Arukōru (Alcohol) Bar (BL)

Rikiya (part 4/7)

"You're a strange one. Go home already."

I nodded and began turning away. I noticed the front door of the house open before I could fully turn away, causing me to pause. A young girl with orange hair was peeking out from behind it. Rikiya hurried towards her. I forced myself to turn away and got in the taxi, giving him directions to my home.

His situation was so much worse than I ever expected. Helping him today probably barely did anything for him. I wanted to help him and his siblings get out of poverty...but that seemed hard when I wasn't exactly made of money myself. I'd have to be careful with my spending after today. But if it could help him, I wanted to give him all the money I had. Catching a glimpse of one of his siblings just solidified that desire.

Everyone could see I was feeling off the following days. I wasn't sure if I could confide in Anzai who kept asking what was wrong since Rikiya had only decided to tell me. I felt burdened with Rikiya's secret on my back but it was a burden I wanted to carry. When it was time to pay my employees, I counted out more for Rikiya like I promised.

"Atsutane," I said, handing him a check.

He put his hand up to refuse. "Thanks for always trying to pay me, but I'm alright. Keep it for the bar and yourself," he smiled.

I nodded. When he had refused the first paychecks I tried to give him, he had to admit his family was rich so he was doing alright himself. I still wanted to compensate him for all his hard work, but he kept refusing. Only rarely would he take the check.

"Shukishi," I said next. He took it happily. "Anzai."

"Thank you," he said while taking his.

"Rikiya," I said last. Each check was encased in an envelope. Rikiya ripped his open to check the amount.

He pulled up a seat at the bar as the others left except for me and Anzai. I scooted Atsutane's envelope across the counter towards him. Rikiya hesitated before snatching it up, ripping it open, and checking the amount.

"You really did add more to mine," he said. "And I assume his check is mine as well now?"

"I left the name blank just in case."

Rikiya nodded thoughtfully. "This will get them off my back for a moment. But I still need to feed my siblings."

I hesitated. I should give him more then, huh? I'll need to grab another check and–

"Don't get your panties in a bunch. I'm just saying it's impossible to help me. I admire your efforts in trying to help, but don't push yourself."

Anzai was quiet during that exchange but finally decided to speak. "...did something happen?"

"Oh, you didn't tell him?" Rikiya looked surprised.

"It's personal, right?" I answered.

"Well good job on that too. I didn't know you kept secrets from him. Makes me wonder what else you could be hiding from him?" He grinned devilishly.

"...how much is your debt?"

"More than you could guess."

"...I'll save up. I'll use my savings to pay it off. I want to give you breathing room."

Rikiya's eyes widened. "You're really too much. Do you even know how long you'd need to save for? The rate will just rise more over the years."

"Then we can talk to them! We can say we're both paying it off so if they just let you have some room to breathe–"

"They won't! They're scumbags that get off on scamming people! And they're not just satisfied with money, they like to humiliate me and make me do all kinds of things to help pay off the debt! Don't get involved with them, Narihira! They'll eat you alive!"