The next few days with Kento had a weird rhythm to them.

Between watching TV reruns, Kento pretending to work, and me trying not to lose my mind, it almost felt like some twisted buddy-cop movie.

One thing was clear: if we were going to be stuck together, we might as well make the most of it.

"So, what's next on the 'Stay Alive, Keisuke' plan?"

I asked, pacing around the living room as Kento lounged on the couch, feet up on the coffee table, flipping through a magazine like he was on vacation.

Kento looked up with a lazy grin.

"Step one, don't die. Step two, apologize to the neighbors without getting the door slammed in your face."

I glared at him.

"You know, it’s not my fault Kozumaru-san has a personal grudge against me. The guy acts like I ran over his dog."

"Did you?"

Kento asked, eyebrows raised in mock seriousness.

I sighed.

"No, Kento, I did not run over his dog. But I did accidentally knock over one of his plants before my accident."

Kento let out a low whistle.

"Ah, the classic 'knocked-over-plant feud.' Dangerous territory, 'Suke. You don’t come back from that easily."

I shot him a look.

"Thanks for the wisdom, Sensei."

Kento chuckled.

"Hey, just saying—people take their plants seriously."

We both sat in silence for a moment before I sighed again.

"I still need to fix this. Apologizing to Kozumaru-san is the least I can do."

Kento shrugged, tossing the magazine onto the coffee table.

"Alright, let’s make a plan. But this time, we go in with strategy. No more winging it and getting the door slammed in your face like you're selling vacuum cleaners."

"Fine," I said, sitting down next to him.

"So what’s the plan, genius?"

Kento grinned.

"Glad you asked."

----------------------------------------

The Apology Masterplan – Kento’s Style

We gathered around my coffee table like we were strategizing for a major heist.

Kento even pulled out a notepad, scribbling down ideas like we were planning some top-secret mission.

"First"

He said, tapping his pen on the notepad.

"We need to figure out why Kozumaru-san is mad beyond the plant incident. Maybe it goes deeper."

I blinked.

"Deeper? Like what, I insulted his taste in potted plants?"

Kento nodded seriously.

"Could be. People hold grudges for less. But we need intel. And I know just the guy."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Who?"

I asked, trying to imagine who would be helpful in this situation.

As if summoned by my words, there was a knock at the door.

Kento looked at me, then at the door.

"I didn't order pizza"

I muttered, getting up to open it.

Standing there, in all his stoic glory, was none other than Taichi Sasaki himself.

His face was as unreadable as ever, but he held a bag that smelled suspiciously like takeout.

"Sasaki-senpai!"

Kento said, standing up and giving him a salute like we were in some kind of spy movie.

Sasaki grunted and pushed past me, heading straight for the living room.

He dropped the bag on the table with a heavy thud.

"I figured you two would be hungry"

He said flatly, sitting down without being invited.

"Uh, thanks?"

I said, glancing at Kento, who was beaming like Sasaki had just brought us gold instead of noodles.

Sasaki eyed the notepad on the table.

"What’s this?"

"We’re planning Keisuke’s apology to his neighbors"

Kento explained, leaning back with a smug grin.

Sasaki gave him a long look, then shifted his gaze to me.

"You’re apologizing?"

"Well, trying to. Last time didn’t exactly go well"

I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck.

Sasaki snorted.

"Of course it didn’t. You’re about as smooth as sandpaper, Keisuke."

I frowned.

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence."

Kento, ever the peacemaker, jumped in.

"That’s why we’re planning it out this time. Step one: figure out the root cause of Kozumaru-san’s grudge."

Sasaki raised an eyebrow.

"You really think this is worth your time? You’re supposed to be laying low, not playing neighborhood diplomat."

Kento shrugged.

"Hey, everyone needs hobbies."

I rolled my eyes.

"Look, I just want to make peace. I’m tired of getting death glares every time I walk past their door."

Sasaki leaned back, crossing his arms.

"Fine. But if you’re serious about this, you’re going to need more than just an apology."

I blinked.

"What do you mean?"

"You’ve got to show respect. Apologies are cheap, Keisuke. You knocked over his plants? Replace them. Clean the staircase. Show that you actually care about fixing things."

Kento nodded sagely, as if Sasaki had just revealed the meaning of life.

"See, that’s what I’ve been saying. Actions speak louder than words."

I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me.

"So… plant replacements and manual labor. Got it."

Sasaki stood up, stretching.

"I’ll help you get the plants. Kozumaru-san is a fan of azaleas, if I remember correctly."

I stared at him, surprised.

"How do you even know that?"

Sasaki shot me a look.

"I’m a detective, Keisuke. I know things."

Kento stifled a laugh, clearly enjoying the rare moment of Sasaki actually being helpful.

----------------------------------------

The Apology Mission: Day 1

With Sasaki’s surprisingly useful knowledge, we set out to gather supplies.

Kento and I found ourselves sitting on my couch, talking to sasaki in video call.

He went to the garden shop to pick out the right azaleas

"Those ones look good"

Kento said, pointing to a pink variety over the screen.

Sasaki frowned on the other side.

"No. Too flashy. Kozumaru-san likes white."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure we’re still talking about plants?"

Sasaki ignored me, picking up a pot of white azaleas and inspecting it like a crime scene.

After what felt like an eternity of remote plant shopping (something I never thought I’d do in my life), Sasaki returned to the apartment with the goods.

----------------------------------------

The Apology Mission: Day 2

The next morning, with Kento supervising like a general on the battlefield, I scrubbed the stairs leading to the second floor.

Sasaki stood nearby, arms crossed, clearly amused by my predicament.

"This is character building, Mori-san"

Sasaki said as I wiped sweat from my brow.

"Yeah, I can feel my character growing, Sensei"

I muttered.

Kento laughed, tossing me a bottle of water.

"You’re almost there, Keisuke. One more step and you’ll be Kozumaru-san’s favorite person."

I snorted.

"Yeah, right."

But by the time I finished, I actually felt… okay.

Like maybe I was making progress, even if it was just scrubbing stairs and replacing a few plants.

Later that day, we approached Kozumaru-san’s door again, this time armed with the azaleas and a clean staircase.

I took a deep breath and knocked.

The door opened, and there he was—same stern face, same piercing eyes.

Before he could say anything, I gestured to the plants.

"I got these for you. And I cleaned the stairs."

He looked at me, then at the plants, then back at me.

His expression softened—just a little.

"Thank you, Mori-san"

He said gruffly, and for a moment, I thought I saw a hint of a smile.

Back in the apartment, Kento clapped me on the back.

"See? All it takes is some elbow grease and a few azaleas."

Sasaki grunted in agreement.

"You’re learning, Keisuke."

I smiled, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. Maybe things were looking up after all.

Wait.

Now I remember the real reason he hates me.

The same reason why he reported me to the police.

"Guys..."

They both looked at me with curious faces.

"I've done more than i could solve with plants and manual labor"

They glanced at each other and then look back at me.

"You didn't, did you?

Sasaki put his face in his hand and said this.

Kento looked dumbfounded but stays quiet.

"Maybe---but maybe--- I called Kozumaru-san's wife, who needs a wheelchair, the lost piece of the Hot Wheels Collection."

Kento's eyes widen.

But then he bursted in a loud laughter.

Instinctively i started laughing too.

Sasaki shook his head and exited the apartment.

We kept laughing for almost ten minutes.

For the first time in a while, I actually felt… at peace.