My Neighbor Might Be A Hassle

My Neighbor Might Be A Hassle

The narrow space, between Akira's room and the side room at dusk, was shining bright with the lights from the sun's rays. The atmosphere was calm and soothing with a hidden sense of panic in it. Akira was taking out the trash–his usual habit during this time of the day. A girl was struggling with a bulky cardboard box, which looked heavy. It was fairly big for a girl with that certain body figure. It was probably his new neighbor. Akira remembered hearing from his landlady that a new girl was going to be their neighbor. This actually didn't bother Akira as much as it would've to any other boy. Akira initially thought of it as a hassle or something that he shouldn't get involved with.

The sun was dipping below the fence line, casting long, sharp shadows across the driveway. Akira, who was standing there looking at his neighbor, had stepped out of his side door, dressed in a plain hoodie—a far more suitable option for him than his crisp school uniform. He just wanted to drop the trash and disappear back into his room. After all, he never wanted to be involved in anyone's life, especially a girl, which could make him a generational enemy for her male admirers. This is one of the things that Akira describes as a hassle; hassle of getting involved with a popular girl.

The girl, struggling with a heavy cardboard box on her porch, lowered the box and kept it on the ground, revealing her face. She quickly wiped the sweat off of her face. Akira glanced towards her, hoping to see her face. Akira thought that it would be their last time meeting. Her face was cute and good looking, her skin was soft and white, her soft pink lips only enhanced the beauty of her silky pink hair but her expression was ice-cold. Akira's eyes widened with shock. The girl, next door, was none other than the new transfer student at his school, Risa Saionji. The girl with whom he just interacted so harshly. Her hair was pulled back messily, and she looked frustrated, her usual "Ice Queen" composure replaced by a slight flush of annoyance and tiredness.

Akira's body stopped like a statue, his mind completely blank not knowing what to do. Of course, the "Transfer Girl" didn't just move to his school; she moved into the house three meters from his room's door. However, Akira blinked once, changed his expression and composed himself. He definitely wouldn't want to be seen by her after reacting so harshly towards her. So, he made the obvious decision any sensible guy trying to avoid her would take.

He went inside his room, trying to stay away from her range of vision. As soon as he locked the door, the sound of a box sliding and hitting the pavement could be heard by him–a sign that his neighbor was struggling with the boxes. He took a deep breath and opened the door. No matter how hard I try to stay away from her, one day we have to meet ourselves, better it should be today. This was the initial thought of Akira. He walked out of his room; with a deep sigh.

"Don't leave those boxes outside," Akira said, his voice level.

 "If you leave them there, the crows will tear them apart by morning." Akira emphasised.

 A thing he first experienced when he moved into his apartment. 

Risa snapped her head toward him. For a second, her guard went down; her eyes widened with genuine surprise–the first real emotion he’d seen on her face. Of course the boy she seemed to hate, that too his schoolmate, turned out to be her neighbor. Then, her guard went back up. She stood up straight, brushing dust off her leggings.

"I was getting to it," she said, her voice regaining that sharp, defensive edge.

 "I didn’t realize I had a spectator." Risa said, looking at him coldly. Her pride won't let her just brush him aside. She had to say something cold to him.

"I’m not spectating. I’m living here," Akira countered, leaning against the railing of their apartment's corridor. 

"You’re the one making all the noise." Of course there was no way Akira was letting a girl take full control in a conversation. That too the new transfer student.

Risa crossed her arms, looking him up and down. She realized something. At school, he was the cool and silent guy–the impression she got when she first met him. She couldn't hide the fact that he was cool even if she never admits it. Here, he was just a guy in a hoodie.

 "So, the idiot boy from the hallway turns out to be my neighbor. Just my luck." Risa said sarcastically. It was her way of defending herself.

“Believe me, the feeling is mutual,” Akira replied.

 There was no way Akira would lose to a girl-a pride each boy has even if they never admit it. 

He picked up one of the fallen boxes and said “You’re supposed to be popular, right? Usually, that comes with a crowd of people willing to carry your boxes for you.”

 It was the most logical and sarcastical thing that Akira could think of. The atmosphere was starting to go dark as the dying sun was taking its departure.

Risa’s expression darkened, with a hint of annoyance. It was a hit to her pride. “I don't need a crowd. I handle my own things. That’s how I’ve always done it.” Risa has always been an independent girl, atleast, that's what she believes she is.

“Fine. Handle them quietly.” Akira said, keeping the fallen box he picked, on another box nearby and turned to head back inside. He had almost forgotten he talked to her just to help her with her struggle with boxes.

“Wait,” she called out.

 This was not anticipated by Akira. He stopped, his hand on the door handle, expecting something colder. Risa was looking at him, her guard still up, but her voice was a fraction softer as she knew he initially wanted to help her.

"Don’t expect me to act like we’re friends at school tomorrow just because we live next to each other." 

Risa didn't want this to start some weird rumours about her and Akira at school. I mean it already sounds suspicious that a girl and a boy are living side by side, that too, of the same age. 

Akira glanced back over his shoulder, a ghost of a smirk appearing on his face. He was plotting a serious comeback. 

“Don’t worry, Saionji-san. I was planning on pretending I don’t know you anyway.” Akira shut her down coldly–a taste of her own medicine.

He shut the door, leaving Risa standing in the twilight, a bit annoyed with her new neighbor. She glared at the door for a moment, thinking something, then looked at the box he had kept.

“Idiot.” she whispered to the empty air.

 Her eyes gave a soft yet menacing look at her neighbor's apartment door–the first sign that this neighbor was going to be very bad for her peace of mind.