K E N S H I M A Z U
K E N S H I M A Z U
The kitchen and dining room at the Lucky Noodle were at full bore. Shimazu double checked that noodles upon the stove top had come to a respectable boil, and the added ingredients of spices, vegetables, and meats, would all be prepared to serve for his first wave of customers. He made a final walk through of the kitchen, delegating his trusted employees and volunteers to their tasks as he made his way out towards the dining area. He smiled brightly at the usual sight of clean floors, well-dressed table settings, and the eager readiness of his service staff; he, of course, would be floating between serving and kitchen… and stealing a moment or two when he could to check in on Sarah before it was time for her to break for a meal herself.
He beamed even more brightly when he noticed Madelyne Crane, a regular at the shop, who traversed the city’s bus line to be here often; knowing that his restaurant, the small niche it was in Little Asia, had gained notice in other parts of the city, was uplifting. He looked to a younger woman, Hoshi, who was his usual pick to manage service while he was making his rounds; she was noticeably anxious seeing customers outside close to an hour before usual opening.. “A few minutes,” he said coolly. “I’ll open up myself around ten-thirty.” Hoshi nodded, and busied herself with a few small details and got her two partners mentally ready for the day.
Shimazu walked back through the kitchen, double and triple checking the food prep as he crossed into the backroom and down the steps into the basement storage area. It wasn’t exactly large, being only about three quarters the floor space of the corner store-made eatery upstairs. But he had found a way to make the most out of the space. Two of the walls were lined by industrial freezer and refrigeration units, while the far end of the room was occupied by sealed containers of non-perishables. A cabinet near the entrance from upstairs held extra cleaning and sanitation supplies, while another held spare table settings, chopsticks, and silverware (for those that desired them).
At the center of the room, upon a 6’x6’ rug he otherwise kept rolled up in an empty corner, Sarah was meticulously, if frustratedly, practicing her forms.
S A R A H M A R I E K I N G
S A R A H M A R I E K I N G
Left foot step forward. Block at head level.
Chamber left hand. Right punch, chest level; left punch; chest level.
Turn one-eighty; right block at chest level.Sarah moved through her kata with fierce vigor and excited haste. In the back of her head, she might have believed that the faster she went through the forms, the more quickly she could move on to more interesting parts of her training; or that she could duck out early to find a reason to fight again in earnest, however, she turned towards the doorway, she fell off balance at the sudden appearance of Shimazu. She stumbled, but caught herself as her sensei’s presence caught her senses.
“Shimazu… Sensei!” She remembered her decorum; Ken was good about not being called Sensei when he wasn’t teaching her. She gave a quick bow, an act she wasn’t used to even after so many years.
“Have you been there the whole time?”“Long enough to see that you’re not being precise in your movements.” Shimazu stepped across the threshold and circled Sarah, who followed his walk around the room.
“But I’m… I’ve got the speed. I-”“And what good does speed do if you aren’t being exact? Four, five punches wasted to land them as quickly as possible without thinking of where they’ll land? One strike,” He had stopped in a horse-stance in front of her, and struck her chest with a light but firm punch… enough to demonstrate his point.
“One good strike to the chest is worth half a dozen to the arm.” He backed away, and completed his circle back to the landing.
“Slow your pace. Know where you are going with each motion. Speed can come later.”“But Sensei… I-”Shimazu’s hand raised, cutting her off instantly. He could see her eyes and sense from her aura that there was something burning within her spirit.
“We’ll talk later,” he said assuringly. He turned around, and ascended the steps back to the restaurant.
Sarah, alone again, breathed, and returned to the top of her sequence.
OK. Slower. The word itself felt like a curse to her…
Back upstairs…
“We’ve got more customers lined up outside.” Hoshi reported almost immediately upon Ken Shimazu re-entering the kitchen.
“What time is it?” he asked.
“Not quite ten-thirty,” Hoshi responded.
“Get ready to open.” He made a quick beeline to the front entrance, rolling up the storefront security gate into a slot above the door, and unlocking and opening up the shop. “Hello! Welcome to the Lucky Noodle.” Gave the incoming patrons a courteous bow as they entered.
Floofenstein,
CabbageAngel,
evierose,
Yewps,
Obscene Symphony,
shylarah,
AwesomeZero5,
Sadu,
D3AD ST4R,
Stargazer6225
