An Empty Apartment ~ Writing Practice 🍓 (OCS)

An Empty Apartment

Kiyoko was on his way to the grocery store, this late autumn had been quite an eventful one. Leaves crunched under him as he walked, a sound he had been drowning out ever since he left his apartment.
Staring at his phone he reread his grocery list over and over again, trying to remember if he had forgotten anything. Most of his list items would be of use to him in the kitchen, where he would make Japanese dishes often.
Growing up with only his mom to take care of him did rub off on his behaviors and mannerisms, he was good at cooking and keeping things tidy. He also kept up appearances and tried to look his best when going out, it's just what he'd gotten used to doing. Although these 'feminine' behaviors might have seemed odd to others it was just muscle memory to him at this point.

A brush of warm air hit his face as the automatic doors to the grocery store opened, his eyes squinting to adjust. He quickly grabbed a basket and made his way to the meat, grabbing various items like fish, beef, and squid. Afterwards to the vegetables placing the desired items into the basket. Broccoli, chives, green beans, potatoes, peppers.. what else had he needed?
Taking our his phone again he'd read over the list for the 5th time that day,
"Ah.. yes... Cauliflower.."
He placed it into the basket reluctantly.

After shopping for various, spices, snacks, frozen dinners, and drinks he'd be at the register and feel around for his credit card. Swiping it to which it had been accepted and he could now start making his way back home. Bags in hand, he let out a yawn as he exited the grocery store.

"Has, Ansel left yet..?" He asked himself, half hoping he actually didn't.

Although he would have to at some point. He didn't officially live at his apartment which meant he couldn't stay for long, but still Kiyoko found himself wishing he could.
Quickly erasing that thought he entered his apartment building and stepped into the elevator, waiting for it to take him to his floor.

Kiyoko stood in front of his apartment door, not knowing if Ansel would be inside. After a few minutes of staring at it, he took out his keys and opened the door slowly.

"I'm home.." Kiyoko called out, waiting for a response.

But there wasn't one.

"Of course.. what was I expecting..." He mumbled to himself, knowing he got his hopes up for nothing.
Bringing his groceries inside, he'd start to put them away eventually having all of them in the cabinets and fridge.

He leaned on his counter and ran his hand through his hair, letting out a sigh.

"I didn't think you'd have to leave so soon."

After a few minutes of standing there, he'd clear his throat and adjust his glasses to fit his face. Grabbing all of the bags he'd had from grocery shopping, and throwing them away. When he was done with errands for the day, it was time to relax. At least that's what he thought this morning, but now he could hardly have a relaxing evening and he didn't even fully understand why.

"God damnit.." He muttered to himself again, walking into the living room and standing in the middle of it.

This is all your fault.. somehow.. Damnit Ansel...

Kiyoko angrily fell onto the couch and grabbed one of the pillows sitting on it, he stood up and threw the pillow full force onto the couch.

"FUCK!" He yelled.

Then grabbing either sides of his head with his hands, letting out an angry groan. After this fit however he let his arms go limp and slumped onto the couch. He grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, letting a random cooking show play before he lied down on his side.

His eyelids were heavy, but he eventually opened them. Instead of finding himself in his apartment, he was in a house.

His old house.

He felt someone nudge his shoulder, to which he flinched in response. His head whipped around, and his expression turned to that of shock.

"..Mom? Where am I?" He asked quietly, feeling dazed.

"Good morning sleepy head." Kiyoko's mother responded softly, her gentle smile emitting a warmth.

It calmed Kiyoko down a bit, although he was still confused.

His mother's hand reached out to touch his cheek, her expression turned to a concerned look.

"Oh my.. Kiyoko dear.. you should sleep earlier. Look at these bags under your eyes.." Her voice was soft, her thumb rubbing under his eyes.

He lifted up his hand to his mother's, the presence of his mother was so comforting.

He then remembered his initial confusion.

"Yeah.. uh, what's today mom?"

She laughed a bit, "It's Sunday dear. Your exams are tomorrow, you should be getting plenty of rest." Her eyes closed as she smiled, "Dinner is almost ready too, so please come get some." Her hand lowered, as she stood up and disappeared into the kitchen.

He was just surprised now. What was happening? He slowly stood up from the couch, but stumbled a bit.

"What the- wait.." He paused, running towards where he thought the bathroom was. Memory served him right, he turned the light on and looked into the mirror.. to be greeted with a much younger version of himself. A few bandaids on his face, almost broken glasses and messy hair.

"Woah. I look awful." He commented, messing with the bandaids. He took the brush off of the bathroom counter and tried to fix his hair, then grabbing a hair tie out of one of the drawers and tying his hair up in a braid.

He briefly washed his face, and fixed up his glasses' position.

"There we go.. a bit better. If it wasn't for these.." He looked at the bandaids on his face again, sighing.

"Wait, if I have..." He paused, taking a deep breath then lifting his sleeves.

Bandages.

"Ah shit..." He muttered, knowing what this meant.

He lowered his sleeves, letting out a sigh as he leaned over on the bathroom counter. A hand raised to hold the lower part of his face as he thought for a minute,

'if this is what I think it is.. then I'm still in highschool... And if I'm in highschool then..' He was thinking but got interrupted by his mother calling out to him.

"Kiyoko! Dinner!"

He responded quickly, a little shaken up. "Y-Yeah coming..!"

--------------------------------------------

He collapsed into bed, and sighed heavily.

"This is fine. Once I go to sleep in this weird dream thing.. I'll wake up on my couch, and I'll be normal again." He mumbled to himself, turning to one side.

Eventually Kiyoko fell asleep, the silence of his house was.. nostalgic as well as the cold air. Everything he recognized but, didn't remember had been there until now. All he had hoped for was to wake up instead of continuing this dream, he was afraid of what was coming the next day.

--------------------------------------------

Author's note:

Hello! This is the end of part 1. However I will be starting the second part very soon, maybe even today! This part took me roughly 2-3 hours. And I do have plans for what's to happen next. Thank you very much for reading this far! I very much appreciate it. ❤️

--------------------------------------------

Kiyoko fact:

Kiyo lived without a dad. His father left when he was a baby, which resulted in his mom being the only one to look after him. They lived alone and get along very well.

--------------------------------------------

💗🍓💗