The Sapphire Heart of a Samurai - Leo x OC

NEVER SAY XEVER || CHAPTER 1

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DOLLAR.

My bedroom's bright, blue-draped curtains let in a hint of sunlight. The sunlight gradually made its way across my face, waking me up right away. I decided to get out of bed after briefly considering simply pulling the blanket over my face and going back to sleep. My muscles protested for some form of rest. I can’t let Papa down. My determination built my motivation again.

Sighing, I brushed away the ebony-black fringe that had fallen in front of my crystal blue eyes. A generic quality that I got from my grandfather. I gave up for a few seconds, blowing air from my lips to remove the fringe. It looked like I was blowing a raspberry. But the fringe continued to fall in front of my eyes. For once, all I wanted to do was get back into bed and relax. But today felt different. I felt in my soul and heart that something important was going to happen today.

I tried to clear my brain from the previous day's homeschooling that had gone well above my head, I stood beneath the showerhead. My mind was all over today. I sighed deeply and moved my muscles under the showerhead. All my muscles snapped back into place with a pop. I cracked my neck in several places as well. I physically and mentally prepared myself for the remainder of the day. I was working at Papa's noodle shop today, a Saturday. The hot water from the shower started to clear my mind for the day.

I’m Rikina Murakami. I'm fifteen years old. I love and adore my Papa to bits. I’m the daughter of Sabo Murakami. My Papa owns and runs his noodle shop in Chinatown. In addition to helping in the family restaurant most weekends, I homeschool and train throughout the day.

However, I have been hiding something from everyone, even Papa. I'm biting my bottom lip and getting ready for tonight, dressed like an assistant chef in my assigned uniform. The crisp white mandarin collar shirt with my black trousers and black ballet flats. My hair was pinned neatly into a bun, a few loose strands at my fringe and at my ears. I was catching a glimpse at the samurai garb at the back of my wardrobe cupboard. I am trying to continue my grandfather's legacy of samurai warriors by keeping the people I care about safe. My ancestors were samurai warriors for many generations. My Mama used to tell me all the stories and folklore regarding our ancestors.

Papa turned on the television, which was playing in the background. The background music began to play the ‘Space Heroes’ theme song. My lips curved into a nostalgic smile as I hummed along with the background song. ‘Space Heroes’ was a show I used to watch all the time. However, I made the decision that in my life, academics and the legacy of my ancestors are more important than childhood dreams.

After adjusting the mandarin collar on my outfit, I walked downstairs and got the towels and cleaning supplies from the cupboard to thoroughly clean the noodle shop. Pulling up the sleeves of my uniform, I began by spraying cleaning detergent on the shop's windows and used one of the towels to wipe it off.

“Window cleaner on… Window cleaner off…” I muttered to myself while I was cleaning the shop’s windows. A serious frown was between my brows. Concentrating on the task at hand.

The noodle shop's kitchen countertops, tables, and chairs came next. Next, it was time to stock up every table with white paper napkins and the necessary wooden chopsticks, as well as to fill every glass bottle of soy sauce. Lastly, after all of this was done and dusted, mopping the floors would be the final step. The aroma of citrus filled my nostrils with the tile cleaner we always used.

After I finished cleaning everything, I brushed away the sweat beads that had gathered on my forehead and I felt a great sense of accomplishment. Papa's footsteps could be heard from around the corner. I then put away the cleaning supplies and towels. I took out the frying pan, tea kettle, and teacups for breakfast. I put the ideal amount of tea leaves in the tea kettle and heated it for herbal tea. The restaurant began to fill with the aroma. I waited patiently for the tea to brew. The aroma was peppermint. A family favorite.