IDOLiSH7 with Chinami (IDOLiSH7 Fan Fiction)

13 : Receiving End

Iori and Tamaki were done talking with the officers while Chinami was still in Tachibana-san's arms, sobbing herself. Her thoughts were in disarray. She was lost and didn't know what to do.

"The manager will be here in a few minutes." Iori said, inserting his phone inside his uniform's pocket. He turned to look at Chinami before looking at her destroyed room. 

The room, similar to Chinami, was in disarray. Cabinets were opened, books, papers, and clothes were everywhere. Pots and pans were knocked off the shelves, the old television that Chinami owned and other electric appliances were gone. When Chinami calmed down, panic suddenly washed over her when she remembered the money she saved up. 

Chinami ran inside, hurriedly removed her shoes and stopped right in front of the opened cabinet. The old tin box where she kept her saved up money was gone. The money inside wasn't a lot but it was enough for a week of living. She knew that it was stupid to leave it defenseless. However, she believed that it was safe. She was complacent.  Like how she always was.

However, this sudden event changed her.

Tsumugi finally arrived, looking haggard and out of breath. Iori greeted her and told her everything that happened. The opened lights when they arrived, Chinami looking pale when she saw her door slightly opened, how the room was trashed, and her lost money. Tsumugi can't help but feel worried.

"Her neighbor's with her." Iori said, looking back to see Chinami being comforted by Tachibana-san.

Tsumugi placed a finger on her chin, a thought popping out. "She can't stay here any longer." She said. "Living here would be very dangerous. Especially for a girl like her."

Iori nodded in agreement. "I was thinking of letting her come with us but I think that's a bad idea."

"No, it won't." Tamaki intervened. "It's better than having her stay here."

"Yostuba-san's right," Tsumugu agreed, "She could come with us and stay with all of you while I help her look for another apartment. She'll only stay temporarily."

As the three planned for the next move, tears still flooded Chimami's eyes as she stared at the opened cabinet. Tachibana-san's continues to comfort her. However, comforting did nothing. Chinami's head was still is a mess. Different thoughts flooded her mind. 

She felt lost.

"Good evening." Tsumugi greeted Tachibana-san who was still comforting Chinami. She stood up properly as she greeted back. "I am Sendou-san's employer, Takanashi Tsumugi."

"I'm Tachibana Sana." Tachibana-san introduced herself. "Thank you for looking after Chinami. I've been her neighbor since she was young."

"It has been a pleasure working with her." Tsumugi smiled. "She's a hardworking girl and have been a very good help. So we wanted to return the favor." Confusion was written over Tachibana-san's face. However, at the back of her mind, she knew what was coming. "We would want to let Sendou-san stay with us until she could look for a safer place to stay. The company dormitory is open and I assure you she is safe with us."

As sad as Tachibana-san was, it could not be helped. Chinami had been living alone, being woken up to loud bangs on her door, threatened by men she didn't know. It was only right for Chinami to stay in a safer place than there. It would get lonely, but it was all for Chinami's sake. 

"I understand." Tachibana-san nodded with a sad smile. "I leave Chinami in you care."

Tachibana-san lightly shook Chinami to get her full attention. It might be hard to process what Tachibana-san was saying, but she was trying to take it in, little by little. Chinami understood that she will be staying under the same roof with IDOLiSH7. As little information as she has, she just nodded and started to stand up, her legs almost giving out because of how weak she felt. Tachibana-san and Tsumugi helped Chinami with her things such as clothes and toiletries, Iori helped with her things for school, while Tamaki kept himself busy by guarding the door, making sure the people who forced themselves inside Chinami's room don't come back.