You Just Missed Him
It wasn't An's fault that she didn't know Ritsu's schedule. If they kept in contact better, or rather, if Ritsu took the time to talk to her like he used to, it wouldn't be an issue.
Instead, she found herself waiting outside Ritsu's building with a distinct feeling of déjà vu. She'd tried the intercom, but there was no answer, so she assumed he wasn't home. She almost expected to see him coming up the hill with that neighbor of his again, but he didn't. She did see the neighbor, though. He came out of the front entrance, reaching into his pocket and producing a pack of cigarettes.
"Good evening!" An called, making her way over to him. He glanced up from the cigarette he was about to light, and he took it out of his mouth, a surprised look on his face. "Is Ricchan home?"
"Onodera? I guess. Haven't heard him leave." He glanced over to the intercom. "Have you tried buzzing him?"
"Yes, but he hasn't answered." An bowed her head. "By the way, I don't think we've been properly introduced. My name is Kohinata An."
"Takano Masamune." He bowed before sticking the cigarette back between his lips. "I'm sure he'll answer the door if you go right up." It was obvious even to An that he was just trying to be polite. He lit his cigarette and took a long drag before realizing An was staring at him. "Something the matter?"
"Nothing. I just remember going to school with a boy named Masamune." She tilted her head and considered him.
"You and Onodera go to school together?"
"Yes we did. For a few years, anyway." An closed her eyes and sighed wistfully. "One day he just went to his father and said he wanted to finish his high school years abroad. He couldn't argue; Ricchan certainly had the grades to do what he wanted."
"So I'm told." Takano dropped the cigarette on the ground and crushed it with his foot. Then he produced his cell phone and pressed a speed dial number. The person picked up on the first ring. "Onodera, Kohinata's down here. Either get your ass out here or tell her why you can't."
The exchange went on, and An just watched the entire time, her head tilted. Takano said something about how he was aware he was a hypocrite, and An began to wonder if Ritsu had talked to him about their relationship. Or, at least in Ritsu's mind, their lack of relationship.
Suddenly, An's phone went off, and she took it out of her pocket to see she had a text. It was from Ritsu, telling her he was working and that he was sorry. Takano read it over her shoulder, and then he just shook his head. "Onodera, you wimp," he said.
"What was that, Takano-san?"
"Nothing." He took another cigarette out of his pack and put it to his lips. "I'd suggest going home, though. He's not leaving his apartment tonight."
An stepped back, waving a hand as smoke drifted from Takano's cigarette. "Is there a particular reason you're out here instead of in your own room?"
"Onodera won't go in my apartment with it smelling like stale cigarette smoke," Takano said. "That was his excuse, anyway."
"So you're willing to come all the way down here?" An asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Sure."
An ducked her head, pushing a piece of hair behind her ear. There was one last thing she wanted to ask, but she wasn't sure she could deal with the answer. So she just bowed, clutching her purse to her chest. "It was nice seeing you again, Takano-san. Take care of Ricchan for me, okay?"
Takano smiled, the kind of cocky smile that usually unnerved An. "Of course."