Chapter 6: Cold Feet

I could hear birdsong and see the light filtering through my window onto my eyelids, I guess feeling the warmth around me was the final push I needed to open my eyes.

And there he was, his arms still wrapped around me like he was imitating a blanket and I was the one with cold feet. Of course, blankets don't drool.

I attempted pushing him off, but it was to no avail. He would just hug me tighter.

"Alright, you win. 5 more minutes."

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I stirred the vegetables and eggs around in the pan then tossed in some sausage and salt.

"Whatcha makin'?"

Kanoe came up behind me and looked over my shoulder.

"Scrambled eggs with vegetables and sausage, you don't mind right?"

"No way, I love scrambled eggs! I haven't had it in years, I almost forgot it even existed. I'm not a picky eater, don't worry. I'll literally eat everything."

"Everything?"

"Everything."

"So, if I offered you a plate you'd eat it?"

"Wh- no. Why would I eat a plate?"

"You just said you'd eat everything, so everything is included into your diet. Even kitchen utensils and dishes."

"When I said everything, I meant everything edible. I don't think ceramic is edible."

I just started laughing, I don't really know what came over me I just did. No questions asked.

"What's so funny?"

"You took it so literally, It's hilarious! Did you really think I'd force you to eat a plate because you said you'd eat anything?"

"O-oi! It's not that funny! Oi, are you even listening to me?!"

"Ah, sorry. I guess it's been too long since I last laughed this hard, I got carried away. I have to admit, the expression you're making right now is priceless."

He kind of looked like a pissed off kitten, it's still cute even when it's mad. I say that in a respectful way, of course. It wasn't ill intended.

"How many years?"

"Huh?"

"How many years has it been since you've last laughed?"

"Probably around 15, I was still in high school."

"Then I'll make it my job to make you laugh at least once every day."

"..."

"... What?"

"Pfft, you're kind of a dork. You know that?"

"Oi! I'm not a dork!"

"Mhm, now grab a plate and get some food. I don't want you going hungry for the next couple hours and complain that there's nothing in the fridge."

"Okay."

The rest of our morning went pretty easy, we just ate breakfast and watched some TV while making jokes on the bad acting. We also talked for a bit, it turns out that Kanoe's favorite color's red and he was also raised in America so he knows English.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, after seeing the name of the sender I turned it off and put it on the coffee table.

"Who texted you?"

"Kaito."

"Oh. Well, try not to think about it. It's better if you forget about him right now, remembering it won't do you any good."

"I guess you're right."

"Hey, you'll be okay. If he bothers you again, let me deal with him for you. It's not like I can die, anyway."

"Even if you can't die, you'd be in pain. I'm not letting that happen."

"Physical pain isn't as bad as mental pain, sacrificing 24 hours of my life to save you months of torment is worth it."

"No it's not, seriously. I'll be fine, you just worry too much."

"Fine, I'll cave just this once. But at least tell me when you have a problem, you already have too many."

"Okay."

"..."

"..."

"... do you wanna get boba?"

"You're broke, remember?"

"Yeaaaahhh, but that doesn't mean I have to be the one paying."

"You're too cocky for your own good."

"If it helps, I'll pay you back."

"No, it's fine. I just got paid anyway, so I might as well take you."

"Sweet!"

"This is 2020, nobody says that anymore."

"Respect your elders."

"Ok, boomer."

"Ouch. You're too salty, lighten up a bit. Be like your old man here and have some fun."

"Pfft, old man? Well I mean, you are 98 years old." Kanoe scowled.

"I was making a joke, don't take it too seriously."

Somewhere along the way I started to laugh again, I guess Kanoe is that one in a million who can really make me feel like a normal person. He better stick around, 'cause this is probably one of the best days I've had all week and I'd like to have more.

"Okay, go put some pants on. You can't get boba in your boxers." Kanoe left the room and came back a couple seconds later.

"Do you have a belt somewhere around here?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Your pants are too big."

"I guess I'm taking you shopping as well then."

"Hold up, how much did you get paid again?"

"¥94,274." (He worked for about 6 hours this week, that's about 889 U.S. dollars)

"Dang, that's pretty well pay."

"Yeah, it is."

"So, what shirt should I wear? The crimson red turtleneck or the classic white one?"

I observed his outfit so far, he had pulled on my navy skinny jeans which looked like regular pants and put on my black leather belt.

"The classic white, you can put on my brown leather coat if you want. It'll add to the look."

"Wow, fashion trendy are we?"

"I like to look presentable, there's nothing wrong with that."

"Well, then you'd better put on something better than those plaid pj's and t-shirt."

"Oh..." I looked down at my clothes, "Yeah, step aside. I need to get to my room and pick out an outfit."

I ended up choosing my light grey skinny jeans and the red turtleneck Kanoe was contemplating wearing before along with my black converse and a sterling silver chain necklace. In my opinion, I looked pretty good.

"You look like you're a freshman in college, how do you do that?"

"Lots of sunscreen and trendy teenage clothes, It works."

"Apparently, we just stepped out of the apartment and a chick's already coming our way."

I looked down the hall to see one of my neighbors waving and walking towards us.

"Hey Miyazaki, who's this?"

"Hi Andy, this is Kanoe... my roommate."

"You got a roommate? That's so unusual, you hate people sharing your space."

"This guy's the exception."

"You're not going after guys too now, are you?"

"What? No, he's just a friend. Honestly Andy, you've been reading too much gay manga lately."

"There's no such thing as too much manga!"

"Anyway, Kanoe this is Andy. She's a friend of mine, we've known each other for a few years now."

"Hello Andy, nice to meet you." Kanoe bent over in a bow politely, "I like your bracelet, it compliments your eyes."

"Oh, thanks."

"By the way Kanoe, I should probably mention Andy's a lesbian."

"Yikes, my bad."

Andy gave me a strange smirk before turning around and walking the other way.

"Have fun with your new roomie Miyazaki! See ya later Kanoe!" Andy waved, turning the corner.

"I still can't believe you hit on a lesbian, you can't take a hint can you?"

"What? She never dropped any, how was I supposed to know?"

"She literally has 'I ♡ girls' on her crop top hoodie, how did you miss that?"

"I had no idea that's what it said."

"Is the little hetero thirsty again?"

"I'm bisexual, not heterosexual. And for your information I have been sex deprived for months."

"Well that's certainly unexpected, you could've told me earlier you know."

"It never really came to mind, I guess I'm just so comfortable with it that I didn't even remember it until now."

"I'm fine with it as long as you don't pull anything weird on me, got it? I don't want another 'Kaito' incident to deal with and quite frankly I'd still have to put up with you until you have a job and a new place to stay."

We started to walk down the hallway towards the elevator as we talked.

"I'm still kinda confused about this, and you don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but you said he violated your rights. What exactly did he do to you to violate those rights?"

"Uh, no It's okay. He.... uh...."

"Oh god did he... you know?"

"aH gOd No! That's not... just no. It wasn't anything like that, it was just a kiss but he wouldn't let me go and it was horrible."

"Did he have bad breath or something?"

"No, it's no so much the kiss so much as it was who it was with. If it had been someone else, then maybe I would've accepted it. But it was my colleague, and that crosses the line."

"Oh. I don't mean to be rude or ask an uncomfortable question, but was he actually a decent kisser?"

"Well, I guess? No, he was definitely a good kisser. I'm pretty sure even the most hetero person in the world would've thought he was a pretty good kisser. I just got so bothered by the fact it was Kaito that I didn't think about it much."

"Hah, I think you've had a taste of the gay life. Do I need to get you some water? I don't want you puking rainbows in the elevator."

"Oh come on, it was forced. How bad could it be? I'll probably just sneeze a little glitter once every few weeks, and that'll be all."

Kanoe let out a laugh as we got into the elevator and pressed the button for the parking lot.

"I'm kinda curious, what is it about other men that makes you think you wouldn't wanna date them?"

"Nothing. I just choose not to date men because I haven't had a reason to want to. So if I get a reason to want to date men, then I'll date men. No questions asked."

"I guess that makes sense, I never looked at it that way before."

"What about you, what about both genders makes you want to date them?"

The elevator doors opened and we walked over to our car.

"I like personality more than gender, but I have to admit, I like cute things and that includes people."

"Do you have a gender preference?"

"A what?"

"A gender preference, is it 50-50 or do you slightly prefer one gender more than the other?"

"Oh, I'd have to say I prefer men over women so about 70-30. Women are kinda snobby sometimes and most guys I've met have all been pretty chill."

"Huh, I guess. I haven't ever really dated anyone, so I wouldn't know."

"What?! You've never been on a date?"

"No...?"

"Ugh, I guess you'll need a wingman then."

"I don't need a pimp, Kanoe. Don't even think about it."

"Fine, but don't come crying to me because you need help getting a girlfriend."

"Have you ever considered the possibility that I can find a date myself? As a matter of fact, I've probably been approached by more women than you have in your entire 98 years of existence."

I pulled up into the parking lot and turned off the engine.

"Ouch, so savage."

"Just get out of the car already, the boba won't drink itself."

I stepped out into the sunlight and stretched my arms, relieved to be in the warm light. Kanoe got out of the car and we walked into the tiny shop.

"Hi, what can I get for you?" The lady behind the register blushed intensely.

"I'd like a lavender milk tea with boba and whip cream, what do you want Kanoe?"

"I'll take a strawberry milk tea with boba, whip cream, and strawberry drizzle."

I handed her my credit card and paid for our drinks, then the girl turned around and went to go make our drinks.

"Sit wherever you like, I don't care where you pick."

"Okay." Kanoe took my hand and led me to a booth by the store window, "Lets sit here, the sun's nice."

"Alright."

I plopped down on the seat and laid back while Kanoe sat in front of me on the other side. I assumed Kanoe's mind was elsewhere, because when the lady gave us our drinks he hadn't looked away from me at all.

"Oi, Kanoe, our drinks are here."

"Huh? Oh, sorry I was spacing out."

I took a sip of my drink, honestly it was the best drink I've ever had. I was definitely getting this next time as well. I heard some commotion going on in the background between the cashier and a customer.

"Something's not right, I'm going over to check on those two. Stay here."

"Oi, Kanoe! You can't just-"

Kanoe got up from the table and walked over to the front desk.

"...get involved in someone else's problems. Damnit Kanoe."

I listened in to what they were saying and closely watched the customer. Kanoe was right, something definitely felt off about him.

"Hey, what's going on over here?"

"It's none of your business, go back to your table."

"Is there a problem, miss?"

"I said it's none of your concern, go back to your table punk."

"Hey, just leave the lady alone man."

"Don't tell me what to do!" The man pulled something silver out of his pocket, and I panicked.

"KANOE, GET DOWN!"

He turned his head in my direction, it was the wrong decision. Kanoe took a bullet to the head right in the middle of the store.

The other customers started to panic, some screamed and others shielded their children's eyes from the sight. I knew he couldn't really die, but he'd probably either die from the bullet or need intense surgery. And that would be tough to cover up.

I needed to do something, quickly. There are more important lives in here than mine and they could all be ended at any minute if I didn't take out this guy.

"Hand over your cash or someone else's life will be ended." The man pointed the handgun at the cashier and she started to gather the money from the register.

I crawled out from my booth and slowly progressed towards the robber without him noticing until I was behind him. He must've heard me stand up because he flipped around and pointed his gun at me.

"Don't come any closer or you're next."

"I'll take my chances."

With my left arm, I put my palm to his elbow and with the other I smacked the gun out of his hand.

"Wha-"

Still holding his arm firmly, I moved behind him, grabbed his other arm, and put him in an arm lock.

"Call the police!"

I heard someone at one of the other tables say they had already called them and I relaxed.

"LET ME GO YOU SON OF A-"

I karate chopped the space between his neck and shoulder, knocking him unconscious.

"Oh hey, that actually works."

I let him go and used my chain necklace to bind his hands before sinking to the ground in front of Kanoe's body.

"Hey, you'll be okay, you hear? Don't die on me you little sh*t."

I didn't care whether he heard me or not, when he woke up I was gonna give him an ear full.