Book 2 Need for Speed (1)

Book 2 Need for Speed (1)

Need for speed: The hundred thousand dollar loversVisit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Kei Matoba opened his eyes in his own bed, and saw her sleeping peacefully next to him.

Sunlight was coming in through his south facing blinders. The busy sound of a forklift doing some construction work on a nearby warehouse was resonating through the neighborhood, and the windows glass panes kept trembling slightly.

It was almost nine in the morning. Somewhere in the outskirts of town there was a paper manufacturing warehouse, and several trucks would always drive back and forth at around the same time, loudly carrying large barrels that somehow kept the high quality paper safe. One of the drivers, George, would come around the neighborhood about once a week, and he would sometimes coach Matoba on his fishing technique. George was probably leaning against some wall at the moment, taking a smoke, squinting at the intense sunlight with an annoyed expression, and muttering something like Fuck I want to drink some beer! like always.

Matoba buried his face in his tobacco-scented pillow, groaned slightly and then noticed her next to him doing the same, almost as if imitating him with a short groan.

?

He finally realized that something was weird. Why was the bed right now even though he was sure he must be all by himself in the room, why was there somebody else in bed?

He stretched his arms and opened his eyes. He felt a soft and furry texture with his hands. And noticed a completely black body.

Kuroi was curled up right next to him, sleeping and breathing peacefully.

Woah?!

Matobas expression changed immediately, as he jumped away from Kuroi. He tripped and fell from the bed, and then promptly lost his sight momentarily, as his temple smashed against the floor. The pain started growing progressively, as tears clouded his eyes. He counted to five until he could somehow get the pain under control, and then stood up, and made sure there were no witnesses.

Kuroi was on top of his bed. Kuroi the cat was curling up on top of his bed. She then cast a quick glance at Matoba, and carefreely yawned. Matoba shuddered at that very important fact, and then could feel his own life in danger, as he quickly covered his mouth with his left hand.

What in the world was going on? Kuroi was almost like a poisonous animal to someone with a cat allergy like his. She was exactly like a biological weapon to him, which was precisely why he could absolutely never allow her to enter his own bedroom! Who did it? Was it the doing of a shadow gang that is trying to take my life? Was it the dealer he had caught four years early and just got released the previous day, in an attempt to get revenge? Or perhaps it was no.

Thats right, it must have been her.

He ran out of the bedroom, and shouted out the name of the one that could only be described as the other stray cat he picked up.

TILARNA?!

His voice was so loud it actually made the table and the mug on top of it tremble ever so slightly.

However, there was no answer. Tilarna Exedilika, the Semanian knight that had crossed the Mirage Gate and stayed with him as a freeloader, was nowhere to be found. She was not in the kitchen, the dining room or even the bathroom.

Tilarna! Where are you?! I told you over and over not to let Kuroi into my room Tilarna!

She slightly puffed her chest and crossed her arms in an arrogant fashion.

So basically wait what? Did you cure my allergies?

Tilarna simply nodded in agreement while maintaining her annoyed expression, in a very earthly expression.

It was not an idea that Matoba could simply accept all of a sudden. However, if it were true, it would explain why he was able to sleep right next to Kuroi earlier, or even breathe freely in the same room as her. That was a fact no matter what. Besides, now that he thought about it, it was true that his asthma had completely disappeared for a while now.

You should be thankful, Khe Imatuba No, wait. I remember what happened that one time but that was almost a month ago already. Which would mean that you you knew about my allergies being cured, yet kept quiet about it? For a month already youve been watching me sacrifice my own comfort in my own home by wearing a mask, and simply watched without saying a single thing?

Matoba asked carefully, while trying to make any sense of what he was hearing. Tilarna nodded calmly.

Yep. Thats basically it So Im just asking here, but why did you do that? For revenge. You had no words of gratitude for the person who saved your life, instead directing insults and mockery towards me. So I decided to enact a slow revenge on you as a consequence of my rage. Basically what was the word you people from Earth had for this? Thats right! Because you pissed me off I had no need to do that, but I have to admit that watching you desperately wear that hideous mask was quite fun Hey

Matoba simply stood there without showing any ill will or saying any sarcastic comments to Tilarna, as she turned her back towards him. She played with the hammer in her hand, and then started walking merrily towards the first floor.

Got it already? Ive got important work to do now, Khe Imatuba. So dont start bothering me for no reason again Work? Im building my own room on the first floor. I dont want to sleep on that chair forever. Ill be making a bedding from some nebart wool, a tinbrahn chair, and some cozy mehdra cow leather. Maybe Ill be able to live a somewhat civilized life with that

What in the world is wrong with this alien? Instead of feeling the need to leave because of her position as a freeloader, she is actually planning to get comfortable and build a place to live?

Wait! How long do you intend to Call me when breakfast is done

Tilarna slammed the door and left before he could even finish his sentence. Kuroi jumped out of the bed behind him, and pleasantly stretched herself.

Okay so, Kei Matoba, right? The results from the owner company inspection of the documents you sent in last week just came in but

Said the real estate agent over the phone.

It was decided that your current situation is insufficient to accommodate Ms. Tilarna Exedilika in the building at the moment. Im terribly sorry What? Werent you telling me that it would be fine just last week? I never confirmed that it would certainly be that way. Im sorry for the trouble, but that building has a no-Semanian policy. Other residents of the area may feel threatened, and the parent company has already received reports from residents who have had trouble with a Semanian living in your neighborhood

There was no such explanation when he first signed the contract. He never expected that they would stab him from the back like that. And he mentioned some trouble, but in reality they were just small details like taking out the trash on the wrong day, or hanging some strange clothes on the terrace or the windows. That kind of stuff was obvious.

Hey you. Did you know thats racial discrimination? Its a legal grey area. We have to study these issues to some extent, and right now legal opinion is split on whether the fourteenth article of the constitution covers non-Earthly races. It has been concluded that this is a fair cause to make an exception for city ordinances, and according to current law, this is a legally justifiable measure Tilarna Exedilika is a member of the Police Department, and a Farbanian knight. If its about money, then we have no problem paying for her part as well. Did you tell them that as well? Yes, of course. However, both the owner and the insurance company still rejected the request. Im merely relaying that information to you Please wait a minute, theres nothing wrong with her. Just try to negotiate with them one more time Im very sorry. I will be sending back the documents in the following days. Now if youll excuse me Hey. Wai

The real estate agent hung up without hesitation.

Whats with him

Matoba angrily grabbed the steering wheel of his car.