Chapter 13

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Kenma was oddly focused in preparing a drink. He's never had much visitors, apart from Kuroo who would bring drinks himself, Kenma wasn't really accustomed to preparing drinks for a guest. But out of courtesy, he decided to at least offer you a drink in exchange of bringing his wallet back.




Once he was done making the drink, he headed back to the living room and his gaze fell on the leather wallet on the coffee table. After settling the tray, Kenma sat on the couch and took his wallet. He opened it, his gaze remained fix on it for a few seconds before his golden hues traveled up, towards the hallway where you disappeared to.




"What's taking her so long?" Kenma muttered. But just as he was about to stand, you came.




You made your way to the couch, you were actually really in awe earlier. When you entered his gaming room. The place itself felt surreal and you couldn't helped but look around a bit. You think you might have actually looked around a bit much than you intended to. The room was just so mesmerizing.




"I didn't expect you to be living here," you said, just starting a conversation as you took the glass of red iced tea. "I mean, this place is nice and comfy but I kind of expected someone like you to be living somewhere in Central Tokyo," you quickly added.




"Someone like me?" Kenma muttered, closing his leather wallet as he took his glass and took a sip.




"Yep," you said, nodding your head as you looked about before your gaze settled on Kenma but when you realized he was looking at you, you inevitably averted your eyes. "You're a famous video gamer, stock trader and you're rich. So I kind of expected you to be lounging in a penthouse in Roppongi Hills."




"You're the third person to tell me to live in Roppongi. I'm reconsidering my decisions now," Kenma said and you looked back at him, stealing a glance as he took another sip of the red tea, but when he put the glass down and looked at you, you weren't fast enough to avert your gaze and you were caught in that hypnotizing golden cat-like eyes of his.




"Besides," he started. "It might be a little interesting now to move there. Since you work in Roppongi and you also live nearby."




You let a few seconds of silence engulf you, blinking your eyes a few times as you processed his words and when you finally did, you had no idea how to respond to what he said. What did he even mean by that?




Sensing your sudden stiffness, Kenma decided to add. "It wouldn't feel as bad as before. Since I know someone who lives nearby."




You nodded slowly, as if you're understanding the reason why he mentioned something like that, something a bit out of character of him to do so. But still, the slight amount of awkward feeling still lingers so the best way you could think of in order to get out of the situation is to change the subject.




And your gaze happened to land on a familiar picture.



"Ah! You also displayed the group photo of the Volleyball Club," you said, seeing the picture in a frame, the one that's the exact same copy of the small picture inside his wallet.




But instead of moving on to another conversation, Kenma wouldn't miss the word you said. "Also? Have you seen a copy of that group photo?"




"Oh, yeah the one in your wallet," you said right away as you looked back at him with a smile. But that smile soon faded when Kenma asked you that question.




"So you opened my wallet."




He didn't even ask. He just stated it, or at least that's what you heard. Kenma just stated it as if he was sure of it himself. And you slowly nodded your head yes.




"Sorry! I had to check who owns the wallet so I opened it and look for an ID. Sorry again!" You said, lowering your head as you bowed before straightening up after a second.




You looked at Kenma's expression, or at least you tried to decipher his expression but all he had is a stoic one, he's always been stoic. Most of the time, like he doesn't concern himself about anything or anyone. He's just there, but it looks like he couldn't care less at all.




"So you opened my wallet," Kenma muttered this time, as if his previous statement was merely just as well as a speculation. But now he's sure of it. His gaze fell on his wallet as his thumb caress its surface.




"Why?" You asked slowly. "Is there something missing in there?"




Kenma stopped for a moment, his thumb that was caressing the leather froze for a second but it wasn't as noticeable before he looked at you.




"Is there something missing?" He asked, but it was more like he was repeating your question. "Why would you assume there's something missing? Did the things inside my wallet fell down or something?"




Because you wouldn't even ask if that weren't the case. Your momentary silence confirmed that the things did fell down. Maybe when you opened it the wrong way, but Kenma couldn't believe what stroke of luck could you have possibly had to open a wallet upside down.




"It's fine," Kenma said, even if you hadn't said anything yet. He'll just have to check later, he thought. When he opened his wallet earlier, he figured that the things inside weren't in the same spot as he remembered putting it.




"Just tell me if something's missing, I'll look for it and return it right away," you said and then suddenly you thought that what if it's a credit card. But you made sure everything was back inside when you collected the items on the floor. Whatever it is that you missed, it shouldn't be as important as a credit card.




At least to you, what's most important in that wallet is a credit card. But to Kenma, a credit card in there hardly matters. What's important is that business card. Not his business witht stock trading. It's for something else.




After a while you decided to finish the drink before you stood up and Kenma looked at you.




"You're already leaving?" Kenma asked. He didn't even know why he bothered asking, when he would have preferred it if his guest would leave right away.




"Yes. I have somewhere to go later so I should get going." You sling your bag on your shoulder and inclined your head before you started to walk, but Kenma spoke again.




"Where?" He asked. "I could drive you there."




You didn't know what you did to have two free rides in a day but it's not like you're one to complain. So this time you decided to accept the offer.




"But I'm going to Aoyama Cemetery, will that be fine with you?"




A memorial park? For the dead. Kenma really isn't one to believe in superstition, or anything else that includes going on a cemetery. It's been also a while since he last visited one.




"It's fine," he said as he stood up. You waited outside as Kenma took his jacket and key fob. Since he doesn't really have anything else to do for the whole day, he would have liked it if he can stay inside the comfort of his home, but as odd as it is even for him, going out with you doesn't feel as awkward and bothersome as going out alone.




It was almost afternoon when you got to Aoyama. The Cherry Blossom trees lining the street as people walk by. It looks like a peaceful park, a place where the dead is put to rest. Kenma parked the car in a parking space and you unbuckled your seatbelt before turning to him.




"I'm just going to pay my respect to my parents, it wouldn't take long so you can just wait here," you said and was about to step outside when Kenma spoke.




"It's alright," he said. "You can take your time."




Even if he didn't drive you here, you really didn't plan to stay for too long. You really don't have much to tell them. Since you have more problems than you have more things to boast about to them, you always spend little amount of time. You don't need to stay for too long telling them all your problems, they should be put to rest and not worry about anything else.




You got a small flower along the way and when you spotted the familiar tomb, you placed it atop and lit an incense. You prayed before opening your eyes.




"It's me," you started. You always started it like that. It's you, you're here. "I may have..." You trailed off, taking a deep breath. "I may have to use the insurance money you left me. Even though I promised to use it after I graduated. I know it isn't much, but you two worked so hard to save it up for me and because it isn't much, I wanted to reserve it for when I finally graduated."




But things happen and the unexpected things always beat the expected ones. You thought that today was probably the longest you've talked to them in a while. Even so, it didn't take you half an hour and you were walking back to the parking space.




Kenma was the first one to notice it. When you got in the car you just sat there for a few seconds, recollecting your thoughts when Kenma suddenly leaned in and put your seatbelt on.




"Oh, I was about to put the seatbelt on," you said when you realized you just sat there for a few seconds. "But thanks-"




You trailed off when you realize Kenma is still close, and you were reminded of that night during the get-together when he offered to drive you home. It feels like no matter how many times you look into his eyes, you'd still be hypnotized whenever he stare at you like that.




Why is he even staring, you thought. But Kenma's stoic expression changed the littlest bit as he furrowed his brows.




"Did you cry?"




He was the first one to notice, you didn't even notice the unshed tear. You didn't realize it, your mind was just preoccupied. You were about to wipe it when you felt a thumb wiping it and you stare at Kenma.




His stoic expression was so different to his kind gesture. And that left you not being able to say anything as Kenma drove. A brief silence lingered between you until he spoke.




"I don't get it," he started. "Why would people bother talking to the dead about the things they could have said when they are still alive?"




It seems like you weren't the only one who would usually say things that you shouldn't have. And Kenma realized it only a second later as he stepped on the brake when the traffic lights turned red and he turned to you.




"Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."




"No, you're right," you said, and oddly enough you don't look like you've taken what he said as offensive. "Because I thought the same thing too. That's why I never spend much time there. This time I just told them something that only I can tell them now."




"The insurance money?"




"What?" You asked, turning to Kenma when he started driving again. You weren't able to catch what he said, but you heard him muttering something.




"Nothing," Kenma said and you didn't ask any further.




Once you got back to your apartment, you collapsed on your bed and just lie there, staring up the ceiling. What Kenma said earlier, about how he didn't get why people would bother talking about things to the dead that they could have said when they are alive. You did think of the same thing, but if he were to say that to any other person, he might actually strike a nerve.




At least you told them you'd be using the insurance money, and a small amount of weight had been lifted off your chest. You stretched and let your muscles relaxed for a few seconds.




You were about to close your eyes when you remembered something and you quickly sat up, a bit too quick that you got a bit dizzy as you shook your head.




"That's right, I need to look for something. It must have been important to Kenma."




You stood up and tied your hair in a bun. "Where did his things fell again?"




You went near the wooden coffee table and started looking for it there. Whatever it is that might have been missing in his wallet.




As soon as Kenma got back in his house, he sat on his couch and took his leather wallet, opening it as he took everything outside and put the items on the coffee table. He checked each cards, IDs and put each back in its place the same way he did before.




"That card," he muttered when he didn't see it. The business card he shouldn't have lost. The business card that was given to him by that company he was signed under.




The one that owns the adult streaming site and with no effort whatsoever, anyone can search that damned site from the name on the business card.




"I should have burned that thing. Why did I even bother keeping it." Kenma's eyes narrowed into slits and he gripped the leather wallet before throwing it on the couch as he stood up.




He headed to that room and sat on his gaming chair. "Might as well start this damned stream."






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