Read Spider lily :: 1. In Debt

Higanbana Shion, a consultant in debt. Sigh, a bitter start isn’t it? After all, he's been short on cash lately. Fewer clients have visited his office for consultations. Knock, knock! A loud knock echoed through the 4 x 4 m2 room. Shion didn't immediately open the door, simply standing in front of it with empty hope. Yesterday, the landlord had approached Shion and demanded payment for the room he was staying in, but the money hadn't reached the landlord directly. Out of pity, Shion was given a break in paying, and advised to split the payment with others. One effective way was to invite others to stay in the room as well, splitting the room payment in half. Since yesterday, Shion had offered countless people to stay in his room, but many had declined. So, he was praying that the last person would accept his offer. Kriek…

"Is this really room 214F, with a resident named Higanbana Shion?"

A soft voice, gently tapping on his earlobe, came from the mouth of a man around twenty-five years old. The man was slightly shorter than Shion, maybe two centimeters. He was wearing a dark blue tracksuit jacket and a plain white t-shirt underneath. He wore shorts that only reached his thighs, and he wore black sneakers. I don't know if Shion's brain was working slowly, but he didn't immediately answer the man's question. Again.

"Hello? Um, am I right?"

Finally, Shion snapped out of his trance. He quickly shook his head, trying to regain his composure.

"Ah, yes! That's right... This is room 214F, with a resident named Higanbana Shion. May I know your name?" Shion confirmed the man's words.

"Ryu, just call me Ryu."

Shion nodded, inviting Ryu inside and discussing the room, which would be shared. Shion didn't immediately discuss the payment system, but instead began with the bad things he often did in the room. He said it was better to know each other's bad points before moving in together. Ryu didn't say much, just nodding in agreement with Shion. After Shion's session ended, Ryu didn't share his bad points, pretending that there was nothing wrong with him. Okay, maybe that was the truth.