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His hunched figure elicited a feeling of pity that never left, a sorrowful gaze. Always sat somewhere in passing, staring, eating a paltry meal, twiddling with hair, choking back tears. Notable when not around, occupying the mind instead. Suffering in silence at every pass-by on the streets.
It was decided in an instant with the turn of a hip. Today he wasn't to be passed by and instead met with. Looking down showed the head of a man who was sure to be discontent with life yet sat with an eerie stillness. A supposed attempt to feign indifference and ignorance, one failed.
"Do you want a roof under your head tonight?" Admittedly tactless. Still, it drew out a response from the man sitting below. A solemn stare, one that was betrayed by wetted eyes. Those eyes held still for a couple of seconds before rising.
Distressing was the stare that had swapped between two feet upwards to downwards. With that change came the insinuation of harm as his face became stern and surly. Muscles flexed under baggy attire as he hunched forward. Far too close for comfort, but that was quickly dispelled.
"I said do you want a roof under your head tonight." Even less tactful, that falsified cold exterior necessitated being cracked. Crack it did as it was replaced with a pensive one. One that was taking far too long to respond despite the obvious answer. His gaze would have been more oppressive if it didn't feel like it stopped looking at anything in particular.
"Fine, yes." He relented. Shoulders reaching back to a less hunched but still slouched position as he sighed. "Lead the way." An initial step forward down the walkway produced another in tow. A sigh of relief was withheld knowing that there was the possibility of troubles worse than a momentary spurning, even if the current agreeance was delightful.
The amount of eyes that were placed on him in passing was irritating.
A giggle was suppressed while watching him duck down to enter through the front door. There was a surprising showing of politeness as he took off his sandals upon stepping in. Said showing discarded as he wordlessly walked past into the living room. Then further to the closest door, opening then looking inside just to shut it.
Ah, "the bathroom is over there" with the addition of a guiding hand. A sparing glance was given before he strode over to his destination and disappeared inside. The realization of an utter lack of planning came with the sound of a bath being drawn. There were no clothes for him to wear after the bath. The sound of a washing machine starting up alleviated stress for just a moment but, the clothes would still be wet after...
Before the many cascading thoughts and issues became overwhelming a reminder came through a growling stomach, it was time to make dinner. Today was the day special enough to cook a wholehearted meal. Skipping a little bit to the fridge for the ingredients. Pork, sake, ginger, spices, and assorted veggies were all laid out on the table.
The pork was cut into small slices and coated with sake and ginger juice to be soaked. Right next to it a bowl of sake, soy sauce, and garnishes were mixed to serve as the sauce. It was dumped into a small pot to reduce as the veggies got their turn. Broccoli, cabbage, and carrots were all fried in the pan before their meat contemporary.
Dining ware placed on separate sides of the table. Fried veggies placed on the plates. Pork placed into pan and cooked till edges start to brown, flipped. Pork taken out and left on holding plate. Fire set on medium as reduced sauce is introduced to pan. Pork put back in for fi- "That looks good"
A prompt turn around led to a startling feast for the eyes. He was there, wearing two towels, one covering his important bits and the second running along the extensive length of his hair. Everything else was laid bare for the eyes to see. Far too much to look at with an unprepared mind. It created a bashful necessity to avert the eyes it drew.
"The meat will burn if you don't get to it now." Thankfully, an out was given which let attention be given to less provocative sights. Meat was cycled through the sauce as the man behind pulled out a chair to sit. Along with it the feeling of eyes prickling wherever he stared. The unease helped hurry the process of finishing the rest of the pork.
This time turning around led to a faintly less disconcerting sight. For some odd reason, the sitting man had transferred the towel that was covering his hair to over his chest. No explanation could come to mind as to why. But the strange change made his presence the tiniest bit less daunting. Which made sitting down at the table easier.
His hands darted for the plate of pork placed between each side of the table; taking enough pieces to fill his plate. Then beginning to eat without a single word of courtesy, not that it was expected. Continuing to watch as he ate was a waste however. The food was not only for him, it was time to eat.
Everything tasted as expected, being the one who made it there would be a problem if it didn't. Yet, even though this skill was practiced and planned he didn't react to it. At the very least the food wasn't refused, even if unthanked. It did seem he enjoyed it as the plate started to empty.
Eventually the plate did empty and he got up from his seat to walk past. There was an attempt to pay no mind until the sound of the water flowing drew it. Upon turning around to look at his back it became apparent that he had started... doing the dishes. It was peculiar how his manners had been shown up till now. But finishing dinner should come before thinking about it.
The sound of dishes being cleaned continued, slowly becoming accompanying background noise. Until it stretched on for an unnatural length of time. Turning around showed that he decided to also deal with the pot, pan, and bowl used to make the meal. It was satisfying to not have to deal with dishwashing after dinner, which was just finished.
The sight of his hand jutting past to grab a dirty plate was startling as it was soothing. It was obvious where he was going, no need to turn around. With the burden of dishwashing relieved a new task had to be chosen. It was convenient that the washing machine had stopped making sounds a good while ago.
Heading over and popping open the washing machine produced his clothes, the only ones he was ever seen wearing. This time they were as clean as one could desire. Thoroughly washed of all the trials and tribulations of homelessness. With hope the man who wore it would also be abl- "Let me deal with that"
The ability to hide his presence would have been commendable if it wasn't so damn alarming. Taking his clothes out of the hands that held them before any resistance could be made. "Where is the drying machine?" In a voice that felt half like a demand. It felt a bit wrong to tell him "This apartment has no drying machine."
A faint discontented frown spread across his face. It was what seemed to be the first genuine emotion he decided to show, wasted on this. Before it could linger he had turned away and walked out of the bathroom clothes in hand. Peeking outside of the door showed him hanging up his clothes during the last rays of the evening sun. It could've been a picture worthy sight if his face wasn't now unbidden with pure frustration, a little terrifying.
His face was back to normal the moment he stepped back inside. As if it would change what the leering eyes he became aware of saw. It was puzzling how he would cover over his feelings yet lacked cover when it came to actions. Paying back goodwill in the small ways he could while seeming to be concerned with appearance while doing it. Did he know decency beyond hiding himself?
That was shown again as he turned for the couch to take a seat, trying to act as if he wasn't acting. It was irritating that he was still guarding his emotions. It was like he was so unfamiliar with compassion that he didn't know how to react. A short temper being covered over as if any manifestation of emotion would punish him. Did he understand that this invitation wasn't based on fickle feelings or benefit?
No conversation or connection was made after all of this time. The closest moment was the food comment said in what sounded like impulse. The opportunity to speak couldn't be let to pass. Even if he sat there appearing to hope that he would be left alone. The seat next to him was taken.
Hands twiddled with hair as his head pointed away in an attempt to avoid confrontation, again failed. "If you don't mind me asking, why are you homeless?" The twiddling stopped and he somehow became even more silent than before. Neck muscles twitching in indecision over whether to turn or not.
The decision to not turn won out as he spoke. "Because I am terrified for my life." He still refused to turn despite the revelation that was dropped, seeming to be at unease. "Why?" Was the obvious thing to ask next with how curiosity inducing his statement was.
He seemed to tense up even more at the question. It became apparent that he did think showing himself would be an invitation to be kicked out. "It's alright, I won't kick you out or hate you for telling me." A little bit of the tension seeped out of him upon hearing that. But he still struggled to open his mouth even now.
"Have you heard of the worm?" There was no possible way what was going to be said was good, but a promise was made. "Yes, what about them?" His eyes looked over for the first time since sitting in a rather transparent manner. It was clear that he was attempting to gauge the reaction.
"I was head of the worm branch in Japan" Oh, oh God, it was hard to keep level headed, the worm was in Japan too. "Was?" He kept staring, "I ran from the position after failing." It was becoming too much information to deal with, shock mixing in. "So they want you dead."
"Not just them, also the association I had to target as the head, the Kengan Association." Shock finally spread over to what was exposed in sight and he reacted accordingly "I'm sorry, I tried to scare you off at first." The statement helped build back lost composure. Even if it didn't change the current situation.
"That... doesn't matter anymore." At least he wasn't a threat himself. His baggage however was an incredible danger, it was... admirable. The little heard about him and the much seen was larger than life. He had let go of so much information with a little coaxing despite the agreement only being about a single night. It was akin to a cry for help, but nothing more co- unless.
"This Kengan association, are they righteous?" He seemed to be taken aback, turning to face forward. "They certainly see themselves as that." There was no way that he would like what came next. "Can't you defect to them and become an informant then?" It was his turn to have a face laden with shock.
"B- what if, they." It was clear that the idea scared him, but. "Do you think you could hide from either side forever?" He went silent, the suggestion had reached him and he was deep in thought. Some time alone was required for him to think, convenient. "Be right back" while standing up, then walking over to a nearby closet.
Upon grabbing a blanket and walking back he was still in deep thought, too long. The blanket was placed in front of him "What is your name?" He looked up rather blankly "Xia Ji." Great, "Do you know the closest location of that Kengan Association?" This time he paused before answering "yes". Fantastic, "Alright Ji, I am going to retire to my room. If in the morning you decide that you want to turn yourself in. I can drive you there."
His look of disbelief was rather entertaining. It was nothing to watch for too long however. Today was eventful but not exhausting, exhilarating. Into the bedroom and off with the lights. The only thing thought about while going to bed was hoping that he wouldn't leave.
That comfort was given this morning. He was still here, sitting on the couch, fully dressed. It was a pleasant sight even if the clothes didn't suit him. Far less disconcerting than last night to the point he felt... friendly even. He had made the decision to stay, a warm fact, even if it was for assistance.
"So you want to try. Are you ready for the ride?" He stood up from the couch "Yes, I can't live like this anymore." Having such a strong looking man depend on another's help was rather cute. "Alright then, let's go." Upon walking past his footsteps resounded in tow for a second time. This time a light giggle wasn't suppressed watching him duck under the door frame.
It was a warm and sunny day outside. The best of days for relaxation and recreation. A shame that it had to be wasted with a looming confrontation. Though today had a good chance of going well. Too much thinking, there were plenty of things to worry about, but someone had to stay calm, and Ji had to be feeling worse.
Into the car and off to the destination.
Upon arriving at the destination the magnitude of that 'Kengan Association' became apparent. A building, one that wasn't even their main building was a skyscraper, innumerable windows and all. It was no wonder that Ji could consider turning to their side for safety. Upon getting out of the car it was showtime.
The call was answered when stepping through the front door. There were twelve heavily muscled men standing in a line. In front of the muscle man mob stood a relatively smaller old man, one that somehow commanded more presence. It would've been more terrifying if the man this was meant for wasn't standing right by, having a panic attack.
The older man started talking in a booming voice "So, Xia Ji, you finally decided to show up." Ji started to tremble harder so an easing hand was placed on his back. "We had you under surveillance, which you left after entering that house." Ji's face was filled with rage and indignation upon hearing that, not good. He had to be pulled back "Ji, just tell them what you decided, don't throw away the opportunity."
Ji understood and a disgruntled sigh left him. "I came to make a deal." The older man's eyes opened wider for a moment before being replaced by a suave smile. "Oh, and what might that deal be?" The same look of displeasure bubbled over Ji's face but he pulled himself back without prompting.
"I will divulge all of the worm secrets I know for protection" The older man seemed to give a cheerful smile "Great! That was the plan if the worm didn't contact you soon." The muscles along Ji's back loosened up "But" and tensed again. "How do I know you won't betray me?"
Agitation and anger spread over Ji again, entering his voice "Because I have nothing to gain and whatever's left to lose if I do." The old man snickered at Ji's yelling. "How do I know that the worm didn't contact you while you weren't under surveillance to enter under the Kengan Association? That the girl next to you isn- "DON'T FUCKING INCRIMINATE HER"
A mistake, a grave mistake, the old man stared in utter shock, eyes and mouth open. That man held all the keys to Ji's safety yet was intimidated, even if for a moment. There was no way Ji was going to escape punishment for his outburst. The muscle man mob started to stretch their idle limbs, anticipating orders.
That shocked face eased back into a reserved one. "I th-snrk" "I-pfft" "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhaha, oh, oh god..." His laughter and smile was strangely genuine, calming in nature. "Your file said you were highly selfish, you know that?"
The old man chuckled to himself a little more. "Alright, I believe you, consider it a deal." Tears started flowing from Ji's eyes as a heavy weight was lifted from his shoulders. A smile quivered into place with it. The old man spoke again "You are going to need a concrete place of residence though, can't be contacting and protecting a vagabond."
Ji turned to face the person he appreciated most, a silent agreement being made between the two of them.
"I'll live with her"