The day after our half-successful apology attempt, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Kozumaru-san’s reaction wasn’t the end of it.

Sure, he appreciated the azaleas and the cleaned stairs—at least, that’s what I wanted to believe—but deep down, I knew there was more to fix.

Something bigger than just a few clumsy steps and a flippant insult.

I’d messed up in ways that no amount of plants or manual labor could fully repair.

I sat on the couch with Kento, who was still chuckling at the memory of my "Hot Wheels" comment from the day before.

"You seriously called the guy’s wife that?"

Kento said, shaking his head in disbelief, his voice still carrying a hint of amusement.

I groaned, burying my face in my hands.

"It wasn’t intentional! It just… slipped out"

I admitted, my voice muffled.

"I was frustrated, angry, and, well… yeah, I said it. Now I feel like the biggest jerk in the world."

Kento leaned back, a grin still playing at the corners of his lips.

"Honestly, it’s kind of hilarious. Not for Kozumaru-san, of course, but from an outsider's perspective? It’s gold"

He said, making no attempt to hide his amusement.

I shot him a glare.

"Great. Glad to know my colossal social failures are comedy material for you."

He raised his hands in mock surrender, his expression turning more sympathetic, though still not entirely serious.

"Hey, hey. Relax. At least you’re trying to make amends, right? Most people wouldn’t even bother apologizing after something like that. You’re already doing more than most would."

I sighed, leaning back into the couch, feeling the weight of it all pressing down on me.

"Yeah, but trying isn’t enough"

I said softly.

"I need to actually fix things. Not just say sorry and throw a few plants at the problem."

Kento watched me closely for a moment, his grin fading into something more thoughtful.

"Listen, Keisuke"

He began, his tone uncharacteristically serious.

"You can’t undo what happened, okay? People mess up. They say dumb things in the heat of the moment. It sucks, but it happens. What matters now is how you move forward. You’ve already apologized once. Now you’ve got to show them that you’re serious."

I nodded slowly, letting his words sink in.

"You’re right"

I said after a moment.

"I guess I’ve been so focused on the apology itself that I forgot about what comes after."

Kento smirked, giving me a light punch on the shoulder.

"Exactly. Words are just the first step. Now it’s time to back them up. And hey," he added, his smirk widening, "I believe in you. Even after the whole ‘Hot Wheels’ thing."

Despite myself, I chuckled, feeling a little lighter.

"Thanks, man. I think I’ll go downstairs again, but this time… I’ll do it alone. I need to apologize properly, for everything."

Kento raised an eyebrow at me.

"Going solo, huh?" he asked. "You sure about that? What if he slams the door in your face again?"

I shrugged.

"I have to try," I said, grabbing my jacket and heading toward the door. "Besides, if I bring you, he might think I’m showing up with reinforcements."

Kento laughed, waving me off.

"Fair point. Alright, go forth and make peace. And for the love of everything, Keisuke, no more car metaphors."

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

I snorted as I closed the door behind me, heading down the stairs.

Each step felt heavier than the last, like the weight of everything I’d said and done was pulling me down.

When I reached Kozumaru-san’s door, I paused, taking a deep breath before raising my hand to knock.

Instead of Kozumaru-san, it was his wife, Kaori, who answered the door.

She sat in her wheelchair, looking up at me with a slightly surprised but not unfriendly expression.

"Mori-san?"

Her voice was soft, tinged with curiosity and perhaps a hint of surprise.

I hadn’t expected her to answer. Usually, it was Kozumaru-san who handled these kinds of confrontations.

"Kaori-san"

I stammered, suddenly feeling even more nervous than I had before.

"I… I came to apologize. Really apologize this time."

Her gaze softened slightly as she looked at me, as if trying to assess my sincerity.

After a few long moments, she nodded and gestured for me to come inside.

"Come in, Mori-san"

She said gently.

I hesitated for a second, glancing around the hallway before stepping into their apartment.

It felt strange being in their home, familiar in layout to mine but different in every other way.

Warm and cozy, the air was filled with the scent of tea and a kind of lived-in comfort that my own place seemed to lack.

Family photos adorned the walls, and everything was arranged with care, a contrast to the chaos of my own life.

Kaori wheeled herself over to a small table and motioned for me to sit down.

"Would you like some tea?"

She asked, her voice calm and composed.

I nodded, grateful for the offer.

"Yes, please. Thank you."

She moved gracefully, despite her wheelchair, pouring tea with a practiced ease that made me realize just how long she’d likely been doing this.

I wondered if her condition was something recent or if she’d lived with it for years.

Either way, there was a quiet strength in her movements, a sense of calm that I found both comforting and intimidating.

We sat in silence for a few moments, sipping our tea.

I felt the tension hanging in the air, but Kaori didn’t seem in a hurry to speak.

She was giving me space, letting me find the right words, which only made it harder.

Finally, she looked up at me, her gaze steady but kind.

"You said you came to apologize, Mori-san"

She prompted gently.

"What for, exactly?"

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of my words before I even spoke them.

My hands fidgeted with the teacup as I struggled to put my thoughts into words.

"For everything"

I began, my voice quieter than I intended.

"For the noise, for knocking over your plants… and especially for the awful thing I said about you. It was uncalled for, and I don’t know what I was thinking when I said it. I was angry, frustrated, and… I took it out on you and Kozumaru-san. I’m really sorry."

Kaori watched me for a long moment, her expression unreadable.

Then, slowly, she set her teacup down on the table.

"Ah, yes"

She said softly.

"The ‘Hot Wheels’ comment."

I winced at the reminder, feeling a fresh wave of embarrassment wash over me.

"Yeah"

I muttered, unable to meet her eyes.

"That. I don’t know what I was thinking."

Kaori didn’t say anything for a moment, then she let out a soft sigh, her face softening into a small, knowing smile.

"People say things when they’re angry, Mori-san. Hurtful things, sometimes. I won’t pretend it didn’t sting at the time, but I also understand that you were going through something difficult yourself."

Her words caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected her to be so… understanding.

"I still shouldn’t have said it"

I said, shaking my head.

"No matter what I was going through, it doesn’t excuse treating you that way."

Kaori nodded, her eyes filled with a quiet wisdom that made me feel even smaller in comparison.

"Thank you for saying that"

She said.

"But I think the person who needs to hear that the most is my husband. He’s the one who’s been carrying this grudge, and it’s not just about the plants or the noise. It’s about the disrespect. For him, respect is everything."

I nodded, feeling a heavy pit of guilt in my stomach.

"I know. That’s why I came here today"

I said.

"I tried to apologize yesterday, with the plants and cleaning the stairs, but… I don’t think it was enough. I want to show him that I mean it—that I’ve changed."

Kaori smiled softly, her expression warm.

"My husband is a proud man"

She said quietly.

"It takes time for him to forgive, especially when he feels disrespected. But you’re on the right track, Mori-san. Actions speak louder than words."

Just as I was about to respond, the front door opened, and in walked Kozumaru-san, carrying a bag of groceries.

He froze when he saw me sitting there, his expression hardening for a moment before he closed the door behind him.

"Mori-san."

His voice was cold, guarded.

I stood up immediately, bowing deeply.

"Kozumaru-san"

I said, my voice steady but filled with sincerity.

"I’m truly sorry for everything. For the noise, for the plants… for what I said to your wife. I know I’ve caused a lot of trouble, and I want to make it right."

For a long moment, he didn’t say anything.

He just stood there, watching me with those piercing eyes of his.

Then, slowly, he glanced at Kaori, who gave him a small nod of encouragement.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he sighed and set the groceries down on the table.

"You cleaned the stairs and replaced the plants"

He said, his tone still gruff but less icy than before. "That’s a start."

I straightened up, surprised but

relieved.

"Thank you, Kozumaru-san," I said. "I’ll keep trying to make it up to you. I just hope, in time, we can move past this."

He didn’t respond right away, but after a moment, he grunted—a sound that I took as the closest thing to approval I was likely to get.

"Just don’t knock over my plants again, Mori-san"

He said.

I smiled, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.

"I won’t"

I promised.

"Not again."

As I left their apartment and headed back upstairs, I realized something important.

Apologizing was just the first step.

What really mattered now was proving that I’d changed. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I could.

Back in my apartment, Kento was waiting for me, lounging on the couch with a grin.

"So?"

He asked, sitting up as I walked in.

"How’d it go?"

I collapsed onto the couch beside him, exhausted but lighter.

"Better"

I said with a smile.

"I think I’m finally starting to make things right."

Kento nodded, his grin softening into something more genuine.

"Good"

He said, clapping me on the shoulder.

"Maybe there’s hope for you after all, 'Suke."

I chuckled.

"Maybe there is."