Unexpected Cohabitation

Part 4

Knowing Young Master, he wasn't simply talking for the sake of talking, so I'd been wondering where he would be going after leaving his home.

Young Master wouldn't be asking for help from his friends either. He's too prideful for that. But then again, he didn't truly have any real friends. At least, I don't think he considers most of them as friends.

From what I'd seen so far, Young Master kept them around for his own entertainment. In return, he brought them out to play in expensive places at his own expense or sometimes granted them and their family whatever favour they asked for, as long as he was in the mood, of course.

Now that he's renounced his name and his parents, unexpectedly, also agreed to it, I doubt they would offer their help even if Young Master actually went to them. Without his parents' support, they'd probably think he's useless to them-- well, unless they suspected that Young Master's parents would take him back eventually.

Although my guess was based on my own uncertain understanding of their relationships after years of watching their interactions, it turned out to be correct. Young Master didn't seek them out. Rather... he immediately asked me to bring him to my place the moment his home was out of sight.

As usual, Young Master's tone left no place for discussion, but this time--for the first time since I met him--I heard a slight tremor in his voice.

I admit I was absolutely confused. I took a moment to process his words. I think the moment it took for his meaning to finally click in my brain may have been a bit too long, though, seeing how he was staring at me with an impatient look on his face by the time I turned to him.

I averted my gaze immediately, and pretended I didn't see his reddening eyes or the swelling on his cheek. I also didn't do anything about the blood dripping down the side of his mouth. I sensed it wasn't the right time to point it out.

I bit my lips again while awkwardly looking at the asphalt road below. He didn't chastise me. Probably he wasn't looking at me anymore to catch sight of it. Young Master hardly ever looks my way normally, so it wasn't anything unusual.

When Young Master finally crossed his arms over his chest is when I finally snapped out of it and nodded my head almost reflexively.

Even though I didn't know why he asked to go to my place, I had no doubt he must have already found a plan for what he'd be doing from now on. Surely, he didn't just tell his parents he was renouncing everything without having thought things through first. Young Master was hot-headed, but he wasn't stupid.

I wanted to make him walk at first. Getting some fresh air might help in clearing his mind and improving his mood, even if only a little. But we ended up taking the bus instead because although I made sure to not mention it, the faces of the passersby as they saw his did exactly what I was trying to prevent by keeping my mouth shut until we reached our destination--they irritated him.

I feel bad for making Young Master ride a bus. He, who'd grown up only travelling in expensive cars, airplanes and yacht, was forced to stand in a packed public bus because I didn't have enough money to call a taxi.