I spoke to the manager for the N-Stage apartment, and after showing her my acceptance letter, I was given the keys to a room to explore. I know I looked like a mess, and she was being kind, regardless of my disheveled appearance, but I could still see the "you can't afford this" look flash over her eyes. Little did she know, when she showed me the 113,000 yen monthly fee, that I knew $20,000 was more than enough to pay for not one, but two years of rent. However, now that I know the cost of housing, I'll use it to my advantage with the Venom Gang.

I mean, Yahiko did ask me for a price...so he has to be willing to negotiate.

The model key jingled in my hand as I opened the studio apartment door and walked inside. I almost couldn't believe how light it was...and clean! The appliances were new, there were grey wooden tile floors, and BETTER YET the lights and A/C worked like a charm! I felt like I had just won the lottery, and after tinkering around the apartment, I lay on the floor daydreaming...ONLY TO REALIZE I WAS NOT ALONE!

 A girl with her parents were giggling...maybe even looking at me in shock, to the point that I left them the keys, bowed, and ran out of the room. That was embarrassing!

Either way, I decided to sign the contract. The apartment manager almost couldn't believe I had the cash in hand, but I paid the deposit and signed my lease without reading a damn thing. I was just happy to have the paperwork in hand with a set date, a week out, to finally start moving forward with my life.

That lifted my spirits and brought a wide grin to my face. So much so that I felt like I was skipping to the art store. 

"Hi Mr. Kimora, do you have any 20 x 24 and 36 x 48 canvases? I'll need a couple of 'em."

"Hey, Niko!" The middle aged, but super chill, shop owner said. "Let me have a look!"

Mr. Kimora and I go way back. I'd collect chump change just to buy simple supplies at his store. Once he noticed I had a passion for art, he started gifting me canvases, brushes, and paint as long as I helped clean up his shop. 

Mr. Kimora walked away from the desk, looking at the canvases behind him. "Hmm...yes, I have three of the larger canvases and about two of the 20 x 24. Is that enough?"

"Yea, that's fine!"

Mr. Kimora neatly packaged them up, as I started to hand him cash. Shockingly he shook his head.

"Take this as a graduation present. I'm so proud of you, Niko!"

He was trying to make me blush...

"Wow...thank you Mr. Kimora. That means a lot!"

"Don't mention it!"

With that, I walked out of the shop, waving goodbye, with the required canvases in hand. I took an Uber back to my house, so I didn't have to lug the canvases down the street. Yet, when I got back home, barely walking out of the car, I saw Ray.

He was leaning on his Maserati, his black newsboys cap barely grazing over his eyes, smoking as if he had been waiting a while. Yet, when his eyes met mine, as I walked out of the Uber, my chest began to tighten as I was reminded of earlier events. 

They were so many things I wanted to say...but I just looked down at the ground to avoid his mesmerizing glance.

"Seems like you used your day wisely," Ray exhaled, putting out his cigarette.

I didn't answer that.

"My brother wants the paintings in two days. Think you can accomplish that?"

I'm sure shock filled my features. Two days?! Sure, I could do it...maybe now that I had Kizuna's tongue sticking down his throat as motivation.

Ray waited on my answer, folding his arms as he leaned into his car: a silent sigh emanating from his lips.

"Yea...I'll do it."

"Great," he smiled, unlocking his car door, "you'll get a message for a time and a place."

That's it?! No "can I spend the night" or anything? He just sat here and waited for me to tell me something he could've said in a text message?

"Wait!"

My mouth moved on its own as Ray held his car door open, looking back at me questioningly.

I got stuck on his gaze and lost my words. What the hell do I ask? What is Kizuna to you?

"Um...do you know a good place to get a haircut in town?

WTF am I asking?!

"A haircut?" His right eyebrow was raised in suspicion. 

"Yea," I said nervously, trying to think of something, "I...I wanted to try something different before I start college."

I'm unsure that Ray was convinced by that, but he closed his door and dug his hands into his pocket. "New start new you type deal?"

"Yea." I felt like my stupid kid question worked.

He smirked, "I can do that for you."

"What?" This was an even more genuine shock that crossed my face.

"I'm not a hairdresser, but if you want to get a clean look, I'll give you one. That is, if you want me to."

I could hear my heart beat in my eardrums. Me...getting a haircut from Ray...

"Uh...yea, yes! I'd like that."

He chuckled at my response, shaking his head as he took his leave. "I'll pick you up when my brother requests the paintings. I'll give you a trim then."

All I could do was sit, holding my canvases, as I watched Ray get in his car and drive away. My boyish-eyes were glazed over with amazement. 

This is a dream...this is all a dream.