The drive felt longer despite the fact that he's navigating through traffic with ease.
Renji slows in front of a building that stands a little too conspicuous for the neighborhood around it, certainly having its own identity.
"Okay… we've arrived, Reika-sama."
…Local health therapy center…?
He gestures Reika to get off first carefully. And in a way, slightly more polite compared to when he's opening the car door for her. Once the scooter is parked, they hang their helmets on the handle.
I see… the ride itself is not that bad… but he's right… it can be quite damp under the helmet…
While Reika evaluates the trip and smoothed her hair in front of the scooter small rearview mirror, Renji steps inside and rings the bell.
A minute pass before someone emerges. Fairly burly man, with broad shoulders showed up from one of the doors inside.
"Oh! Renji-kun—that's you?!"
"Heya sir, though, I'm not here to bring you any red buns, haha…"
"Never mind that! It's been a while! Where've you been? And why hasn't Tetsuo been picking up my calls?"
The man pats his shoulder, clearly showing familiarity. Until Reika walked inside too and stopped behind Renji.
And just like that. His eyes widen with assumption.
"…Wha…? You're here showing off your girlfriend…?"
"H-huh?! NO!! We're not—"
"Good afternoon. My name is Reika. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"O-oh… yeah… nice to meet you…" The man tries to match her formality. Then his attention snaps back to Renji with concern "Wait—back on topic. Why hasn't Tetsuo been answering? He's not even at the restaurant… Did something happen?"
Renji gathers himself and his eyes flickered toward Reika, which, she gives a small, encouraging nod at him.
"Yeah… Old man—Tetsuo… passed away… At the end of December last year…"
The man stares as if the sentence refuses to make sense.
"…C-C-come again…?"
"Tetsuo… passed away—"
"—What happened?!" The man tightened his grips on Renji's shoulder.
"An acc—" Renji swallows the words, then took one deep breath to rephrase it. "He… got a heart attack one night… when I found him early in the morning, it was all too late…"
Hmmm… that was unexpected…
Reika stares at Renji's face quietly, as if studying him once more while watching the conversation unfolds.
"…I… I-I can't believe it… Tetsuo…"
Silence stretches between the three of them.
"…I've… been handling things after he passed… I'm sorry it took this long to tell you… on behalf of WaraGyo, I apologize for the inconvenience…" Renji took a polite bow, and Reika too, following Renji's posture.
"N-no, it's okay, Renji-kun—"
*Riiinggg—*
A sudden sharp ring of a bell cut through the tense air. The man flinches, glancing back toward the interior.
"Oh shoot…! Sorry you guys… I'm still in a session."
"No, no… it's okay, sir… I won't keep you. I'm just here to pass the news in person…"
"I appreciated it, Renji-kun…"
Then Reika finally jumped in to help Renji bridge the conversation properly.
"Tetsuo is buried at Yanaka Cemetery… I'm sure he will be happy if his faithful patrons pay a visit…"
"Thank you, young lady… I'll find the time to go."
"Well then… we'll take our leave…" Both of them took a step back, bowed once again. After seeing them off, the man returned inside, clearly still processing the unfortunate news.
Then back at their scooter, Renji handed her helmet with forced smile.
"Okay… next stop…"
Reika climbs on behind him, once the engine hums back to life, she let the silence linger for a while. Then, almost idly, she speak.
"…I didn't expect you to lie that smoothly."
He reacts seconds late with a bitter laugh.
"…Can't exactly say Tetsuo was… murdered… You think I shouldn't after all…?"
"I'm not saying it's wrong… I think Tetsuo-san too… wouldn't want his customers to know such horrible thing happened to him."
"…Yeah. Thought so."
She let her gaze rest gently on the back of his head, as if trying to read the man through the silly helmet he wears.
Renji… sometimes I don't know whether you're sensitive or dense… haha…
--------
Next, Renji pulls over in front of a place with rows of balconies. A women's sharehouse.
"…His customers here too?" Reika asked as she put down her helmet.
"A pair of sisters… though I doubt they're around at this hour—"
He replies, ringing the bell and mentioning the room number until someone telling him to wait through the doorbell speaker.
"—Oh, never mind… looks like they're inside…"
One of the doors upstairs swings open, a woman with casual t-shirt shows up, leans over the railing, spotting him instantly.
"Oh! It's you—WaraGyo-kun!" Her voice carries bright energy as she waves at Renji. But walking down the stairs, her bright voice turns annoyed.
"We're not ordering anything today, so why are you here? Actually—why haven't you been answering? It's been ages! We had to find another place for breakfast, you know!"
The complaints spill out one after another, barely giving him space to respond until she stopped in front of him.
"…H-hello. Your sister isn't with you?"
"Sis still on her shift. Won't be back for a while…" Hint of amusement slipping in as she looks him over. "What's this? You're here to hit on us? Hehe…"
"Come on… no…" He glances back at Reika, as if asking for a rescue.
And the moment the energetic woman eyes met with Reika's. Out of instinct, the woman's tone falters slightly, minding her distance from him.
My~ do I look that scary…?
Reika thought as she put a wry smile.
"…Uhhh… So, what's the occasion?"
"Yeah, that… We came to let you know… Tetsuo passed away last December. So WaraGyo won't be up for service anymore." Renji voice is steadier than the first time he said it.
"…Huh…? P-passed away…?"
He gives the same explanation as before, same details, same restraint.
Her shoulders dropped, the energy drains out of her almost visibly, her eyes glisten, though she forces a fragile smile anyway.
"…Thank you, WaraGyo-kun. I—I'll let my sister know…"
With a nod, they exchange a brief bow, after watching she retreats back into her room and close the door, both of them too, leave for the next destination.
Then in the middle of the traffic, Reika hummed—
"…She seems like a rather pure one." Her comment landed weird on him.
"Pure…? What?"
"Is she your type?"
Renji let out a long sigh, already sounding tired of the direction this is heading.
"Please… Reika-sama… Can we not… do this…?"
"Hehe…"
--------
After a fairly short ride—they stopped at an old bookstore tucked between aging buildings.
Renji steps inside without hesitation, Reika trailed behind him, as her eyes wander over the narrow aisles and the faint scent of paper and dust.
…My first time inside a bookstore like this…
The owner is already there, waiting behind the counter as he looked at them.
"Is that you, Renji?"
"Heya…"
With a familiarity in its simplest form, Renji passed the news once again. When it's all over, the owner hit the tables behind him in frustration.
"Tetsuo… damn it… what's the hurry, man…" The man's hand tightens, wrinkles folding deeper as his expression dips before he forces it back into something manageable. "…I hope that he's… in a better place now…"
"Yeah. Me too…" Renji lowers his head, offering the same quiet closure.
As they walk back to where Renji parks the scooter, Reika pokes his shoulder.
"Hey, Renji… you're still writing?"
"Writing…? I do… whenever I was waiting your meeting's over especially…"
"What did you write?"
"…Eh… just some stuff…" Renji deflected the question which made her more curious.
"Hmm, are you writing something indecent?"
"Hell no!! it's just… some stupid stuff!"
"Stupid? is it funny stuff?"
"N-No... I… I can't explain it well, just... It really just some daily stuff..."
"So… a diary...?"
"Something like that…"
"…Hmmm… Can I read it…?"
"…Reika-sama… Nothing worth your time… I guarantee you…"
Once again, driving and blending into the traffic, Reika still ponders about it.
Hmmm… I wonder how you put what you see around into words… whatever… one of these days I'll snatch it off from you… hehe…
Despite her childish plan, Reika just put it off to rest for now.
--------
At the next stop, Reika found herself leaning on the scooter. Renji walked alone upstairs as the hall is quite narrow for two.
Then, a hushed voice from behind the door answering the call before it opened.
"Renji-chan…?"
"Oba-san, good evening…"
At Renji's tone that sound gentler than before, Reika glanced upward and observed from afar in this quiet neighborhood.
"Ah… but sorry, Renji-chan… I'm about to go to hospital, so I can't offer you tea…"
"It's fine. I'm just here to pass some news."
And again—The same words. But the reaction this time cuts deeper.
"…N-no way… Tetsuo-san…"
Tears come quickly and unrestrained.
"Yeah… it's… unfortunate…"
She sways slightly, and Renji steps forward without thinking, steadying her before she can lose balance against the door.
"…It's okay, Renji-chan… I'll be fine… I'll visit his grave…"
"Take your time… is oji-san home?"
"…His condition worsened and has been hospitalized since last week. I'm on my way there now."
"A-ah! I'm sorry!"
"Haha, it's alright… he's quite sturdy despite the fact… I might go before him, honestly."
"Don't say that, oba-san!" Renji straightens, stepping back with composure and bowed. "Anyway, I'll leave now… Please have a safe trip to the hospital."
He turns to leave, but stops midway down the stairs, glancing back.
"Oba-san! If you need any small fixes around the house… let me know as usual."
"Thank you, Renji-chan…"
"Well then… take care."
Reika watches him descend, and finally stopping beside her.
…Come to think of it… he's quite caring to elders… and really polite too unlike his usual conduct with me…
"Well, two more stops." Renji felt her loud stare, glancing at her while turning on the scooter. "…You want to say something…?"
"Nothing… let's go."
--------
"Another tight space," Renji mutters at the next stop, glancing back at Reika. "You should probably wait here again."
"Of course. Take your time."
She keeps her helmet on, offering him a small smile as he heads to the building, but before he could even walk the stairs, a stern voice come through the window of the first floor.
"Excuse me, who are you looking for?"
Renji startled and turns to him. "I-I'm here for the second room on the left upstairs. Just… passing some news."
"Passing news? Who are you? I'm the landlord here."
"I'm… a deliveryman. From the restaurant he—the tenant usually orders from."
"…Oh, you mean that college boy?"
"Yeah. Is he inside?"
"…No. The room's been empty since January. He got accepted at Kyoto University."
"Wow… that's amazing…!"
"He got in with a scholarship too… haha… even brought me sushi before he left."
"Haha… that's incredible… really…" Renji scratches the back of his head, a faint grin lingering. "Guess all those meat buns and wontons paid off."
"Still, I can't give you any personal details… if you want, you can pass the message to me."
"It's nothing urgent. Just wanted to let him know WaraGyo closed down."
"Alright. I'll pass it along, then."
"Actually, sir… there's no need… he'll be eating better from now on anyway…"
"Well... okay…"
They part with a polite bow, and Renji walks back.
"…Seems like one of your patrons has a brighter future than you." She prods with small sarcasm.
"Can it, ma'am…"
As he drives, she catches glimpses of him through the rearview mirror. That same expression lingers, refusing to fade. Like someone watching his champion cross the finish line after a long race. One filled with genuine excitement.
…What an honest guy…
--------
The final stop takes longer drive. By the time they arrive, the sun had already long dipped over the horizon,
"Oof, last stop." Renji ease the brake and locked the scooter. While Reika stepped down and glance up at the sky to stretch, then at her wristwatch.
7.32 pm.
"Renji… It actually took almost two hours… I'm glad that I actually tag along with you…"
"…Sorry… It's a long ride."
"Now I know that you're bad at estimating time… heh…"
"Yeah yeah… anyway… this apartment's pretty spacious. You can come with me if you want. Or wait here if you're tired."
"I'll go."
Together, they walked upstairs, and by the time they reach the fifth floor where Renji took a turn and knock the door, Reika slightly adjusting her breath behind him as she felt faint sting at the back of her heels.
…Wow… I thought five floors shouldn't feel this exhausting…
Soon, the door opens to reveal a tired-looking father still in his salaryman suit, commotion and voice of kids could be heard from inside too.
"Y-yes, who might—huh…You're the delivery guy…?"
A small figure followed and slip past under him, and brightly pointed at Renji.
"Ooooh! Dumpling nii-chan!"
Renji's expression caught somewhere between embarrassment and familiarity while waving his hand toward the girl awkwardly.
The father scratches his head. "Ummm… Sorry, I don't remember ordering anything… Come to think of it, are you guys out of business?"
"Yeah, we came to let you know WaraGyo has closed for good."
"Oh… I see. That explains it… I'll miss the food. Tetsuo-san finally retired, huh."
There's a pause, but now, Renji already used to the weight, said calmly.
"Sir… actually…" Glancing at the daughter who looked at them with innocent eyes, still hugging the father's leg. Renji adjusts his tone and words this time.
He re-tells the heavy news with indirect words.
…So he IS aware… mature much, I see… looks like I'm worried over nothing…
Reika smiled at their exchange, and relaxed her hand as she's about to intervene and refrain Renji from speaking too much in front of a kid.
"… That's… I'm sorry for your loss…"
"Thank you. That's all I came to say… Have a good evening, sir."
They exchange bows, and just as they're about to leave—
"… Onee-chan… you brought dumplings too? I want the round… golden one…" The daughter has already crossed the distance and stopping right in front of Reika. Her small hand tugs lightly at her trousers.
"…Ah, u-ummmm… I-I'm sorry. I don't have any dumplings, little miss…" Reika stammered as she just patted her small head.
"O-oi—" The father quickly lifts her, offering an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that, this little one is always—"
"I-it's alright… she's a cute girl."
"…Hehe… is that so…" The father smiled sheepishly.
The girl pouts slightly in his arms and mumbled. "… Father… no more dumplings…?"
Renji and Reika exchange a glance. Then, almost in sync, offer a helpless smile.
They take their leave soon after, the father sees them off walking down the stairs as the daughter waving at them with her tiny palm.
Back on the scooter, both of them already took seat and about to head back. Renji teases with hint of amusement slipping through.
"Reika-sama not good with kids?"
"Huh? I handle children just fine. She just caught me off guard."
"Is that so… Onee-chan…"
"Yes, dumpling nii-chan."
A soft laugh escapes both of them, carried away by the night air as he pulls onto the main road.
"So that's all of them…? Tetsuo-san's regulars?"
"…Yeah…"
"They all seemed like good people."
"…They are…"
A brief pause. And Reika let her body relaxed while watching the scenery around her blurred in streaks.
…So this is what you guys always see… such… a… gentle world…
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