Without even feeling it, more time passed until a second week was completed then another one. Although, Yi still felt part of this new change in life when the month ended and with it came the time to pay the rent.
So it brought him to this quiet sunday, the usual moment he used to fill the tab and follow where his money went. Habits, like always. If his parents taught him something when he left on his own, it was to keep track of any spending to balance it better. In case he had to sacrifice some entertainment or anything like that. Until now, it was going quite well for him, considering his salary from teaching.
Yet he had a guest now and since Yasuo was here, it made someone more to feed at home. Not to say that the latter was a dead weight on this previously stable budget but it was still important to consider.
By the way, Yasuo was here too, doing his own search for a room to rent. This was Yi's idea, since he was already to sit and count for at least one hour. They might as well share their boredom and keep each other company. Anyway, it was raining like hell outside, no reason to go there. Quietly it reminded Yi of their revision days back in highschool, to have to latter sit still to work even though this wasn't his strong suit. He was good, yes but patience had yet to be learned.
If he looked up from his laptop from time to time, he could see Yasuo making a face of deep frustration in what he suppsoed to be an endless stream of unhelpful offers. At least it was funny to see but he felt a little sorry for him. It will be fine. This topic was serious for the latter, he already confessed how stressful it was not to find anything.
At some point, when Lily stretched after the end of her nap on Yi's lap, he reached for a ball on the floor and threw it carefully in Yasuo's direction. Go on, my lady. Help him. This wouldn't be really useful but she had an incredible ability to make everyone's day better.
It was more or less a coinflip. Either she was indeed in a play mood and she would run after the ball or she wasn't in the mood and would simply watch it go with typical disdain. Today Yi was lucky, she deemed it was time to have fun and rushed to catch the toy.
Then it caught Yasuo's attention, probably it wasn't interesting to see overpriced flats. He looked curiously at the source of that noise and so his gaze fell on Lily, already busy torturing that poor toy.
« Holy shit, someone's on a killer mood. » He sounded a lot happier than minutes ago.
From his spot Yi saw him assess the situation, as if he wanted to pet the cat. In the end he didn't, gauging the risk to lose an arm too high for what it was worth. It made Yi laugh softly, glad to have succeeded in providing a short distraction.
Then Yasuo looked at him with that same curiosity and something hinted. Difficult to say what but it didn't seem negative. A small grin appeared, before the latter focused back on the beast. Yet Yi lingered a little on this kind of interaction. It never last long but each time he sensed something, a bit like years ago but nuanced. It was still worth it to make Yasuo smile, this never changed.
Okay, let's focus. All this was really nice but he hadn't finished yet. As much as it overjoyed him to count bills, he had to take care of this for the month. Deep breath then he got back to it.
Overall, it wasn't so terrible. Just making sure he didn't make any mistake, checking totals and the few incomes of money. There was no need but quite often his grand-parents gave him some money because 'life isn't easy'. At least Yi managed to make them understand he wasn't dying of hunger here, no need to help him monthly but they were stubborn. They won't stop.
So much it made him sigh, enough for Yasuo to notice and look at him despite his own task at hand. When he stared for a good minute without a word, Yi was about to meet his gaze and ask but the latter did it first.
« What are you doing ? It sounds as funny as what I do. »
Because yes, he joined Yasuo in the living room a little later after he settled there for his helpless search. So chances were he had no idea what Yi was doing except it was meant to be long since he got his glasses.
« Doing the budget and counting this month's bills. Indeed it's extremely entertaining, I would love to do this as job. » All said with a straight face, looking back at the latter.
This always made Yasuo laugh, to hear him use sarcasm with such serious because half of the time Yi was so convincing. Some of his classmates slightly feared this ability to seem so truthful while giving a blatant lie and it was always priceless to break it afterward. In any case, he was quick to tell the truth to avoid any sad consequences but the fun was present.
Right then, it worked and the latter at first cracked a smile then couldn't stop himself from laughing.
« Oh boy I'm sorry, this must be boring as fuck. » Said during his fit.
Yi sighed again but it was lot kinder, appreciating the light mood. « You tell me. At least I don't have to do it often. »
Slowly the latter calmed down, only the smile stayed after this other break. Yet he didn't seem to go back to 'work', rather deep in thoughts.
When the smile disappeared Yi got a little worried. All this for nothing ? He had hoped to distract Yasuo from his thin results in his search.
Himself didn't return to his tab, since the mood fell again in appearance. Wondering if he should ask or not, since he saw with time that Yasuo had topics he didn't wish to talk about and some already mentioned.
Silence settled, even Lily had decided to lie on the floor like a lizard after such intense hunt.
« Yi ? » Compared to their previous laugh, this was too quiet.
« Yes ? What's wrong ? » What he had been waiting to ask since now he had an occasion.
« You'll tell me if it's too expensive to welcome me here ? Or if there is anything I have to pay, to make it easier ? »
Oh. Not exactly what he imagined but it was serious too. No doubt Yasuo thought about it since he mentioned the budget and so the sudden quietness.
So many things that bothered him, it would seem. From the place to stay to money. Yi should have thought about it, it was obvious Yasuo would worry.
« It's fine though. I'm not that poor. » Truthful.
« I suppose you're better informed than me. Just, I've been thinking about it. Since I can't find another place yet, maybe I should look for a job. »
All came in full circle. Worry for a roof, for food and for not being a burden. Yi guessed he couldn't stop him from that, since it was directly impacting his guilt. If that could help Yasuo feel better about staying there.
« You do what you wish. To be honest, I have no way to know if in several months – considering you're still here – you'll indeed be expensive for me. »
Maybe not the smartest thing to tell Yasuo but it was the truth. It was impossible to know what would happen.
The latter had such conflicted expression.
« That's why I want to work. Probably not full time but a shit job, the kind easy to find for students. Since I am to bother you till god knows when, might as well pay you back. »
It sounded quite thought, planned, no doubt it had been worrying Yasuo for some time already.
« You don't have to pay me back for basic hospitality. But if it can help you feel less guilty, do it. Find a job. »
« Thank you. I don't know where I'd be without you. »
How could they still find sincere moments like this one. It became so often that Yasuo talked his heart out, so honest compared to his young bravado.
Now it sounded like he would never thank him enough, a life debt.