CHRISTMAS SPECIAL CHAPTER- The Echo To My Lost Time
Gently messing with the window, I manage to get the lock undone, and slowly open the window. As I do, I wait for the sound of a falling rock or pole to pierce my neck. Some kind of judgment for what I'm about to do. However, none ever comes. I sigh, somewhat disappointed as I make my way inside the apartment. The quiet of an unowned place of residence fills my nerves with peace. Immediately, I get to work, starting to look the place over. Immediately I begin making a mental map. A small corner kitchen, a small living area that currently only contains a desk and an old sofa. Sitting on the right wall is a door to the bathroom and sitting to the left is a door to the smaller than the living space bedroom, containing an air-mattress. Perfect. All I really need. I take a moment to sigh with relief at my good luck before setting my bag down in the bedroom and lay down on the air mattress. I look up at the ceiling, measuring out the different cracks up there with my eyes.
Hundreds of them, forming a mosaic of nonsense that sends my brain into a pleasant numbness. After so many days of looking for a new shelter, I can finally relax.
"Merry Christmas, me." I smile, realizing it's Christmas Eve. Or, well, it's almost over. I try to recall what Christmas Eve used to be like with mom and dad. Unfortunately, the only memories that come to mind are of finding the house aflame, their scorched hands reaching out for a nonexistent mercy. I remember the smell of their cooking meat. I don't…recall making a sound, nor can I count the minutes I spent standing there, watching the disgusting spectacle in front of me. Maybe that's for the better though. As I think that, I feel my eyes begging to close. Sleep…stop thinking and just sleep. I allow my eyes to close for the first time in almost two days when I hear a door in the apartment open. I shoot up, reaching for my bag and scrambling with one of the pockets, pulling out a pocket knife. I don't even consider the possibility this act may be seen as worth judging. I just bite my tongue and watch the bedroom door.
The sound of someone's feet tapping against the floor outside the room makes me shiver. I listen closely as it sounds like something drops on the floor outside. A bag, maybe? Shit…someone has checked out this room. I bite my tongue as I go for my bag. Thank god there's a window in here. I rush over to it while making sure not to make too much noise, trying to unlock it with the knife still in my hand. I hear their footsteps still going outside. I surely don't have much time. I feel my soul beginning to panic as I finally manage to undo the lock and reach down to pull open the window. I freeze when I hear the door open. There's what feels like an eternity of silence before I turn my head. Standing there in jeans and a red bra, a girl with long ginger hair and dead-looking green eyes stares at me. I feel my lips quiver, unable to make anything come out no matter how much I wanted to. She ends up being the one to start the conversation.
"You're trying to keep out of the cold, right?" She asks, her voice gentle, and emotionless. Almost like a doll. Slowly, I nod my head, not too sure what she's gonna say. She eyes me up and down, her eyes sticking on my knife. "Oh, Karminton. That's a good brand. Their blades are always the sharpest when you first buy them." The mention of the knife's manufacturer surprises me. She's…right, actually. That's why dad bought me one, so I could use it for helping him in his wood work. I nod along, making her smile some. "Do you want something to eat? I was gonna cook some ramen. I have enough to share." Again, I nod. With that, she backs up to the table, grabbing her shirt and putting it back on. "Apologies for the unexpected, erm, show. I was expecting to be alone." She says, scratching her cheek.
"...fine…I-It's fine." I move away from the window, retracting my knife and placing it in my pocket. I follow her carefully out of the room, watching as she places an electric water heater on the kitchen counter, filling the pot up before hitting on and letting the water start to boil. Meanwhile, she walks over to her bag and pulls out two cup ramens. Mushroom flavor. The sound of that makes my mouth water. I feel my cheeks turn red as she smirks at my reaction. I bite my cheek as I turn away. It's really not appropriate to be so myself when just meeting someone. Remember what mom said. I cough a bit, catching her attention again. "Y-your name. I want to know who I'm thanking." She giggles at that.
"Call me Louria. That's what mom last called me anyway." She winks, her face filling up with some life. She suddenly seems much less intimidating. With that in mind, though, it may be best not to just give myself over to her like that. As such, I remain in a state of attempted pleasantness as I refrain from saying anything else. "Well? You better tell me who you are. I want to know who I'm sharing dinner with." She repeats my own sentiment back at me, almost making me chuckle.
"I'm…Yuta." I say the first name to come to my mind. She raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it, but decides to let it ride, turning her attention back to the electric heater, watching as the bubbles in the water finally start to form. The sight is entrancing. I find myself unable to remove my gaze, earning me an undesired chuckle. "H-huh?" I sound genuine in my confusion as I cock my head. She shakes hers back at me, seemingly unwilling to share what has her so entertained. She does, however, give a vague sort of statement soon after.
"Simple minded boys really are the best." The water finishes boiling and she takes the pot's handle, beginning to pour the liquid in each of our cups. As she places two plastic forks on top of our ramens to keep the covers closed, she turns to me with her arms crossed. "So then, Yuta…what are your plans for Christmas?"
"Plans? Uhm…I was just gonna look for another place that I could stay. This doesn't really seem like a place where I can just hide anymore." I scratch the back of my head.
"So, you don't have any plans?" She says, making me deflate.
"Y-yeah, pretty much." I feel all my worries about politeness float away as she chuckles at me.
"That's perfect." Huh? Is she really gonna keep making fun of me? I feel a twinge of annoyance blossoming inside me. "So, spend it with me, ok?" The annoyance is quickly replaced by absolute shock. She…she seriously just said that? I gulp, not sure whether to accept or not. I mean…I do kind of want to…it's not like I can't just find another place to stay while out looking. Despite my hesitation, I nod.
"Uhm…sure. I don't mind doing that." I say, and feel my cheeks turn just the tiniest bit red as her face fills with excitement.
"Great!" She checks the ramen before handing me one and motioning for me to sit on the sofa. I do as she suggests, sitting down and following her lead in digging in, enjoying the feeling of something warm and tasty flowing down my throat and into my stomach. I sigh, and smile. Lucky me, to have ended up with someone who had a heart. I quietly thank the gods, or, I guess the concept of luck when I feel her steal some noodles from my cup. "Huh?! No fair, yours taste better! Is yours more salted?"
The night continues on, with the clock eventually reading 12 AM. Christmas day has begun.