I arrived at Manna's Kitchen ten minutes late, panting hard as if I had just run a marathon. My legs felt wobbly, and my lungs were screaming for air.
Aki, of course, was the first to pounce. "You're late again!" she exclaimed, grinning like a mischievous cat. She leaned in closer, inspecting my face. "Whoa, you look like you’ve just seen a ghost! Did a spirit chase you all the way here?"
I rolled my eyes, still catching my breath. "If the ghost was called 'the fear of unemployment,' then yeah, I was running for my life," I muttered before heading straight to the staff room to get changed.
As I passed by, I saw Aki turn to Keiko. "Hey, Keiko! Ryuko's late again!"
I braced myself for a usual Keiko-style scolding. Any second now, she’d lecture me about professionalism, responsibility, and punctuality. But to my surprise, she just looked at me and said, "Don't be late next time."
Her voice was calm. Too calm.
"...Sorry," I replied instinctively.
Aki blinked in confusion. "Wait… that's it? No lecture? No 'get your act together' speech?" She looked between us suspiciously, as if Keiko had been secretly replaced by a clone.
Keiko, as expected, ignored her and went back to her work.
---
The workday passed by like usual, but I could feel it—the shift in the atmosphere. Aki, Ruka, and Miko were all subtly watching Keiko and me, sensing something different.
It wasn’t just my imagination. Keiko was keeping her distance.
Before, even when we bickered, there was always a pull between us. She’d shoot me annoyed glances when I made a mistake, or we’d accidentally meet eyes across the restaurant. But today? Nothing. She barely acknowledged me unless it was work-related.
It felt weird.
It felt wrong.
I wanted to ask her if everything was okay, but before I could, Aki intercepted me as I was about to leave.
"Wait, wait, Ryuko!" she called out dramatically.
I sighed. "What now?"
"Why so cold, my dear friend?" She put an arm around my shoulder. "Let's go get something to eat!"
I immediately rejected her. "No. I have things to do."
Aki gasped, clutching her heart like I had just stabbed her with my words. "Betrayal! This is betrayal!"
I ignored her and kept walking.
"Wait, wait!" She grabbed my wrist this time, stopping me again.
I groaned. "What is it, Aki?"
She dropped her voice to a whisper. "What happened between you and Keiko?"
I stiffened. Ruka and Miko came up behind her, nodding in agreement.
"We're worried," Ruka said. "You guys barely interacted today."
"Was it because Keiko reject you?" Aki asked bluntly.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Maybe?"
They all gasped in unison, eyes wide with shock.
"Well, isn't it natural for people to be distant after a rejection?" I added, forcing a smile. "Don’t worry. I’m fine."
Miko frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah," I assured them. "It’s not the end of the world."
"If you ever need to talk, we’re here," Aki said, her usual teasing tone gone.
I chuckled. "Thanks, guys. See you tomorrow."
As I walked outside, I took a deep breath.
Where should I go now? My apartment or...?
Just as I was lost in thought, I spotted Keiko standing outside the restaurant.
"What took you so long?" she asked.
I was caught off guard. "Sorry… the kids were interrogating me."
Keiko raised an eyebrow. "Interrogating you?"
I sighed. "They noticed something was off between us. Aki know you rejected me."
She was silent for a moment before simply saying, "I see."
I tilted my head. "What about you? Why are you still here?"
She crossed her arms. "You didn’t want to go home together?"
I hesitated. "Uh… well, I wasn’t sure if I was really allowed to." I scratched my cheek. "Rin doesn’t seem too happy about it."
Keiko narrowed her eyes. "I'm giving you a chance, it's also your responsibility to make her accept you. Or are you avoiding going back for another reason?"
"What? No!" I shook my head. "I meant it when I said I wanted to fix things with you and Rin."
Keiko turned slightly, looking at me. "Then why are you hesitating?"
I exhaled, feeling my heartbeat quicken. "I just… I don’t want to make you uncomfortable."
Her expression softened, but only for a second. "I already told you. Anyway I won’t force you. It’s your choice now."
She turned on her heel and started walking away.
I stared at her back, clenching my fists.
I had made up my mind.
I am going home.
---
That night, I packed up all my belongings. It didn’t take long—I didn’t own much. Just a few sets of clothes, some essentials, and a couple of small keepsakes.
I informed my landlord that I wouldn’t be renewing my lease, thanking him for letting me stay.
Then, finally I stood in front of the apartment building I once called home.
The lights inside were on.
Keiko and Rin were already there.
I took a deep breath, gripping my suitcase handle tightly.
"I’m really going back," I whispered to myself.
With determination in my heart, I opened the door.
"I'm home."