Linky's Fics

A Traveler, His Tender Tongue, and A Hidden Sadness

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Interesting travelers from out of town would go through Cous Coussier from time to time. And sometimes if you were lucky you’d even hear some stories. Whenever that occurred, it was exciting for everyone.

Well, everyone except Ankh. But what else is new.

One such person came by today. Someone who would leave quite the imprint. Out of all the folks to come on by for a meal at the restaurant, by the end of his stay this one would end up being particularly memorable when compared to the rest.

He sat by all by himself in one of the furthest corners. Wearing a black jacket and carrying in a duffel bag. Ordering the specialty udon for today’s menu.

Chiyoko tried to strike up a conversation with him, but his responses were very short. When she went off to the kitchen he looked a bit more comfortable. Looks like he wasn’t much of a talker.

And when he got his food… This stranger spent several minutes just blowing on it to cool his meal, before even eating a single bite.

“Hm. What a strange guy.” Ankh muttered to himself. Scrolling through his iPhone, Popsicle in hand.

Eiji smacked his head, “Ankh! I know it’s impossible for you, but don’t be about our customers!” Eiji scolded in a hushed tone.

Ankh simply sneered and clicked his tongue in response. Taking another bite into his Popsicle.

From across the room he looked up at the pair, noticing the commotion. Though it would be pretty hard to miss given how empty the restaurant was at this hour. And also with how Ankh and Eiji’s arguments often got.

He looked rather unamused. But there was also something else mixed in there. And Eiji could tell. Profound sadness was locked deep away in his eyes. It was pretty well hidden, but it was there.

Most would probably miss it, but it was clear as day to Eiji.

Something happened to this boy.

It bothered Eiji. Greatly.

He had to try and reach out, maybe there was something he could do. There was no promise it would even work. Or that he would even accept the help. But despite that, Eiji knew he still had to take that chance.

Walking over, “Sir, is there something bothering you?”

The boy looked up at Eiji. Completely silent. There was a fierceness in those eyes, almost like a wolf backed up into a corner. Bearing out its fangs defensively, ready to strike.

Eiji wasn’t entirely sure how this invoked such a specific image, but there was something about this boy that made it come naturally.

This wasn’t going to go anywhere. Best to change the topic. “Would you like a fan to help cool the food?”

He spoke rather frankly, “I’m fine. Thanks.” There was a bite to his words. Looking up as he talked, then going right back to his food.

“Feel free to let me know if you need anything.” Eiji figured it would be best just to leave him be. Whatever the reason was, he clearly wasn’t in the mood to talk. And that’s completely fine.

As much as Eiji would have liked to help him out somehow, this guy didn’t look like he was going to budge.

And Eiji was just a complete stranger to him. Plus, who knows how serious whatever happened could have been? Eiji couldn’t blame him. At the very least, he tried to reach out.

It was better to take the chance to try to help anyone right within his reach, than not take the chance at all.

After he finished his meal the boy shuffled through his bag, plopping his yen straight onto the table as he got up. “Thanks for the meal.” Speaking as he walked to the door.

But before he could leave—

“Oh, excuse me!” Eiji rushed towards him, “You left this.”

Handing him a pair of underwear. It had quite a loud bright yellow and red pattern. One that wouldn’t look out of place in Eiji’s dresser in the attic.

Then the traveler put it into his bag muttering, “Dammit, it almost happened again.” Well thankfully this guy prevented another underwear induced headache. A small smile formed, “Thanks.”

“If I can ask sir, what’s your name?”

“Inui Takumi.”

Eiji had a smile of his own, “Takumi… I couldn’t help but notice something.”

“What?”

“Well, I couldn’t help but notice you also look to carry underwear for tomorrow.”

His face instantly morphed into an expression of confusion, twisting his features. “The hell are you going on about? I’m just going to the laundromat in town!”

A wave of embarrassment crashed, and hard. “Ah, I see…”

Suddenly Ankh was cackling loudly from inside the kitchen. “I think you’re the only idiot out there in the world who does that!” Ankh hadn’t had a good, hard laugh like this in a while. Having a wide smirk across his face as he leaned on the wall.

Eiji was going to give Ankh a real piece of his mind when this shift was over in a few hours.

With an expression that could be best described as a mixture of bewilderment and some mild amusement, that small smile came back. “I’ll admit you’re kind of interesting. What’s your name?”

“Hino Eiji.”

“Well Eiji, do you know where the nearest laundromat is?”

The two began to walk outside. It was a pretty nice spring day, the sky was blue and the temperature was pleasant. Some of the houses nearby even had their laundry out to air-dry.

For a moment, Eiji swore he saw Takumi forlornly looking at those white shirts dancing in the breeze.

At the front entrance Eiji gave him directions as Takumi set up his motorcycle. Also providing further directions for how to get to the following town from there. He figured he might as well save Takumi the time of having to ask someone else about it.

As Takumi got on his motorcycle he thanked Eiji one last time before setting off.

It still wouldn’t leave Eiji’s mind. All of the sadness and emptiness locked deep within those eyes. Despite all Takumi did to try and hide it, for Eiji it was hard to miss.

That was a look Eiji knew all too well, because he was the very same.

All Eiji could think about as he saw Takumi’s silhouette grow smaller and smaller into the distance— Was how much he hoped that Takumi would find peace one day.

Out of all the travelers to come to and from Cous Coussier, he would be one that would stick out in Eiji’s mind for a very long time.

Who were you, Inui Takumi? And what happened to you? Despite doing all he possibly can to repress all those emotions, Eiji could see right through the mask.

Well you know what they say: It takes one to know one, after all.

There was a story right there deep within Takumi. One of tragedy. Of loss. Eiji could only wonder just what that tale could even be.

Maybe they’ll meet again one day. And maybe by then… Takumi just might have found what he would have needed most in his life. Whatever that something was.

Eiji could only hope.

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End Notes: Eiji knows a fellow sad boy when he sees one!

I really like putting the OOO characters with other rider characters. There's a lot of interactions I want to write out someday. There's some similarities between Eiji and Takumi that really make me want to see them interact. So I wouldn't be shocked if I ended up writing more.

I'm still trying to get the hang of writing out Takumi's voice too, so hopefully he sounds alright here! Thanks so much for reading! <3

Originally Posted on: Feb. 25th, 2023

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