Falling for Redemption: Love & Punishment
CHAPTER 4
Kyomi carried Einer into her apartment, gently setting him down in the living room as she looked around proudly.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
*smiling warmly*
Welcome home, Shall. This will be your new home.
Einer looked around, his expression unamused as he took in the cramped space. One bedroom, a tiny living room, a kitchen on the far side, and a small bathroom. He thought to himself, sneering internally.
EINER D.K CAT (ML)
*thinking*
This space is so small. This is no place for a king to be living, you woman.
Kyomi knelt down and petted his head gently, her voice soft.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
I know it’s not much, but it’s good for now, right?
*She scratches behind his ears with a soft smile*
Einer lets out a begrudging meow, then sighs internally as Kyomi heads off to her bedroom, leaving him alone in the living room.
EINER D.K CAT (ML)
*Thinking, irritated*
This is absurd. A king reduced to this... this cramped little box? And that whole 'find love' nonsense... pure rubbish. First, I’ll need to get familiar with—
Before he can finish, Kyomi walks back in, now wearing an apron and looking excited.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
"Time for work!"
Einer blinks, confused, but keeps his composure, deciding to play along.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
*grinning*
Congratulations, Shall—you’ll be going to work with me today!
She pats his head affectionately, while Einer looks up, annoyed.
Einer sighs internally, wondering just how much further he could be humiliated as Kyomi gathers him up and heads outside. He’s still getting used to the overwhelming noise and bright lights of the modern world when he’s suddenly face-to-face with an unusual sight—a double-decker bus parked on the street, completely transformed into a cozy café. Bright teal and gold paint glistened in the sunlight, with the name “Izel Café” displayed proudly across the side.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
*holding Einer up to get a closer look*
This is Izel, Shall my pride and joy! We’ll be spending the day here.
Einer narrows his eyes, glancing over the setup with a look of pure disdain.
As Kyomi and Einer settle into the bus, ready to start their day, she moves to the driver’s seat to start the engine. Just then, two men approach and knock on the bus door, causing her to freeze. Her eyes widen slightly in recognition and worry.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
*muttering*
Oh no…
*She forces a shaky smile, opening the door*
G-good afternoon, Mr. Richard…
Richard, a tall, intimidating man with a cold sneer, steps up, his gaze sharp.
RICHARD (LANDLORD)
*impatiently*
Cut to the chase, doll face. Where's my money?
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
*stammering*
M-Mister Richard… I don’t have enough right now to cover the rent—but if you just give me one more week, I’ll—
RICHARD (LANDLORD)
*cutting her off*
B*tch! (shouting) How many fcking times are you gonna keep going around in circles with me, huh?
Kyomi flinches, visibly shaken.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
Mr. Richard, please—
Before she can finish, the second man, Vince, steps forward with a mocking smile.
VINCE (LANDLORD)
And if you don’t? That old man gets thrown out, or…
*He slaps the side of the bus, causing it to rattle slightly*
I think this will do nicely. Scrap metal like this’ll make a fortune! More than enough to pay off your debt—and a couple months’ rent, too.
Kyomi’s face pales as she imagines her beloved bus being taken from her.
EINER D.K CAT (ML)
*thinking, annoyed*
These two knuckleheads sure do talk a lot of bullsh*t..
Richard’s gaze shifts, spotting Einer, who sits in the back of the bus watching the exchange. He sneers, then steps toward the cat.
RICHARD (LANDLORD)
Wow, you can afford this piece of sh*t, but you can’t pay me?
He reaches down, grabbing Einer by the scruff of his neck. Kyomi’s eyes widen as she reaches out in alarm.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
P-please! L-let him go, Mister Richard! I-I’ll get your money next week, I swear!
Einer, feeling the indignity of being held like a common pet, fixes Richard with an intense, deadly stare that seems to pierce straight through him. Richard falters, feeling an unexpected chill run down his spine as the cat glares at him with an unnervingly human-like fury.
RICHARD (LANDLORD)
*Nervously, muttering*
You sure got a mean stare, kitty…
He quickly puts Einer down, unnerved. Vince chuckles, patting Richard on the shoulder.
VINCE (LANDLORD)
We’ll be back next week, doll face. Make sure you have our money—or else.
The two men walk off, leaving Kyomi and Einer alone in the bus. Kyomi stares down, her shoulders slumping as despair washes over her. Einer watches her closely, feeling a strange mix of irritation and something unfamiliar—a pang of sympathy.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
*Whispering to herself*
What am I gonna do… This bus is everything to me. Without it…
She trails off, a hollow look in her eyes. Einer narrows his gaze, torn between irritation at her weakness and an odd desire to offer some sort of… comfort? He shakes his head, almost annoyed with himself.
EINER D.K CAT (ML)
*thinking*
Tch. So this woman’s whole life revolves around this bus? And she’s going to let a pair of idiots like that intimidate her?
Kyomi looks up suddenly, noticing Einer’s piercing stare.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
*Smiling weakly*
Guess I’m not doing a great job at making a good first impression, huh, Shall?
Einer flicks his tail dismissively, looking away with a slight huff.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
*sighing*
It’s just… hard, you know?
Kyomi sits on the edge of the driver’s seat, her hand resting lightly on Einer’s back as he curls up beside her, feigning indifference but keeping an ear perked as she begins speaking softly.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
*Gazing out the bus window*
Papa… he doesn’t live with me, you know. Said he wanted me to have my own space now that I’m getting older.
*She smiles faintly, though her eyes carry a hint of sadness*
I wouldn’t have minded if he stayed, but he insisted.
Einer’s ear twitches, and he glances up at her, his expression unreadable but quietly attentive.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
Where he’s living now… it’s not in the best condition. No steady income either, and… he doesn’t know that I’m helping pay off his debt.
* She chuckles sadly.*
Told me not to worry about him. But how can I not?
Einer shifts slightly, flicking his tail in mild annoyance, though he seems oddly engaged.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
*Smiling down at him*
I wasn’t planning on getting a cat, you know. I mean, I love animals, but with money so tight…
*She trails off, gently scratching behind Einer’s ears*
But Papa… he told me I should get one. Said I could use the company. That’s why I ended up with you, Shall..
EINER D.K CAT (ML)
*Rolls his eyes slightly but continues listening. There’s a long pause as Kyomi stares at the bus floor, her hand falling still*
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
*sighing*
What if I can’t make the money in time? What’ll happen to Papa? And to this bus…?
She chuckles bitterly, brushing away the worry in her eyes.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
What am I doing, huh?
* She ruffles Einer’s fur gently, as if reassuring herself*
Talking to a cat about all this… but somehow, it helps.
Einer watches her carefully, and though he’s unimpressed by her vulnerability, something in her words holds his attention.
Einer lets out a low, soft meow, surprising even himself, almost as if acknowledging her. Kyomi’s expression brightens slightly as she ruffles his head again.
KYOMI LOELANI ( FL)
*smiling*
See? You’re my lucky charm.
They head toward the front of the bus together, ready to start another long day.
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