Hanging up the phone, Hirota Masami seemed to have already forgotten the earlier fright, her face beaming with excitement, even her movements becoming light and brisk. She gave Ma En an OK gesture, but the next moment suddenly exclaimed "Ah!", put her hands together towards Ma En, and said: "Please wait a moment, I need to go change clothes. Ten minutes... I'll be out within twenty minutes." Then she glanced at the damaged door, as if an idea came to mind, saying: "You should go report this to the building manager first; the door lock needs to be replaced, right?"
"Can't I just buy a new one myself and install it another day?" Ma En was somewhat puzzled.
"No, these kinds of things have a unified supplier; the maintenance service has been entirely outsourced. In short, the tenant only needs to pay." Hirota Masami confirmed again: "You know where the manager is, right?" After saying this, without waiting for Ma En's reply, she directly stated the manager's room. The manager of this apartment building was hired and lived in a room on the first floor near the apartment main entrance.
"After you report it, just wait outside for a bit." Hirota Masami emphasized worriedly: "I'm really looking forward to the yakiniku ( - grilled meat); the restaurant is already booked. Don't go out and then make excuses to slip away; no reason is acceptable!"
"Looks like you plan to make me treat you to a big meal," Ma En smiled gently, joking.
Hirota Masami stared blankly for a moment, because Ma En's smile at this time swept away the feeling from their first meeting, soft and warm, looking like two different people. Even that serious attire seemed to gain warmth. No, no, definitely more than that; Hirota Masami only felt the coldness that originally filled the entire corridor was completely dispersed by this smile. Is this young man really a weirdo? Hirota Masami couldn't help but think this. Was it because the earlier impact was too strong that she had an illusion?
— However, someone who can have such a warm smile from the heart should be a good person.
She confirmed this point in her heart. Now, the remaining wariness in her heart also quietly subsided. At this time, she saw Ma En attempting to close his door, but the broken door lock was indeed unusable, even the door couldn't close properly. Although she hadn't heard of anyone being broken into and robbed in this apartment building, being unable to close the door truly made one uneasy. She was also a bit worried about the current situation; it was her first time seeing someone break their own door lock to this extent. Just as she was pondering giving this newly acquainted neighbor some advice, she saw the young man grab the door lock, twist it forcefully, and actually manage to straighten the twisted part of the lock.
Hirota Masami's mouth gaped open, unable to even make a sound. The situation happening before her eyes was simply unprecedented. The door locks used in this apartment building were not some inferior products; the strength of the metal material was very high. An ordinary person, even a strong man, shouldn't be able to achieve the level of "bending it straight with bare hands," right? Moreover, this new neighbor before her looked so young, his physique definitely not burly and rough; the suit on him showed completely slender lines.
When Ma En felt no sound behind him, turned around, and looked over questioningly, Hirota Masami finally stammered: "You, how did you do that?"
"What?"
"The door lock, the door lock! You just like this—" She mimicked Ma En's action, bending the air. Still disbelieving, she went closer to the door, closed it. Sure enough, the door seam could close this time, although the lock still couldn't open and close normally.
"Isn't this amazing?" she repeatedly said in astonishment.
"Is it? Honestly, it took some effort," Ma En didn't feel he did anything remarkable, just felt the quality of this door lock was just so-so.
"Absolutely amazing!" Hirota Masami's tone conversely sounded like she was angry.
Ma En was somewhat puzzled, not knowing why she had such an emotion. It was just a door lock, why so agitated?
"Ah—I really can't reason with you, I don't care anymore." Hirota Masami stared at the innocent expression on Ma En's face, feeling a bit frantic. She pointed at him and said: "You go downstairs first, remember to wait for me," then trotted back to her room in high heels, peeking through the door crack before closing it. Ma En felt that gaze was telling.
Ma En watched quietly until Hirota Masami's door completely closed, only then turning to glance at his own door, thinking: Should be fine.
Although acting nonchalant in front of Hirota Masami, he was actually worried about someone breaking in while the door lock was damaged. He had quite a lot of important materials in his room. Compared to the materials, daily necessities didn't matter much, but more strictly speaking, besides that "Seven Revolutions Cave Profound Secret Record," there was nothing particularly important. However, "Seven Revolutions Cave Profound Secret Record" itself was not something that could see the light of day; others might not see the content inside, nor know what book it truly was, but it itself was a highly dangerous item. If an ordinary person took it away, perhaps new bloody cases and more innocent victims would appear.
However, carrying it with him wasn't feasible either. He wasn't going out alone, but treating a new neighbor, going to crowded places. Who knew what kind of strange and dangerous situations that peculiar book would trigger?
Ma En thought for a moment, returned to the room, stuffed "Seven Revolutions Cave Profound Secret Record" into the gap between the cabinet and the wall, firmly wedged by the cabinet side and the wall, and arranged some inconspicuous markers along the path from the cabinet to the door. If someone broke in, unless they could evaporate and disappear like that strange eye earlier, they would nine out of ten leave traces.
Afterwards, Ma En also visually measured the height of the door lock, found a broom of suitable height, cut off a mop handle that wasn't the right height, took out the vacuum cleaner and rope, combined them with the safety chain on the door, and made a simple mechanism – as long as he closed the door from the outside, these things would fall according to the set structure, connect, just managing to jam the door from the inside and apply a certain force. If only the safety chain was used, the door would open a crack, but with the mechanism, it could prevent the crack from appearing, informing anyone pulling the door: this door is indeed closed.
If he himself returned, he just needed to kick hard again to loosen the mechanism, or forcefully pull the door open.
Actually, if truly encountering a strong person breaking in, this kind of civilian door lock, even if intact, was always useless.
Ma En also thought of more methods, such as making some timed-release chemical agents to cause unconsciousness, nerve paralysis, or hallucinations, however, there was no time to implement them one by one now. Hirota Masami said to wait ten... twenty minutes, but he didn't intend to guess she might need thirty minutes or longer. If he was truly late, making her wait outside, it wouldn't be polite behavior.
Ma En gently pushed the door, felt the resistance from inside, nodded inwardly, then carried the large black umbrella and came to the first floor of the apartment.
The manager was a middle-aged woman, obese, with a gentle face and tone, like a pineapple bun, but her personality was very serious. Ma En had met her once when he just moved in; this was the second time, and furthermore, it was to report the door lock issue, making Ma En feel somewhat embarrassed while speaking. Even so, the manager only lightly scolded him, not intending to pursue deeper. Ma En tactfully paid the full amount in advance without any hesitation. Compared to Hirota Masami's reaction, the manager's words made him feel he had indeed been a bit impulsive earlier.
Ma En exited the apartment main gate, didn't walk far, stood by the green belt for a few minutes, then sat for a few minutes, bought a pack of domestically produced Japanese cigarettes from a nearby vending machine, stood by the trash can and started smoking. He compared them with domestic cigarettes from his country, feeling the domestically produced Japanese cigarettes were a bit mild. Before finishing one cigarette, he saw Hirota Masami walking out carrying a handbag.
Previously, Hirota Masami was dressed as a white-collar female worker, her handbag style also very formal. Now she had changed into a casual dress, wearing an open-front light yellow vest over it, also black stockings. Her high heels and handbag were also changed. Her previously tied-up hairstyle that made her look mature was let down, making her whole person appear younger and more fashionable. Perhaps due to being in a good mood, she could only be described as radiant.
Ma En couldn't help but let out an internal "Oh—".
He waved towards Hirota Masami. Waiting until she noticed and walked over, he then threw away the cigarette that was still about half left.
"You came out quite quickly," he greeted when Hirota Masami walked closer.
"Because I can't let the person treating wait too long," Hirota Masami smiled, her eyes squinting.
"Let's go. Where are you planning to go? Need to hail a taxi?"
"Wait a moment," Hirota Masami said this, rummaging in her handbag, taking out a deep red hat.
The hat style resembled a top hat , but lacked the high crown of a top hat. Although having a touch of everyday life, it also made one feel it had a unique charm. It looked more like a decoration hung on a wall or shelf than something actually worn on the head.
"It's for you, consider it a welcoming gift," she said.
Ma En took the hat, somewhat stunned, hesitated for a moment, confirming: "For me?"
"I think this hat will definitely suit you."
"Is that so—" Ma En didn't quite feel that way. He picked up the hat, looked left and right, finding it didn't distinguish front, back, left, or right. Viewed from any angle, it was just a large circle enclosing a small circle. He had truly never seen such a hat in his home country, except, of course, on characters in movies; he had never seen anyone wear this type of hat. He imagined what he would look like wearing it, feeling a bit awkward. Would he just become a clown like this?
But speaking of fashion, this was naturally a fashionable hat.
Ma En glanced at Hirota Masami again. Her attire also had subtle differences from the women he had seen in his home country. Perhaps it should be described this way: domestic attire was somewhat more serious, while the set Hirota Masami wore seemed more lively. Perhaps it was a difference in cultural trends, but presumably, Hirota Masami wasn't particularly special either; the women he had seen in Japan during the day, whether married or not, as long as they were in casual wear, most of their attire made Ma En realize what fashion was.
He found it hard to imagine women back home dressing like that – he was just thinking, perhaps one day, not too long, maybe after a few years, women back home would also favor such attire, wearing light, fluttery lace skirts, draping shawl-like garments made of soft gauze. Because no woman would dislike becoming beautiful.
Thinking this, he couldn't help but reveal a smile.
"You look truly beautiful tonight, Hirota-san."
"Ya, so annoying—" Hirota Masami fanned lightly in front of her face, but her smile widened even more, urging: "Hurry up and put it on, let's see."
Ma En pursed his lips, grabbed the crown of the hat, and pressed it onto his head. His body stood straight, one hand leaning on the large black umbrella, asking: "How is it?"
Hirota Masami's eyes widened in amazement. She had bought this hat before starting work, not intending to wear it herself or give it as a gift, just liking it very much at the time. It had sat in her wardrobe for a long time. When changing clothes this time, she found it and couldn't help but recall the appearance of this somewhat strange neighbor when they met – that deep red tie, no matter the occasion, seemed eye-catching. If not suppressed by the dark suit, he would probably become someone quite conspicuous even in a crowd. She couldn't help imagining the scene: in the city night, under the flashing neon lights, on the streets hung with colored lanterns, this point of deep red passing through the crowd like a phantom.
Deep red tie, deep red formal hat; it was simply like a mysterious person walking out of a movie. A wonderful silhouette gradually formed in Hirota Masami's mind, replacing the frightening scene from their earlier encounter. At that moment, she decided she had to give this hat to this person.
Because she hoped she could see the scene she imagined.
Now, she felt her wish was fulfilled. It was exactly as she imagined. Buying this hat back then was truly worth it. This had nothing to do with money; some scenes could only bring satisfaction if one participated in them, realized them.
Ma En, wearing this deep red formal hat, was, in Hirota Masami's heart, a complete image.
"Hirota-san?" Ma En asked softly. The other party was staring intently at him, as if spellbound, making him somewhat worried.
"Ah? Oh, what?" Hirota Masami finally came back to her senses.
"Thank you for your gift."
"It's nothing, it suits you perfectly," Hirota Masami said sincerely. "Let's go. Tonight's yakiniku must be eaten heartily."
Ma En pressed the brim of the hat; he still felt a bit awkward, wanting to look in a mirror. However, the hat's texture was indeed nice; it should be quite expensive material. Never thought that just after arriving in Japan, someone would give him such a generous gift. He began to feel whether he should buy something as a return gift besides the yakiniku. However, he wasn't familiar with women's attire, couldn't pick things out, didn't know brands and prices, not just clothing, but cosmetics and such were also completely unknown. If he directly told the other party he wanted to give a return gift, would it be somewhat abrupt again?
Harboring these thoughts, he suddenly asked: "Does Hirota-san always accept invitations so easily?"
"Absolutely not," Hirota Masami asserted. "I also have requirements."
"Requirements?"
"Firstly, they must make me feel safe."
"Ah ah, indeed." Ma En nodded knowingly. Her saying this, did it mean she considered him a safe man – this was quite an illusion; he, who came here for refuge and simultaneously to pursue peculiar things, was dangerous all over, like harboring potent poison. It was just that he didn't intend to refuse all normal social interactions just to avoid implicating others. He was human, not a monster. Humans need to survive in human society; no matter when, social interaction is unavoidable, because humans are such creatures. Even if he came bearing danger, he shouldn't distort his innate nature as a human.
"Secondly, the other party must treat," Hirota Masami added.
"...Understandable." This point was truly understandable, because he also liked others treating him to meals.
"And then, must be handsome," Hirota Masami quickly walked a few steps forward, hands behind her back, turning sideways to look back at Ma En. "You are also very handsome tonight."
"This... thank you for the compliment." In Ma En's memory, this was the first time he heard a woman of similar age praise him like this, making him feel a bit embarrassed.
"Right, what's your name?" Hirota Masami asked this in the next sentence.
— So she didn't even remember my name!
Ma En's heart twitched slightly. Was this person's compliment really genuine? Could it be that him treating was the most important reason?
"Ma En," he replied calmly. "My name is Ma En."