♡ Stranger | Kamukoma | HIATUS ♡

9 | Couch

Komaeda got home late at night. He sank onto the ground, tired.

"How was your day?" Kamukura asked.

"Hinata-kun wasn't there, Shinguuji-san wouldn't answer any of my questions properly, Monaca's father smelled like alcohol and cigarettes and the train came late and... ugh, I'm so tired, I just wanna go to bed..." he complained.

Kamukura felt a strange feeling. It was like he felt bad because Komaeda felt bad. The dark-haired man picked him up and gently set him down on the couch. "Get some rest, Komaeda,"

"This couch is new," Komaeda pointed out.

"I made it."

"All by yourself?"

Kamukura nodded. "I am a good handyman."

The pale man smiled. "You sure are, this looks great!" He hugged him. Kamukura pat Komaeda's head. "There there."

"I love the couch, but I'm gonna go to bed now. I'm super tired." He got up, yawning.

"Can I come to work with you tomorrow? I am good at making people talk." He said, eyes shining red.

"How ominous!" Komaeda smiled. "Sure, you can come,"

"Great. Have a good rest, Komaeda."

"I bet you'll sleep well too on the new couch. Once again, thank you! I really appreciate it!"

"Don't mention it."

Komaeda fell asleep as soon as he laid down. Kamukura did not. In fact, he didn't sleep at all. Not because the couch was uncomfortable, but because he was confused. Why did he built that couch at all? He didn't have to. It wasn't fun or entertaining. Did he do it just to help Komaeda?

No. No way. He did it so he had a more comfortable place to sleep. It's not like he would have just built a bed instead then or anything. It was for himself, not Komaeda.

-

The train was packed that morning. The two men were squished together. Komaeda was half asleep even though he was standing. Kamukura kept a protecting arm around him so he didn't fall down as he slept.

"Komaeda. Wake up, we are there." Kamukura said as he dragged him out of the train.

"Hm? Oh, did I fall asleep? Apologies... I'm just still so tired..."

"You look tired. You have dark circles under your eyes. Let me do the talking today, okay? You just take notes."

"You're the best,"

"I am."

When they arrived at the laboratory, the basement was empty. There was caution tape so no one would enter, but there were no officers there.

"What?" Komaeda asked.

"I suppose they are done investigating here. Let us talk to Monaca's father,"

"Uhm, sure. I'll ask Hinata-kun about this later. Time to hop on the train again!"

"Amazing."

-

Monaca's father opened the door. He was holding a cigarette in his hand.

"I see you brought your bodyguard,"

"When did you first get in contact with Shinguuji?" Kamukura asked.

"I'm not saying anythin' without a lawyer,"

"Oh please. You cannot afford a lawyer. Answer my question now."

"Ugh... She met him on her way to the lab after school,"

"She met him? You were not there?"

"No, she always went there alone,"

"Interesting. You let a little girl in a wheelchair go to a place with adults that you, I assume, have never met to they could experiment on her?"

"Look, they paid me 1000¥ for each visit! Do you know how many packs of cigarettes I can afford with that?"

"One, if you have no taste in cigarettes."

"Ugh... what the hell do you want from me anyway?!"

"Komaeda, what do you need from him?"

"Shinguuji-san's contact information,"

The father rolled his eyes. "I've told you, I don't know shit about him!"

The elevator door opened again. Shinguuji stood there, next to Monaca. Kamukura approached him. "I expect you to answer honestly. Why do you take care of Monaca?"

"You know why."

"I do not."

"Think about it."

"Just answer my question." He demanded.

"Or what?"

"You know what."

Monaca tilted her head. "Uhm, I don't understand what you guys are talking about,"

"Me neither," Komaeda said. "Where do you know each other from again? He asked.

"Kamukura, do not answer him." Shinguuji said.

"Shinguuji, I suppose you could say, is like me. Do you understand what I mean?"