Plastic Spoon

Ugh, I'm so tired from all that talking. I'm really not used to it. I'm not up to this. I can't believe I'm telling people what to do. There must be someone better qualified.

Anyway. I've got my own work to be doing...

I'm so hungry. Oh, right. I skipped dinner and breakfast. I should get something to eat.

I'll go back to that restaurant. The manager may be weird, but the food is good.

Where was it again? Somewhere around here?

C'mon, hurry! Boss'll be mad if we're late!

It's not every day you see thugs like that on the streets.

Whatever. Better to just ignore anything untoward. My boss will kill me if I don't get my work done.

Your most popular dish, please.

That would be our original chili udon! Oh, darn it. Looks like we're all sold out. Sorry about that. Pretty shoddy service, huh?

(Is he insulting his own restaurant? This place really is something else.)

Then I'll take one of those instead.

You gotcha!

Ugh. This isn't going well. I only came here for the udon...

Comin' through!

Welcome! I'm afraid we're running low on a few dishes, but⁠...

We ain't here to eat.

Then what can I do for you?

Don't act like you don't know. Now don't keep us waiting, you hear?

...... We only serve food here.

Listen here. Someone hasn't been payin' their land rent. This kinda shop ain't gonna last. So beat it!

Never! Scum like you will get nothing from me!

Why you little⁠...

(Just my luck to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.) (I'd better get out of here...)

What're you lookin' at, boy? Got a problem with us?

Eep.

Well, what do we have here? We can't evict this loser if we beat him to a pulp... So we'll just have to teach him a lesson through you. What d'ya think, Boss?

Don't be dense. What if the shopkeeper runs away in the meantime? Let me deal with this pathetic customer. You two, keep an eye on the old man.

Whatever you say. It's not like we get paid extra for beatings.

Darn it! Why did this have to happen?

Ack...

You did it, Boss! No mercy!

Us Dust Lovers are cold-blooded. You get that now, huh?

You stupid grunts, don't just go flinging that name around.

Eep. S-Sorry, Boss.

Now, perhaps you understand. This is what happens when you don't do as I say.

I hope you'll make the right choice. Let's roll.

Urgh... Why did I have to... Everything hurts, and my head's spinning. When is this muscle relaxant gonna wear off?

I think I'm fine now. I better get out of here as soon as⁠...

Waaah..

Huh?

WAAAHHH!

What? Why are YOU crying? I'm the one who got hurt.

I can't believe it! Those no-gooders! Why did that have to happen to you? They're unreasonable, all of 'em! Why should I close up shop? I can't pay the land rent because I can't serve our most popular dish and it's losing me customers.

I heard they're pretty bad guys.

But of course your sales are falling... It's the only good thing you've got. Without it, of course no one'll come.

And that's their fault! They're the ones preventing me from being able to make it! I need my secret sauce, the black dregs, to make my chili udon. It doesn't taste the same without it. But that gang is blocking the route to the warehouse where it's kept!

Perhaps this is all part of their plan to destroy your restaurant? That's a tough one...

Hey, I've got an idea! You can go get me that sauce!

Huh? Me? No way is that happening. The path is blocked. I can't possibly win against them. How am I supposed to⁠...

You'll just have to go the long way around, through the basement! I'm too afraid of them to go outside. They might jump out and attack me. But you... You can do it for me!

Stop it. I'm not going. There's no reason why I should.

Please! I'm going to lose my shop!

But...

You weasel. You heartless brute. You piece of trash.

Y-You shouldn't speak to your customers like that!

You're a regular here, aren't you? I recognize you. If my restaurant closes, you'll never get to eat that dish again. Can you really live with that? Or how's about this? I know where you work. I could always spread a nasty rumor about your company...

You really are the lowest of the low! You're blackmailing me? You're no different from the Dust Lovers! But fine. I'll go. I can't risk you making trouble for the company.

Ah, he's finally seeing the light. Looks like you're a good guy after all.

No, I'm a heartless brute, a piece of trash, remember? I'm no good guy.

But... Without your food, my life would be even worse. That's the only reason why I'm doing this. Wait here.

The long way around? Yeah, he wasn't kidding. That was quite the detour.

But this should do it. Time to go back...

Whoa! That's it! You found it! I can finally make my signature dish again!

Hold on. If you haven't been able to cook your dish, why are there so many customers here? Was there any point to that excursion at all?

Don't be silly! This is all your doing! I invited my regulars, knowing my dish would be back on the menu!

Wasn't that a bit premature?

Hurry up and make my food! I'm losing patience over here!

I've been holding off on my other dishes. I can't start without my udon!

Look at them. Blissfully ignorant.

Did ya miss us? We're back for your answer. Bet you've thought about what we...

Wait a minute. How come there's customers...?

Hey, muscleheads! We were here first, you got that? If you want chili udon, you're gonna have to wait your turn!

Yeah! Get to the back of the line!

We can't beat him up now, it'll cause too much of a scene. And then Boss'll get really angry...

We'll have to think of somethin' else. We'll be back!

What was all that about?

Actually, it doesn't matter. Now where's my order?

At least the hard part is over for now...I guess? Urgh, it's too noisy in here. I'm not good with this many people...

Hey, don't go! You still haven't eaten yet. I'm serving you first. On the house. Won't you eat?

......

Okay, I will. That dish of yours never fails to make my day a bit better.

What an odd thing to say. Are you being sarcastic?

No? Besides, that's rich, coming from you.