>>16236 Hmm...
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[X] "... heed my question instead. How did you know it wouldn't be there?"
This is suprising. For him to re-state something so bold directly. And suspicious. Maybe for no reason, but it sounds almost like if he was...
No, no way, right? He couldn't possibly..."
You shake your head. No, to even think that he'd be the one, it's stupid. And groundless. A useless assumption, made by your own scattered thoughts, looking for any explanation, be it a rational or nonsensical one. Perhaps just letting them wander was a bad idea in the first place. After all, does the reason matter? The only thing that should worry you is the result, the one that you have to endure right now. Just like with the job itself, you shouldn't be concerned about people you deliver things to, nor about the packages' contents, only concentrate on getting it done. Or rather, taken the current situation, on surviving. As long as you remain in this guy's good graces, food and roof is not going to be a problem, no matter how troublesome it might be for both parties. The job, well, you'll have to either wait for the next call and demand an explanation, or call yourself, and rely on a dram of luck to catch someone on the phone.
"So?"
Looks like Renji grew weary of waiting in silence for you to form an answer and decided to urge you to hurry up. How pushy. Isn't he supposed to be the nice guy?
"... heed my question instead, if you will." Your lips come up with a fitting solution following a sudden idea that entered your mind. Not waiting for his agreement, you proceed, as he did before, without worrying if he wants to answer or not. "How did you know it wouldn't be there?"
Suspicious. No matter how you look at it, it's suspicious. It can't be taken as a simple coincidence, especially because there was some grim satisfaction in his smile when you returned empty-handed. Whatever it is you're hiding, Renji, you better spit it out now, before it gets... ugly.
But he, instead of showing expected suprisal, or perplexity, simply lets out a rather mocking chuckle. How... sickening. Did you ask something improper? Or is it just that natural spite flowing out through the wound of humilation? Whatever it is, you remain silent, waiting for this attack to end. No reason to counter or retaliate, unless you want to make it look like a joke, which you don't.
"Why so serious?" he finally asks, wiping his eyes with a sleeve "Are you really that worried? Maybe that I took it away while you weren't looking? How childish of you, Fuku." your eyebrow twitches when you hear that insult, but your mouth retains it's shut state "It's logical." He turns to you, letting go of the steering wheel, then crossing arms on his chest, as if mirroring your irritated gesture. The mocking smile of his, so-very-annoying, accompanies the frustrating, matter-of-factly explanation. Like if he was talking to a child, not conscious of basic society and institution principles, he modulates his voice to emphasize every 'important' word. "People working at the office, the ones delivering the packages, we call them 'postmen', work from 8AM to 6PM. Therefore, if the package, or a letter wasn't there in the morning, it's not going to be there at the office until the said hour of 6PM, when the postmen return with undelivered mail. So, to get what you are so eagerly waiting for, you'll have to ask for it later... That is, if it's still en-route to this location and in a postman's bag. Which I take it is, seeing your... determination. Easy enough?"
He watches calmly as you bite on your thumb fingernail. Great. Fucking great. Now you're feeling kind of stupid. This could be it, if the payment really is late. Then, all the commotion, was it for nothing? Fuck. If it's right, you've made an idiot out of yourself. You could swear the corner of his lips raised even higher when with a loud snap, your nail breaks.
"It's not good, to do that."
"... do I look like I care?"
Shrugging helplessly, he lets out a big sigh and places his hands back on the steering wheel, while you ravel over the futility and stupidity of your actions. Was it... the reason for his anger? Then why didn't he just say so? Was he... just being kind?
That is, if the things he said are true.
Renji takes a look at his wrist watch.
"Marry said he's going to make a dinner."
"... so?"
"How about we eat something in the city?"
Huuuuh? Now what's that about?
"... what?"
"What I said. To be honest, Marry's cooking is..." he frowns, as if recalling something unpleasant "... unexpectable. You never know what you may find on your plate. I don't think you're a... fastidious person, but the things he can do with pork are just simply terrifying. In a bad way."
A shiver shakes his body, more a forced one than a 'real' tremble, but at least it seems he's back in high spirits after being so... upset. Quite a fast change, but perhaps the fact that he made you feel stupid helped a bit.
[ ] "... isn't it just an excuse to spend more time with me? I don't like the game you're trying to play, Renji."
[ ] "... whatever. Do as you please."
[ ] "Terrifying, you say?" snort "I'd like to see that." (and see Renji trying to eat it)
[ ] "... I'm not really that hungry. Don't you have any more interesting propositions, professor Renko?"
[ ] "... if it's a date you're trying to trick me into going to, then fuck off."
