These Streets | Kino x Reader

2

You start walking towards your house and it hits you that maybe leading this guy you barely know to the place you live might not be the best idea.

Still, you can't just lead him to some random house and pretend to go in, that would look suspicious.

You decide the only way to remedy the situation is to find out more about this guy, he did technically just save you after all.

"So, " you start, "now I know your name and you know mine, let's talk ages. How old are you?"

He laughs, "Did you really think it would be that easy? You first."

You can't help but smile a little, there's something about him that is just so charming.

"Well if you're not going to make it easy then neither will I, guess!" You say, seeing how far you can push him.

"Hmmm," he pretend-thinks, "well you came out of a club so you must be of drinking age and you're comfortable walking alone so either you're stupid or confident or both-"

"That has nothing to do with age!" You interrupt.

"Hey now, if you don't know that it's rude to interrupt then maybe you're not of legal drinking age, did you use a fake ID?" He counters, teasingly.

You fold your arms.

"I did not use a fake ID. Just guess already."

"Well you don't look old so I'll say 20." He says, as if it doesn't matter that he's guessed your age perfectly.

You look at him, jaw agape.

"Did you steal my purse and check my ID while I wasn't looking!?" You shriek.

He laughs, his head tilted slightly backwards as it rolls off him, beautifully lit by the streetlights. His eyes make little cresent moon shapes, pushed up by his cheeks.

"Maybe." He says, still grinning.

"Well if you're that immature then you can't be much older than me, maybe 22?" You guess.

He makes a X with his arms. "Wrong, I'm 20 too, not 22." He says with a chuckle.

"Did you just laugh at your own joke?" You ask, feigning disinterest but finding it slightly amusing. So you're the same age, maybe that's why you feel so comfortable around him. Something in your gut tells you that's not what it is.

"If it's funny, I laugh, simple as that." He says with a smile. As if realising he's losing his "cool guy" mystique, he lowers his head and puts his hands into his long, dark coat.

"Anyway," he continues, "it's my turn to ask a question. Are you working or studying at the moment?" He asks, glancing at you.

"I'm studying right now." You answer plainly, planning in your head.

"Oh so what are you studying?" He asks.

As if right on cue you make an X with your arms and a suitable sound effect. "You're only allowed to ask one question at a time, you have to tell me if you're studying or working now." You say, hoping to earn a smile.

It works. He smiles and a weight is lifted from your shoulders that you didn't even notice was there.

"I'm kind of doing both right now, but I don't count my work as work because I enjoy it, so I guess studying as I'm always learning new things? I don't know maybe that sounds cheesy." He says, smiling and looking down.

It was nice to catch a glimpse of Kino being a little vulnerable. His eyes shone with determination that makes you wonder what he went through to achieve this job. Before you can ask more you reach your street.

"Well, this is me." You say, a little disheartened. Even though this guy originally scared you, you were starting to think he wasn't so bad.

"Really? You live in this neighbourhood?" He scoffs. "That must be awful, it's so old." He looks around, grimacing.

Disgust hits you like a foul smell in the air. How could he be so obnoxiously rude and condescending? This was all you could afford on your student budget and the people in this neighborhood were like family to you. They'd been so welcoming to you even though you were a foreigner and were always ready to give you items of furniture or old cooking utensils they no longer needed.

Without saying a word you turn on your heels and start marching to your doorstep.

"Wait!" Kino calls out, starting to follow you. "I didn't get to hear what you were studying!"

"Minding my own business." You call back. "You should try it sometime!"

Kino stops as your words reach him, in shock.

"Fine, I wouldn't want to hang around with a low life like you anyway, I have a reputation to uphold!" He shouts.

You scramble to get your keys, feeling the rage burn up instead of you.

"Fine by me, asshole." You retaliate, finally opening the door and slamming it. You take a second to breathe on the other side and slide down the door onto the floor, clutching your bag to your body.

How could anyone be so rude? You curse yourself for ever thinking that guy could have been decent. Who even lurks around in dark alleys anyway?

You trudge up the stairs to your apartment and open the door. After removing your shoes and putting on your house slippers you find yourself drawn to the window. You look out and there he is, still standing by the street light. He looks up at you and for a second you both just look at each other, the outside world silenced just for one moment. Then he turns and walks away.

Who does he think he is?