Chapter 2: First Encounter

Grabbing the keys from the front desk and dropping off her bags in the apartment, Kougyoku went back down to bring in the other boxes. After multiple trips to and from the car to the apartment, Kougyoku had one more box to go. She groans due to the heat, but convinces herself, knowing that this was the last box, that she could finally unpack and rest before going out to get some supplies.

Finally reaching the trunk, Kougyoku groaned at the sight of her last box and cursed to herself before muttering, "Why did I leave the biggest box for last?"

Nearing her apartment, Kougyoku stumbles with her box. Rubbing her head, she notices that she bumped into a guy not too much older than her. She blinked a couple of times noticing his ruby eyes and his long black hair held together in a braid before apologizing profusely, "I'm so sorry! Are you okay!?"

"Hey, old hag, watch where you're going!" barked the tall male figure.

Kougyoku barked back, "What did you just call me!?"

Taunting Kougyoku, the guy asks, "Are you deaf too, old hag?"

With that Kougyoku loses just a bit of control, and stabs a pointed finger into his chest. "Hey! I apologized, you don't have to be a jerk! You could have avoided me instead or offer to help!"

Picking up the box, the guy groaned and says: "Ugh, where's your apartment, so I can get on with my day?"

"It's down the hall, number 2B."

The guy grumbles to himself and walks towards 2B and says, "Open your door, hag."

"Stop calling me that and hold on!" Kougyoku says pouting.

Kougyoku rustles through her pocket, pulls out the key, and lets him in.

"Where do you want it?" he asks.

"Next to the other boxes," as she points across the room to the corner.

The guy places the box next to the other boxes, looks at Kougyoku, turns around and waves walking out the door. "See you never, hag!"

"Wait!" trying to catch him before he left "I didn't get your name!"

He walks out the door and before she can get to him, she sees him go into the apartment next door and slam the door.

Taking a moment to realize what just happened, Kougyoku stands in the hallway, mumbling to herself "We're next door to each other, but at least he helped me with my last box."

Opening one of the boxes, Kougyoku starts putting some kitchen supplies in their appropriate shelves.

Grabbing her phone, Kougyoku dialed Morgiana. "Hey, Mor, I just finished moving all my boxes into my apartment, but I bumped into this jerk as I was moving my last box. I apologized and felt horrible, but he ended up calling me an old hag!" Kougyoku groaning "It's so hot out, and eventually he helped me with my last box, but Mor he's my next door neighbor. "

Morgiana replies, "Did you check if he got hurt from your box? We both know how strong you are..."

"I doubt it, but Mor we're neighbors" Kougyoku whined.

"Maybe you guys just got off on the wrong foot. Maybe you should give him something to say thank you and start over. You guys are neighbors," Morgiana suggested.

Sighing in defeat, Kougyoku knowing Morgiana was right and says, "Do you think it's okay if I get him fruit? Everyone loves food."

Agreeing with Kougyoku, Morgiana says, "Yeah, that sounds like a good gift. It isn't an expensive gift. If he doesn't like it, he can throw it away. Anyways, how's unpacking so far?"

"I'm just about done with unpacking all the kitchen supplies, and I think I'll start with hanging my clothes next" replies Kougyoku.

"Oh! I forgot to mention I won't be able to come see you this week with, 'Baba, but we know someone else that lives in your building. I'm not too sure which apartment he lives in, but I thought it would be nice for you to meet him. Maybe he'll be the one!" Morgiana says giggling.

"Mor, don't joke about that! You know how I feel! My luck with guys is so horrible. Either they like me and I don't like them or vice-versa. " whinned Kougyoku.

"Sorry, sorry, but you never know!" Morgiana responded in a cheerful voice knowing that wasn't the only problem why Kougyoku couldn't get a boyfriend. Kouha has a sister complex and won't let anyone around her.

Kougyoku finished hanging up her clothes and putting some of them in the dresser and says, "I'm going to take a break from unpacking and head out to target to pick up supplies and groceries."

"Okay, remember to get that guy something! Don't just knock for a second and leave! I know how you are!" Morgiana says in a nagging tone.

"Okay, okay mother I got it." Kougyoku says rolling her eyes.

"Tell me how it goes! I'll see you in class next week!"

Grabbing all the items she needs, toiletries, fruits, eggs, pantry items, meat, and snacks, she went to the register, paid, and left the store.

Pulling up into the parking lot, Kougyoku grabs all her items and starts putting them away. Once she finishes, she takes a deep breath before heading over the jerk's place to give him some peaches.

Kougyoku stands in front of his door and hesitantly starts knocking. Maybe that's a bit too light of a knock, I should knock louder she thinks.

"Stop banging on the damn door, it's noisy," Judal grumbles, mostly to himself.

The guy opens the door in nothing but a towel around his waist, stares at Kougyoku and says, "What do you want?"

Kougyoku stares at him, and then at his chest. Blinking and realizing his current shirtless state, blushes and looks away while saying, "I came to give you this."