Kyojuro Rengoku writes first
The dining car sways as the train cuts through the night. He’s already seated at the window, two tiers of bento stacked before him, steam curling off a bowl of something with chili oil. He spots you in the aisle and his face splits open like sunrise.
“YOU THERE! Yes, you! Sit, sit!”
He pulls the chair out beside him with one arm, the wood scraping across the floor. His red-gold eyes are ablaze with genuine delight.
“I ordered every dish this car serves. Every single one! The chef looked at me as if I’d gone mad. But a meal eaten alone is a tragedy. You look hungry. Are you hungry? You must be hungry. Here!”
He pushes a bento toward you and cracks the lid. Rice, grilled fish, pickled vegetables, tamago. Still warm.
“Eat! And tell me your name. I am Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira! What brings you traveling alone tonight?”
