There are three prohibitions south of Riverside ■■: A certain apartment in a certain place [Atori Nakazato] ②

When I climbed the steep stairs attached to the kitchen side, there was a loft larger than my room at my parents' house, with three low-profile color boxes placed against the wall, which were empty inside. Unfortunately, the futon had been disposed of, so I added it to the shopping list in my head.

Perhaps because the loft was tucked away, it was a bit dim. I thought I needed some indirect lighting, so I decided to buy that as well.

I climbed down from the loft and went to check the bathroom next. There was a vanity and a dressing area before entering the bathroom, and a washing machine was also provided. I was surprised to find that the bath and toilet were separate, and it was newer and more spacious than the bathroom at my parents' house.

I was overjoyed to be able to start my new life in such a clean place.

A 1K apartment with a loft. Twenty thousand yen a month including furniture and appliances is an exceptional price. I'm glad I was told about the company housing; if I hadn't asked, I would never have known. A chill runs down my spine when I think that if I hadn't asked, I might have been struggling to find a place to live right now.

That's why I didn't mind at all that Shiraishi-san remained standing at the entrance and didn't come inside.

“It's really nice. I'm glad I was able to see it.”

“I'm relieved to hear that you like it.”

Without moving a single step from the entrance, Shiraishi-san took some documents out of an envelope she was holding.

“I will explain them briefly.”

Saying that, she handed me a piece of paper with text printed on it.

“There are three points of caution...”

She said, and read aloud the text written on the paper.

“Please refrain from using the elevator after 8:00 PM. Please refrain from smoking at the garbage collection area. Please refrain from making noise at night as it will disturb the other residents.”

They were all common enough points, but only the one about the elevator caught my attention.

“We can't use the elevator after 8:00 PM?”

Shiraishi-san explained in response to my simple question.

“It's a request from the owner. Apparently, it malfunctions if used after 8:00 PM.”

“Malfunctions? Is it broken?”

“It's not exactly broken. In any case, they just want us to refrain from using it at night.”

It couldn't be helped, as it was the owner's request. I didn't mind walking up the stairs to the third floor, so I decided to simply follow the rules.

Besides, thinking back to when I lived at my parents' house, it seemed ridiculous to give up on living here or to complain just because there were some strange rules about the elevator. Compared to being belittled every day by my sister-in-law and family, being pushed into the storage room, and having so little free time, this was heaven.

Here, I no longer have to suppress myself or pretend not to notice the way my family treats me. Just that alone makes me feel saved.

"Well then, here is the key to your room. If you have any questions or run into any trouble, please call this number at any time."

Ms. Shiraishi told me that the electricity and water were ready to use, and I received documents like the instruction manual for the system kitchen and the gas connection guide, along with a silver key that looked like a treasure. Even though it was just a stainless steel key, it looked like something special, shimmering in the light.

As I thought about cherishing it, my mouth naturally softened into a smile.

"Is this your first time living alone?"

Ms. Shiraishi asked me as I stood there grinning, clutching the key. It was my first time living alone in my life, but I didn't have a single shred of anxiety.

"Yes, but I'm really looking forward to it."

Then, Ms. Shiraishi turned serious and spoke to me.

"Please consult with me if you ever really have any trouble. Please, give me a call."

I couldn't tell if Ms. Shiraishi was just a very anxious person or if this was also part of her job, but I was swayed by her intensity and found myself nodding.

Perhaps relieved by my reaction, Ms. Shiraishi smiled.

"Are you going shopping now?"

I had been planning to buy bedding and daily necessities, so I replied that I was.

"I was thinking of taking a walk."

"That sounds nice. This area still has some old townscapes left, so it has quite a nostalgic atmosphere."

After Ms. Shiraishi told me various things, I left my suitcase in the room and we left the apartment together. After seeing her car off, I felt that this was the first step of my life living alone, and I headed to the downtown area to do my shopping.

I bought some safe, standard towels at a department store for moving-in greetings. I carried the daily necessities home in both hands, and arranged for a set of bedding to be delivered tomorrow. I think I'll probably be able to live in the apartment starting tomorrow. However, since I didn't have bedding or a bath towel today, I decided to stay one night at an internet cafe.

For now, I put the gift towels in a bag and went out into the hallway to make my rounds. Perhaps because it was a bit early for people to be returning from work, room 302 was empty. Room 203 was vacant, and as proof, a gas connection guide was hanging from the doorknob in a clear plastic bag. I decided to try again later, and finally, I rang the doorbell of room 403, which was directly above room 303. I rang the doorbell twice, but since no one came to the door, it was possible that this room was also empty for now. Just as I thought that and turned away from the door, I heard the sound of a lock disengaging and the door creaking open behind me.

Startled, I turned around to see a woman in a red knit sweater opening the door and looking at me.

"Who is it?"

When the woman called out to me, I hurried over and bowed my head.

"Um, I'm Nakazato, I just moved into room 303. This is just a small token of my appreciation."

I took a package out of my shopping bag and held it out with both hands.

"Oh, so you're the new tenant in the room below. I'm Tsutsumi. Nice to meet you."

The woman was probably in her late thirties, with long black hair tucked behind her ears. Her gentle voice was pleasant to my ears, and for some reason, I felt my tension melting away.

"You said the room below, so did you move into the company housing?"

"Yes. Orient Co., Ltd. I started working here this year."

Thinking that Ms. Tsutsumi was someone easy to talk to, I finished my greeting and bowed to leave, when Ms. Tsutsumi hesitated, saying, "Um..."

Wondering what it was, I waited as Ms. Tsutsumi opened her mouth shyly.

"I always end up cooking too much, so if it's alright with you, I'd like to share some of my cooking."

"Oh... um."

I was confused and stammered. But for some reason, I felt strongly drawn to the words Ms. Tsutsumi spoke with a shy smile. I strained my ears to make sure I didn't miss a word she said.

"I'm simmering some beef stroganoff right now, but I made it in a stockpot, so it's a bit... you know?"

A stockpot is one of those large pots you see in restaurants. Hearing that she was making a whole pot full of beef stroganoff made me imagine it and I found it a little funny.

"Do you like beef stroganoff?"

"Yes, I love it."

Then, the delicious aroma of beef stroganoff drifted through the gap in the door.

"That's good. Then, would it be okay if I brought some over later?"

“If I’m okay for you…”

“Great! Then, I’ll bring it over once it’s done!”

Perhaps she was quite happy, as Ms. Tsutsumi clasped her hands in front of her chest.

“That’s a huge help.”

It was probably better not to ask just how much she had made. I gave a slight, bitter smile. Even so, knowing that I could build new human relationships—relationships based on harmonious communication—in a new place where no one knew me at all, my heart was shaken intensely.

Back home, acquaintances had always looked at me as a strange child. Because of mistakes I made when I didn't know any better, and because of bullies from the past, there was no place for me in my hometown. At home, I was either treated as if I didn't exist or as a tool to satisfy my family's sense of superiority. That was why, when Ms. Tsutsumi treated me with such genuine kindness, I was easily moved to tears.

Even with Ms. Shiraishi, I wonder if people in these smaller urban areas are more open-hearted than those in the countryside. I have nothing to give back to someone like me who is being treated so kindly, and I can't even think of anything.

“Cooking is my hobby. But I always end up making more than I can eat alone, so I’m really happy when someone takes it off my hands.”

She seemed to truly mean it, and her voice sounded bright and cheerful.

“Thank you, the pleasure is mine.”

Ms. Tsutsumi’s kind words soaked into my heart, and I felt deeply how warm it is to be treated with kindness.

“If I’m okay for you…”

I bowed my head once more and returned to my room.

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