(Kazama had planned to never step into that restaurant again, but his curiosity gets the better of him. He finds himself back, but this time, he doesn’t go inside.)
(He leans against a wall outside, pretending to check his phone, when he suddenly hears Shinchan’s voice from the alley behind the restaurant.)
Shinchan: (sighing) "Come on, boss, just give me one more week."
Manager: (scoffs) "Shinchan, this is the third time you’ve asked for an extension. Rent’s not gonna pay itself, you know?"
(Kazama freezes. Rent? Extension? He didn’t expect Shinchan to be struggling.)
Shinchan: (laughs lightly, but it sounds forced) "I know, I know. I’ll figure something out."
Manager: "Look, you’re a good worker, but this restaurant won’t keep you afloat forever. Weren’t you studying business? What happened to all that?"
Shinchan: (pauses, voice lower now) "I… dropped out."
(Kazama’s eyes widen. Shinchan dropped out of university? He had always been lazy in school, but Kazama never thought he’d actually quit.)
Manager: "Dropped out? Damn… does your family know?"
Shinchan: (chuckles bitterly) "They don’t care. They haven’t cared for years."
*(Kazama clenches his fists. He always knew Shinchan’s family was a mess, but hearing it out loud… it pissed him off.)
Manager: (sighs) "You’re too carefree, Shinchan. If you don’t get serious about life, you’re gonna regret it later."
Shinchan: (softly) "…Yeah. I already do."
(Kazama feels something twist in his chest. He doesn’t know why, but hearing that hurts more than anything Shinchan has ever said before.)
(For the first time, Kazama sees the real Shinchan. Not the childish troublemaker. Not the shameless flirt. Just… someone who’s been struggling alone.)
(Kazama steps back, his heart heavy. He never thought he’d say this, but… maybe Shinchan is the one who needs saving this time.)
Kazama Helps in Secret:
(Kazama had planned to ignore what he overheard. It’s none of his business. It shouldn’t bother him. But for some reason, it does.)
(The thought of Shinchan struggling alone, dealing with rent issues, dropping out of university—it sticks in his mind like an annoying splinter. No matter what he does, he can’t shake it off.)
*(So he does something he never thought he would.)
(One evening, Kazama makes his way to the restaurant. He spots the manager outside smoking a cigarette.)
Kazama: (calmly) "How much does Shinchan owe you?"
(The manager raises an eyebrow, looking Kazama up and down before taking another drag.)
Manager: "And why would I tell you that?"
Kazama: (expression unreadable) "Because I want to pay it."
Manager: (pauses, then chuckles) "Huh. Didn’t take you for the type to care about that idiot."
Kazama: (sharply) "Just tell me the amount."
(The manager shrugs and gives him the number. Kazama transfers the money without hesitation.)
Manager: (whistling) "Damn. Rich kid, huh?"
Kazama: "Not your concern."
(As Kazama walks away, he tells himself that this is just to get rid of that annoying feeling. He’s not doing this because he cares. Definitely not.)
The Next Day
(Shinchan bursts into the restaurant, slamming his hands on the counter.)
Shinchan: "BOSS! Why the hell did my rent suddenly get paid?!"
Manager: (casually sipping coffee) "Oh, that? Some rich guy covered it."
Shinchan: (frowning) "…What? Who?"
Manager: (grinning) "Take a guess."
(Shinchan freezes. Only one person comes to mind—someone who would never do something like this.)
(Shinchan storms out, heading straight for Kazama’s place.)
Shinchan Confronts Kazama & Tries to Repay Him:
(Kazama barely has time to relax when he hears loud knocking at his door.)
Shinchan: (yelling outside) "KAZAMA! OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!"
(Kazama sighs, already knowing why he’s here. He takes his time before opening the door, only to be shoved back as Shinchan storms in.)
Shinchan: (glaring, arms crossed) "You think I wouldn’t find out?"
Kazama: (calmly shutting the door) "Find out what?"
Shinchan: (gritting his teeth) "Don’t play dumb! You paid my rent, didn’t you?"
(Kazama leans against the wall, staring at Shinchan without saying a word. He doesn’t confirm it, but he doesn’t deny it either.)
Shinchan: (frustrated) "Why the hell would you do that?! I never asked for your help!"
Kazama: (shrugging) "I had extra money."
Shinchan: (fuming) "That’s not an answer!"
(Shinchan takes out an envelope and slams it onto Kazama’s chest.)
Shinchan: "Here. Every yen I owe you. Take it and don’t do this again."
(Kazama looks down at the envelope, unimpressed. Without hesitation, he rips it in half. The money inside flutters to the ground.)
Shinchan: (stunned) "The hell—?! Why did you—?!"
Kazama: (coldly) "I don’t need your money, Shinchan."
(For a moment, Shinchan is speechless. He clenches his fists, his emotions all over the place.)
Shinchan: (softly) "Then why…?"
Kazama: (looking away) "I just didn’t want to see you acting like an idiot. That’s all."
*(Shinchan stares at him, trying to understand. Why is Kazama helping him? Why does he care?)
(For the first time, he sees something in Kazama’s eyes—something unreadable, something almost… gentle. Shinchan’s chest tightens.)
(But before he can say anything, Kazama turns away.)
Kazama: "Go home, Shinchan."
(Shinchan doesn’t move. He wants to argue, but something stops him. Instead, he just watches Kazama—trying to figure out what the hell is going on between them.)
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Updated 22 Episodes
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I'm so invested in this story, please keep giving us more.
2025-03-22
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