Three Dollars and a Singular Cent

Simple

"What do you have against that guy?"

"...It's just a thing. The guy I was trying to defend is my... friend, and that thing out there has been giving him a hard time, lately."

"Shitty."

"Yeah, but what can you do?"

"Call the police?"

"ACAB, Alex, ACAB. We'll have to try that, though. Not today, and not here."

~ * ~

As you had predicted, Sou was still by himself. He looked a bit upset. Alex decided to check on him. When they came back, they told you to follow them.

They grabbed a cup and began filling it with water and ice. "He's still waiting for someone. I suggested getting a glass of water because it's easy to dehydrate in this weather."

"It's raining."

"You forget to hydrate in this weather. Scientifically proven."

"Source?"

"Trust me, bro." They gave you a funny look before walking past you and handing Hiyori the glass.

You watched them exchange a few words before Alex came back. "What a freak," Alex said.

"Did he say something?"

"I asked him if he was sure he didn't want to order anything, like an appetizer or something small, and he looked at me with this weird expression and told me not to ask him again until his friend showed up. Is his friend the person you were trying to call earlier?"

You hummed a tone of discomfort, "More than likely, considering he hasn't shown up yet, and he wasn't replying."

"I hope he's okay."

~ * ~

Sou Hiyori sat in the same spot, drinking out of the same glass of water, staring at the same booth across from him until there were ten minutes left before closing. Then, he left.

"We took care of like nine other tables, but Shin never showed up." You spoke to Alex, but mostly to yourself.

"Did your friend ever call you back?" They asked.

"Shit, I should check." You left Alex behind, going to the break room where your bag was. When you checked your phone, you noticed no new messages or calls. Alex eventually followed you into the room. "No news. I'm clocking out a few minutes early."

"Go ahead. Boss left, like, an hour ago because he needed to go home. I'm not going to stop you, and we know damn well the others won't either."

"Thanks, Alex." You grabbed your bag and ran out of the restaurant. As you walked to your car, you pulled out your phone and began to dial Shin's phone number for what had to be the... maybe fourteenth time that night.

You slammed your car door shut and immediately locked the doors. You put your phone on speaker and set it in your cup holder, keeping your hands free so you could drive like the responsible adult you were.

"Hello?" Shin greeted you. He sounded groggy.

"Fuckass!" You shouted.

"What?!"

"Your ass does not get off of work at nine at night. Why the fuck didn't you call me back?! I was worried to fucking hell!"

"My phone died while I was working, and I took a nap as it was charging. I just woke up, no need to scream. We haven't even gone that far yet."

"So you're home right now, correct?"

"Uh, yeah?"

"Great, I'm coming over. Try locking all your windows and doors until I get there."

"What?"

"I'm just worried. I would explain right now but I'm driving in the dark so it's not safe for me to be multitasking. I'll be over in ten. Hang up."

"...Okay." You heard the tone signaling that the call had ended because Shin was a little bitch that listened to your every word.

~ * ~

You sat next to Shin on his couch. You just stared at him in silence.

"What's wrong?" Shin finally asked.

"Are you okay?"

Shin inhaled deeply through his nose then yawned, "Yeah. Just tired. What did you need to tell me?"

"Hiyori was waiting for you at the restaurant today."

"Oh." Shin said simply, "I know."

You looked at him in disbelief, "You... know?"

"Yes. He messaged me earlier telling me to meet him there... again, so I blocked him. I knew that he would show up even if I didn't reply. I told him I didn't want to see him again. I don't. I'm trying to listen to your therapist. You told me, 'You gotta stand firm with what you believe in. Like gay rights.'"

"I did say that." You shook your head dismissively, "Are you not worried?"

"About what?"

"Are you not worried that he knows where you live?"

"When we spoke yesterday, I asked him if he did, and he said in the most genuine way I have ever heard him speak in the eight years I've known him, that he did not."

You stared at Shin, "I wouldn't trust that fucker as far as I can throw him. I know you know him better than I do, but it wouldn't hurt to be... more cautious." You bit your lip, "I'm worried. You know you're my friend, right? I just don't want something to happen to you. You know I'd never forgive myself." You were frightened just thinking about what could happen to him.

Shin grabbed one of your hands, "I know. Don't worry, I care about you too. There isn't much I can do in the first place." He laughed helplessly. "I'm scared too, y'know. I don't think he'll... kill me, at the very least. He seems too obsessed with me to do that." That didn't ease your nerves at all. Shin noticed that.

He pulled you close to him, and he wrapped his arms around your back. "Don't do that." He said. "Don't look at me like that. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... make you worry, earlier. I would say I would've called you back sooner if I were awake, but I think I would've been too nervous, thinking you were busy with work." He chuckled.

Slowly, you hugged him back, but only for a brief moment. When you pulled away, you took in the view of his apartment. "I like the simple look you've got going on, here."

"No, I'm just broke as hell. Why do you think I work at a convenience store?"

~ * ~

1700 words

8/3/22

A/N: fantastic authors note we've got today. I have the rest of the story planned out. MWAHAHAHAH you guys will be going for a fucking RIDE (lmao get it get it) but it'll end on a nice note. End with 10-12 chapters total :)