Peace Before the Storm
“Congratulations on getting a job!” Yuna cheered, smiling. “I can’t wait to work with you. You start tomorrow right?”
You smiled at her. “Thanks and yeah I start tomorrow,” you confirmed looking at her. “The owners seemed to be very kind,” you commented.
She nods and sits across from you. “Yeah they are. I just got on my break so we can get to know each other,” she tells you, her brown eyes being bright. “So what do you like to do in your free time?” she asks.
“Let’s see…” you paused and pondered on how you should answer as there's many things that you like to do, however you haven’t done any of them since entering this world. “I like reading,” you soon answered, deciding to go with the basics.
She nods. “Nice! My little sister loves to read as well,” she pipes up. “Maybe you two should meet each other sometime in the future,” she suggested.
You nod, “maybe,” you said, still smiling. It felt nice to make a friend. The last few days have been a bit chaotic. It was about time for things to settle down, yet the pit in your stomach said another thing. However, ignoring the feeling as you focused on the present.
“Y/n!” A familiar voice called out to you.
You looked in the direction that the voice came from to see Kenji and a tall, blonde, slender figure with glasses walking behind him as the teen came bounding over. You smiled at them. “Hey Kenji,” you greeted.
The other blonde caught up to him. “Kenji you can’t always run off to greet someone,” he said.
I rolled my eyes and glanced at Yuna who was looking at them. “Give him a break Kunikida, he's still a kid,” you said.
“How do you know my name…?” his voice trailed off as he looked at you pushing up his glasses, his eyes narrowed on to you.
“Oh, I saw you in the newspaper before,” you simply said and shrugged.
“Wow y/n I didn’t know you knew one of our regulars here already,” Yuna said, referring to Kenji.
“Oh! Y/n and I met because I found them in the alleyway unconscious so I took them back to the base to get looked at by our doctor,” Kenji explains.
She nodded in understanding as the other spoke, “So that's the person you dragged in.”
“Yeah anyways any new missions?” you asked.
Kenji shakes his head. “No, though Ranpoe has one and he went with him,” he motions to his partner that’s with him. “How is your amnesia?” he asks, a bit concerned.
This caused Yuna to look at you. You sigh and scoot over so Kenji can sit next to you and she did the same for Kunikida. “Well it’s complicated and no I don’t remember how I got there,” you answered. “I did run into members of the port mafia. That wasn’t fun, they thought I was a spy at first but then they let me go. Then I got a job here,” you said, shrugging as if none of it was a big deal.
Kunikida's emerald green eyes were narrowed onto you. “How on earth did you survive?” he asks.
You shrugged not really knowing as they just let you go. Yuna was looking at you with shock. “Wow, I didn’t know you’ve been through so much!” she exclaimed.
You sighed. “That’s nothing, really,” you stated.
She shakes her head. “No that’s not nothing, you know you shouldn’t just say that! What about your mental health?” she asked.
You couldn’t help but laugh at that. “I’m fine, really. If I wasn’t I would be dead already. Plus I’ve been through worse things,” you responded.
“I see…” the older male said.
“That’s not the point,” she groaned and saw the time. “Shoot, I need to get back to work,” she adds. He gets up and lets her get out. She ran back to the back rooms to reclock in. He then sits back down.
Kenji looks at you. “So, any plans for this afternoon?” he asks.
“No, why?” you ask back at him.
“Wellll I was thinking on taking you back to the alleyway where I found you to see if any memories come up,” he said honestly.
“Kenji, we don’t have time for that,” the other said.
“I rather not,” you said truthfully.
“How come? It may help you remember what happened,” Kenji replied.
You sigh and lean back in your seat. “It won’t help. Besides, it doesn't really matter anymore. All I’m doing is trying to live my life in peace,” you stated.
“Perhaps, but it is worth the try,” Kunikida cuts in. “When we have the time that is, which we currently don’t.”
“Whatever you say captain fun killer, and I thought you guys said you didn’t have any new missions?” you asked, leaning forward and resting your elbow on the table and your chin in the cup of your own hand. Eyes narrowed on him, your eyes meeting him.
“I’m not a captain nor a fun killer,” he states, pushing his glasses up. “I’m one who has a lot of responsibilities,” he adds ignoring the second part of what you’ve said.
“As for the mission… Well we don’t have any yet but we’re supposed to be on standby,” Kenji explained.
“Well that’s bullshit. You should at least live your lives to some degree,” you stated sighing. “Especially you Kenji, you're still a kid.”
“I have the day off tomorrow,” he replied. “And we’re on call technically,” he adds.
“Then let's go for a walk.”
“Going for a walk-”
“Kunikida exercise is important for your health,” you told him. “That includes walking.” Your eyes narrowed onto him as if you dared him to deny it.
He sighs “You're right… Fine, let's go then.”
“Great!” You smiled suddenly. Kenji jumped up and so did you. Kunikida gets up and the three of you walk out of the cafe together.