3 CHAPTER-3

In the living room, Takeru looked at the interior of the house. There was nowhere to sit, the entire room was empty, there was no sitting arrangement present for visitors, no television or pictures. The room was devoid of any decoration or furniture. It looked as if no one lived here. Takeru was hesitating, whether he should just sit on the floor or keep standing. As Kairi returned with a glass of water, looking at Takeru, he realized that there was nothing he could sit on, and apologized,"Ah… Sorry. I don't get any visitors and I myself hardly ever sit in the living room, so there's nothing here"." Why don't you move to my study room, there are few stools in there you can sit on. It's the door on the right", offered Kairi. As Takeru was moving towards the study, Kairi suddenly asked Takeru," Do you want to eat anything? I am going to order myself some japanese ramen." Takeru suddenly realized that he hadn't eaten anything today. And with how chaotic his day had been, the thought of food was the last thing on his mind. All this while Kairi stared at Takeru, annoyed and when he saw that Takeru was zoning out, he cleared his throat and asked again, "Do you want anything or not?" Horridly answered Takeru, 'Thank you and anything would be fine.' Takeru got the feeling that if he hadn't answered, then he would have to sleep on an empty stomach. Turning back, Kairi said in an irked tone, "Don't say anything, tell me properly what you want to eat. I am not here trying to play the guessing game of what you like". 'Sorry, and I would like to have shio ramen, please", answered Takeru. Without saying anything, Kairi went to the landline which was sitting on the kitchen counter and ordered their food. Looking at Kairi using a landline in today's modern world, Kairi was a little shocked but curious nonetheless. He wanted to ask Kairi ,why was he using a landline instead of using a mobile phone? And most importantly, do people still own a landline?

After ordering the food, Kairi turned and raised his eyebrow at Takeru, as if asking, why are you still here? 'Oh! Nothing', muttered Takeru, and went inside the study room.

The study room consisted of a wooden desk,decorated with only a lamp and a pen stand on the table, and nothing unnecessary. The right side of the room was covered with bookshelves. There was also a cabinet right beneath the window, with a turntable placed on top of it. Three wooden stools were stacked on top of each other near the bookshelves. Takeru took out one of the stools and moved it near the study table and sat down. Looking around the room Takeru saw no photos or anything else that provided any warmth or gave character to the room, there was nothing except for the turntable and books that would tell him the story of who Kairi Morioka was.Everything in this house was so void of any warmth or emotion, there wasn't anything unnecessary present in this house, observed Takeru.

While Takeru was fidgeting with his hands, Kairi entered the room with the bags of takeout food and placed them on the table. Without saying anything Takeru spread a newspaper and began opening the food and placed the bowl of japanese ramen in front of Kairi. And they started eating their food in silence.

While they ate, Kairi said" While we are eating let's discuss the conditions of our work". Putting his chopsticks down Takeru looked at Kairi and said,'Thank you, for letting me stay here and giving me food. But I have few conditions and you can add yours to it later. Firstly, as I am compensating for your medical expenses I won't be getting paid, right?' "Yes", replied Kairi unconcerned. 'Yah right, so I would request that, while I am under your care please provide me with meals. Other than his I have no conditions and I can even work on weekends, I don't mind.'

"Very well, but don't you hangout with your friends or go on dates with your girlfriend, during the weekends?" questioned Kairi. 'Umm...No I don't like going out much, I am more of a home-buddy myself', replied Takeru sheepishly.

After dinner, while Kairi went to take a shower, Takeru cleaned the table. As Kairi came out of the shower, Takeru asked,' Mr. Morioka can you please lend me some spare clothes?' "Yah sure, let me get them for you", answered Kairi. But suddenly realising something Kairi asked, "Takeru, would you please help me with the cast." 'Of course', replied Takeru and immediately went to help. While Takeru was assisting Kairi, Takeru asked,' Mr. Morioka, did you take the medicines?' "No, I will take them before I go to sleep", replied Kairi. "And why are you still addressing me so formally. You don't have to be so courteous with me", said Kairi. 'Oh! then what should I call you? How about I address you as, professor?, offered Takeru."I don't care, you can call me whatever you want", was all Kairi said.

With his cast on, Kairi went inside his room and handed Takeru a white t-shirt and a pair of black sweatpants. " After you are done with your shower, please come to my room and take your futon", informed Kairi. 'Okay!', called Takeru.

Done with his shower, Takeru knocked on Kairi's door. "Come in", called Kairi. Opening the door, Takeru saw that Kairi was sitting leaning against his head board, reading a book. Looking at Takeru, Kairi put his book down on the side table and said, "You can take it from the left side of the closet." 'Okay, thank you', replied Takeru. While Takeru was taking the futon out of the closet, he couldn't help but observe Kairi's bedroom. Even his bedroom followed the similar theme of minimalism that was running through the rest of the apartment. Initially Takeru thought that, though the rest of the house consisted only of necessities, Kairi's bedroom would definitely have something that would indicate more towards his likes and dislikes or even his hobbies. But the room only had a bed, a side table and the closet, there was nothing, no photos, no painting. It looked like a house which was only meant to be functional without offering anything more or anything less.