Echoes Of The Underground

2: Convenience Store

Ramen's POV

Its 6:30 am

I purposely woke up early to make some breakfast for the kids. I called my cousin about them and she told me that she would be away for much longer, because something unexpected happened during her work trip. I hope I could stay to look after and spend more time with Aiko and Oyuki. Probably when I get home I could do that. 

Yeah, some quality time with uncle Ram. Maybe I could give them a late night treat? Or let them play with some of my video games? Who knows, we'll see.

I went to work and everything was the same as always. Serving food and cleaning tables here and there, welcoming and smiling at customers, and all of that kind of stuff. It got even better when a customer brought a small fluffy dog in the room with them. They even asked for a high chair for the puppy to sit on! It was too cute to be ignored and if only I could pet it I would. Even some of my coworkers can't look away from it.

By the end of my shift, I waved goodbye to my boss, and slipped my left arm under the strap of my backpack carrying the weight of it on my shoulders. Though, I can't leave just yet without petting the furry animal, so I left my things and went back to the crowded room. I passed by their table pretending that I didn't intentionally go here for the dog. I can't. I just can't. I can't look away.

It's looking at me with its beady dark eyes and I couldn't help myself. I approached the guy and asked if I could pet their dog. I'm glad he said yes before I could reach out and touch its fur.

Its face is so small that it literally fit into my palm when it licked my hand. The fur was really soft too. Looks like the owner took their time to groom the dog before bringing it here. "Thanks for letting me pet your dog. Have a good night!" With a smile, I went back to the back room to pick up my things and leave through the back door.

Logan said he couldn't come with me this time because he said he had to rush back home to help his parents redecorate their cafe. I hopped on a bus and it was quite empty and silent tonight, so why not listen to music? The airpod blocked the background noises on my right ear, as my fingers swiped through ClipWave Music to find some tunes to listen to. Something groovy like R&B or pop music will be nice.

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6:00 pm

My apartment door creek open when I unlocked the door knob and gently pushed it forward. The room was dark so I opened the one bright light then locked the entrance behind me. They must be asleep, because the nanny bot was at its charging station and everything was quiet. The soft sound of my footsteps echoed across the floor as I walk to the room where the kids were in. The floor was cold underneath my socks while quietly took a peek at the siblings.

Oyuki was sleeping on the bed that's above her brother's, but Aiko was still awake playing games on his phone while laying down on the pull out one. Looks like they had an early dinner.

"Hey Aiko", I whispered with a soft knock on their door.

"Oh hey, uncle"

"Why aren't you asleep too?"

"I can't. I think I have too much energy today. I drank coffee this morning"

"Your mom told me that you're too young for coffee. How did you even find my coffee jar anyways?"

"I dunno, I just did"

I rolled my eyes while looking away with a slightly annoyed face. I knew I should've hid it somewhere safer when I heard they'll be staying over. Back then, he kept nagging me to get him to try some coffee, but I'm just doing what his mom told me to do: Not give him one.

"Since you don't wanna sleep yet, wanna go to the convenience store and get something to eat?" He instantly looked at me and stood up with a smile while putting his phone into his pocket. I gave him a chuckle and waited for him at the couch at the living room to put on his shoes. I started to put mine on that's on the shoe rack beside the door, and turned the nanny bot on so Oyuki could have some company while we're gone.

○○○

We went out of the apartment, locked the door, and went downstairs to this one small area beside the bottom of the staircase. It's where my bike is parked along with my neighbor's. I took out my motorcycle carefully so that I wouldn't hit anything while Aiko waited behind me. It's a second hand that is dark red in color with a few worn out stickers at the front.

I gave him my helmet for him to wear then hopped on right behind me after I did. I inserted the key into the keyhole and revved the engine before I started to drive. A few minutes passed by and we reached the store, the thin yellow neon light shining bright at the rims of the roof. The dull white lights were still open inside with 3 or 4 people, including the cashier who's on his phone behind the counter.

We went through the glass door and we bought some 3 instant noodles, 2 hotdogs, and an icecream for Oyuki. I poured hot water into mine, followed by Aiko doing the same thing and waited for him to finish. He waited at a counter by the open window and eats his hotdog, while I went to the beverages to get us some drinks. I bought 3 cans of sodas then gave him one. I almost forgot to put the 3rd of the 2 items I bought and the ice cream in a bag. I don't want Oyuki to feel left out.

I sat next to him and ate the same food that Aiko was eating. Plain hotdogs on buns seem to feel boring to me nowadays. I put some ketchup and mustard across it and took a big bite, looking at my reflection on the glass pane and watching my jaw expand on the food. 

I looked at Aiko after I swallowed what I was chewing in my mouth, "About the live stream you were watching last night, you said you were gonna tell me their band name, right?" I reminded them in a friendly way. I think this sparked the interest of the topic in his eyes when he faced me.

"Their band name is Shark Bait. They're like a rock band that covers a bunch of popular songs, and sometimes make their own compositions."

"Really, huh? How good do you think they are?"

"Like really, really, good. I always recommend it to some people who are asking me for music recommendations."

"Sound like if you rate them out of 10 you'd give them a 20"

"Hell yeah, I would"

I popped open the tab of my soda to take a sip and wash the food down my throat. I see him take out his airpods and connect them to his phone. He opened a music app and found his way to his playlist, then took out one out of his ear and gave it to me, "Here, have a listen to one of their songs" I tilted my head slightly then took the airpod to put it in my ear.

He proceeds to play one of their original songs entitled Love Bomb. The beat was nice, but I was taken back by the male voice at the opening line. "I thought the lead vocalist was a girl?" I asked with a confused look on my face, "Oh, I forgot to mention that she also sings with her twin brother, Vane Scott. Kaizo is like the background voice." He responded to my question while he's now eating his cooked noodles.

The next thing I know is that I'm starting to bob my head with the beat with him. I really like this song and I might listen to their other compositions someday.

I ate my noodles afterwards while getting invested into the song. I'm glad I'm finally bonding with this quiet kid. It was so hard to talk to Aiko back then because he gets anxious with people. We finished and I give him back his airpod then stood up from my seat, "That was good music you got there. I wouldn't mind if you'd recommend me more of their songs." 

I teased with a small laugh while putting the bag on the bike handle. He nudged me on my arm as he laughed with me, "Sure thing. I already have one in mind" He says with a smile as he hopped on behind me, then I drove us back home into the cold night, with him telling stories about his favourite band.