Gone Girl | bk.

[05]: Child's Play

The restaurant that you were in was fairly quiet, given the fact that you had chosen to go during prime dinner-rush.

But you knew long before coming here that it would be. That was why you always chose this ramen shop as your go-to, because not only did it have one of the best spicy udons in the city, but it was always uncharacteristically quiet.

The shop owner was a nice middle-aged lady, who you had grown somewhat familiar with over the years. She saw you come into her shop in all sorts of rackets. From dirty, to cold, to wet, or even covered in blood, she always welcomed you into her doors without questions. She saw you as a polite young girl that had lots of struggles, and obviously not a lot of people to help with them.

If you had people outside taking care of you, you wouldn't be showing up to her shop like that. So that's why she always gave you her best hospitality, and treated you like her own daughter.

She also never pressed you for answers as to how you had gotten in such bad ways in the past, which is part of the reason why you kept coming back. You had this unspoken agreement, and that was your favourite way of navigating difficult relationships.

Normally, on a night like tonight, you would pickup two take-aways for you and Dabi to eat together, since he hated eating out. But given your unshakeable shitty mood, you opted to eat alone inside the restaurant this time. You sat on your own at a booth, and carefully slurped down every last bite of your ultra-spicy meal.

By the time you were done, the sun had gone down. You had a full belly as you sat back into the comfortable seats, and you ignored the part of yourself that wanted to sink into them and drown in the leather.

You rubbed your stomach with a happy expression on your face, until your phone pinged in your pocket. You pulled it out, to see a text from Dabi, as he was asking where you were. That meant that it was probably time for you to head home. So wiping your reddened lips, you grab your backpack, and slide out of the booth. Then you walk over to the counter to pay your bill.

"Is that takeaway ready, Milly?"

"Yes, dear. It's right here." Your favourite server pulls a steamy plastic bag out from under the bench, and places it on top in front of you. She taps it and smiles warmly at you, "Make sure you get it home quick so that boy doesn't have to eat it cold."

You smile with your eyes closed. "I'll be very quick."

She looks happy to hear that, as she places one hand on top of the other.

"Can I pay cash?"

She shakes her head softly with a complimentary smile. "It's on the house this time, dear."

Your eyes widen. "What? You don't have to do that!"

"Don't you think I know that?" She tilts her head playfully. "I'm feeling generous for once, and it's cold out there tonight. I have no problem giving two young kids a warm meal."

Your shoulders sag a little. "Milly, you're always generous."

She laughs.

You shake your head with a sweet smile. "Well, if you're sure, then thank you very much." You reach up to grab your takeaway bag. "I'll see you next week?"

"I'll be here!" She nods. "Take care of yourself now, missy."

You give her a bow and turn away, taking your bag with you. You walk across the shop and push the front door open with your forearm. You step past two new customers who were coming inside, and you barely squeeze past without bumping into them. You don't pay them any mind as you turn down the street and start to walk away.