Chapter 10: The Happy Day

Meanwhile, Ryohei has been late for ten minutes after his lunch break ended. He was almost scolded by the manager even though those ten minutes did not differ much. The manager really emphasized the importance of punctuality and he encouraged his workers to practice it. Ryohei was unusually late on that day, which reduced the tense soon after he has safely returned.

Nothing could make Ryohei happier than being able to perform a heart-to-heart confession with Yuki. After they hugged for some time and ignored the weird look by the commoners, Ryohei led Yuki to a nearby cafe where he used to spend time whenever he was sleepy. The coffee there soothed oneself almost immediately, and the aftereffect was not as other coffee out there.

Ryohei paid Yuki's coffee, and Yuki finished it deliciously as a token of appreciation. "I will treat you someday," Yuki said and grinned in satisfaction.

They promised to contact each other everyday after exchanging their contact information - literally everything. Their mobile phone numbers, their email addresses, their current house addresses, and their workplaces. Ryohei just learnt that Yuki was working as an editor in a magazine publishing company. He got the offer from his client because the client wanted to see him during daytime too. Ryohei was worried that Yuki might get sexually harassed, and to his surprise, Yuki was afraid of the same thing too. Hence, Yuki requested to be able to just work from home, with the reason that he has already adapted to his house layout, and to learn new layout for the easiness of his steps might take long time. The client had no choice but to accept Yuki's request with another instruction - Yuki would weekly come to the office to do conclusion of his editing.

It sounded a little fishy, and Ryohei could not hide his hesitation towards Yuki's former client. However, he could not comment much as Yuki really wished to get out of that world, and the job offer was convenient to him.

"Anything happen, I will let you know," Yuki promised Ryohei to not mask anything from that day onwards.

They agreed to stay as friends, even though Ryohei vowed to be by his side and help him in any way possible. Yuki was too understanding that he concurred to let Ryohei befriending him. He was fully aware that he needed emotional support, and to hinder Ryohei from continuing their friendship was crueller.

Ryohei and Yuki parted ways after Ryohei realized he has past his limit of lunch break. Yuki ensured him that he would arrive home safely. In spite of Yuki's independence, Ryohei was still troubled. He did not want anyone coming to Yuki - anyone. Unless if he was there with Yuki, only then he would bring Yuki to meet anyone Yuki desired.

Suddenly Ryohei naughtily thought of resigning. He shook his head.

"Yuki-kun."

His working time has ended for that day. Other workers would replace him until the closing time of Niji Bookstore. He was in the changing room, reverting to his casual attire while his eyes was fixated on a book he happened to come across during work. Imagining the cheerful Yuki reading it, Ryohei did not think twice and instantly bought it.

"I found a book. I hope you like it."

Yuki on the other end groaned. He must be sleeping before Ryohei called him. Ryohei laughed at Yuki's hoarse voice, far different than his normal intonation. Yuki even complained for waking him up.

"It's already 6, and I bet you haven't had your dinner," Ryohei sounded firm, but he just acted it up.

There was a pause by Yuki before he murmured, "Yes, you are right. I have no idea I am this hungry."

Ryohei put on his cap and took his backpack. He was getting ready to leave and bidding his colleagues farewell. He held the book he bought for Yuki in his hand, half ran to the direction of Yuki's residence. He kept on imagining Yuki welcoming him with a wide grin and open arms, as if he commanded him to get into those arms.

No, no. Friends would not do such thing frequently. Well, the afternoon embrace was a special case. But this time, it was their casual meeting, and hugging was not supposed to be in the tentative. They were friends.

The smell of curry came out from the window as Ryohei arrived at the door. Ryohei sniffed in the smell and figure out on the spot that it was coming from Yuki. Yuki must be cooking curry. He neatened his attire and cleared his throat before knocking the door.

"I'm coming," as the reply from within.

Ryohei patiently waited. He still gripped the book in his hand. When the door was swung open from the inside, the first thing he saw was Yuki in his apron.

"Hi, Ryohei-kun," Yuki accosted him, as Ryohei has imagined, with a wide grin, "Please come in. The curry is almost ready."

It was funny, but Ryohei tried not to laugh too hard. His guess that Yuki might be sleeping before was entirely right. The proof? Yuki's bed hair was still there - messy and jumbled up. Yuki must be in a great hurry that he forgot to tidy up his own hair. Ryohei took a glance of Yuki's bed in the bedroom. It has been tidied up, far neater than Yuki's hair.

How interesting. This blind man prioritized clean house but forgot about his own appearance? Ryohei giggled to himself.

"Please be seated. I will prepare the curry soon. I may be slow, but I can do it."

Ryohei entered the kitchen to see Yuki stirring the curry in the pot. He made quite too much for two servings, but then Ryohei thought he might want to save some for the future, so he did not bother asking.

"You've done great, Yuki-kun," Ryohei patted Yuki's head, and ruffled his hair to straighten it back. Yuki's bed hair was laughable, but Yuki did not notice it as an attempt by Ryohei to tidy him up. "Your curry smells nice. It must be good too."

"I hope it will," Yuki shyly lowered his head as his face flushed. "I've been cooking for myself all these while, so this is my first time that I serve my guest my cooking. I hope our taste buds don't differ much."

Judging from the coffee made by Yuki last time, he doubt if the curry would not taste delicious. He got the opportunity to watch Yuki handling the utensils, therefore he was unsure if Yuki was doing bad in cooking.

As a token of gratitude, Ryohei helped Yuki serving the curry and plates of white rice for two. They dined in together while sharing their working experience on that day. Time seemed to progress fast as the sky has turned dark.