Lucky encounter

CHAPTER 1

*Beep Beep Beep Beep* 

The harsh buzz of my alarm clock filled the room, urging me to get up from my comfortable bed. With a sleepy groan, I fumbled for the clock, smacking the button at last. Silence finally settled, but I had no intention of leaving the warmth of my bed just yet.

*Beep Beep Beep beep*

"dammit"

I groaned louder this time, burying my face into the pillow as the obnoxious beeping resumed. With one arm still tangled in my blankets, I flailed blindly until my fingers finally slammed the snooze button—again.

For a moment, blissful silence returned. I exhaled, ready to drift back into sleep.

"Kohaku! You're gonna be late!" a familiar voice called out. “Kohaku, you’ve got work in thirty minutes!” Ruri’s voice echoed from the other side of the door.

“I’m up, I’m up!” I mumbled, but I made no move to actually get out of bed.

I could hear Ruri’s footsteps fade as she moved toward the kitchen, probably starting her own morning routine. It was quiet again, and for a moment, I let the silence envelop me. But then, I thought about the small town I lived in, the job I’d been doing for (years/days/months??), and the never-ending cycle of it all.

I pulled the covers tighter around me, staring at the ceiling, letting the thoughts swirl. But then, just as I was about to drift off again, I heard the sound of the coffee machine whirring to life downstairs, followed by the faint aroma of breakfast.

With a sigh, I knew I had to get up. No more excuses!.

I threw off the covers and dragged myself to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face to wake myself up. The reflection staring back at me was nothing special—just Kohaku, the small-town cashier, trying to make it through another day.

After a few minutes, I gave myself a final wash in the mirror, then grabbed my uniform from the hook by the door. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was honest work.

As I walked into the kitchen, Ruri handed me a cup of coffee without saying a word. She knew I didn’t do mornings well, but she never complained.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, sipping the warm liquid, and sat down to eat my breakfast. "Hey, Kohaku, there's something I've been meaning to ask," Ruri said, her eyes focused on me as I sipped my coffee. "Don't you think it's time that you went back to Tokyo?"

I froze for a moment, my hand halting mid-air before bringing the cup back to my lips. The mention of Tokyo made my stomach twist. I knew Ruri didn't fully understand why I’d left in the first place, but it still stung hearing her ask.

"I... I don’t know," I muttered, setting my coffee down and avoiding her gaze. "It's not that simple."

Ruri gave me a curious look, not pressing further but clearly wanting an answer. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I couldn’t just say what I was really thinking—the part of me that still remembered Tokyo too well.

A few years ago, I was eager to compete in a major martial arts tournament there. I had trained for months, feeling like I was finally going to prove myself. But during the final round, things went terribly wrong. I had been too eager, too aggressive, trying to show off in front of everyone, and that’s when it happened.

I lost my balance during a critical move, and before I could react, my opponent and I collided in the wrong way. My arm snapped with a sickening crack, and my leg was caught underneath, breaking it as well. The pain was unbearable. I had to be rushed to the hospital, and the physical therapy that followed took forever.

But what hurt more than the injuries was the shame. Everyone in the tournament had seen it—the fall from grace of someone who had been on top, only to lose everything in one moment. I couldn’t shake the humiliation. I couldn’t bear the thought of walking back into the city, knowing I was just a reminder of my failure.

"Maybe it's time to move on," I said softly, forcing a smile. "But I’m not ready to face it. Not yet."

Ruri didn’t say anything at first. She just looked at me, her eyes softening as she seemed to understand more than I expected.

"I get it," she finally said, her voice gentle. "But just know you can always talk to me, okay?"

I nodded, grateful for her quiet support.

"Alright, I’m going now, bye sis!" I said, waving to Ruri as I grabbed my bag and headed toward the garage to get my scooter.

The air was cool, and the morning sun began to peek over the hills, casting a soft golden glow across the town. My small town, tucked away between the mountains and the sea, always had a peaceful vibe to it. The streets were quiet at this hour, save for a few early risers walking their dogs or sipping coffee on their porches.

I slid my helmet on and kicked the scooter to life, the engine humming softly beneath me. As I drove through the narrow streets, I passed familiar sights, the old bakery with its warm, sweet smells drifting out the door, the small park where kids played after school, and the colorful flower shop that was always bursting with vibrant blooms. The town was small enough that everyone knew each other, and it always felt like a community, where you could count on a friendly face at every corner.

The roads weren’t busy, and I could hear the soft hum of nature as I rode toward work. Birds chirped from the trees, and the wind carried the scent of the ocean, just a few miles away. It was simple, but it was home.

As I approached the little corner store where I worked, I noticed a few regulars already out and about. Mr. Tanaka, the elderly man who always got his morning newspaper, waved at me with a toothy grin. I waved back, my spirits lifting at the familiar faces. This small town might be quiet, but it had its charm.

I parked my scooter by the front door and took a deep breath. Another day at the cash register, another day of routine. But for now, I was content with the simplicity of it all.

9:00 AM. 

As I prepared the store for the day, the familiar scent of freshly baked goods caught my attention.

"Oh, hey, Yumi! Are you here for the ingredients you pre-ordered?" I asked, looking up from the counter.

"Yeah, but I also brought you some treats I made," she said with a grin, holding up a small paper bag.

Yumi was a good friend of mine. She ran a bakery in town and had a habit of bringing me baked goods, despite my constant protests that she didn’t have to. But she insisted every time, and, well—that’s how we became friends.

I sighed, shaking my head. "You really don’t have to keep doing this, you know."

"And yet, I do," she teased, setting the bag on the counter. "Just take them and enjoy, will you?"

I rolled my eyes but smiled, knowing there was no point in arguing. As I rang up her order, she leaned against the counter, a curious look in her eyes.

"Oh, have you heard about that famous scientist?" she asked.

I raised an eyebrow. "Nope. Why?"

Yumi gasped dramatically, leaning in as if she were about to spill the hottest gossip of the century.

"What? Kohaku, you live under a rock or something? This guy is huge! A total genius! He’s got this crazy science company that’s doing all sorts of mind-blowing experiments!"

I shrugged, unimpressed. "Science isn’t really my thing, Yumi. Why should I care?"

She pouted, placing a hand on her hip. "Because he’s basically a celebrity! People say he’s changing the world or something. Rockets, medicine, tech—boom! The guy’s got his hands in everything."

I raised an eyebrow. "And what does he look like?"

Yumi paused, then shrugged. "Idk."

"What do you mean you don't know? You said he's famous," I replied, confused.

"Yeah, yeah, he IS super famous... It's just that nobody's ever actually seen him before," she said, her face going blank. "OH! But there’s this one picture in the media that’s supposed to be him. It’s the only image we’ve got, but it’s just a shot of his back."

She quickly pulled out her phone and showed me the image.

The picture was dark, mostly of the back of a tall man wearing a sleek black suit. In his hand, he held a glass of wine, but his posture was slouched as if he was bored. The photo didn’t show his face, only the way he stood with an air of indifference. His hair was messy, wild even, and the image left an aura of mystery around him.

"You can't even see his face," I said, squinting at the phone.

"I know!" Yumi said with a dramatic sigh. "But that's the most we’ve got. Still, he's supposed to be the big shot around here, and no one’s even seen his face up close!" she said dramatically.

"Well, like I care. Anyway, shouldn’t you be heading to your bakery by now?" I said, crossing my arms.

"Oh! Right! Totally forgot about that—haha!" Yumi laughed, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment. "Welp, I won’t bother you anymore. Byeee, Kohaku!" she said as she took her pre-ordered package and enthusiastically waved, practically skipping toward the door.

I shook my head with a small chuckle, waving back. "Bye, Yumi. And be careful!"

As she disappeared out the door, I let out a sigh and turned back to the counter, the image of the mysterious scientist still lingering in my mind. But, like Yumi, I wasn’t one to get too wrapped up in things that didn’t affect me directly.

As I finished setting up the store, my mind kept wandering back to the conversation with Yumi. The mysterious scientist, a genius of some sort, changing the world with his groundbreaking work. It was hard to wrap my mind around, especially when it felt so far removed from my simple, grounded life here in town.

I snapped out of my thoughts when the bell above the door jingled.

"Good morning!" a voice called, and I turned to see Mrs. Suzuki, a regular customer, entering the store with her usual cheerful smile.

"Good morning, Mrs. Suzuki!" I greeted, already reaching for the items she usually bought. "How’s the family?"

She smiled warmly as she stepped up to the counter. "They’re doing well, thank you. And you? How’s your sister?"

"She’s doing fine. You know Ruri, always keeping herself busy," I said with a smile.

We exchanged a few more pleasantries as I rang up her items. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to remind me that life here, in this little town, was simple but meaningful.

I glanced out the window for a moment, watching as the sun began to rise higher in the sky, painting the streets with a soft golden light. I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the peace, even as I thought about the strange scientist Yumi had mentioned. Maybe there was a time and place for that kind of excitement, but for now, I was content with my routine.

11:00 AM rolled around, and the store slowly started filling up with customers. The morning rush had died down, and it was time for the usual mix of regulars to wander in.

I was busy stocking some shelves when a small group of kids rushed into the store, all excited and loud. They ran past me like a whirlwind, each of them trying to outdo the other with their laughter and chatter.

"Can we get some candy, Onee-chan?" one of the boys, Taro, asked as he skidded to a stop in front of me, his eyes wide with hope.

I raised an eyebrow. "What’s the magic word, Taro?"

He puffed out his cheeks and sighed. "Please?"

I smiled. "Alright, alright. But only if you promise to share with your friends."

The other kids quickly gathered around, their eyes lighting up as I grabbed a few bags of candy from behind the counter. It was a daily thing with them, and I always enjoyed their enthusiasm, even if they could be a bit much sometimes.

Once they had their treats, the kids darted out of the store as quickly as they had come in, leaving me with a small mess of candy wrappers on the floor.

"Those kids are a handful,” I muttered to myself as I bent down to clean up, but the smile on my face couldn’t hide the fondness I had for them. They brought a certain kind of joy to the shop.

The clock ticked on, and the shop continued to buzz with activity. A few regulars came in to grab their usual snacks, exchanging jokes and catching up with me about their week.

At 3:16 PM, I was behind the counter, sorting through some orders when Mr. Tanaka walked in, his usual slow shuffle punctuated by his ever-present smile.

"Good morning, Kohaku," he said, adjusting his glasses as he approached the counter.

"Morning, Mr. Tanaka! The usual?" I asked, already grabbing the loaf of bread he always bought.

"You know me too well," he chuckled, taking his change. "You’ve got to teach the younger generation how to remember the little things."

I laughed softly, handing him the bag. "I’m just here to help. Have a good day!"

As he left, I leaned against the counter, glancing around the store. It was busy, sure, but it was the good kind of busy—familiar faces, lighthearted banter, and the soft hum of the town’s rhythm. It wasn’t the big city, but it was my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything of course. Who wouldn't want to stay here in this lovely small town?.

After hours of ringing up orders, restocking shelves, and exchanging small talk with customers, it finally hit me 10:00PM—closing time. I let out a small sigh of relief, my feet sore from standing all day, but a sense of satisfaction settled over me. The shop had been bustling, and despite the exhaustion, I was content.

I locked the door behind the last customer, and the familiar quiet of the shop wrapped around me like a blanket. The lights buzzed softly above, and I took a moment to breathe in the stillness.

"Alright, time to go home," I mumbled, stretching as I yawned. With a quick glance around the empty store, I grabbed my things and headed out. As I stepped onto the sidewalk ready to ride my scooter, my eyes caught sight of a newspaper on the bench nearby. The headline read: "Dr. S: The Genius Scientist Who’s Changing the World."

I stopped for a moment, reading the title. "Huh, he really is famous..." I muttered to myself, not caring much about the article. It didn’t change anything for me, anyway.

I shook my head and stuffed the newspaper back onto the bench, shrugging off any thoughts about the mysterious "Dr. S.". With a deep breath, I climbed onto my scooter and kicked it to life, the engine rumbling beneath me. The quiet streets of the town were peaceful as I made my way home, the familiar landmarks passing by—like the park where I’d spent countless hours as a kid, and Yumi’s bakery where I would always go when I'm not on duty.

The evening air was cool, and I could smell the faint scent of the ocean carried by the breeze. It was a peaceful ride, and I appreciated the solitude after a long day.

When I finally reached home, the house I shared with Ruri came into view. The porch light was already on, casting a soft glow across the front yard. The house was nothing fancy—just a cozy place with a few flower pots out front and a small garden in the back—but it was ours. The simplicity of it all made it feel like home.

I parked my scooter in the driveway and made my way up to the front door, unlocking it and stepping inside.

"Ruri? I’m home," I called, taking off my shoes and setting my bag down by the door.

"Welcome back!" Ruri’s voice came from the kitchen, where I could see her busy cooking something. She looked up, giving me a warm smile. "How was your day?"

"Long, but fine. Same old routine," I said with a shrug, heading to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.

"Anything interesting happen?" she asked, still stirring something in the pot.

I hesitated for a moment before shrugging again. "Not really. Just the usual. Oh, and Yumi mentioned some scientist... Dr. S, I think? He’s apparently a big deal, but I don’t really care much."

Ruri raised an eyebrow. "Really? You don’t seem interested...did Yumi not tell you?"

I looked at her, confused. "Tell me what?"

Ruri smiled slyly. "He’s starting to become a big shot, you know."

"Who?" I asked, still unsure.

"Chrome!" she said, giving me an amused look. "So? Like I care."

Chrome, my sister’s fiancé, was a bit of a goofball. He loved Ruri so much that he even made her a ring with his own hands. The guy was incredibly sweet, but it always made me laugh how seriously he took their relationship.

After a simple but satisfying dinner, we spent some time chatting, mostly about our day, and before long, the house was quiet again. The usual routine of winding down after work had become almost comforting. I washed the dishes while Ruri tidied up the kitchen, humming to herself as she worked.

"Thanks for dinner," I said, drying my hands with a towel as I turned to her.

"Of course," she replied with a smile. "You’re welcome."

As we finished cleaning up, the day started to slip away, the soft light of the evening dimming outside. I yawned and stretched, feeling the exhaustion of the long hours at the shop catching up with me.

"Well, I’m heading to bed," I said, walking to the stairs. "I’ll see you in the morning."

"Good night," Ruri called after me, already heading to her room. "Sleep well!"

I made my way to my own room, where the familiar sight of my bed awaited. My body practically melted into the mattress as I pulled the covers up to my chin. The room was quiet, save for the faint sounds of the house settling and the gentle breeze coming in through the window.

The next few moments were a blur as sleep overtook me, and before I knew it, I was lost in the quiet darkness of the night.

END OF CHAPTER