Chapter 180: Ruined Reputations
A week had passed since Natsuki met Miko. Things were surprisingly peaceful for once—no bar fights, no broken glasses, no ghost customers, and definitely no unexpected drama. The usual lull between shifts was almost comforting.
“So how was it?” I asked, wiping the counter as Natsuki sat across from me, sipping iced tea like he owned the place.
“Eh?” he blinked, caught off guard. “Oh, you mean Miko? Not bad. She’s fun, actually. We’ve been chatting almost every day.” His tone was casual, but the way his lips twitched upward gave it away.
I smiled. “Nice to hear that. I told you she’s a good girl.”
He chuckled, scratching his head. “She has that scary stare sometimes though.”
I laughed. “Oh yeah, that’s normal. You’ll get used to it.”
He was about to respond when the doorbell rang. I glanced up automatically.
“Welcome!” I called out with my usual smile—only for it to vanish the moment I saw who it was.
Riku.
Of course it was Riku. Because why wouldn’t the universe hate me on a perfectly normal night?
“You…” I muttered, my voice dropping an octave. “Why are you here?”
Natsuki blinked, whispering beside me, “Do you… know him?”
Riku smirked, pretending to look surprised. “Oh? That’s how you greet customers? Cold as always.”
I inhaled sharply. Not tonight, Ryusei. Don’t cause a scene.
“Please place your order first before sitting,” I said with a fake polite smile.
He ignored me completely and slid onto the stool right next to Natsuki. “I want to sit here. That’s fine, right?”
Natsuki, being the overly kind soul he was, nodded immediately. “Yeah, it’s fine! Have a seat!”
“Great,” Riku said with a grin that made my skin crawl.
I gave him the menu without a word.
“Why the long face, Ryuko?” he teased. “I just came to eat. Don’t be so cold.”
“Let me know your order when you’re ready,” I muttered and turned away, scrubbing the counter harder than necessary.
Natsuki looked between us, clearly sensing the tension. “Uhmm… sorry, sir, but… do you know Ryuko?”
Riku smirked, tilting his head. “Oh yes, I know her very well.”
I froze. Don’t say another word, you jerk.
“Oh? Are you guys close friends?” Natsuki asked innocently.
“No, never. Sorry.” I snapped before Riku could open his mouth.
Natsuki blinked. “Oh… I see. From your reactions, are you guys exes or something?”
I choked on air.
Riku stared at him, half amused, half disgusted.
“Wha—no!” I coughed, pounding my chest.
Natsuki smiled nervously, bowing slightly. “Ah, sorry! I just thought… you know… the tension and all.”
Riku chuckled darkly. “You’re not wrong, kid.”
“Riku!” I hissed.
“What?” he said, looking all smug.
“Just—order your damn food already.”
He leaned back lazily, flipping through the menu. “Hmm. One tan tan ramen.”
“Got it.” I said through clenched teeth.
As I turned to prepare the order, I could hear them talking behind me.
“So,” Natsuki said, “you and Ryuko… uh… go way back?”
“Oh, you could say that,” Riku replied casually. “She used to belong to—”
“THE PAST.” I interrupted loudly, slamming a ladle into the pot. “I belong to the past. That’s what he means.”
Riku smirked. “Right. The past. Sure.”
Natsuki laughed nervously. “You two are really funny together.”
I resisted the urge to hurl the ramen bowl at his face.
After a few minutes, I placed Riku’s ramen in front of him. “Here’s your ramen, sir. Please enjoy it and then leave immediately.”
He picked up his chopsticks and gave me that annoying grin again. “You’ve gotten cocky now.”
“I’m not. I just don’t want to see your face while I’m working,” I muttered, crossing my arms.
Natsuki sipped his tea quietly, watching us like he was witnessing a romantic drama unfold.
Riku leaned forward slightly. “You really gave up already?”
I froze. I knew what he was referring to—but not in front of Natsuki. “How did you even find this bar?” I asked, deflecting.
“I have my ways,” he said simply.
“So, you cheated again,” I shot back.
He smirked. “Now answer the question.”
“I’m not playing this game with you, Riku.”
He sighed dramatically. “You really haven’t changed.”
He took a slurp and said casually, “If you didn’t want to see me, you should’ve moved farther away.”
“I would’ve,” I said, “if I knew cockroaches could track people down.”
That made Natsuki choke on his tea. “Pfft—!” He coughed violently. “S-sorry, that was funny—”
Riku gave me a glare, and I smiled sweetly in return.
Then, mid-slurp, Riku muttered, “You didn’t even want this body anymore, right?”
My jaw dropped. Natsuki froze. Then his face turned beet red.
“W-WHAT!?” Natsuki shouted, covering his mouth with his hands. “W-wait, what—what body!?”
I immediately realized how that sounded out of context. “WAIT, IT’S NOT LIKE THAT!”
Riku blinked, confused. “What?”
Natsuki stammered, “S-sorry… I think I’m interrupting something private…”
“NO YOU’RE NOT!” I shouted.
He bowed deeply. “I-I’m sorry! I hope you two couples reconcile soon!”
I nearly flipped the counter. “NATSUKI!!!”
Even Riku looked stunned before bursting into laughter.
“Oh, that’s rich,” he said between chuckles. “Your friend thinks we’re lovers.”
“SHUT. UP.”
The atmosphere went from tense to chaotic in a matter of seconds. Natsuki looked like he was ready to crawl under a table and disappear, while Riku looked like he was enjoying the best comedy show of his life.
Eventually, Natsuki paid and left in a panic, bowing again before running out. “Sorry! Sorry! Please don’t fight in front of me!”
The doorbell jingled behind him. Silence returned.
I took a deep breath, gripping the counter. “Riku, you’ve done enough. Leave. And stop bothering my family.”
He wiped his mouth with a napkin, finishing the last of his ramen with a loud slurp.
Then, leaning back, he smirked. “And what if I change my mind?”
My heart skipped. “What do you mean you changed your mind?”
He stood up slowly, tossing a few bills on the counter. “I mean,” he said, lowering his voice, “I want your family too.”
I stared at him, eyes wide. “You’re out of your damn mind.”
He smiled that twisted smile again. “Maybe. But you’ll see me again soon.”
Then he walked out, leaving the bell above the door jingling softly.
For a long moment, I just stood there, staring at the empty seat he left behind.
“…I swear,” I muttered, rubbing my temples, “next time, I’m switching the bar sign to ‘Closed for Cockroaches.’”
From outside, I heard Natsuki shouting to someone, “No, I swear they were fighting about… bodies!”
I groaned, slamming my face into the counter.
“Great,” I mumbled into the wood.