Chapter 22

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A week had gone by, it felt like after all the events that occurred last week, days would have passed by in a blur. It did, at least in your perspective, time is a relative matter so they say.



To Kenma, time has never been slow.



"It's only been a week?" he muttered as he opened his eyes, still half-lidded as he stare up the ceiling. His hand found the phone placed on the nightstand, squinting when the screen lit up.



"Let's see, what's the schedule for today?" Kenma searched through his schedule until he found what he is slated to do for today.



"A lunch meeting with that man huh?"



He turned his phone off and lie there for a few seconds, recollecting his thoughts before Kenma decided to stand up and start off his day. He doesn't usually like meeting people, especially people whom he doesn't even remember meeting before.



Kenma went to the restaurant they agreed upon and waited there. He specifically went there a little earlier and headed to the table farthest from the entrance so he can see the whole restaurant and everyone who is coming in and out of the place.



A few minutes later, Kenma really didn't bother counting how long he'd been waiting there, he might be waiting there for half an hour and he wouldn't notice since he was emerge in playing a game. Only when he saw the familiar man walked in did Kenma's eyes flickered up before he looked back on his game.



The man talked to the host and asked for Kenma's name since he was the one who made the reservation earlier. He was ushered to the table where Kenma was sitting, when he got there, as he sat across Kenma, the man was quiet for a second before he spoke.



"Kozume...Kenma-kun?" he asked and Kenma tore his eyes from the game he was playing to look at the man.



Judging by his appearance, he might be twenty or twenty-five years older than Kenma. No wonder why he was looking at Kenma like that.



"We talked on the phone a week ago, I'm Kozumeβ€”"



"Wait a second, are you kidding me?" He asked, cutting Kenma off. "You're just a kid and you're telling me you're already a stock trader?"



"Is there any age restrictions to buy and hold stocks? As long as that person isn't dumb, anyone can buy stocks."



The man cleared his throat but he still look narrowly at Kenma. "So, about the old building in Minatoβ€”"



"Why don't we eat first?" Kenma asked, cutting him off this time. Stuffing his belly will prevent him from saying stupid things, Kenma thought.



The main course came right after and the two ate in silence, though the silence was no doubt heavy, Kenma couldn't even taste the food. When the dessert came, he specifically asked for apple pie. The man doesn't seem to like the dessert but he didn't complain either.



Afterwards, he finally went to business.



"So, you're suggesting a building in exchange of buying stocks in our Company, yes?"



"Yes," Kenma said. "A give and take, if I lend you a hand you'd be more willing to sell your stock, right?"



The man was quiet for a moment, he just looked at Kenma who took the check and put the money inside before putting the tab down on the table.



"Then, shall we check the building?"



The man kept his silence as he followed Kenma. When they got to the apartment building, the two stood outside.



"It's old," the man said and Kenma fought the urge to roll his eyes at how informative that was as if no one can see that.



"It's an apartment complex."



"I see," he said before turning to Kenma, he looks reluctant for a second and Kenma sighed inaudibly. He was about to turn around when the man spoke. "Thanks," he said.



Kenma waved his hand dismissively.



"We'll talk about the stock next time," he said before his eyes flickered up to the person who was standing across the street.



You.



It was a second after you looked ahead, you caught a glimpse of dark and blond hair but the person already stepped inside the familiar car and started the ignition, driving off as if he didn't see you.



"Kenma? What was he doing there?" you muttered as you cross the road and walked up to the apartment building.



You saw a car parked outside in the empty parking space and you saw the old couple talking with someone before they went inside and you shrugged your shoulders as you headed upstairs.



You didn't bother thinking much about earlier when you saw Kenma, he must have thought you weren't there. But he didn't call, not that it bothers you or anything. But for the past week he didn't show up in the campus nor in the cafΓ©.



"He must have been busy," you said. "...with stuff."



You shook your head and decided to take a short nap before heading to your shift at the cafΓ©. You have a shift this afternoon and your lecture was cancelled so you had more time to rest.



You set your alarm at four so you have one hour before your shift and went to a much needed nap.



By the time you heard your alarm setting off you jolted awake and turned it off as you sat there for a few seconds. You stretched a bit and released a yawn before you stood up and got ready for your shift.



Just as you were walking down the stairs of the apartment building, you came across the old landlord. This time, unlike last week when you greeted him, the old man greeted you back with a smile. The smile, you thought, is the same warm smile he always gave you.



"Did something good happen today, ojiichan?" You asked and the old man stopped to talk to you.



"Somehow. Ah, Y/n-chan," he said. "Are you going to your part-time job?"



"Yes," you looked at your phone briefly to check the time. "Actually I have half an hour to spare before I go to work. What is it, ojiichan?"



"Ah is that so? Then, do you want to come downstairs, my wife is brewing tea."



"Sure," you said, holding the old man's arm so he wouldn't trip down the stairs. He already tripped a few times and his wife always scolded him for that but she always looked worried compared to what she's saying.



When you got inside the office, the smell of matcha overpowered your senses and you saw the old lady whisking the tea as she sat on the floor in front of the wooden coffee table.



"Ah, Y/n-chan! It's been a while since we had tea together," she said and you bowed in greeting as you sat across her.



She handed you a cup and you took it with both hands as you bowed again. "Thank you."



You took a sip of the matcha tea, it was bitter at first but it leaves a sweet aftertaste. The old man sat beside his wife as she offered a tea to him as well.



"Uhh...is there an occasion today?" you asked slowly, since it's not really that often they would invite you to tea.



"Actually Y/n-chan..." the old man started. "You've been living here for quite a while now and for the past couple of years you are the only tenant who's been living here for the last three years."



He's right, the other people only last for a year or two. Most of the people you've seen when you moved here already moved out. And there aren't many occupants lately.



"So we decided to at least tell you first."



"Tell me...what first?" you asked slowly as you put the teacup down on the table.



"The thing is...a Company is willing to buy this old building and demolish it to build a commercial building."



You slowly let that sink in as your hand found the teacup, it felt colder now as you touched the rim and let a few seconds flow by in silence.



"All the occupants have until by the end of the month to move out. That's around one and a half week," he continued.



"Oh..." you muttered before you looked up and took a deep breath. "I see...that's uhh...a bit sudden but thank you for informing me ahead."



You bowed and blinked your eyes rapidly to prevent the tears from forming around your eyes and when you were sure none would fall, you straightened up. But you were taken by surprise when the old man handed you a brown paper and you realized it's money.



"We've known you for three years, I know that isn't much, but we knew you're a kind child. You remind us so much of our children when they were kids. So Y/n-chan, we want you to find a good place to move out to."



"B-but I can't accept this, ojiichan, obaachan."



"It's fine, it's fine. This isn't much anyways."



The old lady took your hand and put the envelope but you quickly put it back on the table before you slid back and bowed on the floor.



"I really can't accept it, I'm sorry," you said.



The old couple look surprise when you bowed like that. "Y/n-chan, alright alright we wouldn't force you to accept this. Just straighten up."



You quickly sat up and the old lady laughed lightly. "Seriously, Y/n-chan. How can you bow like that in front of us, huh?"



"But Y/n-chan," the old man said. "If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask."



You smiled at them but you didn't say anything. You've had enough being called a beneficiary. Kenma was one thing, but to see the two old couple giving you the money when they needed it more than you do, you can't possibly accept that. Even though they genuinely wanted to help, you felt bad declining but you will feel worse if you accepted.



A few seconds of silence lingered by before the old man sighed. "But you know, I really don't want to sell this building."



You looked at him. "Then...why are you going to sell it?"



"There are things that we, mere humans, don't have much control of. And besides, I've been with this building since I was twenty. It grew old with me and over the years, like this old man, this building will not stand for too long."



"Come now, dear. We've had our fair share of memories in this place. There is nothing wrong with letting go of things once in a while."



You smiled at them, the tea you thought was cold, felt a little warmer now.



"Ah, I should get going now," you said, checking the time before you finished the matcha tea, clearing your throat when you drink a bit too fast.



"Be careful on your way, Y/n-chan."



You stood up and bowed again before waving your hand and leaving the office.



"She's truly a kind child, that Y/n," the old man said.



"She is," his wife agreed. "By the way, do you think that young lad...what was his name again...the one we saw with Y/n-chan?"



"Kozuke?"



"Kozume-kun!" the old lady said. "You think he's Y/n-chan's boyfriend?"



"Eh?" The old man asked, a little surprised before he blinked. "Well, actually when you think about it...I've seen him driving Y/n-chan back a few times before."



"Ah, young love," the woman said with a sigh before she felt arms around her and when she looked behind she saw her husband.



"But old love is better, isn't it?"



"Let's savor the little time we have left in this old building as well."



---



When you got to the cafΓ©, with shoulders slumped down, you headed to the locker room and started your shift as usual. You watched the customers come and go, taking and giving out orders.



Minutes turned into hours until the sky darkened and the night deepened. After your shift, you headed to the locker room. You thought your co-worker asked you a few questions earlier but you were simply preoccupied to respond with the right answers and all she got were simple nods and 'yes' so she decided not to ask more.



"I have to apologize to senpai later," you said. "Where is she anyways?"



You looked around and didn't see her.



You sighed a little too heavily as your forehead knock on the locker and you closed your eyes. "One and a half week."



You knocked your forehead lightly again.



"Where am I supposed to find a cheap apartment unit in that short amount of time?" You asked, knocking your forehead lightly. "It took me a month to find that apartment complex and we're in Tokyo, one of the most expensive cities to live in the world."



You knocked your forehead a few more times until you heard the door opened and you straightened up when your co-worker came.



"Senpai, earlier I'mβ€”"



"Y/n-chan, I need your help!" she immediately said, grabbing your arms as you leaned back a bit.



"W-What is it?" you asked, blinking rapidly in surprise.



"This," she said, leaning back as she showed a dress wrapped in a clear plastic bag. You wouldn't have recognized it had it not been for that very familiar headband.



"Y/n-chan, can you cover for me just this once?"



"C-cover for what exactly, senpai?" you asked slowly, your eyes still on that familiar headband.



"You just need to get dressed for a new cafΓ© promo this Saturday."



You shook your head. "No. There's no way I'm doing that again."



"Please," your co-worker said. "I already asked the manager and he said it would be fine."



"Ugh that darn man! He didn't even pay me last time!"



"Ah, right. Here, he already gave half the payment. He said he'll give the other half on Saturday." Your co-worker handed you an envelope and when you looked inside your eyes widen when you saw just how much the money was.



"This much...and it's just half?"



"Yeah," she said.



It's almost triple the amount of what your manager promised to pay you last time.



"And I'll just wear that like I did last time."



You looked at the new outfit, eyes squinting suspiciously as your co-worker nodded.



With a sigh you took the dress. "Alright I'll do it. You helped me a lot before. This one isn't really a big deal. Probably."



"You're a love life saver Y/n-chan!" she engulfed you in a hug for a second before leaning back.



"Wait, love life saver? What exactly are you going to do on Saturday?"



"I'm going on a date!"






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