Ichigo stared at the "2806" plate on the door, brain still buffering.
Well… I'm screwed.
Suzu shoved the garbage bag into his arms without warning.
"Here. Take this."
"…Huh?"
"Trash chute's downstairs. Go throw it." She smiled
"…Yes, ma'am."
Suzu immediately chuckled and took back the trash bag. "Relax, idiot. I'm not into bullying." She leaned against the wall, hands in her pockets. "But seriously, wanna take a walk? I'm starving. There's a good place still open around the corner."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes. "You're making me pay, aren't you."
"Tch." She looked away, like someone who's found out of wrong doings
"I Knew it." he shouted pointing finger at her. "There had to be some catch"
He turned to unlock 2806, dialing the password on keycard like a normal human being.
Suzu watched him, unimpressed.
"…That's it?"
"What do you mean 'that's it'?"
"You just got your own place. First time walking in. And you open the door like you're entering a convenience store?"
Ichigo blinked. "What, you want me to crawl in on my hands or something, you lunatic?"
"Moron." Without warning, she planted a foot on his butt and kicked him over the threshold.
"Make it memorable!"
"OW! It hurt you psycho—!"
"Tch. Keep it down," she hissed. "You'll wake the whole floor."
"Whose fault is that exactly?!" Ichigo yelled from the floor, rubbing his back.
Suzu ignored him.
"Hurry up and change. I'm waiting."
Ichigo pushed himself up, then paused.
"…Come inside, don't just stand there. You're my first guest."
Suzu raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
"What's there to be sure about? It's just bringing a friend home."
Friend.
The word hung in the air for half a second.
Suzu's expression flickered—something soft, quickly hidden.
"…Friends, huh." She stepped fully inside, they both walked inside.
Ichigo stepped further inside, turning in a slow circle.
"Damn… it's actually cozy and warm place it really feels like being home." High ceilings, huge windows with city lights glittering below, sleek kitchen island, the works. "I owe Miss Reiko big time for this."
Suzu dropped onto the brand-new couch like she owned the place, legs stretched out.
"Yeah, you do. Getting an empty unit in this building is basically impossible." Her eyes narrowed. "And somehow she put you right next to me."
Ichigo gulped audibly. "R-Right. I'll… go freshen up real quick."
He vanished into the bathroom faster than a loading screen.
Suzu stayed on the couch, staring at the ceiling, arms crossed behind her head.
He's going to be my neighbor now, huh.…He's actually pretty nice to be around.Everything feels ten times more lively since he showed up yesterday.Hard worker, polite to almost everyone… well, except Ryo and that idiot Yamada…Wait. Why am I listing only good things about him?Not that any of it's wrong, but—…Why the hell am I even thinking like this?
A tiny, embarrassed chuckle escaped her lips.
She covered her face with one hand.
"…Tch. Idiot's contagious."
From the bathroom, the sound of running water.
Time-stamp: 9:58 p.m.
Suzu was still sprawled on the couch, arms behind her head, when the bathroom door opened.
Ichigo stepped out: hair damp and messy, white shirt untucked and half-unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves still rolled up. He looked like a magazine model.
Suzu raised an eyebrow. "You're not changing?"
Ichigo scratched his cheek. "let me tell you. i am not gonna share table with you when i am wearing such casual wear and you are all formal, no way i am going to embarrass myself like that"
Ichigo breath fire "So what, you want me to go naked?!"
Suzu tapped her chin, pretending to consider it very seriously. Three seconds of silence.
"…How about we just buy you clothes right now?"
"I was gonna do a proper shopping trip Sunday—"
"Tonight works too. What difference does it make?"
"It's ten o'clock! Everything's closed!"
Suzu leaned forward, grin sharpening. "What? You Chicken."
A vein popped on Ichigo's forehead. "…Fine. Let's go."
Hallway – one minute later
Ichigo locked his door. Suzu was already back with her keys in hand, leaning against her own doorframe in that oversized T-shirt and sweatpants combo that somehow made her look ten times more dangerous than any suit ever could.
Ichigo glanced at her, then immediately looked away, hand covering his mouth.
"You're… really going out like that?"
"What's wrong with this?"
"No.. its just, seeing you in in such casual wear..." he blushed and hid his mouth under his hand and looked away "Its just way too cringe for me to handle."
"You wanna die tonight, You bastard?" A large vein throbbed on her forehead.
Then she actually looked at him, properly.
Damp hair falling over his eyes, collarbone peeking out from the open shirt, sleeves exposing toned forearms… Suzu let out a low, appreciative whistle.
"That aside… you're kinda rocking the 'just-showered heartthrob' look right now."
Ichigo froze. his face slightly red.
"H-Huh?! What are you—You're blushing!" Suzu barked out a laugh, pointing. "You're actually embarrassed! Why?!"
"Shut up!" He rubbed the back of his neck furiously. "Except for Yui, I haven't had a single normal conversation with a girl since college started! And before that? All-boys middle and high school! Talking to girls and even flirting with them is no problem but...getting compliments is another thing.
Suzu wiped a fake tear, still laughing. "Didn't expect to discover your fatal weakness on day two."
Ichigo huffed, trying to look dignified. "Well… I do accept the compliment. I worked hard on this physique back in college thinking I'd finally get a girlfriend."
He sighed dramatically. "Never happened."
Suzu's laughter softened into a smirk. "Whatever. Let's go buy you some clothes before you combust, virgin king."
"V-virgin King…" he was raged but then smiled "no way i am taking offence from someone who lost bet to her sister for noot getting boyfriend over a lifetime"
"y-you...." sighs "lets just go, no more talk on this.
They stepped into the elevator side by side.
The doors closed.
Suzu glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
"can't get enough of me" He smirked
"No its just some soap still left in your ear" she smiled
Ichigo embarrassed, cleaned his ear "You could have told me earlier"
"Be grateful that i even told you"
She hid a tiny smile behind her hand.
Idiot.
The elevator began its descent into the night.