Eros. (Benimaru Shinmon)

八十四

As we stepped out onto the streets of Asakusa, the familiar sights and sounds of the town surrounded us, bringing back memories I hadn't visited in years. Benimaru walked close beside me, his presence a comforting, if silent, anchor as we made our way through the bustling streets. The evening air was warm, filled with the mingling scents of street food, and the distant sound of laughter and chatter from the townspeople enjoying the twilight hours.

As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the way the townspeople reacted to us. Many of the older shopkeepers looked up from their stalls, their eyes widening in recognition as they spotted me. Smiles spread across their faces, and they raised their hands in friendly waves.

"Inori-chan!" one of them called out, an elderly man who owned a small tea shop near the edge of the market. His face was weathered with age, but his smile was as bright as ever.

I waved back, my heart warming at the sight of the familiar faces. "It's good to see you again, Tanaka-san!" I called out, my voice carrying over the noise of the street.

"You too, dear!" he replied with a grin before turning back to his stall.

Benimaru glanced at me, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he observed the interactions. "You were always well-liked around here," he commented softly.

I shrugged, but I couldn't hide the smile that spread across my face. "I grew up here. It's nice to see that some things haven't changed."

We continued down the street until we came across a small, bustling barbecue place that was nestled between two larger shops. The savory aroma of grilled meat wafted through the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation. The place was packed, as usual, with people enjoying their meals under the lantern-lit canopy.

"This place always had the best yakiniku," I remarked, more to myself than to Benimaru, as I led the way to the counter. The thought of the thin slices of marinated beef sizzling on a hot grill made my mouth water.

Benimaru nodded in agreement, his hands tucked casually into his sleeves as he followed me. "Can't argue with that."

I ordered a generous portion of yakiniku, along with some grilled vegetables—shiitake mushrooms, bell peppers, and slices of sweet potato. As I inspected the selection of vegetables on display, I couldn't help but laugh softly, knowing exactly how Akira would react.

I imagined Akira's exaggerated look of dismay. "He'll have no choice but to eat them, and I'll use it as leverage to make him do something in return later. Maybe I'll make him do less flares."

Benimaru shook his head, a fond smile on his face as he watched me interact with the vendor, carefully selecting the freshest vegetables despite knowing how much Akira would grumble. The vendor, an elderly woman with a warm smile, handed me the wrapped package, her eyes twinkling with recognition.

"Take care, Inori-chan," she said kindly. "And make sure you come back soon."

"We shall see," I promised, bowing slightly as I accepted the food. "Thank you, Mori-san."

With our food in hand, we began the walk back through the streets of Asakusa. The evening was deepening into night, the sky above darkening to a rich indigo, but the town was still alive with activity. Lanterns hung above the streets, casting a warm, golden glow that made the entire scene feel almost dreamlike.

As we walked, Benimaru stayed close, his presence a steady, silent support. Though we didn't speak much, the quiet between us was comfortable, the kind that only years of knowing someone could bring.

As we continued our walk through the quiet streets of Asakusa, the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the path ahead, I could feel the weight of unspoken words hanging between us. Benimaru was walking close beside me, his usual confidence tempered by something more tentative. I could see the hesitation in his eyes, the way he kept glancing at me as if trying to find the right moment to speak.