As the sunset's evening glow was completely swallowed by the sea level, Tokyo's sky finally succumbed to the profound darkness of night.
Thump, thump, thump.
As the rhythmic knocking sounded, Watanabe Yu's thoughts were pulled back to reality.
"I'm coming."
After glancing at the night outside the window, he stood up and walked toward the entrance hall.
The only person who would knock on his door at this hour was the old granny who lived next door and wasn't in good health.
Snip.
Opening the door, Watanabe Yu looked outside, using the somewhat dim light from the corridor.
Just as he expected, what entered his line of sight was the pale-faced, gentle-looking old granny from next door.
Under the corridor light, this old granny was wearing a somewhat yellowed old vest, a thick long-sleeved shirt patched in several places, and a pair of simple, worn-out trousers on the bottom.
Even though the temperature in April had warmed up, among everyone else wearing uniform short-sleeved shirts and shorts, or short-sleeved shirts and long trousers, her attire looked quite strange, giving off an indescribable sense of being out of season.
"Granny, is there anything I can help you with?"
Watanabe Yu slightly lowered his eyebrows and asked softly.
During the time right after he transmigrated, this kind old granny had given him a lot of help. Besides teaching him some small tips for living in Tokyo, she would also occasionally bring him things like curry or fried pork cutlet.
Except for the very first time, this old granny's excuses were always 'I accidentally made too much' or 'just a small token of my appreciation,' but he knew the truth as clearly as if it were written on his heart.
This kind old granny just worried that he wasn't taking good care of himself, so she always found ways to bring him food to prevent him from constantly eating only discounted meals from the supermarket.
Later, after he subtly demonstrated his cooking skills, the frequency of her bringing food decreased slightly, but she would still occasionally bring a single serving of a dish.
As a return gift, he would also bring some of his own cooking over.
"Yu, have you eaten?"
The old granny didn't answer his question, merely raising her line of sight and showing a look of concern.
"Not yet," Watanabe Yu said, his expression suddenly becoming awkward, like a student caught by a teacher for not doing homework. He scratched the back of his head, "I was planning to make something later."
He figured he would just whip up some simple fried rice with eggs to get by for the meal.
He had two discounted eggs left in the small refrigerator in his room; that would definitely be enough for tonight's dinner.
As for tomorrow morning and noon, he figured he could just make do with the convenience store and the cafeteria.
"Didn't I tell you to eat on time? Don't think you can neglect your body just because you're young. By the time your body truly collapses, it will be too late for everything."
The old granny gently patted his arm with her withered hand, then took out a simple food container and handed it to him. "It's some curry I made extra of; it's still hot, eat it while it's warm."
"Thank you, Granny."
Watanabe Yu obediently accepted the food container from her and thanked her with a bow of his head.
"Eating on time is the greatest thanks you can give me."
A bit more concern appeared in the old granny's cloudy eyes.
"...I won't next time."
Watanabe Yu lowered his head and admitted his mistake obediently.
Having lived two lives, he understood clearly that such kindness from a stranger was rare and precious.
You must treat those who are good to you well and cherish them.
"That's more like it," the old granny said, hearing the sincerity in Watanabe Yu's tone, and nodded with satisfaction. "After you finish eating, just leave the food container by my door."
Having said that, she didn't give Watanabe Yu a chance to reply, moving her less nimble legs, and walked unsteadily back to her half-closed door.
"Granny, why did you go out again? Didn't the doctor tell you to rest more?"
A slightly helpless, cold and aloof female voice suddenly came from inside the room.
That pleasant female voice was like chilled sparkling water on a summer afternoon; as the glass trembled slightly, the bubbles gently churned, and the glass lightly bumped against the ice—the sound alone was enough to soothe one's nerves.
To put it aptly, this voice was like the plus version of a low-pitched female voice in a non-all-ages ASMR work: slightly cold, magnetic, yet possessing a unique female tenderness.
In summary: it sounds good, I like listening to it, and my brothers should definitely listen to it.
"I just walked a couple of steps, not too far. Granny hasn't reached the tofu stage yet; I won't shatter if you touch me!"
The old granny grumbled somewhat dissatisfiedly.
However, anyone could tell that the old granny's imposing manner wasn't strong at all; it was entirely the helplessness an elder shows toward a junior.
"Granny, your body isn't what it used to be! You're all I have! I don't want to lose you."
That pleasant voice immediately softened considerably, and her words carried a hint of pleading.
"...I know, Ryoko, it's not as exaggerated as you say. Besides, Granny won't leave you."
The old granny fell silent for a moment, and when she spoke again, a touch of guilt entered her tone.
Snip.
The door closed, and the corridor quieted down.
Although the hardware conditions of this old apartment were indeed quite regrettable, the soundproofing was actually quite good.
After watching the old granny return to her room, Watanabe Yu also closed his door and returned to his own room.
*
"You're saying that Watanabe-san, like he was grabbing a little chick, easily pinned that bandit to the ground?"
At Hayakawa Yuki's home, in the living room, a tall woman who looked about thirty-something and shared about seventy percent of Hayakawa Yuki's appearance raised an eyebrow and asked this question with surprise.
Based on what Anbara Risa and her own daughter said, the conclusion she drew was that Watanabe-san was incredibly capable, subduing the suspect with ease.
But after actually hearing her daughter recount the entire process in detail, the sense of shock in her heart was different.
According to her daughter, it was completely like watching an action movie.
Of course, the reason she could sit here so calmly, listening to her daughter recount what happened, was because she had repeatedly confirmed that her daughter was completely unharmed, and the young man who protected her daughter was also unharmed.
If Yuki had mentioned being bumped or hurt anywhere, or if the young man protecting Yuki had been injured, they would probably be at the best hospital in Tokyo right now.
"Yes."
Hayakawa Yuki nodded, giving an affirmative answer.
"He's also your classmate?"
The woman raised an eyebrow, the curiosity in her eyes growing stronger.
A high school student who could easily take down a subway thief sounded rather unbelievable.
The key point was that, according to her precious daughter, Watanabe Yu's physique wasn't that of an elite member of the sports club.
"Yes."
Hayakawa Yuki nodded slightly, somewhat dissatisfied with her mother's reaction.
"Did you thank him?"
The woman asked again.
"Isn't that a given? I've thanked him several times already."
On this point, Hayakawa Yuki felt she had done reasonably well.
"Was your attitude sincere?"
The woman pressed on, feeling uneasy.
That boy named Watanabe Yu had put himself at immense risk to stand in front of her daughter!
The words "armed assailant" carried significant weight!
"Mother, don't you know me?"
Hayakawa Yuki rolled her eyes in exasperation.
Her mother was wonderful in every way, except for this one point, which always left her feeling a mix of laughter and tears.
"How could I not know you? It's just that I'm a little..." The woman coughed lightly, realizing she might be overly concerned. "I was afraid you lacked experience with things like this, so..."
"I'm not so unreliable that you have to worry to that extent, am I?"
Hayakawa Yuki's tone was full of helplessness.
However, she could understand her mother.
After all, her mother had always felt guilty about that incident in junior high school.
She felt that she hadn't protected her well enough, which is why she suffered that bullying.
"I am," the woman paused. "Furthermore, a light 'thank you' from you isn't enough.
"At the very least, I need to thank Watanabe-san in person and then treat him to a meal. That's necessary."
Just a dry thank you sounded too insignificant, and it could also give the impression of not valuing the other person enough.
As a parent, she couldn't and wouldn't choose to do it that way.
"What do you mean, Mother?"
Hayakawa Yuki understood her mother's reasoning.
Thinking back, if such a life-saving favor were dismissed with just a thank you, it would indeed be too perfunctory and dismissive.
At least something tangible was required.
"I mean, you should find an opportunity to set a time with Watanabe-san, tell him I'd like to treat him to a meal to express my gratitude in person. The sooner the better—um... you should tell him tomorrow."
The woman frankly stated her thoughts.
Some things can be discussed online, but some things absolutely cannot be discussed online.
For matters like this, saying it in person feels completely different from saying it over the phone.
"Okay, I understand."
Hayakawa Yuki nodded and agreed.
"Then you should go rest now; you have to get up early for school tomorrow."
"Mm."
1/2
Ahhh, please give me some votes, my brothers~
Also, please turn to the last page of the new chapter. Although there are no recommendations yet and it feels like I'm reading alone, please help boost the read tracking, I beg you!