Chapter 3: Life is Not Great
Sup guys, this is Aruto Igarashi, the second IS male pilot. It has been some time now since I escaped from the cops who tried to ID-check me.
I still can't believe I got caught like that…
(Regrets…)
So yeah, after running away from the restaurant and manoeuvring myself through the bustling crowd with swiftness and control, I kept running and running away from there.
I couldn't get caught at this moment as I was sure that the remaining cop had called for backup, and they might get me if I didn't get a head start in this mess I had caused.
My heart raced as I navigated the unfamiliar streets. The adrenaline from the encounter with the cops fuelled my determination to survive.
THEY'LL NEVER RESTRICT MY FREEDOM
YEEHAAH!
Anyway...
I plopped down on a bench in a chill park that I found after I escaped from the eatery as I caught my breath. I was still wary of the pursuit or an ambush as I checked for suspicious cops or persons around me.
I took a few more breaths and sighed in relief, seeing nothing that could indicate someone coming to catch me off guard.
I took a breather and thought about my next steps since I caused this pursuit that made me appear in front of the public once more.
Thankfully, I was very fit and more trained than in my previous life, thanks to the numerous dedicated hours I spent on the dojo with Shigure or the gym, even when I knew that IS wasn't for men.
I could still run for hours if needed! This simple run was a breeze for me, or Shigure would hunt me down and make me do her hellish training once more if I were to be breathless because of a simple run.
Just the thought of that hellish training sent shivers down my spine.
Anyway, I was chilling in what seemed to be a trendy park in this neighbourhood since many families were there with their kids, playing in the playgrounds full of sand and fun structures.
I also think it might be a good idea to switch up my look since I got noticed by two cops, and one of them got knocked out by me.
So yeah, they basically know what I was wearing or my current face alteration. I can't really change my face further without special materials, but my clothes shouldn't be a problem.
I removed my black vest and reversed it as it became white. It wasn't much, but it was honest work.
At least they won't directly become suspicious of me right away if a cop were to find me,
I was feeling really good, boi!
But just as I was feeling quite good about it, I spotted a group of three cops strolling into the park, and guess where their fingers were pointing? Yeah, right at me.
The slap in the face came way too fast.
No fucking shot.
They have to be cheating!
That's so not fair.
…
When I thought about it, I forgot we lived in a modern world full of technology.
I… forgot about the numerous surveillance when I was running for my life.
So, round 2, baby!
FIGHT!
Before the cops could talk to me or arrest me on the stop, I dashed toward the playground where the kids I was observing were playing, with the cops hot on my tail again.
"Aruto Igarashi! We are only here to talk! Why are you running!" shouted the skinny cop.
And there I go, sprinting away, trying to cook my next move on the spot.
I'm not a chef, but…. I can cook really well.
"I call BULLSHIT on that!" I shouted as I ran toward the stairs of the slides, and at the same time, I swiped a bucket full of sand from a kid innocently playing nearby with a friend.
Yeah, this move invoked the wrath of the kids and their parents…
"HEY!" shouted the angry kid, followed by the parents, who were even more scarier.
"Sorry! I'll give it back! Promise!" I yelled back in response as I quickly ascended the stairs of the slide and before I could think about my next move.
The skinny cop who previously spitted some of the biggest lies I heard also climbed into the same slide, huffing and puffing as he gasped for air.
While the remaining two of the cops surrounded the slide structure.
"Okay, buddy. Let's calm down and slowly follow me back, okay? We surround you, and you cannot escape from me." Said the skinny cop, his smug smile oozing with arrogance.
Damn, he has a punch-able face…
Frl. Frl.
He was confident that a kid who didn't receive any form of training compared to him who joined the police rank.
(He didn't read his files; after all, Aruto is just a kid who's going to college to him. There's nothing to be scared of.)
I guess he didn't take me seriously, or else he wouldn't be so sure of himself; I can take advantage of that…
I guess he assumed he would be facing a kid with no training while he had police training.
His smirk fueled my desire to beat him up. Anyway, I already slapped a cop to unconscious, so what's a second one, right?
That's how it works, right?
"…"
Fuck it, we are BALLING.
I threw the bucket full of sand right into the smug cop's face, catching him off guard while he was daydreaming about capturing me and the bonus he would get by apprehending me.
The sand hit his eyes and clothes, and he winced in pain, furiously rubbing his eyes.
"ARGHH, MY EYES! YOU LITTLE SH—" he roared, abruptly silenced by a powerful slap from ya boi. The force sent him tumbling off the slide, landing right next to one of his partners.
His partner, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, looked from his fallen comrade to me, a mix of surprise and anger on his face.
At the same time the kids sensed the excitement, they gathered around the playground, forming a curious audience. A few of them were cheering, making me feel like an unexpected hero.
(I really liked this feeling)
The other cops, realizing the situation had taken a turn, rushed to help his fallen leader. The skinny cop was now out cold with sand still in his face.
Seizing the opportunity, I took advantage of the distraction to escape. I descended the slide with speed and bolted towards the park's exit.
The park wasn't that large, and I reached the exit quickly. As I ran onto the street, I heard the chaotic shouts of the cops behind me, but I didn't dare look back.
As I zigzagged through the streets, I took random turns, using the city's confusing layout to my advantage. Glancing back occasionally, it seemed like the cops weren't keeping up. This time, I made sure to dodge the watchful eyes of surveillance cameras by slipping into alleys and less busy routes.
As I ran, my mind raced, thinking of how to shake them off thoroughly. The police were likely alerted to my appearance, and I needed a way to blend in and disappear.
Ahead, I spotted a heavy crowd inside the shopping street. Without a second thought, I dove into the bustling crowd, swiftly blending in with the pedestrians. I adjusted my hood, adopting a casual stroll, and glanced behind me for good measure.
x-x-x-x-x
- [Cop's Squad] -
Back in the park, the two remaining cops, frustrated and disoriented, plopped down on a bench near the playground. Their leader was out cold and sprawled on the bench.
"Takashi! What the hell just happened?!" Goro exclaimed, his voice a mix of pain and frustration.
"He got us, man! And leader Naoki got served," replied Takashi, checking his fallen leader for injuries.
"We need to get after him before he disappears again."
"Well, he is already gone…" Goro replied, sounding a bit defeated.
They exchanged glances, sharing a moment of desperation.
"We are so screwed." They both sighed in unison, realizing the mess they were in.
"What should we do now?" asked Goro with a hint of nervousness.
Takashi, equally clueless, scratched his head. "Let's wake up the boss. I'll grab some water to clean his face from the sand."
"I guess I should wake him up?" muttered Goro as he lightly tapped his leader's face.
"Boss man, wake up. We need you…"
Goro kept tapping his boss lightly for a few minutes, thinking, 'Ah, it's should do the trick!'
Deciding to go all in, he added more oomph to his slap, trying to get Naoki up in one shot.
Coming back to the land of the living, Naoki cracked open his eyelids with some difficulty, feeling the sting on his face from the slaps. Before he could say anything, a torrents of water crashed onto his face.
He sprung up, gasping for breath like he'd just dodged a giant wave. Eyes wide open, he felt like he'd almost drowned and met his grandfather from the other side of the tunnel.
Fully awake and kinda pissed, Naoki was ready to scold his underlings until he caught wind of their deep conversation. It only fuelled his annoyance as they completely ignored him.
"Where'd you get that bucket?" asked Goro with some curiosity.
Takashi explained briefly. "Borrowed it from some kid and filled it with water. The boss should wake up soon by that amount of water."
"Really? I tried waking him with some slaps and I thought he'd be up by now." Replied Goto helplessly.
"Truly? Also, let's skip mentioning the kid who kicked his ass. You know how the boss is—prideful despite his poor record and appearance." Muttering in a low voice.
Takashi nodded in understanding as he knew the nasty temper of his boss. "Very true."
Naoki wiped water from his face, teeth clenched from their gossip. "You punks have run your mouths enough!"
"Ah, boss!" exclaimed Goro and Takashi, saluting Naoki in surprise.
"…I'll deal with both of you later… So what about this punk? Where'd he go?" Naoki asked, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves.
"…."
Naoki sighed, understanding the silence from his subordinate. He took his radio and called for some backup. "We can't let this punk run for too long! Spread out and find him. Use your radios, stay connected."
Goro and Takashi dispersed, wandering the park and streets, chatting through their radios. The incident had caused them many problems, but the police were dead set on regaining their reputation and honour.
Goro and Takeshi scoured the area, and the reality of their pursuit hit. Their elusive suspect had slipped through their fingers, leaving them frustrated and kinda embarrassed.
Through the chaos, the dispatcher's voice came through the radios, updating them. "Attention all units; the suspect is identified and confirmed as Aruto Igarashi, the second male IS pilot. Exercise caution. More backup is en route."
The cops, more determined than ever, ramped up efforts to find Aruto Igarashi, realizing they were dealing with someone very important, not just your average fugitive.
x-x-x-x-x-x
- [Aruto Igarashi] –
I was strolling down the busy shopping street, brainstorming ways to dodge those annoying cops from the park. The place was buzzing with life, providing the perfect distraction, but I needed more tricks up my sleeve.
Then, out of nowhere, the aroma of Takoyaki hit me. Couldn't resist that, could I? I approached the stand, and the old lady behind it waved at me like we were best buddies. "Oh, Takayuki! It's me, Mrs. Tanaka, but you can call me grandma! I'm your mother's friend! You finally decided to help out my Takoyaki stall!"
I was caught off guard yet I flashed the most friendly smile I could manage and went along with it, "Yeah, there's a game I really wanted to buy, but mom didn't want to give me money for it, so I thought I should work for it!"
(GOD DIDN'T LEAVE ME BEHIND!)
"You sure grew up a lot! I almost failed to recognize you, and you certainly became a lot more handsome from my memory. You are a born lady killer~"
"Hahaha, thank you, Grandma," I replied, a bit embarrassed by the compliment.
The old lady's eyes twinkled. "A game, really? Looks like you didn't change at all from the last time I met you. Still playing with your game. You should start saving up for your future!"
"Hahaha, of course, I'll save the money for my future!... But I really want this game!" I replied with a careless smile.
"Oh, dear… Well, it's your money, after all. Still, you are more different than I thought you would be…" Said Tanaka
"I hope my mother said good things about me?"
Mrs. Tanaka looked away in embarrassment."…Well, she said you became a difficult child going through puberty and a good-for-nothing…"
"That's my mom for you… She is really strict," I replied with a stiff smile while mentally scolding the original guy.
(DAMN BRO? HOW BAD ARE YOU FOR YOUR MOM TO SPREAD YOUR BAD REPUTATION TO OTHERS?)
(I hope this identity won't cause me any problems…)
So there I was, standing behind the Takoyaki stand with Mrs. Tanaka, getting a crash course in the fine art of Takoyaki-making. The sizzle of the octopus balls on the hot plate filled the air as I tried to absorb all the wisdom and technique this old lady was throwing my way.
"Alright, Takayuki-kun, the key is in the wrist action," she said, demonstrating a perfect flick of the wrist as she expertly turned the Takoyaki balls. "You gotta make them round and golden brown."
I tried to mimic her, but my first attempt ended up looking more like a misshapen blob. Mrs. Tanaka chuckled, "Not bad for a beginner! It takes some practice. Here's the trick: you need to get that batter flowing smoothly."
She handed me the batter dispenser, and I gave it a shot. The first few were a bit wonky, but soon, I got the hang of it. Mrs. Tanaka nodded in approval, "That's the spirit! Now, onto the flipping. Timing is everything."
I watched intently as she effortlessly flipped the Takoyaki with a swift motion. "Your turn, Takayuki-kun."
I hesitated, then went for it. Surprisingly, my flip wasn't a disaster. Mrs. Tanaka clapped her hands, "Not bad at all! You catch on quick."
Then came the tricky part – topping the Takoyaki. Mrs. Tanaka showed me how to drizzle the sauce and sprinkle the bonito flakes. "Presentation matters. People eat with their eyes first," she advised.
Finally, the taste test. I nervously took a bite of my creation. Mrs. Tanaka observed my reaction, "Well? How is it?"
I grinned, "Amazing! I did that!"
"See, it's not that hard. Now, let's talk about selling them. Smile, be friendly, and always thank the customers. And remember, if they enjoy your Takoyaki, they'll keep coming back for more."
With newfound Takoyaki-making skills and some street-smart selling tips from Mrs. Tanaka, I felt ready to take on this unexpected part-time job until the cops cooled down.
"Oh! I almost forgot! Wait for me here, dear." Exclaimed Mrs. Tanaka as she left the stall quickly and swiftly came back with some clothes in her arms.
She handed him a set of clothes. "Here, dear. Change into these. We can't have you smell like Takoyaki when you return home."
I, not one to refuse the unexpected blessing, nodded appreciatively. I slipped into the provided clothes and was handed a playful-looking mask to complete the ensemble.
"Now, you're ready for the job!" Mrs. Tanaka declared with twinkle in her eyes.
Now, incognito in this makeshift uniform, I followed her lead. I continued to practice my Takoyaki skills under Mrs. Tanaka's watchful eye until she deemed it fit for me to run the stall alone while she takes a break.
Somehow I ended up as a part-timer at a Takoyaki stall where I could make money and completely hide from the cops that were after my beautiful but toned ass.
I greatly appreciated Mrs. Tanaka's help even though I feel really bad for deceiving her.
"By the way, Takayuki-kun," Mrs. Tanaka said before leaving for her break, "Consider today a trial. Whatever money you make, you can keep as your salary."
My eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Thanks, Grandma! I'll make sure your Takoyaki stand sees the busiest day ever!"
She laughed and disappeared into the heavy crowd. I took a deep breath and prepared myself for the unexpected journey into the world of Takoyaki.
x-x-x-x-x
The first customer, a party of two girls, approached the stand, and excitement bubbled within me. "Welcome! How many Takoyaki would you like today?"
(Of course, someone had to order Takoyaki as soon as she left…)
But, I, Arut—I mean I, TAKAYUKI, THE TAKOYAKI KING will make the greatest Takoyaki ever for Grandma!
This is my promise to her!
Believe It!
The girls exchanged glances before one of them spoke up, "Hmm, we'll take ten, please!"
"Great choice!" I exclaimed. With practiced ease, I grabbed the skewers and started preparing the batter while engaging in a playful show to entertain the girls. Twirling the skewers, tossing them in the air, and expertly catching them, I added a touch of flair to the takoyaki-making process.
As the savoury aroma filled the air, I couldn't help but notice the smiles on the customers' faces. The casual banter and friendly atmosphere made the whole experience enjoyable, not just for them but for me, too.
I also managed to attract a lot of people with my showmanship and the delicious scent of the Takoyaki.
In no time, the takoyaki were ready, piping hot and ready to be served. I handed the box filled with the ten Takoyaki to the customers with a grin. "Here you go, enjoy your takoyaki! And remember, if you want more, I'll wait for you, baby!"
The shy girls laughed and blushed as they thanked me, blending back into the lively shopping street. I couldn't believe how smoothly it was going so far. As more customers trickled in, the Takoyaki stand became a hub of activity, and my impromptu gig as a Takoyaki chef continued.
The crowd around the Takoyaki stand seemed to grow, attracted not just by the delicious scent but also by the show I inadvertently put on. As I expertly flipped the takoyaki with even more flair, there were gasps and excited murmurs from the onlookers.
"Look at that! The young lad's got some serious skills!"
"He's like a takoyaki ninja or something!"
Laughter and cheers erupted as the takoyaki performed a brief, gravity-defying dance in the air before landing back in the sizzling pan. The impromptu show became a hit, turning a simple snack stand into a lively street performance.
Some customers even pulled out their phones to capture the unexpected entertainment. As I handed out the freshly cooked takoyaki, I couldn't help but revel in the unexpected success of the day. Mrs. Tanaka, watching from a distance, nodded in approval, clearly amused by the unexpected turn of events.
The atmosphere around the Takoyaki stand buzzed with energy, and I found myself embracing the role of the charismatic takoyaki chef. It was a far cry from the predicament with the cops earlier, and for the first time in a while, I felt a genuine sense of joy and accomplishment.
The Takoyaki stand had become not just a place to grab a quick snack but a makeshift stage where a part-time takoyaki chef turned entertainer delighted the crowd with a simple yet entertaining show.
As the customers handed over the money, I quickly calculated the change and thanked them with a smile. The bell-like chime of the cash register added a satisfying rhythm to the bustling atmosphere.
Just as I finished the transaction, more customers lined up, each placing their orders with eagerness. "Alright, coming right up! How many takoyaki for you?" I asked, adopting a friendly and efficient demeanour.
Orders piled up, and I found myself in a whirlwind of activity. Turning the takoyaki with practiced precision, I managed to keep up with the growing demand. The sizzling sound and delicious aroma attracted even more attention, drawing curious onlookers to join the queue.
The constant flow of customers created a lively rhythm at the stand, and my confidence grew with each successful order.
As the day progressed, I felt a sense of accomplishment with every satisfied customer. The initial worry about being recognized or causing any trouble faded away, replaced by the joy of engaging with people and providing them with a delicious treat.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the shopping street. The Takoyaki stand continued to draw in customers, turning a seemingly ordinary day into a surprisingly enjoyable adventure.
By the end of the day, I truly became the Takoyaki King.
X-X-X-X-X-X
Another day, another chapter! Please enjoy this chapter!