Not So Perfect Strangers
Chapter 2
It had been a few days since both Kuroko and Kise had gotten the suggestion from their respective friends about the apartment that was for rent. It was a two bedroom and it had a beautiful view of the countryside as well as the city skyline. It also had a spare room that could be turned into a studio/study depending on what was required. The owner actually agreed to help renovate it accordingly to what was required of the tenant. What he didn't know was that he was going to be getting two different people with two vastly different personalities!
The first to check out the apartment was Kise and when he got there he immediately recognized the owner of the building and was all but giddy when he saw the owner of said complex.
"SAKURAICCHI!" Kise exclaimed and the short brown haired landlord immediately smiled when he saw the first possible tenant for his building.
"Good Morning Kise-San" The former basketball player said as his friend approached him "Kasamatsu-senpai told you about the apartment I'm guessing?" Sakurai asked and Kise just nodded. When he found out who the Landlord was his first thought was that he couldn't be happier and when he heard about some of the other details from his employer he really couldn't wait to see it. Its not every day that you find out that a good friend of yours has an apartment that all but has your name on it! There was going to be one problem that still nagged at him a bit but he would approach that bridge when he crossed it.
"This is a pretty impressive place you got here." The blond noted "Do you run this place all by yourself or do you have help?" Kise asked hoping that his friend wasn't the only one looking after the place. Its not that he couldn't but he might need SOME help and he did have some.
"Oh I have a friend of mine whom helps with electrical and some other things. He also helps settle disputes as politely as he can before they get out of hand." Sakurai explained and Kise wondered if he meant Aomine or Momoi. He was shocked when he found out who his helper was…
"IMAYOSHI!" Kise exclaimed not expecting to see the sharp-tongued young man as Sakurai's help. If ANYTHING he was expecting Aomine that was for certain
"SHHHHH you blond-headed dimwit! We have other people that live in this complex too you know?!" Imayoshi exclaimed and Kise shrank to about 2 feet after the lecture from the young man. He also made a note to not piss him off anytime soon!
As the trio walked took the elevator to where the apartment was (they'd be damned if they took the stairs with how big the place was) Kise was wondering what kind of apartment it was honestly. He knew that some of the places in this complex were used more by senior citizens but there were also some authors and musicians that either lived in the complex itself or the surrounding area. This got his interest up as they walked out on the 15th floor to the place that was up for rent.
When they got into the apartment Kise's jaw just about smacked the floor! It was a nice sized apartment with 2 bedrooms, a kitchen with an island 2 bathrooms (they were discovered in the bedrooms themselves) and one of the most sterling views of both the city and the countryside that he had ever seen. Kise was actually even more interested in the fact that down the line there was a possibility of turning the second bedroom into either a studio or a study (whichever was required) but he would have to stay there for about a year before they can really do that. To say that Kise was thrilled would be an understatement…until he heard the bad news about the rent.
"We know that you were referred here by Kasamatsu-san" Ryo began "the thing is that we can't really go down to the number that you want because we need to be able to maintain things with the other tenants and if they find out we gave too special treatment to someone they would complain and try to break their lease." He explained and Kise's face went from that of a kid that got his favorite toy on Christmas to that of a child that was just told there is no Santa Claus!
"Its not all doom and gloom Ryota" Imayoshi began "we don't usually tell people this but if you can get a roommate that would be willing to split the rent or if we come across someone we could maybe work something out. The only condition is that you would both have to remain here for at least a year no matter what so I would suggest being on your best behavior...unlike that photoshoot we heard about from 3 months ago!" He finished and Kise looked almost like he was going for a basketball tryout! Yes he was THAT determined to get a roommate to get the place!
2 days later
Kuroko had just finished doing some work for his publisher when he remembered that he had an appointment at the apartment complex that Hyuga told him about. When his friend told him who the Landlord was Kuroko actually smiled because he was very good friends with Ryo and he got along well enough with Shoichi that he knew there wouldn't be any issues. He had already seen the place through pictures and liked what he saw but wanted to really see it up close to know the exact situation he was going to be dealing with.
By the time Kuroko had gotten there it was about 12:30 and his appointment was for 1:00. He decided to get there early because there was a bookstore he could browse in for some inspiration to something he was writing and when he walked in he spotted Shoichi sitting with Sakurai so he gave a friendly wave and they both waved back. As rude as some saw Sho he wasn't THAT bad a guy…sometimes he had to deal with really stupid people and that just made his job helping his friend out that much harder to do.
After browsing around for a little while Kuroko headed over to the complex where the aforementioned duo was waiting for him and he bowed politely before speaking.
"Afteroon Sakurai-kun and Imayoshi-Kun" Kuroko said in his usual formal matter. It's a wonder honestly that he didn't go out more because he actually is a very good speaker and gets along with people well but anyways…
"Good afternoon Kuroko" Sakurai began "I know that you have seen the apartment online but would you like to go take a look at it in person?" he asked and Kuroko nodded. Kuroko sort of knew what he was going to see but he needed to see it up close to figure out how to work out the rent that would be his hurdle.
The three men took the elevator like Kise and them did a few days earlier and when they entered Kuroko's stoic expression changed to a minor bit of joy when he saw the place. He was even more thrilled when he heard about what could be done to the bedroom but understood the condition that came before that. He really loved the island in the kitchen in case he had to serve a guest and he didn't want to risk carrying the food or drinks and spilling them. That actually happened at a party once that he had to attend for work and it didn't end well for ANYBODY!
Much like Kise, Kuroko was thrilled with the apartment, but unlike Kise he already knew about the rent situation and that stung because he liked the place a lot. Especially the view from the balcony on a warm, spring day…it would be heaven! How could he get this place was what he wanted to know and that is when Sakurai spoke up.
"We know that one reason you are looking for an apartment is to be out on your own but as you know we can't lower the price to what you want for the reasons I am sure you are already aware of." Ryo explained and Kuroko nodded.
"We did have a gentleman here a few days earlier that looked at this place and had the same exact reaction you did. Would you be willing to split the rent with this person and then we can maybe work something out in a year?" Imayoshi asked and Kuroko had to think about it for a few minutes. It isn't that he didn't trust either of them, Imayoshi was a good friend of his when they worked on a project some time ago, but he was thinking of being…you know…ALONE and the simple idea of having to share an apartment with someone? This was a pickle but he knew what he had to do.
"Since you've helped me on a project in the past without asking for anything Imayoshi-kun…I'll do it! I'll go get my things that I know I can bring and be ready to move in about 4 days." Kuroko explained and they both smiled when they heard the news. It wasn't every day they got to have a pretty well-known author and a model living under one roof but then again Sakurai didn't usually smile like he knew something was going to happen…something very special indeed!