I woke up with the sound of the rain banging through my roof, feeling dizzy, it's dark inside my room. The rain grew louder and louder. I just know that the Café is closed today due to it.
I stood up, and felt my neck with my palm. I was still warm and my eyes felt like it's deep beneath my head. It burns as I blink, so I got up from my bed, my legs wobbling as I take each step.
It's still dark outside, I looked at the wall clock and realized it's still 3am. I quickly went to the kitchen, reaching for the things I can grab to balance myself out.
I opened the fridge to get some water, as I kept drinking it felt like my throat was dry, reminding me that I haven't eaten last night.
What am I doing to myself?
I placed the water back into the fridge and I fell to my knees on the kitchen floor, I could hear Mitto meowing from the living room, echoing in my ears.
I stood back up, reaching for the edge of the kitchen sink. As I try to get up each more, my body starts to weaken.
The food supplies, bills, money, all of these problems I have to face circled through my head which made it ache more.
I grabbed on for dear life as I reached for the counter top, when suddenly, my left foot slipped, hitting my head on the edge of the kitchen sink before falling down.
I couldn't do anything but just lay there on the ground, helpless. I slowly touched my head, my hand shaking. I looked at my hand, I couldn't see it but it was wet, not from my sweat but with blood.
Feeling like there's nothing I can do, I accepted my fate and closed my eyes as tears run down from it.
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2 hours later, I slowly opened my eyes and found myself lying on a folding bed, feeling a little much better. I looked around inside and saw that the place, it's unfamiliar.
My head aches again, and I touched it. It's covered in gauze.
Who would do this?
I tried to pick my upper body up as I can, and looked around even more. When suddenly footsteps from the kitchen started to grew louder. When suddenly, someone steps out.
"A-Ayako-san?" I asked, my voice weak as my lips tremble as I noticed him.
He went straight up to me, carrying a smoking bowl of porridge in his hands. He placed it onto the table next to me and said, "Haruto-kun? Are you okay?"
I admit, I wasn't feeling better yet, I was so low on energy. The stress in my head and hunger in my stomach keeps making my head hurts even more.
I slowly shook my head in response.
"Here, eat this first while it's hot." He said, moving the bowl closer to me.
He stood up and grabbed his newspaper and a cigarette. "You can stay here for as long as you like, I'll be outside if you need me." He said as he left the house.
I didnt ask more any questions and laid my head back again onto the bed. Thinking what happened before I came here?
2 HOURS EARLIER AYAKO'S POV
I was walking down the road, when I noticed someone laying on the ground inside Haruto's house. The curtains were being moved by the wind so I got a glimpse.
That's weird...
The most weird part is, he's just laying on the ground and not moving. Feeling intrigued, I went closer, it's dark inside but my eyes weren't deceiving me.
His gate wasn't locked so I entered, I got closer and closer to his glass door and looked closely. It was Haruto, laying unconscious on the ground. I tried sliding the door open but it won't budge. It must be locked.
I went to the back and saw a window open, it's from his room. It wasn’t up high so I manage to get in. It was much more dark in there, so I reached for the switch. It was a mess inside, and I could hear an animal, a cat from the living room.
I walked outside and there he was, lying on the ground. I was shocked when I turned on the lights in the kitchen room, his head was bleeding from the side.
I quickly tapped his shoulder, to see if he's awake. When he didn't respond I rolled him over to check his pulse on his neck.
I was surprised when his temperature was so high, but his pulse was still there. I pulled him to my back and gave him a piggy back.
I unlocked the front door and grabbed my umbrella. This boy has gone through a lot, I need him to be safe. I got to my house and I laid him on my folding bed insidd the living room.
I'll admit my back hurts after that but he was safe, that's all that matters. I quickly grabbed the med kit from my room and immediately went back to him.
I tied back his long hair, and started doing first aid kit. Minutes later, I was done. I went back to my room to rest and I also left him there to rest.
The rain was almost stopping, but still he shouldn't go to work today.
(End of pov)
Starving to death, I grabbed the bowl slowly and started eating the porridge. I must say, Ayako-san is such a nice guy. I'm so jealous of him, he can manage to live on his own without any problems.
I noticed the clock on the wall, it was 6:30. I have to go to work. After finishing the porridge, I went to sink and washed it, it's the least I can do for him.
I stepped outside, feeling much more lighter than earlier, it's probably because I finally ate something. He was there sitting on the bench where I would frequently see him reading his newspaper and smoking, that's what he's doing now.
I went closer to him, disturbing his reading time. "Ayako-san, thanks for taking care of me." I bowed. "I have to gow now." I said before I leave.
I started walking but he stopped me and said, "You shouldn't go to work today." He said, not even looking at me. I can see myself in him, being nonchalant, and I just shook my head.
"I need money to buy food and pay rent." I said before completely leaving.
I walked inside my home and it was a total mess inside, luckily Mitto was still there. I quickly went to him and petted him.
I neatly cleaned the house for a bit, and then fed him. I went to the bathroom mirror to take off my gauze, I keep groaning as I take it off. The wound wasn't that fatal, but it was painful, really painfull.
I hopped into the shower and cleaned myself. After that, I put on some new gauze and aided my wound. I locked the doors and my gate before I went outside.
I started walking, Ayako-san is still there sitting. My legs were still a little bit weak, but I can manage.
I arrived at the Café, Yuso greeted me from the front door.
"Goodmo- holy, what happened to your head?!" He said shcoked pointing at my head. I could tell how worried he was.
"Nothing serious." I replied and then continued walked inside the employee room. I changed my clothes into my uniform, when he suddenly came in, Hoshi.
My back was facing him, so I guessed he doesn't notice yet. I don't want him to notice, he will though sooner or later.
As soon as I turned around, I met his gaze, he's shock just like Yuso was at the door. He quickly went up to me and held both my shoulders.
"Oh my- what happened to you?" He asked, sounding worried. He tries to touch my wound, but I shoved his hands gently and stepped away.
"It's nothing, and why do you care?" I asked, as I walked off.
But he held my wrist, stopping me. "Can't coworkers look out for each other?" He asked, his brows furrowing. "Can you just tell me what happened?"
When suddenly, Rie and Jinko-san came busting in from the backdoor.
Rie quickly went up to me as soon as she noticed. "Oh my god, Haruto-san what happened to your head?!" She asked, her cheerful vibes turning into worry.
She held both my shoulders, and Jinko-san came running in as well. "What happened?" She asked, the same tone as Rie.
I hesitated for a bit before answering but, I managed to answer. "I slipped and accidentally bumped my head on the edge of the kitchen sink." I replied, looking down the floor.
Rie's eyes widened. "You what?!"
"How can you be so clumsy! It could've gotten worse." Said Jinko-san, I could tell she was scolding me.
Hoshi grabbed my hand and he turned to me. "Did you drink the medicine that I gave you?" He asked, his tone high.
I clenched my lips and nodded.
"Wait, what medicine?" Rie asked, tilting her head.
Hoshi turned to her, shaking his head. "He was clearly sick yesterday." He replied.
"He wouldn't tell us that!" Rie hissed.
"Haruto-kun, you should go home and rest." Said Jinko-san pushing me closer to my locker.
I quickly shoved her hands gently and slowly. "I want to work, I need money." I said, scratching my arm.
"Money isn't important right now, your health is. If you want I can lend you some." Said Rie, sounding sincere. I appreciated their concerns, but I want to stick with my choices.
When suddenly the, the door busted open. "Uhmm, customers are here, you might wanna start working now." Said Yuso.
I quickly left the room, leaving the three of them inside. But I can still hear their conversation inside.
"Why didn't you tell us he was sick?" Jinko-san demanded, her tone high.
"I didn't know, I thought he would tell you that." Hoshi replied, clearly sounding confused.
"Well he wouldn't do that, that's not him!" Rie replied.
I just ignored the three of them, and went on to serve customers.
LUNCH TIME
I sat by the bench, with nothing to eat but a water bottle in hand, expecting I will be like this everyday. Until he came inside. He quickly opened his locker and pulled out two bento boxes, which was weird.
I just drank my water, when suddenly he came up close to me. "Here, it's for you. I know you wouldn't like to share, so I brought you yours." He said as he offered me the other bento box.
"Why would you even do that?" I asked him, a bit annoyed.
"Because the only thing you eat are sandwiches or onigri, sometimes none." He said as he handed me his bento box.
He sat down beside me, and I couldn't do anything but just to accept it. "Thanks." I said.
I opened the bento, and I was surprised to see my favorite, Tamago-yaki. A smile escaped my lips, it reminded me of how my mom used to make this for me.
"You seem happy?" He asked with a grin.
I quickly stopped smiling, and grabbed the chopsticks. I took the first bite, it was nothing like my mom's cooking but the feeling was there. It made me happy a little bit.
"You know, I talked to Yamato that day, he told me all about you." He suddenly spoke.
I turned to him with an expressionless face, though I was shocked by that. I quickly turned back to eat my food.
After I finished eating, I gave him back his bento box. I stood up to go back home to feed Mitto.
"Where are you going? Can I come with you?" He asked, standing up as well.
"Why?" I asked, I didn't turn to face him.
"You might get into an accident again, you're still sick you know." He replied, almosy sounding annoyed.
I hesitated for a bit, but I finally agreed and let him come with me, just because he made me a bento box, and I appreciated it.
We walked our way to my apartment, when we got there, he couldn’t stop blabbering.
"So this is where you live, it's so cute." He commented.
I ignored him and opened the gate. "Stay here." I ordered him. He nodded and sat down on one of the chairs around the table in the front yard.
I quickly went inside to get Mitto's food, it's only gonna last him till sunday, I haven't figured out what to do yet.
I quickly poured it into his bowl, and he came running down from his sleep as soon as he heard the food drop from his bowl.
After I was finished, I went back outside and locked the doors behind me.
"You have so many plants." He said, glancing around my plants.
"You talk too much." I hissed, as I left him sitting there. "Do you wanna stay here or what?" I asked, standing by the gate.
He quickly got up and went out, and I closed the gate. "Oh, sorry."
We started walking back, and he couldn't stop asking too many questions again.
"So, what happened last night?" He asked, sounding curious.
I looked at him and rolled my eyes in annoyance, and I continued to ignore him.
"Come on, I just wanna know." He sounded desperate.
I sighed. "I passed out okay! My neighbor saw me and he took care of me. End of story." I explained.
"Geez, calm down. I was just asking." He replied.
I rolled my eyes again and started walking as fast as him.
We got back to the Café and went back to our work.
He was so annoying whenever I'm with him, but he's also concerned about me. I didn't ask for his pity, nor anyone else's. But still I appreciate them.
After a long shift, I went home, tired as hell. I opened the fridge and there was almost nothing to eat. I cooked what's there left, I decided to buy some tomorrow.
Maybe I can, I can send Mitto to the orphan house this saturday. He will be much more taken care of if he's there. But it also means I'm gonna be alone again. I have no choice.
I cooked a little bit of dinner, and realized there wasn't any rice left.
What am I gonna do?
That's when I had an idea, but it will cost my dignity. I took a small bowl from the kitchen and went outside, to Ayako-san's house, to ask for a bowl of rice.
I went to his poarch, still taking some courage to knock on his door. Then, I did it.
Moments later, he comes out. "What is it?" He asked, noticing the bowl in my hand.
"Uhmm, can I have a bowl of rice. I didn't have any left." I said, looking down on the ground feeling awkward.
"Come in." He said as he made way for me into the door. I never really know this man, I just keep seeing him sit on his bench outside his house reading a newspaper early in the morning.
He led me to the kitchen which was filled with foods, even on the table.
"Come sit here and have dinner." He said offering me a seat.
I quickly shook my head, feeling embarrassed. "No need, just a small amount of rice will do." I said with an awkward smile.
But he keeps on insisting. "Just sit down."
I obeyed him and sat down with him at the table. He grabbed my bowl and filled it with rice.
"Here." He handed me my bowl of rice.
"I-itadakimasu." He began and we started eating.
"I noticed your kitchen last night, you have barely nothing to eat." He said, as he chewed on food.
An awkward smile escaped from my lips as I looked at my food. And I just awkwardly ate there, with a middle aged man.
"When's the next pay at the Café you work for?" He asked, tilting his head.
"Next week." I replied, looking down at the table.
He chuckles. "Before you go home, I'm gonna give something to you." He said.
I slowly looked up at him. "What, what is it?" I asked, sounding confused.
"You will find out." He replied.
"You haven't been coming to the Café lately." I asked.
"Well I just stopped coming there." He replied which made me confused.
I took a big gulp, ready to ask the biggest question I will ever ask. "How can you manage to live alone?"
He sighed ans stared at me. "It's all about being contented in life, and what makes you happy. Just stick through it, then you'll understand." He replied.
I understand what he meant, but I'm not that type of person. After we finished eating I stood by his door, waiting for him to give me something he said.
When he finally came, he handed a plastic bag, filled with foods and rice.
"W-What's this for?" I asked.
"It's yours, I have a lot of supply here. They will all just expire before I get to eat them all." He explained.
"A-are you sure Ayako-san?" I asked again.
He nodded and patted my shoulder. I went outside with a filled stomach, and a gift from him. I turned to him again, taking a bow before leaving.
I quickly went home and brought the foods into the kitchen. I went to the couch, kneeling down beside Mitto who is curled up asleep on the couch.
"Mitto, turns out I'm not gonna send you to the orphan just yet. But when I do, I want you to behave there okay?" I said as I rubbed his head.
I turned off all the lights and locked the doors. I went to my room and onto my table. I opened my book and started writing.
November 9, 2023 Tuesday
An accident happened this morning, I bumped my head onto the kitchen sink, and passed out from exhaustion and starvation. Luckily, Ayako-san saved me, I'm so thankful for him, though sometimes I wish he could've just left me there to die. Both was a win win anyway. That guy, came with me to feed Mitto this noon. He keeps blabbering and it made me annoyed. After my shift, I realize I was running out of food, I went to Ayako-san's house to ask for a bowl of rice, but instead I received lots of food from him, thank you Ayako-san. I want Mitto to stay with me for a while before I send him to the orphan house.
I took the picture of me, my mom, and my dad. The food that hoshi gave me earlier reminded me of him. I know they're watching me, taking care of me.
I closed my book and went to bed, feeling a little bit happy.