The first time I see that girl is right after I finish hauling my suitcases to the front of my new apartment.
The town is still strange to me. An archipelago in the middle of the ocean, entirely funded by foreign governments to attract residents… and here I am, forced by my old man to manage a branch of his restaurant. It wasn't my life plan, but trying to argue with him has always been useless.
As I take a deep breath, I get the feeling I'm being watched. I turn my head and, in the doorway next to mine, I find a curious figure.
She's standing there, a pale hand on the doorknob, as if she can't decide whether to come out or go back in. Long hair, a purple so dark it looks almost black, falls messily over her shoulders. Behind round-framed glasses, equally purple eyes stare back at me, deep, tired, surrounded by dark circles that betray sleepless nights.
And she just doesn't look away.
For a moment, I'm at a loss for what to do. My mother always said to greet the neighbors, so I decide to try being sociable. I set the box I was carrying on the floor and walk over to her.
"Hi, I'm Kai. I just moved in, I'll be your new neigh—"
*Slam!*
The door shuts in my face before I can even finish.
I stand there, stunned.
"Seriously?"
I stare at the closed door, my expression a mix of surprise and a twinge of embarrassment. I guess I know what kind of welcome I'm in for around here.
"Whatever..." I murmur with a sigh, turning back to the boxes. I pick one up and shake my head, still trying to process it. "Guess there'll be another time to talk."
But as I lift the box again, I have the uneasy feeling that, even behind that locked door, she's still watching me.
[...]
Akari fidgets on the sofa, biting her lip. The noises from outside won't stop. the dragging of boxes, heavy footsteps, muffled voices.
The neighbors had already mentioned it: "Must be someone moving into the apartment next door."
For Akari, this is practically a death sentence.
Anti-social. Shy. An otaku. And on top of it all, always dressed like an alternative goth.
After college, she failed to get a job and now survives on the money her mother sends every month. The last shred of her pride vanished long ago.
"Maybe... I should take a look at my new neighbor?" she murmurs, glancing at the door.
But what if he greets her?
What if he starts a conversation?
What would she even say?
Just the thought makes her stomach churn.
Still, curiosity wins out.
With a nervous jump, Akari gets off the sofa, hesitates for a few seconds, then carefully turns the knob and pokes her head out.
Her eyes behind her glasses widen.
A guy with black hair and equally dark eyes is standing in front of the apartment next door. Young. Tall. Unusual.
Kai notices the movement. His gaze meets hers. He takes a step toward her.
Akari's body trembles. Her heart hammers like a drum.
When he opens his mouth to greet her, she panics and slams the door in his face, right as the words were about to come out.
She stays leaning against the door for a few seconds, breathing deeply, until she musters the courage to look in the mirror by the entrance. Her messy hair, her tired expression...
"A-a boy?!" she covers her face with her hands, distressed. "I was going to introduce myself like this... to a boy as handsome as him?!"
**[...]**
Despite the incident with the neighbor next door, I can say the move was a success. Maybe I should try talking to her another time... But what if the problem is me? What if she has some issue with guys? Better not to force anything. For her sake, it's best to keep my distance.
As I'm thinking this, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I sigh, pull it out, and answer.
"How did the move go?" my father's voice is direct, as always.
"All good," I reply, walking from the living room to the kitchen.
"Did you greet the neighbors yet?"
I freeze for a second. Tell him the neighbor slammed the door in my face? No way. He'd say rude people don't deserve to live in a building like this... and he'd probably want me to move. This apartment is in my name, but my father still talks like he owns it.
"Yeah, I greeted them," I say, leaning my elbow on the kitchen counter. "Everyone was pretty welcoming."
"Glad to hear it," he answers, not noticing anything strange. "Stop by the restaurant when you get a chance. I sent you the location."
"Alright. Later."
He hangs up without saying goodbye. I drop the phone on the counter and cross my arms, thoughtful. The only neighboring door is that girl's... and she literally shut me down on my first attempt to talk. Why does that bother me so much? We'll probably barely see each other, so I shouldn't care.
"Now then..."
I push up the sleeve of my hoodie and check the time. 3:30 PM. Still early. Maybe I should go check out the restaurant? Couldn't hurt. My actual shift isn't until later, and I still need to hit the grocery store.
I grab my phone again, open the message with the location. It's close, I can walk. Perfect. I push off the counter, walk to the front door, and turn the knob.
Before I leave, my eyes inevitably drift to the neighbor's door. I shake my head, as if to dismiss the thought.
"I hope she doesn't hate me..." I murmur, stepping into the elevator.
I lean against the cold wall of the elevator, arms crossed. As the panel descends to the ground floor, I think about my friends I left behind. They said they'd visit when they could... maybe I should call them later. They can't be *that* busy.
*Ding.*
The doors open. I step out, giving a slight nod to the residents entering.
"Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon!" they reply, smiling.
I smile back. It's just one certain neighbor who seems to be made of ice. It's weird how, since the first time I saw her, I've felt this strange urge to get closer. Am I becoming a masochist? God, I hope not. I shake my head, trying to dismiss the thought, and head out of the building.
The fresh air greets me. I pull my phone from my pocket, glance quickly at the street.
"Up the street..." I murmur, putting the device away.
For a city on na island, the weather is pleasant. I watch the traffic: motorcycles, cars, occasional honking. People in a hurry, people taking it easy. Every face is different. Probably because everyone here comes from somewhere else in the world. It's almost like Brazil in that way… but it's not Brazil, and it's not Japan either. Maybe that's what will make life here interesting.
After a few minutes of walking, I arrive at the restaurant. I look up at the sign: *Grind and Vinyl*. The old man really never lost his rock roots. The son and the father have good taste in music, that's what matters.
I cross the crosswalk, pull the keys from my pocket, and unlock the door. The entrance bell jingles as I push the door open. The place is impeccable, clean and organized.
I remember my father hired a woman to manage the restaurant, plus waiters and waitresses. It makes sense that everything is in order.
"Thankfully, I just have to manage this..." I scratch the back of my neck, sighing. "Good thing I have help."
As I'm looking around the restaurant's interior, I feel a feminine hand touch my right shoulder. I turn and find a stunning woman behind me.
Blonde hair that reaches her waist, a tight red dress, high heels, and a purse the same color. She removes her sunglasses and smiles.
"Kai?"
"Yo, Miss Anna," I reply with a slight nod.
Anna. The woman my father hired to assist me with management here. She's lived in this town for over tem years.
My eyes unintentionally drift down her figure, but I quickly look away upon noticing the generous neckline of her dress.
"You arrived today and came straight here?" Anna crosses her arms, her tone slightly scolding. "You should be resting."
"I just wanted to take a look," I say, scratching the back of my neck. "I still have a few things to sort out."
"I imagine..." she narrows her eyes. "I bet you haven't even been to the grocery store yet, have you?"
I let out a dry laugh.
"Bingo. I need to head there soon."
Anna sighs but smiles.
"Don't overwork yourself on the very first day. The restaurant isn't going anywhere."
**[...]**
"I-I need to go to the store..."
Meanwhile, in the apartment next door, Akari stares at the empty kitchen cabinets as if they were her greatest enemy.
Her heart races. For a normal person, a simple trip to the grocery store is routine. For her, it's practically a suicide mission.
She could order delivery, of course. But delivery doesn't bring the specific sweets she loves. Nor the purple-packaged chips. Nor that weird soda that's only sold on the local market's shelf.
Akari holds her head in her hands and lets out a groan of despair.
"Dammit, dammit... I can survive without a burger... but not without my sweets! Or my instant noodles!"
She paces back and forth in the small space like a panicked animal.
"My mom keeps saying I should learn to cook... but seriously, why?" she sighs, frustrated. "When delivery exists, it doesn't make sense."
Even as she complains, she knows there's no way out.
After a few minutes of hesitation, she throws on a black hoodie, pulls the hood up to cover half her face, and stares at the front door as if it were the entrance to a dungeon.
She opens it just a crack, peeking into the hallway. Empty. Good.
She slips out slowly, closing the door behind her. As she passes the neighboring apartment, her eyes falter. Kai's door.
Akari bites her lip. The memory of slamming the door in his face still burns in her mind.
*"Maybe... I should see if he's home and apologize?"*
Her heart races just at the thought. She feels her legs go weak.
"No, no, no... I'd die of embarrassment," she whispers softly, shaking her head vigorously.
She adjusts her hood again and hurries toward the elevator. But deep down, the feeling that Kai could appear at any moment doesn't leave her mind.
The elevator doors open on the ground floor.
Akari takes a hesitant step, keeping her hood low to hide her face. She quickens her pace, almost fleeing the lobby to avoid having to greet anyone. As soon as she crosses the building's exit, she shoves her hands into her hoodie pockets and mutters under her breath:
"I hope the store isn't crowded today..."
After crossing the street, she arrives at the market. She speeds through the automatic doors, grabs a basket, and takes a deep breath. She knows she can't keep her face hidden in here—it would make her look suspicious. Plus, she forgot her glasses at home, which makes her feel even more insecure.
While walking distractedly down na aisle, she ends up bumping into someone.
"Ah!" she takes a step back, her heart hammering.
**[...]**
My gaze shifts to the girl who bumped into me... and of course, fate decides to mess with me. My neighbor.
She looks up, and the moment our eyes meet, hers flush a deep red. For a second, I have the urge to pinch those cheeks—but I restrain myself.
"I-it's... it's..." she stammers, trying to say something.
"What's up?" I raise na eyebrow.
"I... I..." Her mouth opens and closes without a sound.
I give a half-smile.
"If you're trying to apologize for bumping into me, it's fine."
"A-ah..." Her eyes drop to the shopping list I'm holding. She falls silent, nervous.
I decide to look back at the shelf, but then I hear na almost imperceptible murmur:
"A-Akari..."
I turn my face.
"What?"
She takes a deep breath, as if gathering all the courage she has.
"Akari. My name is Akari... I-I'm your neighbor. Sorry about what happened earlier. I didn't mean to... you know... slam the door in your face."
"Ah, that," I shake my head casually. "Don't even worry about it, seriously."
She looks down, twisting her fingers in the hem of her hoodie.
"I'm not very good... with people..."
And before I can say anything, she takes two steps back and starts to walk away.
I watch the scene, intrigued. Awkward, nervous—it seems like speaking in public is almost a life-or-death challenge for her. Anti-social, shy... I wonder if she'll even manage something as simple as shopping alone.
After getting everything I need for dinner, I head to the checkout. Since it's the middle of the week, it's not too crowded. Looking ahead, I notice Akari standing in one of the lines. Her face is red, and she looks like she's about to cry.
"A-ah... I can't believe it..." she murmurs, staring at the floor. "I forgot my phone and my money..."
I walk over and set my basket on the counter.
"You can ring this up too," I say, adding my groceries.
I glance into her basket and almost sigh. It's just chips, instant noodles, candy, soda... and energy drinks? I shake my head, a bit incredulous, and point to her basket as well.
"Ring hers up too."
"W-what?!" Akari looks up, startled. "I-I can't let you do that..."
"Relax." I pull my wallet from my pocket. "I can tell you don't get out much. It must have taken a huge effort just to come here. You can pay me back later."
She freezes. Not because of the offer, but because I understood her way too quickly. She lowers her head, too weak to refuse, and just gives a timid nod.
The cashier, a smiling girl with brown hair, scans our items and organizes them into three bags. I take mine, and Akari hesitantly holds hers, almost as if she's afraid to accept. After paying, I leave the market and notice her following behind me with short steps.
"H-hey..." she calls out softly.
"Hm? What's up?"
"W-why did you pay for me...? We don't really know each other. You... just moved in today, right?"
"I already said." I look straight ahead. "I didn't want you to have to go home empty-handed because of that."
"B-but..."
"Besides..." I turn my head slightly, looking over my shoulder, "is there something wrong with helping a neighbor in need?"
She shrinks back, clutching the bags to her chest.
"K-Kai, right?" she murmurs, stuttering. "I... I-I've never made any friends since I moved here. So... d-do you want to be my friend?"
I'm silent for a moment. A girl I barely know, asking me something so direct... it's weird. She seems desperate for a connection.
Akari looks at me for just a second before glancing away, embarrassed.
"N-n-never mind..." she whispers, almost inaudibly.
"It's fine," I say firmly. "I'll be your friend."
"A-ah?!" Her eyes widen in surprise.
"Anyway, we're neighbors. It makes sense for us to get along, right?" I give a light smile, glancing toward the street. "Besides... I just got here. I don't have any friends around here either."
Suddenly, Akari flashes a smile. Small, faint, almost timid. But there's something different in it… a certain relief.
I catch myself thinking about how lonely she must be. Maybe even a little naive. But no… I can't take advantage of that. It would be wrong.
My gaze drops to the bags she's carrying.
"Is this all you eat?" I ask.
"A-ah…" She looks at her own bags, nervous. "I-I order some stuff for delivery too, sometimes…"
I sigh. This girl… does she really take so little care of her health? Why?
I run a hand through my hair, frustrated by the thought.
"I know we just met today, but if you want…" I lift my grocery bag. "We could have dinner together."
"I-i-is this…" Her face turns red in seconds. "A-a date?!"
I facepalm. *This girl…*
"Wrong," I reply, pointing at her. "I just can't let you survive on junk."
"S-sorry…" Akari looks away, almost shrinking. "B-but…"
She seems torn between refusing and accepting. Pure shyness. She doesn't want to let me into her place… but she also doesn't seem to have the courage to come to mine. Her lowered head betrays her indecision.
Then, very softly, she murmurs:
"I-if it's not too much trouble… cook for me too."
**[...]**
I brought Akari to my apartment, which is right next to hers. But… is this a little wrong? Bringing a girl I just met, on the same day I moved in?
No, wait… she's my neighbor. That should make it… acceptable, right? I try to convince myself of this as my eyes drift over to her.
Akari is barefoot, her small feet touching the floor, and her eyes are fixed on the shelf below the TV. Manga. Na entire collection. She seems to have found a hidden treasure. Her eyes are shining in a way that makes me smile.
"You like manga?" I ask, curious, watching her expression.
She gives a little jump, as if caught red-handed, and quickly looks away from me.
"A-ah, yes…" she replies shyly.
"You like games and music too?" I continue, while organizing the bags on the kitchen counter.
"Y-yes," she nods, almost imperceptibly.
"What kind of music?"
"Rock…" she says, almost in a whisper.
Rock… She likes rock. This girl… is she that perfect? The only flaw is eating junk? I sighed, pushing the thoughts aside.
As I separate the ingredients for dinner, Akari approaches the counter, leaning in curiously to look at the spices and packages I pulled from the bag. She seems fascinated but keeps a certain distance.
"Can I… help?" she asks, her voice quiet and hesitant.
"Sure," I say, smiling. "But only if you promise not to burn anything."
She blushes slightly, picks up a package of instant noodles, and steps back a little, watching my movements as I organize the ingredients in the pan. The way she pays attention to every detail makes me realize how focused and curious she is, even if she's shy.
Cooking for two might be a bit complicated, but I'll try my best. For Akari's sake. For the sake of getting to know this neighbor who, suddenly, seems like the most interesting person I've met since I arrived in this town.