bar "banana fish" / ash x reader

chap XIX

Eiji did what he told he will; he helped you pack your things back into your F/C suitcase and afterwards he drove you home.

"Thanks." - You were grateful. You were actually grateful for Eiji. He was extremely supportive in both ways: mentally and physically, when he was around you felt safe and you knew you'd never be judged, hurt. It was incredible to be close with someone like him.

"You're always welcome."

You quickly hugged him in farewell, before he sat back in his milky-white car and disappeared from your sight.

Now, you were all alone. You made your way upstairs to your apartment, smelling the almost forgotten smell.

Just a little while ago we were here with him...

You didn't do the unpacking due to the lack of motivation and life energy, which kept flying away with each flash of memory.

Tomorrow I have to go to work, to the bar where I met him...

Laying in a star position you started thinking. Thinking about the times when Ash would blush with a cute offended face or when he'd cook something for you.

Once he made a surprise dinner for me...

He's become an everyday important part of your life imperceptibly.

Will we really never meet again?

All the questions were, sadly, rhetorical, however, you wanted, needed them to be answered.

—

The night went by and, in the morning, you got dressed and left with haste. You still believed, had a hope that he'll be there, in the bar.

Ordering a taxi, you put on the earphones, turning on some of your favorite songs with a happy vibe, you thought it could cheer you up and maybe even get luckier.

"Thanks, have a nice day." - You said to the cabbie, leaving his car.

From where you were, you could see something white on the door.

Shit.

Coming closer, you saw the text on the door more clearly.

Bar "Banana Fish" is now closed. Our apologies.

No, it can't be.

You, not believing your own eyes, staggered back unsteadily. Hands, meanwhile, uncontrollably traveled to your pocket to get the phone.

Beep, beep, beep.

"Hi~!"

"I- C-can I please stay at your place for a while?"

"Hm? I don't mind, why you even asking?"

"Oh."

"Y/N? Are you okay?"

"No."

"Got you. Where are you?"

"Bar."

"I'm coming."

Yes, he wasn't the first person you thought you should call, nevertheless, you needed exactly Yut's company; he always succeeds when it comes to cheering you up.

You just stood here, when a well-known person parked near you.

"Y/N, hop in."

"Hi," - you pronounced, sitting close to the driver's seat.

"Is it because of Ash?" - He decided to go straight to the point.

Instead of answering, you looked at the bar entrance with the piece of paper.

"I thought you'd know..." - He hugged your shoulders, "Sis, I-"

"You knew?"

"Of course I did, but I thought you—"

"Cool. And you didn't even try to stop him? Why, Lee?" - You pleaded for answers, it kept happening: everyone knew everything, but not you.

"Breath, Y/N." - Lee lifted his hands above his head in humility. "It's complicated. It was the best for—"

"Me and all of us."

"Yes, but stop interrupting me, will ya? You were the one to call me. I am here to help so calm down and think rationally."

He is right. Maybe I am too new to all this mafia shit and they know better what's actually better?

"We do not know if he's coming back soon. Or ever. He told me he'd be happy if you kept going and having fun without him. You need to let him go, Y/N." - his voice cracked at the last sentence; he's been great friends with Ash for quite a long time, it was hard for him too.

"But how." - You breathed.

"Distract yourself. Go have fun. Find someone new."

Someone... new?

Yut saw a confused look of yours and continued, "Let's go to the party today?"

"I- I don't even know, Moonpie."

"Yes, you are going young lady, periodt. We should invite Eiji and Shorter and just try to loosen up a little."

"Maybe you're right.." - You observed his offer.

I mean, life isn't standing, right? If that's what Ash wanted...

"Okay."