For now, he picked up the menu then raised his hand and called for the waitress. She approached smoothly.
Long black hair framed a straight, tall face, and her piercing blue eyes carried a bored, detached look.
Her expression was annoyed, yet she forced a polite, practiced smile, the kind of girl you saw once and never forgot.
Furuhiya couldn't help but notice her figure immediately, the way the tailored uniform hugged her form.
The slight flare of her skirt revealed long, elegant legs encased in sheer black nylons, making him fumble slightly with the menu as his eyes lingered a moment too long.
Over her outfit, a crisp server's apron added a professional edge, but he barely registered it; his gaze lingered too long, and his stomach seemed to twist again for reasons beyond hunger.
She crouched slightly to meet his line of sight, her long black hair brushing just past her shoulders.
Her blue eyes, still bored and detached, flicked over him with practiced calm, but there was a low, smooth heat in her voice as she asked, "Are you ready to order, sir?"
It wasn't overtly flirtatious, yet every syllable carried a subtle pull, the kind that made Furuhiya's heart skip and his stomach twist.
The combination of her cool composure and the soft, warm edge in her tone sent a shiver down his spine.
Even in her calm, distant way, Furuhiya found himself fawning, captivated by the rare, almost untouchable presence of the woman standing before him.
For a brief moment, her gaze flicked between his worn clothing and the car keys on the table, a hint of puzzlement passing across her otherwise composed expression.
Too shocked to speak—and too tired to try—Furuhiya simply pointed at a few expensive items he knew he wouldn't be able to pronounce.
She nodded, writing down everything he asked for.
"…First time here?" she asked, her voice quieter now, less rehearsed as she was still writing.
Furuhiya blinked, caught off guard.
"…Yeah."
Her eyes lingered on him for a second longer, as if weighing something, before she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.
"I see."
And just like that, she finished writing.
She straightened, the faint trace of curiosity gone as quickly as it appeared, and turned away, walking back toward the kitchen with the same composed, unhurried steps.
Furuhiya let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
His heart was still beating faster than it should have been. Her figure alone was perfect but her voice completely won him over.
Time dragged.
Furuhiya tapped his finger against the table once… twice… then let out a quiet sigh.
Furuhiya leaned back slightly in his seat, staring at the table with half-lidded eyes.
"…I'm bored."
He muttered it under his breath, pulling out his phone.
The screen lit up instantly. Notifications. Missed payments. Reminders of the debt.
His expression flattened.
"Right."
He tapped through a few apps, checking numbers he didn't like seeing. Then, almost unconsciously, his mind drifted.
Two years ago his parents disappeared, with one single thing left behind, a letter.
It was short, simple.
"We've left everything in your name."
"Take care of yourself, and Hina."
"Don't look for us."
That was it.
No explanation. No urgency or drama.
It wasn't like they abandoned him with nothing.
They left him at his childhood home on the outskirts of the city.
The one him and Hina couldn't use since it was too distant from the school Hina enrolled in.
Too distant for the part time jobs he took.
The only thing they left behind was a debt.
Furuhiya stared at his screen for a second longer before exhaling softly.
Leaving just like that…
"…They could've said more. Where did they even go, damn it?"
He mumbled it, but there wasn't much ill emotion behind it, just mild irritation, more than anything else.
He shook his head slightly and tapped his phone again, pushing the thought aside.
No point thinking about it now.
Paying the debts came first.
Everything else later. Maybe even searching for them.
He transferred the due rent to his ex landlord, then also paid all the bills which stacked up to a staggering amount of $24,000 and the $12,000 debt his parents left him.
Of course he paid it, even after they left so abruptly they were always caring and loving prior to that.
Even the debt they had, which Furuhiya got left with, was originally because of him and his sister.
To pay for their education.
They were always struggling, working long shifts to cover their children's expenses. He inherited that part as well, taking care of his younger sister after they disappeared.
That was also one of the reasons for his miserable situation back before, but no more. Now with having all the wealth he could've wanted, he'll live his life differently.
He'll make sure that going forward no one will look down on him or his family ever again.
Wealth gives confidence, that saying was especially true for Furuhiya. Although after paying all the debts he was $72,000 shorter in bank than before.
Still he wasn't worried. He still was filthy rich with $705,000 in his name, and he was sure there would be more to come.
Furuhiya was brought out of his thoughts by the waitress.