Chapter 7 Tiring Day

The door creaked open.

…This is the place, right? Hiyaru carefully entered the house Neki had sent him the address to.

As he stepped inside, most of his minor surface injuries had already healed on the way. However, his hand was still heavily damaged.

When Hiyaru inspected the room he noticed that it was small and bare. A single bed, a few shelves, and barely anything else. It was really difficult to see too, the room was really dark, and after so much fighting, the only thing Hiyaru wanted was a bed. As for the smell? For some reason it smelled like cologne, which made Hiyaru confused but he thought he was imagining things just by being tired.

Right after he found it, his body gave up before his thoughts could catch up; he dropped his bag and collapsed face-first onto the bed. The mattress immediately sank beneath his weight. Right after that images flashed through his mind. The mission, the vial, who those mercenaries were, but most importantly, the man he had killed.

He sighed and rolled over, unable to sleep. His arm then brushed against something. It was smooth, soft, and when he felt around further, it felt…just like someone’s hair?

His eyes snapped open upon sudden realization.

Right beside him, long, silky silver hair spilled across the pillow and his brain stopped working.

“W-Wha—WHAT THE HELL?!” He screamed out loud.

He scrambled backwards, nearly falling off the bed and quickly hid his unhealed arm behind a smaller pillow.

WHY IS THERE A WOMAN IN MY BED?!

The figure stirred and slowly turned toward him, smacking their lips comfortably. As if it was the best sleep they had in a few days.

Upon closer look the figure had a sharp jaw, broad shoulders and was really tall.

It was a man?

Dead silence.

“…WAIT—IT’S A DUDE?!” Hiyaru looked shocked and scared at the same time.

Umm Neki has some explaining to do. Why is there a strange man in my bed??? I just want to rest ugh…

He grabbed the stranger by the shoulder and shook him.

“Hey! Wake up! This is my bed, you know!”

The man squinted his eyes at him. His expression was completely empty, and he looked barely awake.

“…Five more minutes, butler.” As he said that he turned away while yawning.

“…Excuse me?” Hiyaru snapped.

“This person has some nerve… WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING BUTLER?!”

The man tumbled off the bed with a loud thud as Hiyaru yanked off a blanket below him.

“OW—HEY?!” The man shouted as he was lifting his face from the floor.

He quickly sat up, rubbing his head.

“What kind of person wakes someone up like that?!”

“YOU WERE SLEEPING IN MY BED!”

“…So?” The man tilted his head confused.

Hiyaru stared at him.

“…So?!”

This guy is unbelievable.

“So what do you mean, SO?!”

The man then stretched casually, while standing up and brushing his clothes off, he was rather tall. His clothes looked really expensive and smelled like someone threw a bottle of cologne at him. The man had light green eyes reminiscent of emeralds. His build was athletic, and his hair was long enough that he tied it back into a ponytail as he stood up.

This guy is going to give me an aneurysm. Wait, he sleeps in his clothes? What a weirdo—no, that doesn’t matter right now… He shook his head and pointed at the man while holding the pillow over his injured hand.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘SO’?!” His eyes twitched.

The man lazily pointed behind him. “The window was open,” he sighed, staring at Hiyaru as if wondering whether the question was serious or a joke.

“…What?”

“It was open. I had nowhere to sleep, so I slept here. Mind you, your behaviour is simply infuriating, just so you know I have been sleeping here for a few days now. And I have not seen the likes of you even once.”

“Because this house belongs to my friend and my place umm is during the renovations right now.”

“Aha. You could at least try to make a decent lie, you know.”

I can’t keep up with this man. Hiyaru did not trust his ears or eyes.

“Get out, you homeless idiot!” Hiyaru almost facepalmed but right before that he realized he has just one usable hand and covered the injured one back again so his identity is safe.

“Calling someone homeless after throwing them out of bed is very rude, you know.”

“YOU BROKE INTO SOMEONE’S HOUSE!”

“Mere details. The place was empty and no one was here.” He shrugged and then nodded proudly.

“Get out before I call the cops!”

“Whatever, the bed is trash anyway. Solid two out of ten.”

He turned towards the open window and tried to squeeze through.

He did not fit. He fell down after a few more tries and looked at Hiyaru.

An awkward silence followed as they stared at each other.

“…Can I use the door?”

“JUST LEAVE!”

The door slammed shut behind him. Hiyaru exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair.

Holy shit… I hope I never see that idiot again.

Hiyaru then locked the door and window shut, turned around towards the bed...but all of a sudden fell to his knees as a fresh wave of pain shot through his injured hand.

“Owww! Fuckk I really need to sleep, this hurts so badly.”

As he woke up he was covered in sweat and every muscle on his body was in pain, especially his hand. Thankfully, he noticed the outside of his arm looked normal again, meaning the remaining damage was purely internal. He crawled out of bed and dragged himself over to the fridge. And it was…completely empty.

“Nothing huh…Well I'm not in the exact mood to eat anyway.”

He washed his face and noticed brand-new toiletries laid out, so he brushed his teeth and rinsed with mouthwash.

After that Hiyaru tried to call Neki.

No answer.

Busy, I guess. Or sleeping in late—knowing her, she probably stayed up reading until sunrise. Though she said I should rest. Healthy mind, healthy body, right? He stared into the mirror in silence.

…

…

…

Then he clenched his fist, while looking at himself.

I still feel bad about what happened, but I shouldn’t let it get to me. He was a mercenary, period. He knew what he had gotten himself into and understood the risks. I should focus on the next job instead as Neki told me. And put everything I have into making sure it goes well, when she informs me. I guess that today is my day off then.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket again.

If I stay here alone all day, I'm going to rot. Neki gave me a cold shoulder hmmm…I wonder what Kyoko’s doing.

He called her.

The call connected almost immediately.

Whoa that was quick.

“Hey Kyoko would you like to go—” Before he managed to finish his sentence he was cut off.

“HIYARU!”

A small, gremlin-like voice practically shouted through the phone.

“Ohhh Ame? Is Kyoko there?”

“Mhm! Big bro Yaruru she ish almosht heweee heheh. You know you know sish was bushy washin’ and singing in the showew abouchu muheheh.” Ame laughed as she was gibbering all that.

“SISHH, your boyfwiend’s calling! Eheheh”

“W-WE’RE NOT LIKE THAT! AND STOP LYING HOW MANY TIMES DID I TELL YOU TO NOT LIE.”

A loud crash followed.

“OW—AME! GIVE ME BACK MY PHONE YOU BRAT!”

Judging by the sound Kyoko probably tripped over something and her younger sister Ame was having a blast.

“I’m telling you to give me that phone! You’re such a bad kid for teasing your sister like that, you know?”

Hiyaru then could hear Ame laughing and begging Kyoko to stop. Someone was definitely getting mercilessly tickled.

A moment later, Kyoko returned to the phone.

“Umm heyoo, Hiyaru~” She coughed nervously as if nothing happened.

“Looks like that shorty still hasn’t learned how to talk properly hahah.” He smiled.

“Yeah…She learns every single thing besides the things she should learn. I mean, what kind of five-year-old girl hunts pigeons with a slingshot? Or plays survival games with her plushies… I mean she has adorable moments too, but still I’m worried about that girl,” she sighed.

He smiled softly and whispered “I’m envious of you, I wonder what it would be like to have siblings like…or even family.”

“Hmm, were you saying something?” Kyoko asked.

“No, nope I wasn’t. I wanted to ask though… um, are you free right now?”

“Ahh hmm let me think. Oh yeah I was just about to go shopping.”

Hiyaru looked at the empty fridge again.

“Mind if I tag along?”

“I’d love that! At least I’ll have a personal bellboy for all my bags hehe,” she announced

“Stop that or I might change my mind hahah,” he laughed.

They met outside the convenience store.

“Heyy.” Hiyaru waved at Kyoko. “Wow, it really suits you.” She was wearing a cropped white t-shirt under an open denim jacket and dark cargo pants. The wind blew her jacket to the side, and her long orange hair flew all around her.

Hiyaru, on the other hand, was in his usual everyday clothes: a white dress shirt with an unbuttoned collar, a loose navy tie, and dark grey trousers. His sleeves were rolled up past his forearms.

“Heyoo, why thank you, you are so kind! Did you watch that interview yesterday?!” Her expression completely changed to an excited kid who awaited their Christmas presents.

Eh? That’s the first thing she asks?

“Well, yeah. It was cool, I guess?”

“Ehh? Just cool??? It was amazing! Ahhh Director Kanzaki was lovely as always, um despite spilling his coffee and well… We even got to learn so much stuff. I don’t even know where to start. I mean I surely didn’t know Rivery had someone she liked, too. I wonder what kind of person they are? I wish we could meet up sometime and talk about our crushes, hehe…” She continued to give a long monologue after that.

“You really are a fangirl, aren’t you? Also, wait… you have one?”

“Oo—um, that doesn’t matter, hahah! Well then, shall we go shopping?”

“Hmm? Sure thing then let’s go.”

Kyoko sighed in relief as they entered the shop.

Thank God he’s so dense…

“What do you plan on buying anyway, Kyoko?”

“Hmm, lemme check my list.” She pulled out a small piece of paper covered in doodles.

“Oh that’s cute, you still draw?” Hiyaru went closer to take a look.

“Eh— You think so? Also you are way too close…” She blushed and started playing with her hair as she took one step away from him. “Well just a little but not as much because of school ahahah. Wait…Shopping, yes let’s focus on the shopping.” She tried to change the topic. “Let’s see, hmm we wanted to make a potato salad today so I will need tons of veggies like potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers.”

Hiyaru’s expression changed to disgusted.

“Heh, I’ll pass on that one after last night. I don’t want to see vegetables for a while.” He smirked while letting out a depressed laugh. “I will get some meat and protein stuff. Let’s meet up at the register. See ya!” He ran off.

“Even though I wanted to shop with you today.” Kyoko then pouted.

After grabbing what they needed, they met back up and headed toward the checkout counter.

“Card or cash dear customer?”

“Hmm let me…SEE???!”

Hiyaru froze.

He saw silver hair tied up and then inspected the worker carefully. The same stupid face from the night.

“…YOU?!” Hiyaru said in a dramatic but serious way as if this person had personally attacked him.

The clerk stared blankly for a second, thinking, before recognition suddenly clicked. “Oh. It is that rude guy.”

“What are you doing here? Tsk.” Hiyaru clicked his tongue.

“Working. Seems you are not just rude, but blind as well. Or maybe there is a problem in your head? Well, if that’s the case, I feel truly sorry for you. You monkey.” He smirked smugly.

“Mean to customers now? I'll leave you a terrible review, you homeless bum!”

“…Huh?” Kyoko looked between them.

Maybe they are friends? Anyway this is fun to watch.

“You wanna take it outside? Fine by me.”

“Bring it on.” Hiyaru stepped on the counter as he rolled up his sleeve.

People in the queue began complaining.

Hiyaru glanced at Kyoko, then let out a long sigh. He paid for their shopping, grabbed the bags, and headed for the exit.

“Aha! Running away! Hahaha!” the silver-haired man shouted after them with joy.

This guy is REALLY pissing me off.

“Um… was that your friend?” Kyoko asked.

“ANYTHING BUT THAT!” he snapped.

Kyoko laughed.

“I’ve never seen you this angry before. It’s kinda funny heheh. Also I was wondering if you would wanna go to the karaoke they just recently opened a new one nearby.”

“Hmm karaoke… I mean yeah I will be happy to go, it will fix my mood too.”

Yeah she is right, at least I will forget about this idiot.

She giggled as they walked away.

They stepped inside and heard a familiar voice.

“Welcome to Happy Karao—” The silver-haired man sighed, clicking his tongue. “You again?” He looked utterly disappointed.

Hiyaru stopped and stared confused as if this was really happening.

The desk clerk with the silver hair. It was the very same guy, but with a different hairstyle this time.

“ARE YOU STALKING ME?!” Hiyaru pointed at him while shouting.

“THEY FIRED ME BECAUSE OF YOU! SO I HAD TO GO FOR MY NEXT SHIFT HERE!”

The man spat on the floor.

“Get lost before I call security!”

“Oh yeah you will? MANAGER!” Hiyaru looked around shouting. “IS THE MANAGER HERE?!”

“You little—!”

“Hmm~”

Kyoko stepped between them smiling.

“Calm down, both of you.”

The silver-haired man looked at her.

His cheeks turned bright red.

“M-Mademoiselle…”

He straightened up, jumped over the counter and kneeled before Kyoko while taking her hand and kissing it gently.

“Why are you hanging around this useless good-for-nothing?” He fixed her with an unblinking, intensely earnest stare while smiling at her.

“Mademoi-what the hell?” Hiyaru gasped in disbelief. “GET OFF KYOKO YOU STALKER BURGLAR EVEN I DIDN’T GET THAT FAR!”

“DON’T CALL ME THAT! I just didn’t have anywhere to sleep!”

“SO YOU HAD TO SLEEP IN MY BED?!”

“E-Eh?!”

Kyoko turned red.

“You guys are that close?!”

“WE ARE NOT!” Hiyaru and the silver-haired man looked at Kyoko and shouted at the same time. Then back at each other.

“DON’T REPEAT AFTER ME!”

They glared at each other.

Hiyaru then noticed the man's name tag.

“…Sora.”

He pointed at it.

“Alright, I’m out. I’m reporting you to the police.”

“For what?”

“Breaking in. Stalking. Sexual harassment. And most importantly breathing and existing in the same world as me.”

“Aha! Go ahead! As if they would listen to a monkey with no proper manners like you!”

Kyoko waved cheerfully as she dragged Hiyaru out of the lobby.

“Bye-bye, Sora~”

“No wait Kyoko—” He twisted back toward Sora. “YOU BETTER WATCH OUT! IF I SEE YOU ONE MORE TIME, I'M CALLING THE COPS!!!” Hiyaru screamed as he struggled against Kyoko.

Sora watched her go, a sincere smile spreading across his face.

…She remembers my name. Her name is Lady Kyoko. Such an elegant and radiant lady…

“WHAT’S ALL THIS RUCKUS?! I ain’t payin’ you to daydream, boy!” a voice suddenly shouted from somewhere behind him.

Sora's smile vanished.

“Oh not again...”

“Thanks for being willing to tag along with me, Hiyaru, even though it’s getting late. I just wanted to look around.”

“Pche anywhere is better as long as I don’t see that annoying face. Plus who wouldn’t wanna see a model like you trying out outfits.”

“Geez, I told you I don’t do that anymore—it was just a part-time job,” she pouted, pulling the fitting room curtain shut. Once she was inside, pain flared through Hiyaru’s hand again. The bag dropped from his grip, his eyes closing shut against the sting.

Ugh, I probably shouldn't put strain on this hand just yet. My regeneration really slowed down, did I really overdo it that badly? I need to get it together. He hoisted the shopping bag back up with his good hand.

Later, Kyoko tried on a few outfits before settling on one she liked, stepped outside and showed off.

“Oh this one really suits you.” Hiyaru smiled while hiding pain behind it.

“My my, thank you hehe. I will probably take these then. Let’s head to the register.”

When they reached the register, Hiyaru asked Kyoko:
“You sure you don’t want any other ones? They have a huge sale.”

“Well, my closet is already so full I don't even have room for more clothes, haha. This one's an exception. I wasn't planning on buying anything but since you liked it I changed my mind.”

“I am sure they must look excellent on you. That’ll be 10,000 yen, mademoiselle~” Sora said as he bowed gracefully.

Hiyaru looked up.

Mademoiselle??!

It was that same silver hair, but in a different hairstyle yet again.

How does he switch it up so quickly?! No, that’s not important. WHY IS HE HERE AGAIN?!

“HOW ARE YOU EVEN HERE?!”

“Ohh~ Long time no see, Sora!” Kyoko greeted him cheerfully and waved as she paid for her clothes.

“Don’t be friendly with this pervert!” Hiyaru looked at Kyoko then back to him pointing at him.

Kyoko was dragged out of the shop this time by Hiyaru while she continued waving and smiling at Sora.

“I really hope I never see that dumb face ever again this time.”

Kyoko laughed.

“You never know~”

They walked off together, chatting as their shopping bags swung at their sides.

Across the street, a woman came to an abrupt stop.

At first glance, she looked quite ordinary.

Her mixed black and red hair was untidy, tied loosely behind her head with a few strands falling across her face. Thin red glasses rested on her nose, and she wore an oversized sweater with sleeves so long her fingertips barely peeked out from the cuffs as she gripped her bag. She clearly didn't care at all about how she looked.

The crowd moved around her. People brushed past, cars drove by, and the world kept moving, indifferent to her. But she didn't budge an inch.

Her fingers went slack. The bag slipped from her limp grip and hit the pavement with a heavy thud. Something inside cracked.

She didn’t flinch. Didn't even look down.

Her eyes were locked on one person.

Hiyaru.

She did not blink even once.

The noise of the street seemed to fade into the background. Everything went completely quiet around her.

Her dark pupils trembled before settling into place.

A creepy smile slowly formed across her face. It looked unnatural, like the face you make when you finally get your hands on what's yours.

Her fingers curled slightly. They trembled, caught somewhere between excitement and restraint.

Her lips opened just a fraction, letting out a ragged, shaking breath.

“…I’ve finally found you, Hiyaru~”