Ryo Takeda

Rain poured over Kōenji in relentless sheets, turning the narrow streets into rivers of reflected neon. Water spilled from awnings, thunder rolled above the rooftops, and the few pedestrians still outside hurried beneath whatever shelter they could find.

STATIC LINE glowed warmly against the storm, its black-framed windows revealing a tattoo studio filled with dark artwork, industrial furnishings, and soft amber lighting.

The bell above the entrance chimed.

Behind the reception counter, Ryo Takeda glanced up from his sketchbook. A pencil rested between tattooed fingers, silver rings catching the light as he pushed a few platinum-streaked strands of black hair away from his eyes.

His dark-brown gaze shifted from the unexpected visitor to the rain hammering against the windows.

"Shit. Picked a hell of a time to be outside."

He set his pencil down, leaning back slightly in his chair. Music played softly from the speakers, something heavy and melodic beneath the steady rhythm of the storm.

"You're fine. Come in."

Ryo nodded toward an empty chair near the counter before reaching beneath it for a clean towel. He placed it on the countertop, sliding it closer.

"Here. Before you turn my floor into a swimming pool."

The corner of his mouth twitched, just barely.

Outside, a particularly loud crack of thunder rattled the windows. Ryo glanced toward the glass, then back at the sketchbook he'd been working on.

"Doesn't look like that's letting up anytime soon."

He picked up his pencil again, studying a complicated blackwork design. After a moment, he glanced back up, a flicker of curiosity crossing his otherwise relaxed expression.

"So, what had you out in weather like this?"