28 Chapter 28 Saskis Observations (1/2)

Saski felt confident of Duran's innocence. Maybe his name was used for some dishonest dealings, and he found out. The concerns he felt earlier had shifted to a curiosity.

'Didn't think he had the side to him.' Kou's voice was sober. 'Kita comes across as mellow, although he did challenge me.'

'Mayuzumi must've caused some trouble for him,' Saski replied somewhat absent-minded as his thoughts recalculated possible causes.

They entered the front of the ramen house and saw Duran in a white T-shirt and blue-jeans with an apron around his waist. He was scrubbing tables clean with a dark expression. His eyes were slightly bloodshot.

'Kita-kun you're here today?' Kou said.

Duran's expression relaxed when he saw them standing at the counter.

'Oh Hayashi-kun, Tsubaki-kun. Yeah, I'm covering for Sasaki-san.'

'Eh? Okay.'

There were a lot of things Saski wanted to ask, but the situation was delicate. He took a seat at the table near the window whilst Kou made his way to the workers' area.

'You're eating today?'

'Do you recommend anything?' Saski asked and flashed Duran a reassuring smile.

Saski allowed Duran to order for him and watched him go about his work. His mind was constantly ticking with a million questions and pieces of the conversation he had spied upon in the alleyway.

Patrons coming and going provided some distraction from his thoughts. He kept his watchful eye on Duran, for a different reason this time.

The restaurant was a lot quieter about an hour after Saski had arrived. Unable to hold back his curiosity and the whirlwind of thoughts in his head. He approached Duran about the incident in the alleyway.

'Hey Kita. I saw you arguing with Mayuzumi before I came here.' He threw out with no other way to put it.

Duran paused his cleaning and faced Saski. His lips were twitching with words.

'Don't say anything yet. I'll speak first. Let me know if I'm wrong.'

Saski told Duran about his suspicions of the votes, how some council members thought he wasn't grateful and a few other perceptions. He was blunt, honest and factual. It was only fair and respectful of him to be. It was Duran's reaction that gave him a pleasant surprise.

'I bet you feel relieved getting that off your chest.' Duran smiled, his eyes welling with tears.

'I understand Tsubaki-kun why'd you'd see things that way. I can't deny, I am involved in something troublesome.'

'Kita-kun what's going on?' Saski gently asked.

Duran occupied the seat before him with a heavy sigh.

'About three weeks ago I caught a group of thugs attacking Izuki-senpai. My step-father and I were able to intervene, but Senpai was hospitalized.'