I guess the old man’s a bit nostalgic and wanted to walk around the city that he and Mr. Ernesto made it big in. Miki was still looking a bit pale but he was holding on to Mr. Aoi’s arm firmly. Like a small child tied to the leg of their parent. They really are close huh? Mr. Aoi can be a bit brash, but he’s particularly loving to his niece.

We started walking opposite to the red-light district in the direction me and Miki went yesterday. Passing through tiny cracks and alleyways full of businessmen trying to get drunk. It was still early into the night, at about 9 PM there were still people getting off work from the nearby business district and walking on their way to a night of drunkenness. It was a Tuesday night that’s why the alleys weren’t so crowded with businessmen trying to get drunk, I guess even for them they had limits. Ignoring all of that, for every alleyway, Mr. Aoi proudly told stories of bygone days.

“This is the alley where we accidentally entered a strip club with you in tow, Miki. And Over there, I found Ernesto sprawled on the ground drunk. That day, he pushed babysitting you to me and hit the town without me. Over there is where I was making out with a woman and you puked on both of us WAHAHA” snickering a bit, Mr. Aoi was trying to make her laugh.

I guess even the boss and he had antics around town. They’re such stern people, but it looks like they too were kind of brazen back in the day. I wasn’t really sure whether it was helping though, Miki must’ve had a rough childhood.

“Guys aren’t we getting a bit too far from the bar? The area looks really sketchy. I think Miki’s tired too.”

Feeling concerned for Miki’s wellbeing, I wanted to at least ensure that she wouldn’t find trouble, the old man can go to hell though.

“Don’t worry about it, we’re about to arrive at our next stop. Don’t worry, nothing bad’s gonna happen to Miki and I” Assuring Miki, he pointed to himself with his thumb while smiling.

The old man didn’t even include me in that headcount for safety! This guy’s nuts. He must not really like me.

After walking a bit more, we arrived at a street filled with old bars and restaurants. This street is known as “Classic Street” because the establishments here have been around for decades. This street is where the boom to cuisine started, though they aren’t really given as much attention as their fancy restaurant counterparts in the main street, they are still well-respected in the service industry as the standard for restaurants in Arasia.

“I haven’t been here, but I’ve heard of Classic Street’s reputation, I didn’t think the buildings would look this old though” I muttered to the old man.

“This is where everything started for us both, we both worked here until we could get the hang of the service industry. Ernesto worked as a bartender and I as a cook. We saved our money and we finally were able to make our own bar. Though we wanted to open it here, we were too insecure to actually compete with the restaurants here, so we decided to open ours near the main street.” With a nostalgic smile on his face, Mr. Aoi started to divulge some juicy information on both of their origin stories.

I glanced at Miki who was now totally awake and with some color on her face and it looked like she was smiling a bit too.

I guess it was worth it to come here, just to cheer up Miki

“With that being said, let’s go to an old establishment where me and Ernesto both used to go and grab a bite to eat before heading back.” This time the old man looked a bit gun-ho. It looked like he felt a bit better after coming here.

We were led to a two-floor restaurant with a brick facade. It looked similar to our own brick interior, but because the brick facade was in the exterior of the restaurant, it was a bit faded with the effects of the weather and probably also because of its old age. It had a red canopy covering and over it was a big sign that said “Big V’s Steakhouse”.

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“This was the first ever restaurant we both worked at. They have delicious things here. You’ve been here before Miki, but I promise you you’ll have something special today.” Feeling a bit excited, Mr. Aoi entered first with me and Miki close behind.

We were greeted by an old lady in an apron at the entrance.

“Ah if it isn’t Aoi and Miki, how have you guys been? Ernesto not with you guys?”

Miki froze in place and tried to answer, but before she could respond Aoi cut her off.

“We’ve been better, Lola. Can we get a private room upstairs? We’ll call you for the menu in a bit.”

Looking at the three of us, Lola the waitress sighed and led us to the first room upstairs.

“Right this way then.”

With a slightly irritated smile, she opened the door to a small private room. At the center was a long wooden-lacquered table and about six wooden chairs. On the sides of the room was a small push cart where the pitchers of drinks would go when they would be ordered. Ms. Lola started removing the excess plates and utensils on the table as there were only three of us and started to leave the room.

“Aoi, I feel inclined to warn you, don't make a mess. I’ll be back with drinks shortly.”

And with a customer service-Esque smile, Ms. Lola closed the door.

I moved inward of the room, inspecting its interior some more. To think that this oldish establishment has been here for decades and is still standing. The wooden floor was kept varnished and clean, the walls were made out of bricks so outside noise wouldn’t disturb the guests and there was a small window with a curtain peering out unto the classic street itself. Overall, the restaurant’s interior spoke for itself, wonderfully maintained and you could tell that it was a beloved classic restaurant.

I smile at Mr. Aoi and say “I guess it helps that you guys worked here before, this room looks super nice!”

I was trying to dispel the sadness the mention of Mr. Ernesto’s name brought to the two and was expecting Mr. Aoi to cheer up and brag about the good ole days.

Not a single response came, he just stared at me. He sat Miki down unto the seat closest to the door and locked it.

“Mr. Aoi?” Sensing something out of the ordinary with him, I ask him what was wrong.

Instead of answering me though, he looked at Miki with a bittersweet smile.

“This’ll be over soon Miki, this was the original plan right?”

Now I know something was up. Plan? Was he going to hit me because of something insensitive I said?

“You sure look dumbfounded there Dex. It doesn’t suit a killer like you.”

My blood froze. Did he just call me a killer? Damn, I guess Mr. Ernesto told him? I always did think of the possibility that they’d find out. Just how much do they know though?

“Yeah. Ernesto told me when he got you, though I saw the whole thing happen. All he told me was that you were a killer, but a good kid. Bullshit, when he picked you up that day, you were reeking of blood. It’s like you were just like us.”

Aoi started removing his long-sleeved shirt revealing his expanding, bulging muscles.

“Us? What are you talking about? I admit it, I’m not who you thought I was, but I did tell the truth with Mr. Ernesto.”

I set myself low in case he would try anything right now. I have no idea what he’s talking about and it doesn’t look like he was playing either. I have no idea what’s going on, but why the fuck was his muscles expanding like a balloon? Damn am I tripping?

“See? You’re already getting down low and we were just having a talk.”

“Are you dense? It looks like you’re raring to go!” I snap back at the old man.

“Even when I look like this, you’re still spurring wisecracks. As expected from someone trained not to panic. I never did like you. But I’m not yet raring to go Dex. I wouldn’t think it would be fair if I were to just kill you right now without a bit of backstory. You’ll see something nice.”

Kill? Ah shit he seems serious now and was that waitress lady in on it? Wait was Miki in on this? What the fuck’s going on!

Before I could process the situation any deeper, Aoi’s balloon body started folding inwards, as if it were was getting wrung out. His skin started forming weird contortions, but it didn’t seem as if his body could burst like a moment ago, now it’s as if his muscles solidified. His body was now twice its original size with dark red skin. If I thought the normal body was full of muscles, this one would be like one of those ridiculous muscle anime characters where they would look like they were constantly flexing. All of the major muscles were bulging way bigger and in a way that didn’t seem human to me. The muscles were carved with different slashes and scars as if the thing in front of me has fought many times before. What started me the most though was the head’s transformation. Aoi’s usually white crew cut hair had two big horns sticking out of the usual crew cut locks, his face now seemed a bit more strained and chiseled, and finally, the pieces of his teeth looked a wee bit jagged.

What the hell is that???

This wasn’t a fantasy adventure story, nor was anything like a fiction. This was real life. What the fuck am I seeing? The shock of what I saw almost made my knees give out. I was jittering and could not process what was going on in front of me. I anchor my arm on the tabletop to steady myself and to prevent myself from falling.

“WHAT THE FUCK’S GOING ON?” I screamed at the thing in front of me.