A Bowl for Two

Kanna had long since broken off from the beaten path of the packed market district, and had started to make her way down a series of secluded side streets. In one hand, Kanna held her phone and was tapping through her navigation app, and in the other, she gingerly grasped Saffron’s hand, who remained a step behind her.

“Still know where you’re going?” Saffron called ahead to Kanna.

“Umm…Let’s see here,” Kanna said as she and Saffron stopped in their tracks. Kanna spent a few moments flipping through her phone and scanning through the map. She would pause occasionally to hold it up and compare the top view map with her surroundings.

“You’d need wings for that kind of comparison to be of any use.” Saffron smirked.

“Huh? Oh, how funny.” Kanna said with a small laugh. “Thought I might be able to spot one of the buildings listed on the map.” Kanna shrugged.

“Oh, smart. I didn’t think to try that.” Saffron crossed her arms. “Any luck?”

Kanna shook her head and let out a small sigh of resignation. “Not exactly, but it’s fine. We’ll find our way…And besides! I’m enjoying the change in scenery.” Kanna turned to Saffron and smiled. Saffron squeezed her hand gently, and the two continued walking.

Aside from being a little lost, both girls were smiling, chatting with each other, and seemed to mostly be in good spirits. In truth, today was nothing particularly special. It was like any other weekday afternoon, except today, instead of heading back to their dorm after class, the two hopped on a bus for a spur of the moment downtown outing together.

As the two made their way through the neighborhood side streets, they both looked around and took in the unfamiliar sights together. The two girls stood between a towering canyon of windowed buildings and balconies. Power cables and clothing lines criss-crossed in the narrow space above their heads, going all the way up to the open sky. Saffron looked ahead at Kanna, peering over her shoulder as she struggled to gain her bearings.

“Maybe trying this new route wasn’t so smart,” Kanna said. She could feel her jaw begin to tighten, her eyes begin to grow tired, and a small ache form in the center of her forehead. She gritted her teeth and exhaled as she looked away from the bright screen of her phone and blinked a few times.

“Mm. I think I see where we are. We can reconnect with the main street by taking that route.” Saffron pointed to an area on the phone. Kanna shook her head and held her head in her hand.
“No. No. Agh. Here Saff, Do you mind leading us there?”

“Thought you’d never ask. Here sweetie.” Saffron smiled and held out her open hand. Kanna responded with a sigh of resignation as she held her phone up and dropped it melodramatically into Saffron’s hand. Saffron shot a quick wink and took a big step in front of Kanna.

—

The sun was bright, and the light from this particular angle was blinding. Combined with the brightness of the phone, Saffron had to take a few moments to blink and adjust. She looked down at the phone screen, and with heightened confidence, quickly scrolled through the map and started walking in a direction.

“This way, honey,” Saffron said.

“Thank you so much, Saff.” Kanna let out a sigh of relief as she followed just behind Saffron. Saffron led the way through the neighborhood side streets and back to the busy main street with relative ease. The two traveled for another 10 minutes or so, ducking and weaving through the crowds, and crossing through several packed intersections. Eventually, a sleek white storefront came into view. Something about this building seemed to stand out from the others on the block. For one, its design was sharper, and its exterior had the fresh polish of new construction. The name “Komboodle” was written above the building in a clean modern font. The shop had a hip, modern aesthetic from top to bottom. White mini tiles in a cute grid pattern faced the street, shiny stainless steel finish ran along the trimming of the doorway, and a clean metallic awning stuck out barely enough to give shelter to maybe one or two unfortunate people who might be stuck out in the rain.

“This it?” Saffron looked back.
“Mmhm! Sure is.” Kanna nodded with an eager smile. “You got us to our date spot safe and sound!” Kanna chuckled.

“Heh, don’t mention it. Though, this frilly fad place wasn’t exactly my first choice.” Saffron rolled her eyes and propped open the door. “You first, my love.”

Kanna gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and Saffron returned it with a short nod. She then exhaled and made room for Kanna to step inside the building ahead of her.

—

“Can you find a place to sit?” Saffron looked ahead at Kanna. Kanna stood still and held her head once more, adjusting to the sights, sounds, and bright lights inside.

“Sure, just a sec, Saff.” Kanna nodded. She took a look around. There were a number of tables for two or more people, and along the far walls there were a few lone booths mounted directly to the wall. The booths were divided on each side, and all had stainless steel stools with black padded cushions in front of them.

“Would one of these be all right with you, Saff?” Kanna nodded towards the booths.

“You sure we’ll both fit in one?” Saffron said with a smirk. Kanna rolled her eyes and smiled. She then walked over to one of the unoccupied booths, pulled up a single chair, and sat down facing the wall. She looked down, scanned the thin bar table with her phone, and began scrolling through the menu.

“So sad. To think, we could be having creamy tonkotsu broth over at Ichidon right now.”

“You know I don’t eat meat, Saff,” Kanna said with an audible sigh.

“You know, it won’t kill us to have some every now and then.” Saffron shrugged. “At any rate, I’m glad everything at school got turned in and we finally have a moment to breathe.”

“Mmhm, Aya did great. Managed to finish all of our writing assignments in one night, and got straight A’s to boot.”

“Very impressive…even if Yae did heavily correct and proofread every word.”

“Oh my. Our little Aya has managed to catch herself quite the fish,” Kanna said with a chuckle. She paused for a moment and turned her attention back to her phone. As she scrolled once more through the options she settled on one. “How about this one?”

“Not a shred of meat in it.” Saffron sulked. “Does this even qualify as ramen?”

“Yes, Saff. You are aware that there is such a thing as vegetable ramen, right?” Kanna tapped her phone a few times to place the order before putting it face down. “And done!”

“I’ll let it slide, seeing as you are the one doing the eating,” Saffron said. She thought to herself for a brief moment before putting her index finger up in declaration. “I’ve decided. Next time it’ll be my turn, and we’re going to Korean BBQ.”

“Please tell me you’re joking, Saff. You can’t mean one of those noisy places that’s filled with nothing but meat.” Kanna tilted her head and frowned. “They’re family style, you know?”

“Oh I’m aware. But people’s stares don’t bother me like they do you,” Saffron said. Kanna shrugged her shoulders and sighed audibly. Her voice was cute and high pitched.

“Saff, you well know how much getting interrupted from random strangers bothers me. And besides, it’s hard to enjoy our dates together while we’re having to read and throw out forced social cues.”
“It’ll be fine, I promise.” Saffron said with a reassuring smile. The light filtered through the window of the restaurant framing Saffron’s profile. From where Kanna sat, Saffron looked other worldly.

The two spent time talking back and forth, enjoying their tiny booth for one at the back of the restaurant. After some time passed, the waiter came and sat a bowl of steaming noodles in front of Kanna. Topping the noodles were a small stack of colorful vegetables, which were placed neatly next to a crisp gathering of spring mix. The broth was a warm amber hue, with small dots of black garlic oil scattered along the surface. The smell was warm and inviting, and it drew both Kanna and Saffron in.

“Thank you very much.” Kanna smiled and bowed excitedly to the waiter.
“Enjoy,” they said with a smile and walked away. The two turned back to the tantalizing warmth of their meal.

“Okay, I admit, it looks pretty good.” Saffron crossed her arms. “Though that’s probably my hunger talking.”
“Oh I’m sure that’s just it. Not that I actually had the better idea or anything,” Kanna said with a playful smile.

“Still don’t think a bit of tonkotsu would hurt here.”

Kanna gave an exasperated sigh before digging in. She ate in silence for a moment, focusing solely on the flavors and aromas that consumed her attention. Her heart fluttered and she kicked her feet excitedly.
“Wow that is good, huh?” Saffron commented.
“Mmhm Mmhm!” Kanna nodded and continued happily slurping and enjoying the meal. A few moments passed and Kanna felt a presence tower over her, casting a cold shadow over her warm bowl of noodles. Kanna quickly slurped up a mouthful and hurriedly chewed and swallowed before turning to face the person. “Sorry, can I help you?”

“Ah-um,” an unsure voice stuttered. Kanna faced them and forced a smile. “Just wanted to make sure-You’re okay…right?”

Kanna blinked a few times, slightly disoriented, but returned their question with a short smile and nodded. “Yes. I’m fine, thanks.” The person nodded in response and quickly left Kanna alone. She turned her chair back to the booth, paused a moment, and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. In that moment, she felt bare and exposed, as if she had forgotten to put on a shirt that day.
“Breathe it off, okay?” Saffron gave Kanna a hug from behind. Kanna leaned her head against Saffron’s and in that small touch, Kanna felt a lifetime of intimacy flow through her heart and mind. The warmth of the sun brightly filled the room, and a field of flowers spread out all around the two. There was nothing in the space but the two women. They embraced one another, enjoyed each other's touch, and exchanged a short kiss in this cozy space beyond time.
“Can I ask, Saff?”

“Yeah?”

“How do people’s stares not bother you?”

“Because they just don’t matter.” Saffron replied.

“But how don’t they?” Kanna gave Saffron a flustered look.

“I’ve got people in my heart that mean so much to me, Kanna. People whom I’m so in love with, that the entire world is dull by comparison.” Saffron paused. She swallowed, and felt her throat begin to tighten and her eyes begin to mist. “People who I love more dearly than anyone; People whom I’m lucky to share a lifetime and a body with.”

“Saffron…” Kanna trailed off. She leaned her head into Saffron’s soft chest. Saffron ran her nails soothingly through Kanna’s hair, and she felt goosebumps run the length of her body.

“I just want you to remember, I cherish us. All of us. The life and feelings that we share are what I hold dearest. So no matter what people say, or what the world decides to do around us, I know that I’m never alone. I feel truly happy knowing that the love we share within will eternally grant me a serenity that no external force can ever dream to take away.” Saffron looked away. A gentle smile formed at the corner of her mouth as she sniffled and wiped away a few falling tears.

The two embraced once more and enjoyed a moment of quiet that seemed to last a lifetime. Before long, Kanna took her last slurp of the noodles. The space around them faded, and the hustle and bustle of the restaurant came spinning back into full view.

Kanna paid for the meal, and the two left hand in hand with Saffron leading them out the front door from where they came.

–

“Think we should head back?” Saffron said, tilting her head, her gaze fixed on Kanna behind her.

“Without any sweets? Can we honestly call this a date if we don’t get dessert?”

“Fine. Fine. What’re you in the mood for?”
“Something…creamy.”
“...and let me guess. Something with strawberries, right?”

The two chuckled. Kanna winked at Saffron, and Saffron smirked back.

“Crazy right? It’s as if we shared the same head.”