I continued walking straight from Haruhiro's Konbini. This small, dark, branching alley is indeed my route home. The atmosphere is a bit damp and tense especially when it's drizzling like this.
As for the light being a bit dim which doesn't bode well. Believe me, in a small alley if there is a place with dim light, it is not a commendable place.
Like the little shop on the left after I cross the four intersections. The place was named Kuro Ajisai.
(Huh… they still have practice even with updated Drone routes down to the alleys?)
Several young women were lining up at the place. They were all somber and full of despair. People say, that place is a place where women bury their regrets for not making good use of their youth.
Going a little further, past around six seven intersections, I used to see five homeless people camped out next to the corporate building. They, with small tents that maybe don't give too much warmth, always look at the plastic bags I carry full of hope.
Of course there is a reason why I bought a lot of buns from Dai-san. When I stopped in front, they immediately surrounded me. This is what I usually do.
"This is for Denbe-san." I gave him two large buns, one sweet and one savory.
“Th-thank you, Takeichi-san!” The middle-aged man in a red hat immediately returned to his tent.
So did four other people, Nobunobu-san, Uegaki-san, Hisae-san, and the youngest, Akio-kun. Especially Akio-kun, a high school student who turned homeless after his family left millions of yen in debt. Akio-kun's house was confiscated. Luckily, the two debt collectors were kind enough to buy him a tent and some small change. That’s the only Akio-kun have when I firstly met him.
They looked relieved. They are part of the living creatures that forage in these little alleys. I just pray that I still have enough money to supply these people.
“Take-takeichi-san,”
“What's wrong, Akio-kun? Is something missing?” I asked back in surprise. Only Akio-kun was still standing in place.
“Um… I think I saw a crazy woman enter the alley of Takeichi-san's apartment! ”
"Crazy woman?"
“Uh-huh. It was around six in the evening, when the rain was still very heavy, Hisae-san tried to offer a towel but the woman refused and kept walking. We thought she would like to join us."
All these homeless people were always a little scared and embarrassed to talk to me. All important matters, it's always Akio-kun who delivers.
I took four steps toward the tent next to Akio-kun. “Is that true, Hisae-san?”
A woman in her 40s came out of her purple tent. “T-that's it, Takeichi-san! I-I was worried about her situation!”
Hisae-san is the only homeless woman around here and a typical worried person. In the past, Hisae-san said that her money ran out because of the sedatives.
I told the two of them that I would look for her as soon as I found her.
My apartment is two blocks away. The apartment I rented for years is just a cheap apartment. However, I took the most expensive room. The cost is probably on par with the cheapest luxury apartments in Tokyo.
Located at 242-1101 Ikeda Minamimachi street, a building called Kansha Jūkyo. The fence uses an automatic iron fence with a scanner. Only people who have a Kansha Apartment membership card can enter. My apartment is on the second floor.
Believe it or not, the atmosphere is much quieter than the narrow alley earlier. Like a grave for an apartment building whose rooms have been fully rented out.
In fact, it's possible that if someone faints around here, then that person will continue to faint.
(What? Who is that woman?)
I was surprised when after entering the alley of my apartment, a soaking wet woman in black pajamas and long black hair that was a bit wet from the drizzle and looked messy was looking for something in a trash can. From behind her appearance looked terrible. I don't even know what to do if she turns around and chases me?
(Chiba you didn't see anything, and whatever it is is certainly none of your business!) I muttered to myself as I entered the apartment. Even though one plastic bag was full of bread that I had given to the homeless people, one plastic bag held in my left hand was starting to feel tired. Somehow, I finally managed to enter without bothering the woman.
I immediately got on the elevator while leaning for a moment. This woman made me think.
(Is that the woman Hisae-san and Akio-kun are referring to? Sorry, but I have no intention of helping a crazy woman!)
The problem is I'm selfish. I don't want anything threatening in my only oasis. My apartment room is the only place I don't have to deal with any kind of trouble.
(Just give up, Chiba! Even if you have enough, doesn't mean you can help others, right? After all, you've tried that and failed?)
The elevator door opened, I immediately turned right and headed for the corner room. Unlock the door, put the umbrella on the shelf near the door. Don't forget, I put the white chrysanthemum flower that was in my jacket pocket, in the trash. Relax, because that day with me has withered, After all, I have plenty of stock in the room.
After that,
I immediately arranged all the groceries. Then, wash and put the rice in the rice cooker before taking a bath.
After taking a shower, I quickly prepare dinner. I head to the kitchen.
“Miso soup, omelette, sausage and rice aren't bad,”
I immediately prepared six eggs beaten separately and then fried them. Then after that, four sausages while simultaneously mixing the miso paste into the beef broth, I kept it in the refrigerator.
In a few minutes…
#Bibibiubeeep~
The sound of the bit instrument that I set on the rice cooker suddenly rang. This is a sign that the rice is ready.
I prepared everything on the dining table. Two bowls of soup, two plates of omelette rice and two sausages. One mineral water dispenser with two medium glasses. In the middle I have placed a vase full of water for the white chrysanthemums. Yup, this is certainly enough.
(Hm…? How come something is missing huh?)
All arranged in pair. I've even turned on the heater which was just fixed yesterday.
“Ah! Ginger ale!” I rushed to get two cans of ginger ale from the refrigerator. I immediately opened the two cans and put them on the table.
When I returned to sit at the dinner table, I still felt something was missing.
(Oh yes!)
“Yukaaa~ Food is ready!”
I called the second time, still no one answered.
“Yukaaa~ Yukaaaa~” I went around from the kitchen, living room, bathroom, even Yuka's room was empty, then finally, to my own room.
“Yuka-“
As if my tone was cut off reluctant to continue, my mouth immediately closed. I should know and remember.
There is a small altar shrine accompanied by many white chrysanthemums. There are traces and photos of my fiancé, Yuka Shiragiku. I just remembered that I picked up white chrysanthemums from here. Yuka's smile never even goes out and is always the same as before.
(Yuka…. I'm sorry….)
I'm leaning back. While our past began to open again filled my mind for a moment.
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