【Continued hiatus】

Another boring day, Akira walked out of the 210 apartment and stopped. Maybe a hi.

He rang the bell. After a moment, the woman opened the door. Upon seeing him, she exclaimed and pulled him inside.

"I never thought you would come." He led her to the guest room. "Make yourself at home."

Akira sat at the edge of the couch and adjusted himself. "I had nothing to do, so I decided to visit you."

"Are you not streaming anymore?" she asked.

"Not these days." He paused and looked at her. "You know?"

She blushed. "Ah, yeah, I saw you in a perfume advertisement. My niece told me you were a streamer."

She stood. "Let me get you something to eat."

Akira leaned back, surveying the room. After a while, she returned with a tray of bakery items. She settled next to him and poured him some tea.

"T-thank you." Akira removed his mask and sipped the tea. "You shouldn't have."

"Oh my." She leaned closer. "You’re as good-looking as on screen."

Akira gave a crooked smile and leaned back. "Thanks."

"O-oh, I’m sorry, silly me. Why did I get so close to you? I didn’t mean to—"

Akira took her hand and smiled. "It didn’t bother me."

Looking at her up close, he realised she was familiar.

He let it go. She was complimenting him a lot. He just had to leave before giving in to his instincts.

Akira stood. "I will go now."

She rose as well and took his hand. "I—I’ll pack these for you. Wait a second."

He leaned against the doorframe, waiting. He could have refused, but the cakes looked too good. She returned with a lunchbox and handed it to him.

"There you go."

Akira looked through the transparent box at the pastries. He smiled at her. "These look really good. Thank you." He paused, almost blushing. "Do come; I’ll treat you to something nice next time."

She nodded.

He walked out, followed by the woman. In the hallway, the elevator beeped, and Jitsuko stepped out.

She paused, then approached him.

"Hey, Akira."

She looked at the neighbour. "Hello."

The woman narrowed her eyes at Jitsuko, studying her for a long moment before turning back to Akira, almost inquiringly.

"This is Jitsuko." He blushed. He wanted to add my girlfriend, but he held back.

The woman bowed slightly. "I—I’m Tsumi. I’m only Akira’s neighbour."

Jitsuko giggled. "Miss Tsumi, I’m Jitsuko. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

"Let’s go." Akira grabbed Jitsuko’s arm and guided her toward his apartment. She gently freed her arm but continued following him.

Tsumi watched them leave, sighed, and went back inside.

Night came suddenly. Akira looked out the window; rain poured heavily. He turned to Jitsuko.

"You could stay over, if you want."

She shook her head and continued looking for a cab.

Akira slumped beside her. "I have another room."

She chuckled. "I wasn’t doubting you."

The thunder roared, rattling the glass. Akira looked at her. "This brings back memories of when I stayed at your place."

"Yeah." Jitsuko closed her eyes, leaning against his shoulder. "I just hope something turns out for you."

He stayed upright, letting her rest. After a moment, she moved away.

"So, where is your spare room?"

"Guest room." Akira stood and led her there.

The room was just like his own, but cleaner and emptier. She sat on the bed. "This room is nice."

Akira scratched his head. "Dinner?"

"Let's make something." Jitsuko pushed herself off the bed and walked to the door.

They made dinner, though Jitsuko did most of the work while Akira assisted. The meal turned out better than expected.

"Maybe I should continue with my education," Akira said, looking at Jitsuko.

"Where is this coming from?"

"I think no matter what I do, I can never escape rumors online." He smiled, showing his canines. "I like my life like this."

"If that’s what you want." She picked up her fork. 

They both ate for a bit when Jitsuko suddenly spoke. "I’m not sure, but you get doxxed more than usual."

"Huh?"

"How did anyone find out about your relationship with your aunt?" She looked at him. "They even saw you and me together."

Akira blinked. Right? How had he not thought of that?

"It’s like someone deliberately looked into you."

His head felt numb.

"Isn’t that normal?" he asked Jitsuko.

"No," she replied.

He bit his lip. Normal? Do I even understand that?

Nausea crept into his stomach.  "I've been receiving flowers."

"What?"

A smile flickered across his face. "Haha, the apartment manager said it was—"

"Why didn’t you tell the Zeros’ management?" She stood. "The manager expected stalking but assumed you would have told them."

Akira hung his head. "I didn’t know what to do. I’ve never dealt with this before. It’s not my fault."

She said nothing, only sighed. "Let’s go to the studio tomorrow and talk about this."

After dinner, Jitsuko returned to her room while Akira lingered. He took a long bath, then lay on his bed.

The rain pattered against the glass. A week ago, he would have been streaming at this hour. Now the thought felt foreign.

He closed his eyes, drifting into restless sleep.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang—a short ring—followed by a knock.

His eyes shot open.

Who could it be at this hour?

He went to the entrance and checked the video intercom. Miss Tsumi?

His hand trembled as it reached for the doorknob. He pulled it down and opened the door.

"Ahaha… Sorry, Akira, I needed the lunchbox I gave you earlier." She chuckled nervously. "My son has to take it to school tomorrow."

Akira stepped aside, letting her in.

"O-oh, okay. It’s in the kitchen."

He turned toward the kitchen, heart pounding.

That doorbell… that knock… the flower person.

His breath hitched. "Doesn’t your son live with his father?"

"Oh, you remembered that," she said, a subtle, chilling smile on her face.