[2014.12.19] the ramen way

[proswagonism]

There wasn't anything particularly out of the ordinary when one looked at the restaurant from the street. Yu had walked past it on many occasions without a second glance, not needing much in regards to looks or appeal when he just needed something in his stomach. More often than not, honestly, he cooked for himself in the small kitchen of his single bedroom apartment. But being back out in the larger city definitely offered more options, so why would he give this place a second glance?

Well, it just so happened that he wasn't necessarily looking for food for him. He wanted a place that would be easy enough to find, affordable for college students eating on a budget, and most of all...no, we'll just be honest--he looked it up online and saw they had a couple challenges that could give Aiya a run for it's money.

Chie should be pleased.

Men Macho Ramen was the name and it definitely took a Macho Man (or lady, we're all equal opportunity, here) to chow down either of the two special dishes: the Rock Climber and the Tsunami. They seemed worthy opponents.

Yu stood outside with one hand in the pocket of his coat, bundled up appropriately for the winter though it had only dusted snow on and off for the past few days. (Strange, for that time of year.) His thumb tapped quickly on the keyboard of his phone, responding to a text as he waited for the rest of his friends to arrive. Hopefully they would find the place as amusing as he did.

Comments

[shiroganeheir]

Naoto is not really one for food challenges, but she will never turn down some time with her friends.

About five minutes before the meeting time, in a very familiar blue plaid coat, and on a bluetooth in her ear, Naoto walks up, talking animatedly. "No, you're missing the entire point of the blood spatter. You do not get that kind of pattern if the culprit is walking... I will recreate it tonight, and send you the video in the morning. I have a dinner appointment. ... Whether or not it is a date is none of your damn business, Tachibana-san. Good evening."

She rolls her eyes and walks over to Souji, tugging at the brim of her hat in greeting. "Good evening, Senpai."

[proswagonism]

It's not at all surprising that Naoto's wrapped up in work as usual. He'd been keeping his attention mostly out to the street so he wouldn't miss his friends approaching, though he had spared a glance at that damn cat game his phone when he heard her on her phone. Yu locks his promptly, greeting her in turn with a small smile.

"Glad you could make it." He slides his phone into one of the pockets on his coat. "It sounds like you're keeping busy."

[meateoric]

It was about ten minutes after the agreed-upon time when Chie came bursting through the door of the ramen shop, panting as if she'd just run a long way (she had). While she'd let her hair grow out after the case, she'd cut it short again upon entering the police academy; there were light smatterings of snowflakes in her soft brown hair.

"I'm sorry I'm late!" she apologized profusely once she saw her friends inside, stepping into the restaurant and closing the door behind her. "I had to stay after class to speak with the instructor. You didn't wait for me, right?"

[proswagonism]

Getting everyone together just wasn't as easy as it had been in high school and it's not that surprising. With each of them being on different schedules, actually finding a time and place that everyone had open was a rarity, but it definitely wouldn't happen if they didn't try. Yu had picked Men Macho with Chie in mind, so it was a relief to see her finally come through the doors.

Luckily, the restaurant itself wasn't that big and Yu, being fair-haired and having broke the six foot barrier, wasn't that hard to spot. He placed the cup of tea back down onto the table as she burst in and, in contrast how frazzled she appeared to be, sat with a pleasant and calm smile.

"We just ordered some tea. Don't worry about it." A pause. "There's a challenge that only you might be able to take on."

[meateoric]

"Oh, good," Chie breathed a sigh of relief that she hadn't been too delayed, pulling a chair out from the table next to Yu and sitting down in it in a manner that could really only be described as 'flopping.' "Jeez... feels like I haven't sit down all day," she sighed, before glancing up at the fair-haired young man.

"A challenge? Huh? What're you talking about?"