A "Father" in an Unclean World

Chapter 2 - Mori

The man continued to stare deep into Atsushi's face, as if examining his very life. His past. His present. His very future. He looked Atsushi up and down examining his attire, taking note of his poor appearance. A dirty and torn light navy blue outfit.

"Do you plan on answering me any time soon?" He asked Atsushi, making an eye smile. "If you could just give the pastry back to Elise-chan and explain yourself, I'll consider letting go of your shoulder, so long as you won't disturb us again."

Atsushi raised his head upwards. He couldn't let himself starve, but he would rather not face any consequences, especially pain or possibly death, at the hands of someone else. Reluctantly he handed the pastry back over to Elise, who snatched it from his hands. Her facial expression was seeping with frustration and disappointment.

"Now that wasn't too hard, was it now?" The man asked Atsushi, to which Atsushi nods his head to. The man sounded like a parent, like a father. Such a bitter thought, that made him feel like crying. To be talked to like this by a complete stranger...

Atsushi looked down, feeling the emptiness in his stomach. He did not know what to do.

Atsushi fiddled with his fingers. 'What if I steal it again, surely they would not expect it a second time... No...' Atsushi tore at a fingernail while thinking. 'Just run now, it's not like they need anything from me... But... I need food now. Maybe I could ask for help, maybe some cash from the man.' 

Feeling at a loss of plans, Atsushi does the only thing he can think of as of now: to ask. "Then... Do you perhaps have spare cash?" He asks, but quickly adds, "It doesn't need to be a lot! I just need some for a small meal... Please?" 

The man looks at Atsushi, his expression far from pity. Rather he seemed curious again. He made a little hum, as if he were considering the idea.

As if on cue, Atsushi's stomach growls out of sheer hunger. He tightens his fists and flushes a light pink from the sheer embarrassment. 'He won't give me anything will he?' Atsushi stares at the man, pondering what his next course of action will be.

"Tell me young shōnen, what is your name?" The man asks, rather than doing as Atsushi wants him to.

So as not to turn him away, Atsushi answers, "My name is Atsushi. Atsushi Nakajima." 

The man nods, "I see. Then Atsushi tell me what are you doing out here on these streets? Clearly hungry and unable to take care of your hygiene or clothes." 

Atsushi was taken aback by the man's questioning. 'Just earlier he wanted nothing to do with him, so why is this man suddenly asking  questions about him?' 

Atsushi chose to continue answering his questions, "I was kicked out of my orphanage sir..." Atsushi glances to his right side, watching as Elise finishes eating her pastry.

"Hmm... And why would they do that now? Surely an orphanage can not just kick out orphans, leaving them without a proper place to live." The man tilts his head slightly, clearly intrigued by Atsushi's current situation. 

"Well, you see, they were having a shortage of food. They could not feed all the mouths in the orphanage at some point, so they chose to kick me out, so that the others could eat. I hope the others are happy... Must be nice having something warm to eat..." Atsushi mumbled the last two sentences to himself, sounding out his present thoughts aloud.

"Curious..." The man comments, then stands up straighter. "Well, I guess it couldn't hurt to get something to eat now, seeing as you and I crave a nice, warm meal right now." 

Atsushi's face lights up at the request, his eyes shining and a wide smile spreads on his face. "Thank you sir!" He exclaims, bowing down.

Elise turns her head at the man and rolls her eyes. Seeing as she had just eaten, she must not be as hungry as Atsushi was, but it didn't matter to him.

The man smiles at him and begins walking in the direction of a restaurant, leading the two, Elise and Atsushi. The streets of Yokohama were much more deserted during this time in the evening, which only allowed for quicker routes in search for a restaurant.

As the group was walking, they stop at a small restaurant. Very few customers. Small size in general, but very cozy looking. An awkward silence grew ever present between the three until Atsushi asks, "Umm... Sir, pardon me, but what is your name?" 

The man turns around to face Atsushi, his black coat blowing a bit in the wind. He seemed almost mystical in that moment. Maybe one could argue angelic. "Mori." He answers Atsushi. "Mori Ougai."