Otoriphobia

0: Korekiyo Otori

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

The downpour fell down upon Korekiyo, feeling like a stream of endless rocks being pelted upon his shoulders and back.

The high schooler let out a mirthless chuckle, running his hands through his messy black hair as he made his way back to the train station.

"I should have brought an umbrella. Talk about bad luck..."

Korekiyo glanced around. The downtown plaza wasn't nearly as crowded as it was normally.

"Everyone must be huddled inside. Oh, well, it's not like I need to catch that train... maybe I should duck into a ramen place and grab a bite to eat."

Korekiyo ducked and rushed to the side, taking notice of the nearest ramen place- a cozy little local store tucked into the street corner called "Minato's World-Famous Tonkotsu Ramen".

Korekiyo pushed open the door and was met by a refreshing stream of warm air, carrying the scent of finely cooked pork and ramen noodles toward him.

"Welcome, young man!"

A friendly-faced chef behind the counter looked up from his work on a porkchop and smiled at Korekiyo.

"Oh, hello there, sir."

"You look a bit pale, you doing okay?"

"Oh, that's pretty much how I always am... ha-ha."

Korekiyo was aware of his sickly-pale skin, and people often asked about it, but he preferred not to discuss the reasons. They were private business, after all.

"Anyways, you got any specials today, chef?"

"Eh, we don't really do specials. Just yer friendly neighborhood tonkotsu ramen shop. Ya know, miso ramen and shio ramen are so much more popular these days... or, at least, around our part of town. But I'm gonna change that!"

"Looks like you're shooting for the stars. I haven't had a hearty bowl of ramen in a while, so give me your best, chef."

"Sure thing, kid! Take a seat and give me a minute. Free of charge if it doesn't end up being your new favorite meal!"

Korekiyo stretched before taking a seat at the counter, unbuttoning his tight-fitting gakuran as rain droplets fell from the locks of his hair.

"So, how's school going, young man?"

"Uh.. guess it's okay. I'm not a straight-A student or anything, but I'm pulling through just fine."

"Yeah, fair. You like going to school?"

"Guess so."

"Any friends? Girlfriend, for that matter?"

"I've got a few, but we don't really talk as much as you'd think. And I'm not really a ladies' man. I'm more focused on my future."

"Well, that's what they all say. But don't let yer job get in the way of hooking up with your crush. Too many young guys are makin' that mistake lately..."

"Is that so....?"

Korekiyo was only half-listening to the man as he unbuttoned the last golden button on his uniform. After all, he had some serious things floating around in his head.

"Hm... you seem a bit out of it. Something on your mind?"

The chef looked up, his eyes meeting Korekiyo's. Korekiyo didn't flinch and simply returned his stare, taking a while to think before giving him an honest reply.