05. Alin Nadhiya

SHINJI and his friend were already out of Daniel's apartment when we arrived. The expression of the man in the hat looks ugly, his red face, pale lips, and his sad gaze makes me pity.

"What happened to you?" I asked as I approached, but Yuki turned out to be stepping beside me.

"What happened?" Yuki asked seriously.

"Ah ... it's okay, I was just imagining something disgusting."

Shinji and Daniel smiled lopsidedly.

"You guys made him like this? How could you," I said.

"You got it wrong, Alin. I didn't do anything," Daniel denied quickly.

"Is it true?" I'm getting more and more suspicious. He must have done something for the guy to be like that.

"He's lying." Shinji whistled softly, his hands in his trousers pockets, his head looking up. "Yuki, Rieki, let's go home, it looks like Daniel wants to be alone with his girlfriend."

"What do you mean?" Daniel asked, not understanding, but Shinji had walked away, followed by Yuki and a man named Rieki who were still having trouble controlling his facial expressions.

"So, what have you been talking about and what have you done to him?" I asked after the three guests left there.

"Hm ...." Daniel opened his mouth, but no sound came out of his mouth. His lips closed again, then opened again, but there was still no sound.

"What are you doing there?"

Our heads turned. A man in a shirt with black trousers looks at us curiously.

"Ah, no, we're just—"

"Talking for a moment. You just got home from work?"

I glared at Daniel. Aren't all offices closed? Then, what does the question mean? I grunted loudly.

Since the existence of the fucking serial killer, everyone has to lock themselves in their homes, prohibited from leaving without serious interests, even work is prohibited. That's why, I said, whether we want to leave or not, we will still die too.

The government did promise compensation money, but clearly, that money wouldn't apply to people like Daniel and me. Because we didn't come here to stay or work, but just take a vacation and unwind.

"Ah ... no, I just got home shopping." He shows the pouch in his hand. "I'll go in first, then."

His name is Fukumi, he's a neighbor next door to Daniel's apartment. The person is friendly enough, but also quiet, and that makes him look mysterious.

"You have eaten?" asked Daniel later.

I glanced at the clock in the corridor. It will be evening and time to eat. I have to cook something, but before that I want to take a shower first.

"How about you? Do you want to have dinner with me?"

"Sounds great."

"Okay, now you shower first!" I pushed his body to immediately enter his own apartment unit.

"Why are you telling me to take a shower?" Daniel smells his own body as he glances at me. "I'm not that rotten, am I?"

"Just take a shower, I also want to take a shower first, then I'll cook."

I stepped ahead of him and entered my own apartment unit. After all, invited or not, Daniel would definitely sneak in here. Especially at meal times like this.

***

Just finished soaking, I was surprised by the presence of Daniel in my room. He sat on the bed, his gaze fixed on me, while his hand was holding the cellphone I just saw today.

Although living in modern times, but Daniel didn't really like that rectangular object. Because I hardly ever saw him holding a cell phone to contact other people.

"Just finished taking a bath?" he asked.

I then held the towel so as not to slump and showed him my valuable asset. Daniel smiled slightly, he got up and walked over without hesitation. His eyes even seemed to strip me.

"I've cooked for you."

My forehead frowns. "Since when you can cook?"

Daniel looked away. "I bought earlier, as well as shopping."

Oh, so here's how he acts when he's acting up. However, I guess he's a pretty honest guy. Then, why is he hiding the information he knows from me? Is there a problem if I find out the information?

"You don't want to wear clothes? Are you waiting for me to dress them for you?"

My eyes are bulging. Immediately I turned to the wardrobe and looked for a change of clothes. Daniel just stayed where he stood, even though his eyes kept staring at me without stopping, but he didn't step his feet at all.

"Can you get out of here?"

"No."

I sighed roughly and left him to the bathroom. I can't possibly change clothes in the room and let that perverted man stare at my innocent body for free.

I'm not surprised Daniel is in my bed, because he usually is. After all, after eating he would return to his apartment unit without being evicted in a violent manner.

But, indeed, his presence at times that were just too fitting made me suspicious. Does he have a surveillance camera installed in the corner of my apartment?

****

Eating together in my apartment is like a mandatory agenda for Daniel. Either I'm the one who cooks regular meals or he buys food from fancy restaurants that keep open on purpose. However, we still eat together at this place.

After eating, he would leave without asking and leave me alone.

I sighed roughly as I cleared the dirty dishes and took them to the sink. Washing the dishes then putting the dishes into place, is like a mandatory agenda that is starting to get boring.

I opened the refrigerator to get cold water, but when I saw the refrigerator that should have been empty now filled with lots of foodstuffs made me surprised.

"Who filled my refrigerator?"

There is packaged fresh meat, some packaged vegetables, and eggs. At least, this is all enough to eat a week more.

"Me."

I turned my head. Daniel stood behind me in his new clothes. The scent that wafted from his body clearly indicated that he had just finished taking a shower.

"I told you, right? I'm not going to starve you to death in this place, Alin. I'll take good care of you."

And for the first time, I am grateful to have known Daniel.