Chapter 171: The Old Man’s Last Night
It’s been a week since the last time I met Junpei. And today, it finally hit me — the old man was officially retiring.
Gojo-san had said it like it was nothing, but watching him move behind the counter for the last time made me realize just how much this place would change after tonight.
“You sure you don’t want a celebration?” I teased, leaning against the counter with a smirk.
“Hmph… I don’t like flashy stuff like that,” he grumbled, pretending to polish a glass that was already spotless.
“Too bad, then,” I said casually, flicking the bar’s open sign to closed before he noticed.
The door slid open with a cheerful ding!
“Welcome!” I shouted, grinning wide.
Keiko stepped in, holding a small gift bag in her hand. “I’m here!” she said, walking over with that warm smile that never failed to make the old man soften a little.
Gojo-san blinked, looking between us. “Keiko… what brings you here?”
She handed him the gift with both hands. “Well, I wanted to celebrate your last day,” she said sweetly.
For once, the old man looked speechless. He turned his eyes toward me, and I just shrugged innocently while stirring the broth behind the counter. “Don’t look at me,” I said, grinning. “I’m just the chef tonight.”
He sighed, but I saw the corner of his lips twitch — he was secretly happy.
Then came another voice from the door.
“Hi! Hi!”
Aki, Suzuka, and Miko came bursting in like a storm of energy and chaos.
“Nice to meet you, master!” Miko bowed dramatically. “Congratulations on your last day!”
“Yeah!” Suzuka added, practically skipping. “You’ve raised Ryuko well!”
Gojo-san chuckled dryly. “Raised, huh? I’d call it more like tolerated.”
“Oi, Gojo-san!” I protested while trying not to laugh.
Aki leaned on the counter with her usual smirk. “Oi, Ryuko! Long time no see!”
“Yeah, how come you never visit us anymore?” Miko pouted. Suzuka nodded, arms crossed like a mini teacher scolding a lazy student.
I chuckled. “Sorry, I was busy. I’ll come visit soon.”
“Promise?” Aki raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah. Just to see Keiko, though,” I said, smirking.
“Hey!!” Aki yelled, slapping my arm while everyone burst into laughter.
“Geez, you haven’t changed at all,” Suzuka said between giggles.
“Well, someone has to keep the entertainment alive,” I teased.
Aki dramatically sighed. “Fine, fine… you do look kinda cool though.”
I grinned. “Thanks. I try my best.”
Keiko rolled her eyes with a smile. “You two are impossible.”
“Come on, sit down. I’ll make something good for everyone,” I said.
They all nodded and gathered around the biggest table. Even Gojo-san, though he tried to act like he wasn’t interested, eventually sat down after Keiko gently tugged his sleeve.
---
“Here comes your ramen, everyone!” I announced, bringing out steaming bowls of shoyu ramen. The rich smell filled the room instantly.
Keiko came to help me, holding a tray of side dishes. “Thanks,” I said softly.
She smiled at me. “Of course.”
When everyone started eating, the chatter and laughter filled the bar. Gojo-san, usually quiet and gruff, actually joined in the conversation when Aki asked, “So, master! How did this bar start?”
He cleared his throat, pretending not to be touched. “Hmph… back when I was your age, I built this place with my bare hands. Didn’t even have a proper kitchen. Just a pot, a counter, and some stubborn dreams.”
Suzuka’s eyes widened. “That’s so cool!”
Miko gasped dramatically. “A true ramen hero!”
Aki leaned closer. “So you mean… you were like Ryuko back then? Young, reckless, and stupid?”
Gojo-san smirked. “Remove the stupid part and you’re right.”
Everyone burst into laughter again. Even Keiko was trying not to choke on her noodles.
I laughed along, then said, “Hey! You’re supposed to compliment me too, old man!”
He shrugged.
That got another round of laughter from the girls.
The mood was light, fun — something I hadn’t felt in a while. The sound of the girls chatting with Gojo-san, Keiko’s gentle laughter, and Aki’s loud antics brought back memories of when life felt simple.
I leaned against the counter, just watching them, and smiled without realizing it.
“Why are you smiling like a creep?” Aki asked suddenly, pointing her chopsticks at me.
“Oh, just remembering how idiot you are,” I shot back, grinning. “I kinda miss teasing you.”
“Hey! It was the other way around! I was the one teasing you!”
“Oh really?” I folded my arms. “Tell that to everyone who saw you cry after losing at darts that one time.”
“That was ONE TIME!” Aki shouted, slamming her hands on the table as everyone laughed again.
Keiko chuckled. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen this.”
“Yeah,” Suzuka nodded, smiling warmly. “You two always bicker like siblings. It’s nostalgic.”
Miko added, “Honestly, not even Suzuka can match Aki’s energy. Only Ryuko can.”
“See?” I grinned. “We’ve got fans!”
Aki flipped her hair dramatically. “Well, thanks to me.”
“Fine,” I said, raising a hand. “I’ll give you that one.”
“Maybe we should start a comedy duo then,” she said proudly. “You know, tour Japan, get famous, make millions!”
I snorted. “No thanks. I prefer my peaceful life without you screaming next to me on stage.”
“Aw, come on!” she whined. “Think of the money!”
“Think of my sanity!”
The whole table burst into laughter again. Keiko was laughing so hard she had to cover her face with her hands. Even Gojo-san’s deep chuckle mixed with the sound of clinking glasses and happy voices.
For a few moments, everything felt perfect. The bar was filled with warmth — not just from the food, but from the people in it.
As the laughter died down, Gojo-san stood up slowly. “You kids…” he said with a small smile. “This is the best send-off I could’ve asked for.”
We all fell silent for a moment. Even Aki looked touched.
Keiko stood and bowed politely. “Thank you for everything, Gojo-san.”
“Yeah,” I added quietly. “We’ll take good care of this place.”
He nodded, eyes softening. “I know you will, kid.”
The old man left not long after, his steps slow but steady, his figure fading into the night outside the bar.
The place felt a bit emptier after that — but also, somehow, full of life.
Aki suddenly stood up and clapped her hands. “Alright! Since it’s an emotional night, who’s paying for dinner?”
Everyone turned to me.
“What?!” I yelped.
“You’re the manager now,” Suzuka said with a grin. “That means you treat us!”
Keiko giggled behind her hand. “They’re right, you know.”
“Ehhh, Keiko?” I groaned dramatically.
“Yep,” she said, smiling brightly. “Now come on, Mr. Manager. Pay up.”
I sighed, shaking my head but smiling anyway. “Fine, fine. You guys are the worst.”
Aki grinned triumphantly. “We’ll take that as a compliment!”
And as laughter filled the bar again, I realized something — maybe the old man leaving wasn’t an ending after all. Maybe it was just the start of a new chapter for all of us.
A loud clink! echoed as Aki raised her glass.
“To Gojo-san! The legend!”
“To Gojo-san!” we all shouted together.
The night carried on with laughter, jokes, and ramen bowls refilled more times than I could count.
It was chaotic, heartwarming, and absolutely perfect — the kind of night that would stay with me forever.