caught you! | b.keisuke [editing] ✓

chapter thirty-seven

You just finished unpacking your things. The place is already clean, so you didn't do much. After making sure that you didn't miss anything, you stayed at your balcony to think and also to get some fresh air.

"Ha! The air is different here. Am I going to adjust well?" you mumbled, staring at the night sky.

After some time, you decided to look for a convenience store nearby to buy dinner. As soon as you walked out of your apartment door, you immediately saw your neighbor smoking while leaning on the railings in the hallway. He sure likes to smoke, huh?

He's quiet and strangely, you feel goosebumps whenever your eyes meet.

Sensing someone approaching, Ran turned his head to look at you. You stopped your tracks and awkwardly greeted him. 

He didn't respond and just stared for a moment before taking a puff of smoke after that, he extended a hand, holding a pack of cigarettes. "Want some?" he asked.

"Huh? Ah... No, I don't smoke," you replied.

"Suit yourself," he said, putting the cigarette packed back in his pocket. "Can't sleep?" he added.

"Uh... Kinda. I thought that I could use some fresh air and buy dinner."

"I see," he said and puffed another smoke. Silence filled the air for a quick while before he spoke again. "Why are you here? You seemed not the countryside typa girl."

"Some complicated shit happened."

"So you run away?"

"Kinda."

"Hmm..."

"How about you? Did you grow up he—"

"Want some advice, so you can last here?"

"Huh?" puzzled, you tilted your head to the side.

"Don't trust too easily, kid," he said before puffing his last smoke and throwing his cigarette butt to the ground.

"I—I don't..."

"See ya," he said, then walked back to his apartment.

What does he mean?

Dumbfounded, you just watched him open his door and go inside. You didn't want to be nosy, but as you glanced into his apartment, you noticed ramen cups, junk food, and empty beer bottles scattered everywhere. Is that what he eats every day?

❀

The next day, you cooked lunch but accidentally made more than you could eat. As you sat at your dining table, staring at the container, you debated whether to offer him some of the food. He seemed a bit scary, but seeing his apartment reminded you of your life for the past months. You feel that somehow you're both the same... Alone.

You took a deep breath for the fifth time and stood up. "Ah! Whatever. If I don't offer him this food, it will just go to waste," you mumbled, grabbing the containers from the table and heading outside. You stopped for a moment in front of his door before knocking.

The music inside his unit is blasting as if he's the only tenant on the floor. Fortunately, you only hear faint music in your apartment, so you didn't have to deal with loud noises. After a few moments, with no response, you knocked again. Still, no one answered. Maybe the music was too loud for him to hear your knocks. After waiting a bit longer, you decided to head back to your apartment. Just as you were about to leave, his door swung open.

"Yo, kid."

"Oh, uhm," you pursed your lips in surprise. He's half-naked, and the button of his jeans is open, showing his boxers.