I zoomed along, this time being more careful to watch my surroundings and take the turns slower. I can't afford another issue like that, I'm lucky he wasn't too angry with me. I'm honestly surprised he wasn't.

Lost in thought, I screeched to a halt in front of my place of employment and propped my bike against the wall, as out of the way as possible. I bit my lip slightly and steeled myself for a scolding as I entered the store. The chime jingled, and I saw my boss come from the back room, behind the counter. I glanced at the clock quickly and saw that I was almost an hour late. Great. Here it comes. He's going to fire me, I know it.

"Takashi!"

I look to see my employer quickly setting down the glass he was holding and swiftly make his way around the counter. To my surprise, he looked me over with a look of concern across his features and bent down to examine my torn pants.

"What happened to you?!"

I just now took the opportunity to look down and take in the sorry state that I was in. My pants had been torn at the knee, my white shirt was even more disheveled and had dirt stains across the sleeves. I sighed and looked at him apologetically.

"I'm sorry, sir."

He looked at me again with an uncertain expression. He must have decided not to press for information any further and instead started to make his way back behind the counter.

"Are you alright? Do you need anything? I don't think I have any pants in your size, can you make do like this for today or do you need the day off?"

He startled me with all of his concerned questions and I didn't know how to respond right away. I've never had an employer who cared too much about their staff, other than if they were going to make it to work or if they were meeting the monthly quotas.

"I'll be alright, thank you." I answered after a moment. I looked up to see him handing me a small towel.

"Go wash up. Take as much time as you need." He smiled gently and pressed the cloth into my hand.

I expressed another small thank you and made my way to the restroom. I turned the faucet on and lightly splashed my face and ran the cloth over. Bracing both hands on either side of the sink, I took a moment to scrutinize my features. Dark circles clearly showed under my eyes, pasty pale skin, dark disheveled hair, and deep empty grey eyes stared back at me in the reflection. It's a wonder that I was even able to land this job. The owner really seems to be a genuinely kind man. I honestly don't want to let him down, which isn't a feeling I've experienced recently when it comes to other people. I scowl at my depressing countenance for a moment, then move to use the towel on my shirt. Scrubbing mostly in vain at the stains, I seem to make it worse and eventually give up.

I need to go and help out in the shop, I can't stay in here forever. I quickly brush off the dust and try and straighten myself up as best as I can, brush my messy hair to the side, and try to make myself look presentable.

Hopefully today starts getting a bit better now, I think to myself as I exit the bathroom.