Chapter 2 - Studio

"Buzz.. Buzz.." Ryu was woken up by the doorbell ringing. He reached for his phone and checked the time, it was only nine in the morning. He was supposed to wake up around two in the afternoon. After drinking out with Nato last night, he wouldn't even bother to eat breakfast. He wondered if he had any deliveries or anyone coming over but he was still too sleepy to even bother thinking. "Buzz.. Buzz.." He heard the doorbell ring again and that's when he decided to get out of bed. Ryu went out of his room and is struggling to open his eyes to the brightness coming from the windows.

Ryu likes to sleep in the dark since he usually starts sleeping after sunrise. He went to the monitor and asked who it was. "Good morning. Sorry to bother you this early. I'm Yuka, you're new roommate. I tried calling Nato since he was supposed to take me here, but he wouldn't answer so I just went straight to the address that he gave me." How irresponsible can Nato be at this point? It was his idea to drink all throughout the night not thinking that he made an arrangement with Yuka the next day. Ryu tried to get a look at Yuka from the monitor but could barely see a glimpse of her from where she is standing. "Um--. Okay. Can you just give me a second?" He asked Yuka. "Yeah. Sure. Sorry again." Yuka replied.

Ryu went back to his bed to change clothes. He was only wearing his shirt and boxers and had to wear shorts on top of it. As he was changing he realized how he couldn't wear his boxers around the house anymore and how inconvenient it would be. After changing his clothes, Ryu went to the entrance and opened the door. "Sorry to bother you this early," Yuka said as he opened the door. Ryu was surprised that she looked about the same age as his or maybe even younger. He was expecting someone who was in her mid 30's who will be more like an older sister to him. "Uh, No worries." He said as their eyes met for the first time, he tried to act cool like he wasn't uncomfortable with the situation. She is pretty, the first thing that Ryu thought. Her brown mid-length hair compliments he round eyes and pale skin. "Let me help you with that," Ryu said as he grabbed her suitcase. "Thank you," Yuka said holding a box around her arms. "Please come in," Ryu said as he open the door wider and carry the Yuka's bag inside.

"I'm really sorry to bother you this early. I heard from Nato that you work at night and sleep in the morning. I just didn't know who to call and what to do." So, Nato really did tell her about these types of details that were important to Ryu's routine. "Don't worry about it. Your room is right here, mine is right next to you and that is where the shower and toilet are." Ryu said as he walked to open the door of Yuka's room and switched on the light.

Yuka was surprised at how clean the apartment is. She was expecting some things to be left messy since Ryu was living alone and is working the whole time. Nato was right, Ryu did a good job keeping things tidy. Yuka was also impressed by how tall and chill Ryu was when she introduced herself to him.

Ryu went back to sleep after helping Yuka with her things. Yuka on the other hand started unpacking her things and organizing her room. She took a day off from work to move into her new apartment. It was her first time living together with a guy as her roommate. She thought to herself that the situation was tolerable compared to the rewards that come along with it. She also knows that Nato would never recommend anyone to be her roommate if her safety is not guaranteed.

The following day, Yuka went straight to her work. She was working for a foreign marketing company. She was still on her one-year internship but was hoping that she could get a permanent position someday in the company if she performs really well.

Ryu was still sleeping in the afternoon when his phone ringing woke him up. He reached for his phone in the darkness. He tried to check the caller's name but the screen was too bright so he just decided to answer it.

"Hello?" He said, his voice still rough. "Hi, Ryu!" He heard an unfamiliar yet recognizable voice. "Uh-. Who is this?" He asked. "Sorry to bother you again. It's Yuka." The voice from the other end said. "Yuka?" Ryu repeated, he was still sleepy making music with the potential producer last night. "You're a new roommate." She continued. "Oh hey, Yuka. Sorry. What's up?" He asked as he get up and sit at the edge of his bed. "I forgot to ask you for the apartment key." She said shyly. "Oh, I totally forgot about that." He said rubbing his temple. Around what time are you coming home?" He asked. Ryu thought if it was weird for him asking that question. "Uh-. I'm not really sure yet, but it will be probably around 7 PM or even later than that." She said. Yuka was doing a lot of overtime work as an intern. "I have a practice around that time but you can just text me when you're close to the apartment so I can drop by when you're there." He said. "No, you don't have to. I can just grab it from the studio where you're practicing at." She said. "Are you sure? I mean the studio isn't that far from our apartment so that won't be a problem." He said. Actually, it is pretty far if he's trying to catch back to practice again. "That's okay, I don't want to bother you. I will just drop by at the studio you're at." She said. "Okay then. Just let me know when you're there. I'll text you the address." He said. "Okay. Thank you." Yuka said as they hung up the call.

"Hey, Ryu!" Nato greeted Ryu and arrived in the studio. Ryu just gave him a death stare while placing his stuff. Nato knew he was in trouble for not letting him know beforehand that his new roommate was coming that soon without any notice. Nato went to Ryu's side and stretched his arm and grab Ryu's shoulder. "Look, man. I know I messed up a bit-" Ryu gave Nato a more intense death stare. "Well, a lot I mean," Nato admitted and said Ryu's shoulder started to relax. "I'm really sorry that I skipped some details," Nato said. "Some?" Ryu repeated. "I mean a lot, again. My bad. I should have told you that-." Before Nato could continue, Ryu interrupted him. "Whatever man. Everything has been settled already." Ryu hated to argue about things that are already done and he doesn't have any control over them. He wasn't even mad that he was caught by surprise but he was mad at how Nato carelessly handled the situation for Yuka. "Let's just get into practice." He said as he grab his guitar. Nato smiled and took his guitar as well. He was really grateful for how Ryu handled the situation for him and took care of Yuka.

"By the way, I forgot to hand the key to Yuka. She'll drop by later this evening." Ryu said casually to Nato. "Really? What time?" Nato asked. "I don't know. She said around 7 but told me it would probably be later than that." Ryu explained. "That's great. We could go out tonight and celebrate." Nato said excitedly. "I don't know about that," Ryu said. The four of them continue to practice and discuss the producer that wanted to collaborate with Ryu and the band.

Yuka checked her phone while on the way out of the building. The time is already 9 PM and she is nowhere even close to the studio. She will be riding the train and walking to the studio which will take her thirty minutes to arrive.

She was about to leave the office around 6:30 PM when her boss asked her to take over some work for him since he had something urgent to attend to. Yuka was already used to this and it's not like she had any choice. She was working for a top marketing company in the country which would help her to pursue a career offshore. Yuka started feeling disconnected from the country and people that she grew up with. Her dream was to work offshore and build a different world outside her country where she can dream again without her roots holding her back.

Yuka had just gotten off the train when her phone rang, it was her dad. "Hey, dad!" She aid after answering the call. "Yuka!" His dad greeted cheerfully. "Where are you at?" He asked. "I'm on my way home from work. I just got off the train." She said as she walk on her way to the studio. "Hmm. Did you eat already?" He asked. "Yeah, I did at work before I leave. How about you dad?" She lied. She knows how worried her dad would be if she said no. Yuka was always tired from work that doesn't even have the appetite to eat dinner most of the time. "Yes, I had some ramen from some Japanese restaurant here. By the way, how is your new apartment?" Yuka told her dad that she was moving to a new apartment just in case her dad sends the package. "It's great. It's closer to work compared to the previous one. I have a roommate who works all night so we will barely see each other." She said trying to avoid mentioning that her roommate was a guy. It wasn't a big deal but her dad would probably disapprove of it and would get mad at Nato. "I'm glad Nato was able to help you. How is Nato doing anyway?" He asked. Nato was his dad's nephew from his brother. "He's okay. We haven't really seen each other yet but I will probably see him one of these days." She said. "Let him know that I'm grateful that he helped you. Anyway, I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you take care of yourself, and if you need anything just let me and Nato know." His dad said. "Thanks, dad. I will, you take care of yourself too." She said as they said their goodbyes and ended the call.

Ryu and the band were in the middle of a discussion when his phone rang. He checked it and it was Yuka. Ryu excused himself to the group and went out to answer the call. "Hello, Ryu?" She said. "Hey, Yuka. Are you already at the studio?" He asked. "Yes. I'm outside the studio." She said. "Okay, I'm on my way out," Ryu said as he walks out and saw Yuka and dropped the call.

"Hey. Did you just get off from work?" He asked as he walked toward her. "Yeah. Sorry I was late." She said. "No, that's okay. We're not even done yet." He said as he pull out the keys from his pocket. "Here is your key." He said as he extends his hand out for Yuka to reach. "Thanks." Yuka grabs the key and placed it inside her handbag as Ryu stood awkwardly. "Are you heading home now?" He asked. "Yeah." She answered. "Nato is at the studio. Do you want to see him?" Ryu said. Not sure why he brought that up, maybe because of Nato's plan to celebrate with Yuka. "Is he?" She looked at him and he nods. "Sure." She answered.