Soothing Waves

The city lights are glimmering, falling onto every puddle. Kagari disrupts their stillness with each step he takes. Rainfall hadn't stopped for a whole week, yet he goes out every night, making an attempt to connect with nature and reflect on his inner thoughts.

My nose picks it up so often, but this scent still gives me a high.

His train of thought gets interrupted at the sight of a figure. Standing under the bus shelter, a girl is waiting for a ride that might never come. He approaches her as his interest piques.

She's... totally drenched.

As he stands next to her, she doesn't bat an eye. Minutes pass while they sit in silence. Kagari breaks the ice.

"You know no one's coming, right?"

She ignores him.

"Buses don't come by at this hour. You should call a cab."

Still no answer.

I did my part.

He moves past her to continue his walk. Her tired voice stops him mid-stride. Words come out quieter than the night.

"I don't have any money."

He turns around. "You said something?"

She speaks louder as she finally makes eye contact. "I don't have any money."

He sighs. "I got nothing on me either."

She looks down.

Kagari reassures her. "I live close by. I just stepped out. I can grab some cash. Wait here."

She chuckles softly. "Got nowhere to go anyway."

As he begins making his way home, he can feel a presence behind him, matching his pace. He stops.

"What are you doing?"

No answer.

"Stop acting like a stalker, it gives me the creeps. If you're coming with, just say so."

"Can I come with?"

He facepalms. "You missed the timing. Do as you please."

She inches closer with every breath. She's next to him as they reach the entrance. Kagari looks at her. "I'll be back in a flash."

As he shifts away, she grabs him by the arm and looks him in the eyes. "Can I come in?"

He breaks away from her grip. Letting a stranger in my house doesn't seem smart. Who cares if it's a girl?

"I've got this overwhelming feeling you might kill me."

She gets sad. Kagari sighs. Why am I so fucking stupid?

"Alright, you can come in. I'll let you take a shower, dry off, then I expect you to leave. Sound good?"

A big smile draws on her face. "Mhm!"

She leaves a trail of water droplets as they walk up the stairs.

He unlocks the door and flicks on the hallway light. “Bathroom’s at the end,” he says, pointing down the narrow hall. “I'll bring you a towel and something to wear.” She nods. 

He comes back with his hands full. "There. Be careful though, the dial lies. Don't set it too high." She thanks him and disappears behind the door. The faint sound of the shower follows soon after, steady and rhythmic.

Kagari leans against the wall, running a hand through his hair. What the hell am I doing? Bringing a stranger home in the middle of the night like it’s nothing.
He glances toward the bathroom.

Steam creeps from under the bathroom door. The rain’s still audible outside, tapping lightly against the window. Kagari sinks onto the couch, staring at the ceiling. Feels like I picked up a stray cat.

The shower stops. A few moments later, she steps out wearing his clothes, slightly oversized. Her damp hair clings to her face, a strand glimmering under the dim light.

Kagari looks up at her, caught off guard. She’s... actually pretty.

He coughs and looks away. “Clothes fit alright?”

She smiles faintly. “Yeah. Thanks.”

“Good. Dry off, and I’ll grab you a blanket. You can rest for a bit, then head out when the rain slows.”

He says it casually, but his pulse doesn’t agree.

He goes in his room, then comes out with a soft cover. She sits in the middle of the couch, taking up the space. Kagari sighs, again. I was joking when I called her a stray cat... it's not funny anymore.

He lightly throws the blankie in her face. "Make space."

She complies. "Meanie."

"It's a damn blankie."

He puts on a show he's been binging for a week. They make it through an episode.

I can't focus... this is weird. It's like she's staring at me.

He looks to her, but she seems to be looking at the screen. He repeats the move a few times, getting the same result. Maybe I'm just imagining things.

He turns the TV off and walks to the window. "It stopped raining. This is your chance."

He looks back at her. She says nothing, but then her stomach growls.

Fuck me... Now I can't kick her out.

"Fine. I'll give you a meal, too, but don't expect anything fancy. I can't cook for shit. You okay with instant ramen?"

She smiles and nods. "Simple is often better."

He raises an eyebrow. "Sure, sure. Coming up."

He comes back with a bowl full of beef-flavored noodles, two chopsticks and a napkin. She looks worried.

"Is it really fine to eat here?"

He chuckles. "I do it all the time. Shows are better while eating, and eating is better while binging. It's a no-brainer."

She laughs. "Sound logic. Thank you. Digging in!"

"Enjoy. I'll take a shower, too, in the meantime."

"Oh-kay!"

Despite her hunger, she gracefully takes her time with each bite. From the cold to the warmth of Kagari's home, followed by the steaming shower and hot meal, she can feel herself dozing off. She sinks back into the couch.

Dread befalls Kagari as he enters the scene. Shit. I really messed up. There's no way I'll wake her up now. I'm not that heartless.

He accepts defeat and turns the lights off, then heads to bed himself. He's quick to fall asleep.

Kagari sleeps lightly. The rain still falls in his mind.

He opens his eyes and sees her standing over him, the moonlight leaking through the curtains. Her hair drips onto the sheets. She’s holding a knife.

She leans in closer. He can’t move. The air feels heavy. The blade touches his neck, cold enough to make him flinch.

A drop of water falls from her hair and hits his chest. She says something he can’t understand, then pushes the knife in a little more.

His heartbeat’s the only thing he can hear. He tries to speak, but nothing comes out.

He snaps awake.

He sits up fast, gasping. The room’s dark and quiet. Only the hum of the fridge and his pulse filling the silence.

Then a noise from the living room.

Something shifts.

A drawer slides open.

Kagari gets up, every sense on edge while he grabs a knife tucked under his bed.

An intruder? I better stay calm.

He opens the door, careful not to make a sound, heartbeat rising as he's inching closer. Someone is snooping around. I don't think they heard me.

He closes in, step by step, feeling their presence like an assassin. At the right moment, he lunges in and pins them to the ground, knife to neck.

"Who the fuck are you?"

As he asks this question, his vision gets clearer. It's...

"I knew you're trouble. What do you think you're doing?"

She stays silent, feeling the cold blade, but her breath is warm.

They can feel each other's heartbeats, both playing at a high tempo.

Their faces sit closely as breathing gets heavier.

For a moment, no one makes a sound. Eye contact is held. Breaths still heavy. Hearts still racing.

It feels like a bomb is ticking. Both feel it, neither understand it.

Then, the sound of keys. The tension breaks as a door opens. Someone came in. They turn on the hallway light, then they shout.