The Delinquent Next Door

It's a Date!

Two days have passed since your near death experience with Hanma.

Guess you could basically check almost being murdered off your bucket list.

What a wonderful world I live in.

You were contemplating the events of that night, while trying to piece together the...interesting background of your neighbor.

His infamous reputation as the most feared gangster in Kabukicho was very odd, seeing as how a normal individual, such as yourself, had no clue about him, yet those small fry gangsters knew him like he was some historical figure out of a history book.

I mean, since when do gangsters do homework on other gangsters? Maybe there's some sort of class specifically for delinquents or something?

You shook your head.

This is crazy.

To be honest, you had to give him some credit. Despite the ridiculous and underlying comical nickname as a "Grim Reaper,'' you understood why people--delinquents--feared him so much.

That night when witnessing the fight between him and those thugs was something you certainly would never forget. Not because of the shock or the adrenaline pumping through you at the time with danger present in the situation but because of the fact that Hanma, in the moment, wasn't the same person you met. Or, in your eyes, wasn't just your average asshole next door neighbor that you had bumped into ten days ago.

That night, you saw a completely different side of him, aside from his crude and playfully cocky behavior.

He wasn't the idiot you saw trying to bulldoze his door because he was lazy. No, he was a guy who would have beaten the crap out of anyone that looked at him wrong without hesitation. Certainly someone you wouldn't want to piss off.

At least not too much.

Just gathering that much made it pretty clear that Hanma wasn't a normal person.

As a matter of fact, it's almost impossible to consider him 'normal' after witnessing how he basically took life as a joke with little to no care for his own safety and well-being. Which, all the while, does not make the situation any better.

Something you've also taken into account is the strange timing of you two bumping into each other. It seems that everywhere trouble follows you, so does Hanma Shuji.

I should move....and get out of the neighborhood while I'm still in one piece.

"Hey..."

But that wouldn't really benefit me much. It was hard enough finding somewhere cheap to live.

"y/n!"

You snap out of your thoughts, turning your full attention towards your concerned best friend.

She frowns. "Are you alright? Are you still in shock from what happened?"

You blink owlishly, waiting for her words to process.

Oh right, she still feels guilty.

You glare at her, landing a gentle smack to her shoulder, "How many times do I have to tell you that I'm fine! Quit beating yourself up already."

"How can I not blame myself after you almost got hurt? All because of a stupid date!" she pouts, eyes watery as she takes your hand into her own, squeezing gently.

"You've been so distant lately, and you've been on edge ever since that night," she mumbles, once again squeezing your hand apologetically, "how can I not worry about my best friend..."

Ok, sure, it kinda was her fault.

No, wait, scratch that-it definitely was her fault. But, hey, it could have been worse. If it weren't for Hanma, you would've ended up in a body bag, yet here you are now. Alive and breathing, and still working minimum wage.

"You say that as if I'm dead already," you deadpan, rolling your eyes as you turn back to the register you were posted at, "and besides, as far as I'm concerned I'm still sucking air for the most part, so you shouldn't be so worried. I'm fine."

Bzzz!

Great timing universe!

Quickly fishing out your phone from your jeans pocket, you glance at the new notification on your screen.

Jerk-Face Reaper: Meet me on the roof at 11 P.M.

Gee, my day was great thanks for asking.

You: Why?

He doesn't respond, only having read the message as indicated underneath your text.

You huff, slightly gripping your phone as you curse him through the tiny device.

You: I'm not gonna come if you don't tell me why.

"Who's that? Is he a friend?" f/n asked, now leaning over your shoulder while scanning over your recent messages.

"I'm still trying to figure that out." you sigh, placing your phone down on the counter.

She raises a brow. "Hmmm, why is he asking you out?"

"He never said anything about a date!" you blurt out, clearing your throat as you set your phone down as you try to busy yourself at the empty register.

"Besides, we don't know each other like that."

She shrugs, "Maybe he wants to get to know you."

Trust me, it's the other way around. And not in the romantic mindset either.

"And what's with the weird contact name? Something face reaper? Sounds like something straight out of a comic book."

"It's...an inside joke."

She giggles, "Sure, sure. So, is he cute?"

What is this? An interrogation?

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She scoffs, smirking as she eyes you from head to toe. "You know what I mean! Is he good-looking? Has a few abs perhaps? Or maybe a bit of...character?" She emphasizes the word, eyebrows wiggling suggestively as the corners of her lips tug upwards.

Warmth creeps at the back of your neck, reaching towards your ears. Your mind slightly wanders back to when you were bandaging his torso, remembering the smooth muscle that had flexed under your touch as you wrapped him up.

f/n clears her throat, grin stretching wider as she witnesses your dozed state at the mention of your "friend".

"I'll take that as a 'yes' ," she snickers, walking over to the back of the kitchen.

Damn, she's good!

Bzzz!

Well look who's back!

You quickly snatch your phone from the countertop, looking over to see your best friend caught up in a conversation with the cook.

Jerk-Face Reaper: Just come.

You: ...

You: You can reach me at my apartment, I'll be asleep. Goodbye :)

Jerk-Face Reaper: ...

Jerk-Face Reaper: ...Please?

You grinned.

You: Aww, such a sweetheart! I'll take it. See you at 11!

"Aw, so it is a date!" f/n coos from behind

So she's just spawning out of thin air now?!

"I-its not! I swear!" you groaned, hiding your face in your arms.

I hate it here.