Anri was happily walking to her apartment. She had been able to leave work earlier than usual due to her boss having to go somewhere and she had been given time off earlier than usual.
She was about to hit the button to call the elevator when she noticed the out-of-order sign.
"Really? How does an elevator even go out of order?" She sighed before going to the stairs.
Her apartment was on the 9th floor, so it wasn't that bad. Still, she was kinda tired from her work earlier, but she was able to climb the stair and not faint afterward. Everything is fine until the 5th floor.
It all went to hell on the 6th floor.
She had been getting her breath. Walking from her workplace to her apartment complex and walking up multiple stairs really had her tired. And the lighting condition of the floor didn't help. Due to all lightbulbs on the 6th floor being old and very seldom getting replaced, the light of the 6th-floor hallway is dim and sometimes goes off for a few seconds before returning, creating a thriller story vibe.
She was about to go up to the next floor when someone spoke.
"What's wrong?"
She turned to face a man, possibly in his early thirties. He raised a brow when she simply stared at him. She quickly realized and apologized.
"Eh, it's alright. But, are you okay? You seem exhausted", he patted her back.
"Yeah, just tired from work, just got back from there" Anri was getting quite uncomfortable when he got even closer to her. But she didn't comment on it.
"A young girl like you shouldn't be working, no?" He grinned, she gulped.
"Well, I need to make money somehow", she chuckled nervously. He chuckled as well.
"Need some water?" He asked her, he then gestured, presumedly, at his apartment.
She shook her head. "I wouldn't want to bother you at all, you're probably very busy".
"Nah, I just got off work. C'mon!" He smiled at her.
She is almost close to drawing Saika.
"She said no", the man and teen snapped to see a certain blond-haired bartender scowling. The smoke from his cigarette makes it look like the hallway is clouded with fog. The dim, sometimes flickering lightbulb and the cloud of smoke turn the thriller into a horror vibe.
The man considered her for a brief moment before giving a shitty excuse and made his way to his apartment.
Shizuo approached Anri, his face softening.
"Are you alright?" He asked. She smiled at him.
"Yeah, I'm...fine. Just a bit shook", she side-hugged him.
And the bartender surprisingly returned the hug.
"I'll accompany you to your apartment", he made his way upstairs. Anri sighed fondly at him before following him as well.