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In one way or another, Ann sorta knew they weren’t all gonna stay in Tokyo forever. Shit happens, money and jobs and life get in the way and cause folks to go where life needs them most. She was lucky enough of the old theives stayed within Tokyo. Akira kept up Leblanc, Futaba was making bank from her akihabara apartment, Haru and Makoto were rockstars in their perspective fields-
And Ryuji? Life had taken him all the way to Kyoto.
Life had also brought Ann to that same city. A photoshoot with a travel agency, using Ann’s “western features” to cater to a tourist market. The shoot wasn't until tomorrow though. Until then, she could take her time.
The train station had dropped her off at the heart of urban Kyoto, with their namesake tower rising high in the March air. She’d been to the city once during a school trip, though they never spent much time within the urban center. Which was a real shame too. Sure it wasn't much different then what you’d find around Leblanc, but it carried a charm Ann found herself craving amidst the high-class lifestyle she lived. A simple cup of tea and a plate of curry or rice, served by a kind auntie who looked as if she’d known you her entire life.
Ann certainly looked overdressed. A slate grey trenchcoat that cost far more than she’d like to admit. Pearl studs in her ears and laced heel boots. Rounding the corner towards her destination, she considered slipping into a bathroom to change, but decided against it.
Her destination was a lackluster one. A navy awning with the words “600 yen ramen” and “open since 1975” printed on it. Wedged between a stairway to the apartments above and a bike repair shop. A big Tanuki guarded the entrance below a bulletin board, one which had seen better days judging by the broken tail and chipped hat.
Walking through the doorway the smell of starch and salt was immediate. Followed by the sight of a rather empty restaurant. Small wooden tables lined one wall, while barstools sat by the open kitchen. Atop a tall shelf in the corner, a CRT played coverage of the latest baseball games. While a fishtanks filter hummed in the shelf below it.
Ann hoped to sit down and get off her feet for a few moments, but it seemed someone had other plans.
“AUNTIE TAMA!!”
Rushing In from who knows where, a little girl ran up to Ann and slammed into her. Hugging her waist and giggling like crazy.
“It’s been so so so soooo long!!”
Ann couldn't help but laugh. The girls joy was infectious. The way she jumped around, her gap-toothed smile and multicolor streaks of chalk hair dye.
“Papa! Papa!! Auntie Tama is here!!”
She heard a clatter in the kitchen, followed by “don’t worry Aya I’m comin’ I’m comin’..”
From the kitchen curtains emerged Ryuji Sakomato. Looking far different from his track days back in Tokyo. He still sported the same bleach-blonde hair, though he clearly wasn't as dedicated to up-keeping it, judging by the natural dark strands you could see. He’d grown some scruff on his chin and arms. A piercing adorned his right ear with a small gold ring, sharply contrasted by the chunky beaded necklace he wore, clearly made by his daughter. Despite all the changes though much still remained. He still wore the silver bangle Akira got him all those years ago. A compression brace over one of his legs was less welcome, it seemed Kamoshida's injury still affected him after all these years.
The sight of Ann lit his face up. Laughing like an idiot as he tumbled into a hug.
“Yo it’s been forever! What the hell are you doing all the way out here man!” Ryuji was grinning from ear to ear “if you’d given me a heads up I could have made the shop look halfway decent.”
“I’m doing a photoshoot in the historical part of Kyoto, something for an ad agency” Ann smiled “it was on short notice so I thought it was the perfect excuse to surprise you and Ayako!”
“Ann you clever bastard” he laughed “here, sit down at the bar and I’ll fix ya’ a bowl, I’ve gotta catch up on all you’ve been doing!”
Takamaki took a seat at the bar of the restaurant. The girl sitting right besides her while her father prepared the dish.
“It’s so good to see you Aya, you’ve grown so much!” Ann ruffled her hair, blending the chalk powder on her head “I still remember when you were itty bitty, now you're getting too big for your papa to carry you.”
Aya giggled, her dad speaking up from under the kitchen counters.
“- hey I can still carry her! You know I don’t skip on my workouts. Gotta stay strong for my kid y’know.”
Ann rolled her eyes “well you’ve gotta get better at cardio, it seems like you’ve been putting on a few pounds.”
Ryuji sighed “c’mon it’s the dad bod! I’m a dad so, it’s like mandatory now.”
That much was true. Ryuji had gotten a bit…fluffier in some parts. A far cry from Ann’s toned physique, or his old trackstar bod. A bit of pudge around the waist, thicker arms, broader shoulders. It filled his body out well.
“Hey if you wanna get back into the dating scene, I know a few people who’d love a guy like you” she winked “I mean you cook, you’re a great dad, I’m shocked you haven’t gotten hitched.”
Ryuji rolled his eyes. Just as the noodles finished cooking “I know…I just don’t got time for that stuff. Between Aya and the shop I don’t wanna have a third person takin’ up my time.”
“- and I don’t want a new mama, all the moms at my school are booooriiing” Aya dramatically slapped her arms on the table “my mama was boring too.”
“Aww c’mon kid she wasn't bad. I thought she was nice. A little strict yes. But she was a decent lady.”
“Well she didn't want me, she said I was icky, screw her! She’s a dumbass!”
That last part sent Ann into hysterics. Laughing so hard she nearly fell off the barstool. Ryuji glared at Aya for cursing, but the girl just covered her face and giggled.
Ann knew well what had happened between Ryuji and Ayas mother. They’d met in college and had a month-long fling. Their breakup was quick and quiet, but that same week Ayas mother told Ryuji she was pregnant. It was messy. She wanted to keep the baby at first and raise them herself, but had a sharp change of mind and forced Ryuji to take sole custody of the baby. Yet despite the mess, Sakomato thrived as a father from the day Ayako was born.
Ann still remembered that day fondly. Her and the other theives were voice-chatting and placing bets on the babies weight and gender (For the record Ann won both bets. Got 3,000 yen total and splurged on a fancy overpriced parfait). The whole phantom theives were back together to support their golden boy. She remembered Ryuji logging back on after a few hours of silence, followed by a photo of him and a newborn Ayako, his face still red from happy tears…
“-Alrighty Ann, here’s the shop specialty! Pork ramen with ginger, hope yer’ hungry!”
Her train of thought was broken by the clatter of a large ramen bowl. Piping hot and smelling of rich broth.
“Don’t worry, it’s on the house, least I could do for ya.”
Ryuji took a seat next to Ann. She was about to pull out her wallet to pay Ryuji for the meal, but he physically pushed the wallet back into her purse.
“I said it’s free, now c’mon, better eat it before Aya or I do.”
Ann didn't need any convincing. Devouring bite after bite of the dish. It was perfection. Grilled fatty pork and bone broth with tender noodles, the sharpness of fresh ginger and scallions cutting through the richness. So deceptively simple for such a delectable meal.
“Oh my god this is amazing.” Ann spoke, muffled by the noodles “you were this good at cooking and never told anybody??”
“Tch-only really picked it up when Aya was born. Had to feed my kiddo one way or another. Guess I just sorta went from there” he stretched his arms out “the older folks who run this place taught me the rest. It’s real easy once you get the hang of everything.”
It didn't take long for Ann to finish her bowl. Leaving only the precious ramen egg for last. But it seemed Ayako had already snatched it before Ann could notice. Bits of the yolk still on her chin.
“Aya did you seriously…?”
“Nuh-uh.”
Ann just laughed. Damn this kid. She was like her papa in every way.
“So Ryuji, think about ever coming back to Tokyo?” Ann watched him from across the counter “I mean, rent isn't any cheaper, but it’s hard when our best pal is across the country.”
“You don’t say that about Yusuke” Ryuji scoffed “I know it sucks, but Aya and I are comfy where we are.”
Ann toyed with her hair. Staring into the middle distance “…I can imagine. I know things didn't turn out the way you hoped…”
She could tell Ryuji was thinking. Endlessly scrubbing a bowl as his mind wandered.
“..I know things didn't go as I planned, but hell, I’d take this life over a track-star any day.”
“Really?”
Ryuji nodded “I mean even if I got Olympic level skills I’d do what, a few games. Still hafta’ get a job In between ‘em. And once I’m past my prime I’m as good as toast, bad toast.”
He looked over at Ayako, who had left her stool and was instead looking at the fish tank.
“…but now? I’ve got a stable job, place to live on my own. Even if I never planned on havin’ Ayako, I wouldn't trade her for the world. She’s my everything y’know. I feel like without her life would just be…”
“…empty?” Ann spoke.
“Yep…just real real empty.”