5 Chapter:5 The Immortal Dragon - Tatsu

Renko's steps were automatic, guided by the muscle memory of her new body. The school buildings somehow transformed into a somewhat familiar neighborhood, or somewhat familiar to her body at least.

As she reached her supposed apartment door, Renko hesitated, her hand grasped around the door's handle. She stood there for a moment before slowly opening the door, revealing an interior that she had no idea about. There were a couple of shoes on the shoe rack and a soft, fluffy carpet that read 'Welcome Home.'

The apartment consisted of two rooms, a balcony, a mixed bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room. The standard configuration of a couple's apartment... but she was single! 

The apartment was not lived in but was also adorned with a somewhat 'personal' touch—framed photographs of a white-haired man and a dark-haired woman who were her parents. Her parents must be loaded or at least her Father must be loaded, she had no memory of her mother. Didn't have any of her father's either but that was because he was busy with his business.

She wandered through the room, tracing the edges of furniture, her fingers grazing over the framed photographs. These captured moments of a life she had no recollection of, the couple in the pictures seemed happy, and their smiles seemed mostly fake but her father's was somewhat gentle. 

The living room had a cold air as if no one lived there. A soft but warm glow emitted from the bulb hanging from the ceiling, there was an expensive rug that adorned the floor and a bookshelf next to the TV, and there were several novels and books but not a single diary or personal item. 

Moving towards the kitchen, Renko opened the refrigerator,

*Whistle*

There was some quality stuff in there, a variety of groceries and neatly arranged food items. It felt somewhat normal.

Suddenly, she noticed a loose shelf door and swung it open, revealing stacks above stacks of the legendary... cup ramen!

Fuck!

Next was the bedroom, a large wardrobe with an assortment of clothes, some were modest clothes that were in fashion while the rest of them were either traditional clothes or a couple of kimonos.

After taking a moment to look around the apartment, Renko stood in front of the mirror. She couldn't help but notice her reflection looked like any normal teenage girl's. As she looked a little closer, however, she noticed her scars had disappeared and she had a fully developed chest, unlike what she had as a soldier.

It was a far cry from the battle-hardened soldier that she had been, and Renko took a moment to take in the transformation that her appearance had undergone. And what about her mind? Was her mind also somehow adjusted to fit a teenage girl's?

With a sigh, Renko made her way to the balcony. The sprawled before her, the crimson light of the dusk bathed the scene in an eerie red light. A gentle breeze brushed against her face as she gazed into the horizon.

A sudden coughing sound caught her attention, turning to her left she noticed the next-door balcony occupied by a...

'A Yakuza'

On the balcony next to hers was an intimidating-looking young man with black hair that was slicked back, intimidating dark-brown eyes, and on the left side of his face was a scar that dragged down over his eyebrow and ended at his cheek. He was wearing a cream-colored apron over casual-formal wear with shades. 

Renko's eyes narrowed as she observed the intimidating figure on the neighboring balcony. The Yakuza, seemingly unfazed by her scrutiny, started to... take off clothes from the drying rack. before turning to her,

"Yo, new neighbor!"

He called out with an intimidating grin, his eyes hidden behind the shades. Renko raised an eyebrow, her expression guarded as she assessed the Yakuza on the neighboring balcony.

"Hey,"

Renko replied cautiously, her eyes narrowing slightly as the Yakuza chuckled as he introduced himself, the intimidating grin never leaving his face.

"Name's Tatsu."

He continued to fold the clothes with practiced ease, giving off an air of nonchalance despite his imposing appearance.

"Renko,"

she replied, keeping her responses short. Renko couldn't help but wonder if Tatsu was just a regular neighbor who happened to have an intimidating appearance or if there was more to his character than met the eye.

Tatsu paused in his folding, his dark-brown eyes meeting Renko's gaze through the shades.

"Renko, huh? Nice to meet you, neighbor."

His tone was friendly, contrasting with his intimidating appearance.

"Yeah, likewise."

A moment of silence lingered between them as Tatsu continued with his chores. Renko took the opportunity to glance around the apartment complex. Other residents seemed to be going about their daily lives.

Tatsu, seemingly unbothered by the awkwardness, spoke up again.

"So, just moved in?"

Renko nodded, deciding to keep her answers vague for now.

"Yeah."

Tatsu raised an eyebrow, his grin widening, revealing a hint of amusement.

"Don't see many high schoolers moving in around here. What brings you to this part of town?"

'I was a soldier, who accidentally stepped on a land mine before getting blown to bits and waking up on the school grounds.'

Yeah, no.

"Just... a change of scenery, I guess?"

Tatsu chuckled, seemingly satisfied with her vague response.

"Fair enough. If you ever need anything, feel free to hit me up. I'm just next door, keeping the peace."

Renko couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. The intimidating Yakuza, talking about keeping the peace.

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

As Tatsu continued to fold clothes with surprising precision, Renko leaned against her balcony railing, wondering what the fuck was going on here.

"So, what's your story?"

Renko's question was met with a hearty laugh from Tatsu. He set the neatly folded clothes aside before leaning on his balcony railing, his shades reflecting the crimson light of the setting sun.

"Ah, just a former Yakuza trying to live the peaceful life of a househusband. You know how it is."

Renko raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident.

"Househusband?"

Tatsu nodded, his grin unwavering.

"Yeah, I left the Yakuza life behind to support my wife. Now, I'm the Immortal Dragon of the Kitchen. Cooking, cleaning, you name it."

Renko couldn't help but blink in surprise.

"Immortal Dragon of the Kitchen?"

Tatsu grinned, pride evident in his expression.

"That's right. Once feared on the streets, now feared in the culinary world."

Renko chuckled, for the first time in years causing the laugh to be rather coarse but with a strange sense of amusement no less.

"Well, Immortal Dragon-san, I'll keep that in mind. If I ever need cooking tips, I know where to go."

Tatsu laughed, a hearty sound that echoed through the quiet evening air.

"You got it, Renko. Just give me a shout."

As Renko continued to converse with Tatsu, the oddity of her situation seemed to fade into the background, if only for a moment. The banter with her seemingly intimidating neighbor provided a surprisingly relaxing time.

"What about your parents, kid?"

Renko hesitated for a moment, her mind racing to remember her parent's details. Apparently, her father was a big-time arms dealer who hooked up with a young Japanese woman, her father was someone with considerable influence and already had a pregnant wife. 

Her mum somehow ended up pregnant and gave birth to Renko before dumping her in her father's lap and moving on. Her father took monetary responsibility and hired a matron to take care of Renko till the age of 12 after which she lived on her own. 

Every month she gets a check for $50,000, roughly six million yen a month, from her father. Along with a present on Christmas, New Year, and her birthday.

Well... she did say he was loaded.

Anyway, he agreed to take monetary responsibility till she turned 18 and then pay for college if she got into one. The last time she met him was when she was 12 and moved in to live alone, he was making a major deal in Okinawa and visited her on a whim. 

"They're... not around. Busy with work, I guess."

Tatsu nodded understandingly, the grin on his face softening a bit.

But it was still intimidating!

"Ah, I get it. The grind can be tough. Well, if you ever need a surrogate big brother or just someone to talk to, I'm here."

Renko appreciated the offer, despite the unusual circumstances and Tatsu's intimidating appearance.

"Surrogate big brother, huh? Never thought I'd hear that one. Thanks, Tatsu. I'll keep that in mind."

Renko's tone held a hint of amusement as she straightened up and stretched her limbs.

"Anyway, gotta go now."

After waving Tatsu goodbye, Renko slowly made her way back into her apartment, contemplating the events of the day. Her eyes still felt weary and her muscles felt sore, over all, she was feeling quite shitty.

As Renko walked through the living room and entered the kitchen, a sudden grumbling sound erupted from her stomach. She couldn't help but chuckle at the growling protest of her empty stomach. Deciding it was time to address the hunger gnawing at her, she took a look at the well-stocked refrigerator.

She pondered the idea of trying her hand at cooking, but her culinary skills were virtually nonexistent. Instead, her gaze settled on the stacks of cup ramen hidden behind a loose shelf door.

"Who's the legendary gourmet dish? Yes, you are sweetie!"

Her cold persona broke down into a smile that would have scared a kid into peeing its own pants. With a disgustingly forceful smile, Renko retrieved a cup of ramen and four eggs, set the kettle to boil, put the eggs in an electric egg poacher, and prepared herself a quick and simple meal. The aroma of instant noodles and eggs filled the air as she sat at the dining table, reflecting on the events of the day.

She peeled the eggs, chopped them all into four pieces, and topped them with a blend of pepper, black pepper, and salt, dumped 'em all in a bowl she had just poured the ramen in. Mixed 'em up and the meal was ready.

*Renko... had zero talent for cooking.* 

After finishing her meal, Renko leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. She hadn't been this relaxed since forever. Looking out the window, she noticed that the night had fully embraced the city, and the crimson dusk had given way to the quiet darkness.

As she entered the bedroom, Renko once again noticed the array of clothes in the wardrobe. She opted for comfortable sleepwear, her movements automatic yet unfamiliar in this teenage girl's body.

Lying down on the bed, Renko stared at the ceiling, lost in thoughts. Mostly thoughts of what the hell happened today and what the fuck was going to happen tomorrow. Gradually, sleep claimed her consciousness.