Chapter 2 “The First Impression”
The fact that it was a Saturday meant that some people did not have to go to work. And one of those people woke up at seven in the morning. The sky was bright and clear, and it was significantly warmer than normal. Totally and completely an ideal morning for getting some physical activity in. He made the decision to go for a jog around the apartment complex, which allowed him to relax while he took in some healthy oxygen. He was attempting to tumble from the ledge, so he trod gently on the snow. It worked out well for him because the snow removal truck had just finished clearing the area.
He arrived at his house at eight in the morning. After that, he proceeded to have a shower. It took him some time, but he eventually realised that he had nothing to eat for breakfast and that he was starving. He had no other option, so he got up and walked out of his flat in the direction of his neighbour’s. They had known each other and had been friends for three years since the day he visited Benji's flat. He supposed that Benji might provide him with some breakfast.
He knocked on the door, but no one was present to answer it. He knocked once more, but there was still no response. His rumbling stomach pleaded with him to just open the door because he knew Benji hid the spare key. He thought that perhaps Benji was still asleep and he would not mind sharing some of his food with him.
He unlocked the door with the spare key, then entered the space that was there. The home had a peaceful atmosphere. He was uncertain as to whether or not Benji was at home at the time. He crept in quietly and quietly entered the living room. When he entered the room at precisely the same moment he saw someone was lying on the sofa.
He was stunned at the sight. It was difficult for him to articulate the sensation he got from that person's red lips and light skin. The dark lips went very well with the short auburn hair of that individual. He did not appear to be aware that he was staring at the sleeping figure.
He questioned his own sanity and asked himself, ‘Can a person's face be as perfect as this?’
Suddenly, he saw some shifts on that previously flawless face composition. It was almost as if the person was having a nightmare.
He yelled, “Hey!” The guy appeared to be sleeping and having a nightmare. He called once more, “Hey! Wake up! Are you OK?”
“Nooo!” The mysterious stranger immediately yelled at him and kicked him till he fell to the ground.
“YAAAA! Why did you kick me?!” He let out a shout.
The sleeping person now was awake but remained silent. Meanwhile, the other one had not moved from his position on the floor and continued to stare at the awake figure.
The figure mumbled, “I'm... sorry...” in a hushed tone.
He saw the tears that were hidden beneath the eyelashes of the figure. The figure took it in a single swift motion.
“Are you... ok?” he asked.
The figure responded with I'm fine’ but he understood that the figure was completely lying about it. He made the decision not to continue to push the issue or use any force. In any case, it was none of his business.
“Who are you?”
He just realised that he had forgotten to introduce himself. “Oh,” he simply said. He stood up right away and introduced himself, “Nice to meet you, I'm Kaien Lee.”
“So... What brings you to Benji's flat, and why are you there? Are you some sort of Benji's family member? Or perhaps not...?” the mysterious individual questioned without introducing himself in reply.
Kaien simply answered the individual’s question without asking back who he was. “No. I am Benji's neighbour, but we're also good friends.” He had a lot more to say, but his stomach began to take over his mouth. Without any shame, he asked, “I'm hungry, can I have some breakfast?”
What astonished Kaien was the fact that the other individual nodded without any hesitation or asking anything. “Hey, are you going to really give me some breakfast?” Kaien was amused that he could get breakfast just like that.
“Of course. You're Benji's friend, right? I think he would ask for me to give you with some breakfast.” Before he entered the kitchen, he started to introduce himself by saying, “By the way, my name is Allen Lun.” After a brief moment, he emerged from the room with a tray of sandwiches and a bottle of milk.
“There's only this left in the kitchen,” Allen said before offering the food to Kaien.
The moment he got his hands on it, Kaien swallowed it all down. He felt kind of odd. He never felt it was appropriate to eat with someone he had just met or someone he knew. On the other hand, it seemed to him in front of Allen as though he had known Allen for a very long time. Strange.
“So, how is it?” Allen asked.
“Delisssioo...” As Kaien spoke, he had a mouthful of food. Allen had a good laugh for the first time since he left his home yesterday.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“I'm home!” Once Benji opened the door to the flat, the sound of his voice boomed throughout the space. He maintained his silence, and no one acknowledged his presence or responded to him. He was one hundred percent certain that Allen was still present in the flat. Some sounds from the television were audible to him.
“Allen? Where are...” When he looked around and noticed what was going on in his living room, he paused mid-sentence. It was two grown men enjoying themselves playing on his playstation that he had not touched in two years.
“Kaien! What are you even doing in my house?! What’s going on here, Allen?” Benji was confused. Because they were too involved in the game, the two men ignored him.
ZZZRRRR...
The television screen went black, leaving only those that were playing in shock.
“Hey! Benji, what exactly do you think you're doing? “Kaien asked fiercely.
“Ben!” Allen wanted to complain as well. “I was so close to winning.”
When Kaien saw Allen's pout, for some reason, his wrath vanished, and he had no idea why. He was aware of his heart beating at a faster rate.
“Allen, I was talking and no one was listening to me!” Benji rose his voice.
“Sorry...” Kaien and Allen, uttered it together.
After that, Kaien and Allen explain what took place, beginning with the fact that Kaien desired a breakfast and ending with his decision to spend the day in Benji's flat.
He did not tell anyone the real reason why he decided to stay, but when he saw Allen crying right as he woke up from his nightmares, it gave him chills. He was reluctant to part ways with Allen. Let simply pretend that that was his way of repaying Allen for the breakfast he provided.
“Oh...” Benji remarked while making a 'O' shape with his mouth.
“Gimme back my game...” Allen begged.
“Ok...” Benji drew his attention once more to the television. To their good fortune, the game had not moved from its previous game screen. Allen and Kaien proceed to play their games like nothing happened. Benji eventually joined in.
After playing video games, they sit down to a meal that Allen has prepared.