you…” Azami shook his head before turning to fully face the other. He crossed his arms and leveled the taller man with a stern gaze.
“So let me guess, you spent all your prize money traveling around and goofing around doing whatever you wanted but now that your free spiritedness is coming to bite you back you’ve come running to my establishment to make ends meet?” Well Joichiro had to give it to him, despite all these years Azami still knew him.
Joichiro sucked in a breath and hooked his thumbs into his pockets. “Yeah… But wasn’t that kind of the point? To go live a little instead of…”
“Don’t bring that up to me.” Seems he’s still bitter about that…
“Right well- you caught me! In any case I’m employed here now so unless you want to fire me you should really let me do my job.” The maroonette hummed with a playful grin.
“No, I’m not letting you cook in my kitchen.” Azami grumbled as he pulled open some drawers by the wall.
“Why not! You know how good I am! I’ll have customers eating out of the palm of your hand!” Joichiro quickly protested.
“EXACTLY- Your too good! I know you’re not permanently employing yourself here, that just isn’t like you. I don’t want you sky rocketing my reviews only for you to leave and have customers complain that the food isn’t as good and my restaurant has gone downhill.” He pulled something out of the drawer and shoved it into the others hands, it seemed to be another uniform.
“If you really want to work here go wait tables, my other waiter doesn’t seem to want to show today anyways. I’ll pay you the same amount as I do the chefs so don’t worry about your salary.” Joichiro looked down at the waiters uniform before giving Azami a wide grin.
“Awwww you do care~ Who knew you’d play favorites for me!” The taller man couldn’t help but joke.
Azami growled under his breath and started shoving Joichiro out of the office. “Go do your job or I’ll actually fire you!” He snapped harshly.
“Yeah, yeah- Wait! I don’t know how to wait tables!” He wasn’t nearly as qualified for that job as he was cooking.
Azami groaned again and dragged Joichiro out of the kitchen and the main dining area, he swiped a menu from off the table and handed it to the other to look over. “Here at this establishment you don’t choose whatever you want to eat, instead we have a set menu of appetizers, sides, mains, and desserts. Once you write down people’s orders place them at the window for the chefs to look at and they’ll make the dish, when you hear the bell that means the food is done. Simple enough for even you to understand right?”
Joichiro looked over the simple menu and nodded. “That sounds much easier than what I thought!”
“Good. Make sure you remain hospitable and keep a low profile! If it got out that the famous Joichiro Saiba was working in my restaurant as a lowly waiter I have no clue what the media would say!” Azami was already regretting letting Joichiro work at his restaurant.
He nodded again before fully facing the other and placing the menu back on the table. “I get it- And I know it may sound cheap coming from me now but- you can count on me.”
Azami glanced up at the others golden gaze one last time before huffing. “It’s almost time to open, go get changed in the bathroom before unlocking the door for the guests.”
Well Joichiro supposed he’d have to earn the others trust again if he wanted a reaction. He nodded and scurried off to the bathroom to change into his new uniform while Azami slinked away into his office for the day.
Joichiro had to admit that the waiter uniform looked better on him than the bland white chef uniform, it was fancy and matched the fine dining atmosphere the place had perfectly. Unfortunately it was a little small on him but he couldn’t blame Azami for that since he just gave him a random spare. He pulled his messy hair back into a ponytail and smoothed it out with water from the sink before exiting with brimming confidence.
The other chefs had already arrived by this time of day, Joichiro was a slight bit jealous they got to cook while he was stuck waiting tables but it was a little to late to rethink things now. He took the keys Azami gifted him out of his pocket and opened the restaurant for business.
After around twenty minutes of waiting around he finally head the bell above the door ding, signifying someone entered. Immediately Joichiro hopped to his feet and greeted the two girls before seating them at a table near the kitchen for his own convenience, they ordered two appetizers so after he was done writing it down he hurried over to the kitchen and hung the order. The chefs took no time in preparing the food, probably because there was a whole team in there working on one dish at a time, a little overkill in his opinion but it did speed up the process a lot.
After he served them they’re appetizer another guest had entered. He repeated the same process of jotting down notes, placing they’re orders, waiting for the chefs to make the food and then serving the food with a side of his charm and charisma.
Occasionally he felt eyes on him but he just attributed that to the guests staring at him and wondering why there was only one waiter, hopefully that other guy would show up tomorrow so he wouldn’t have to be taking this work load on his own.
After he checked out the last customer it felt kind of strange seeing the main area mostly silent and devoid of life, maybe because he was usually in the kitchen he wasn’t used to the sight. He shook off the strange feeling it gave him and closed the restaurant for the night, he entered the kitchen to see the other chefs packing up and getting ready to leave for the most part. He picked up his bag that was discarded by the door to Azami’s office and checked inside the see that his chefs uniform was still stuffed inside.
Joichiro still had a lot of questions about his new job position and what to do about this other uniform but when he knocked on the office door the other didn’t respond. Had he already left? Without his keys!? Well… Now he was truly at a loss. The least he could do was properly close up the place for his friend, he’d give him the keys tomorrow and ask him some more questions about his new job.
Once the last of the cooks had filtered out of the kitchen Joichiro left through the back and locked the door behind him. He twirled the keys in his hand as he leisurely walked out of the alley and into the streets. Looking down at his watch to check the time if he ran he could ride the bus the bus home, with that new knowledge he burst into a sprint in order to catch it.
Finally back in his apartment Joichiro tossed his bag to the side and changed out of his tight uniform and into some way more comfortable sleeping clothes. He took his toothbrush from the bathroom and brushed them leisurely before exiting to look around his only slightly cluttered apartment for his flip phone. He found it stuffed in between the couch cushions, as usual, he dialed the top number in his contacts before letting himself flop down on said couch, waiting for her to pick up.
All he got in the end was an automated message. Great. “It’s pretty late, she might be sleeping…” Before he turned his phone off again though he left her a voice message catching her up to speed on his day and wishing her a good night.
After he placed his phone down on the small table in front of him he dragged himself to his room and flopped down on the bed, feeling the exhaustion begin to overtake him he fell back into a deep sleep.
———
——
—
His boss was a fucking asshole. No way was he going to work that day when all he got was shit, he already called in sick so he didn’t have to worry about anything but getting some damn rest for once!
He stood smoking outside his building, just watching the cars pass when a hand grabbed his arm and dragged him into the alleyway by his apparent complex. When he whipped around to see who was picking a fight with him he got shanked deep in the stomach, sharp, hot pain rippled throughout his body. He’d never felt any pain like this before- stumbling back onto the concrete he wailed in pain.
A glint caught his eye despite the blood, and burning, consuming pain. A knife covered in blood, his blood- and a hooded figured covered from head to toe in black. The knife was brought down on him one more time, and this time he couldn’t find the strength to scream.
In the end he didn’t even manage to get a look at his killers face.
Damn…
—
——
———