I had been having a very calm evening despite the crowd around me. I had learned to tune it out and focus on Gouenji. I enjoyed watching him work, the way he just mixed and matched all the different types of liquor and then sometimes put them in a shaker and mixed them all up and how each time the color of the drink was different but equally vibrant. It never ceased to marvel me.
But my tranquillity was snatched with a jolt when I heard the sound of breaking glass and the next moment I saw Gouenji's bloodied hand. My heart stopped for a moment at the sight and when he quickly left the scene, I ran after him, forcibly pushing my way out of the crowd not caring if anyone fell over. I vaguely heard someone stopping me from going to the back room but I couldn't listen to anything.
...
I stood up at once and declared, "Today, I'll drop you home. "
He looked up at me in confusion, "But my shift isn't over yet. "
"So? Take a leave. Everybody saw what just happened. They'll understand."
"I'm not sure if... " He began protesting.
"There's no way you're going back out there!" I exclaimed, my tone a little strong now, "You are going home right now and I'm taking you. "
He continued to stare at me for a while I don't know whether in disbelief or protest but I held my ground and returned his gaze with determination.
"Fine. " He finally sighed in defeat, "Just give me a second. I'll go inform about my situation."
When he was ready to go, I enthusiastically took his good hand in mine, as it was starting to become a tradition for us, and walked out of there. I called a cab and we quickly hopped in.
"Where to?" The driver asked and I silently turned to him. He recited his address and we began moving.
As the cab zoomed past block after block, I felt a little giddy with excitement and curiosity. He had been to my house so many times but I never had had the chance to go to his. I tried to be discreet about it but I could tell I was doing a bad job.
I tried to focus my attention on the passing view out of the window. Quietness reigned for a while inside the cab. The only sound present was of the radio on a low volume playing songs. I was taking note every time a new song began but it was not the prime focus of my thoughts.
Just then I heard the opening tune to my favourite song. My interest piqued at once and I smiled faintly.
Gouenji did not miss my reaction and asked, "Is this your favourite song?"
"I have many favorites but currently, yes. " I answered.
"What's your favourite?" I added. He began looking around absentmindedly as he thought of an answer.
"And now you have forgotten every song you ever heard." I joked after waiting for the answer for a few moments. He chuckled sheepishly in response and I laughed, "Isn't that the way! Happens every time." I remarked.
"What kind of music do you usually listen to? I have every kind. I'll show you." I proudly declared and fished out my phone and opened my music player.
"That's a lot of songs. " He stated as I scrolled through the list to show him.
"There'll be more. We can go through it some day and you can tell me which ones do you like so I can figure out your taste in music... if you like, that is." I trailed off in embarrassed as I realised I was getting way too enthusiastic.
"Sure. We can do that in winter. " His agreement made me happy again. I couldn't wait to do that. For once, I wished for winter to come soon.
In a few minutes, we reached the destination. His house wasn't that far off, I realised we could have walked as well, although that would have been slightly out of our general capacity.
His front door was a beautiful shade of red. I usually hated red but this one made me think of Christmas and I very much enjoyed Christmas. It radiated a sense of warmth and coziness and it made me want to look inside even more.
He took the keys out of his jacket's pocket but doing so must have agitated his wound as he dropped them at once. I picked them up promptly and unlocked the door for him.
"Thank you. " He sighed. I only responded with a quick smile. I didn't know what else to say so I stood there aimlessly for a few moments before finally speaking,
"I should go now. Take care of that hand. Don't try to use it too much. "
"Come on in, Kira. " He said as if it should have been obvious to me.
"I don't wanna bother you. " I did the polite thing.
"I know you're curious. " He said and gestured for me to walk in.
"Okay!" I chimed happily and walked in as he followed and closed the door after.
His apartment was set up in a minimalist way which wasn't surprising for a college student. There was barely any time spent on decoration but the place was clean and well kept.
The room was white except for one wall that was painted the same shade as the door but it was the wall that was on the opposite side.
" You really do like red, huh?" I commented as I studied the room.
"I do but I didn't do this. I just really lucked out." He answered as he picked up some things and set them aside. He then gestured for me to sit down.
"I'll make tea. Just wait a few minutes. " He said and darted into the kitchen before giving me a chance to protest.
I followed him into the kitchen, "I just told you not to put too much pressure on your hand. " I snatched the jar of sugar from his hands, "Give me all the ingredients, I'll make it. "
"I'm alright, Kira. You don't have to do this. " He protested again.
"We're not at the bar anymore. I can help you. I want to help you. " I said as I began looking for other ingredients.
"There's no winning with you. " He sighed and joked.
"Because I invest in the right causes. " I joked back with a grin.
We continued to talk as I made tea and he helped a little. When we were done we settled down on the couch and chatted some more while sipping the tea. The tranquillity I was missing had returned again and in a more special way than before.
By the time I finished my tea, it was already 10 pm. I quickly stood up as I realised it was getting late. Slowly I walked out and Gouenji followed me to see me off.
I turned to him and sighed with a sense of conclusivity, "Take care. Again, don't put too much pressure on your hand. "
"I won't. " This time he answered briskly as if he had every intention of listening to me.
As I walked out, the cold hit me like a sudden destructive wave. I could feel it even more than before. I made my way to the street but only after a few steps I couldn't help but stop and look back. The red door was closed now but I remained staring at it for a while internalizing that warm feeling it gave me every time I looked at it.
I wished to be on the other side of it again, wrapped up in warmth and comfort, sipping tea and talking to him. Now that I knew what I could have had, the cold stung my skin even more, the dark and damp street I was standing on seemed harsher.
I could have stood there forever but the night kept getting darker by the minute. Reluctantly I turned around and dragged my feet away from the house with the red door, that reminded me of Christmas and it's resident, who reminded me of Happiness.