= SARAH POV =

I texted Ms. Takahashi from the lift lobby that I was soaked through and wondered if it would be ok for me to come in and take a shower. 

She said that the team was still busy setting up my room, so in the meantime, I could access the service apartment facilities and use the Spa at my leisure, and there would be clothes provided at the reception. 

Honestly, I just wanted to sink into Chris’ sheets and cry my eyes out, however there were at least twelve people in the apartment right now, and dragging my wet body with my clothes plastered to my skin through the house might be  a distracting interruption, so I accepted Ms. Takahashi’s offer graciously and made my way to the basement underpass, at the 6th level of their facilities.

At the reception of the Spa, the receptionist provided me with a change of clothes that were soft and all in my size.

 They even provided plain white undergarments and said if they didn’t fit, they could exchange them with other undergarments at my request. 

I was also given a locker to put away my book bag and shoes so that I could wear their indoor slips to walk around their facilities.

I spent the next two hours at the Spa, first showering, and then soaking in the indoor jacuzzi that they had and then sitting in the sauna for about thirty minutes.

 When I was done, there was a cute in-house café that served hot boiled eggs and a hearty chicken broth, which I downed hungrily. 

Occasionally, I would tear up, but I swallowed my feelings with the seaweed in the soup and told myself to be brave; things would get better…eventually.

A text came in just as I was changing out of the Spa clothes and into my old clothes that had been dried and pressed for me while I was using the facilities. 

Ms. Takahashi said the crew was done with the room, and I could come to view it as soon as possible.

I felt the corner of my lip go up in quiet delight.

 Just the thought of Ms. Takahashi waiting eagerly for my arrival was enough to alleviate a little bit of the day’s stress.

I texted back that I was on my way and rushed back to the apartment.

Just as I imagined, Ms. Takahashi was waiting for me at the door of the apartment, beaming.

“I do believe we did a satisfactory job. However, we need you to confirm that for us,” she said and opened the door for me.

I took off my shoes and neatly placed them at the genkan, and walked excitedly towards the room, my excitement rising as I saw warm beams of light spilling out from inside the room. 

I entered and immediately swooned. It was better than I could have done myself, better than I could have dreamed! 

The team had completely transformed the room, adding shelving above my bed and table for me to display all my cute plush todays and manga, and extra display cabinets and shelves for storage. 

They had even taken out the old wardrobe and replaced it with a cream-colored vintage embellished wardrobe which had inner sensors that turned on the lights inside when you opened it; in fact, all of the drawers and the shelves did as well!

I threw myself on the new bed, which sported a white frame that had drawers for extra storage. The sheets were so soft, with the most delicate pink flower pattern, and the pillows were all cream and lacy, making for the softest-looking sleeping arrangement.

From my bed, I could see the chair that I picked out, a rosé cream shell-shaped chair. It was in front of an elegant white computer table with my computer set up on it.

 They had even added an additional white bookcase that was narrow but helped shelve all of my stationary and extra manga easily for easy reach!

“Ms. Takahashi, I feel like I just walked into a room from Pinterest; I love it!” I said, turning to look at her, beaming.

“Well, that’s not all; I remember you mentioned that you prefer to eat sitting down on the floor,” Ms. Takahashi said and walked over to the foot of the bed. She pressed the bed frame, and out popped a rectangle piece. 

She brought it over to the plush carpet in front of the bed and unfolded it like origami to create a small coffee table, enough for two people to sit on the ground in front of it carefully!

“We had some of the staff brainstorm how to create space-saving options and chose a bed that comes with its own side table; I hope this is a sufficient size for you,” Ms. Takahashi explained.

I slipped off the bed and onto the carpet. My legs fitted so comfortably under the table, and as I rested my elbows on the surface of the table, I could see myself having many meals there in this cozy little corner.

“Oh Ms. Yoshida, did you hurt yourself getting off the bed?” Ms. Takahashi suddenly asked, kneeling and handing me a handkerchief.

I looked up, surprised, and then I realized that I was crying. I accepted the handkerchief and wiped my eyes. “No, I’m ok, I’m just so happy. Sorry for the sudden tears…I didn’t even realise I was crying” I laughed as I wiped them away

Ms. Takahashi straightened up “I am so glad you are so pleased with the results. I will leave you to enjoy the rest of your evening in your newly refurbished room”

“Ah wait! The card!” I said, getting up to go get it from my book bag.

“Not to worry, every resident has one, you can keep this one as well. The credit limit resets every month, so feel free to enjoy the services for as long as the credit is available” Ms. Takahashi said reassuringly.

“Oh… thank you so much,” I said. “Let me see you out at least; you’ve done a lot for me,” I said and walked Ms. Takahashi out to the main door.

As Ms. Takahashi and I said our goodbyes. I felt this sense of loneliness start to sink in. 

Once I closed the door, I returned to the guest room and looked over at the beautifully redecorated room, lingering in the doorway. 

It was nice…perfect…

…but then the events at the cafe became all too much for me again and I turned and walked to Chris’ bedroom, to Chris’ bed, and lay down, staring at the ceiling.

I then rolled over to Chris’ side of the bed and buried my face in her pillow. 

I could smell her perfume mixed with her more musky undertones and sighed. 

After all I had done to keep Chris as a friend, all I had left of that friendship was a roof over my head, her scent on the sheets, and a side of her bed.

 It wasn’t much, but it was something, so I shouldn’t be complaining, but I wanted to complain so badly.

 I wanted my best friend back.

 I wanted to cry about how awful everything had been, how messed up things had gotten, but now… 

I guess I’d just have to make do.