It was a rule: if I opened my window, he was already there. Leaning against the sill, shirt half open, messy hair, and that same look like he couldn’t care less about the entire world.

Itoshi Sae.

My damn neighbor. My morning nightmare. The reason for my chronic stress.

And as always, he was the first to speak.

— "You gonna keep staring or are you waiting for me to smile?"

— "I was actually hoping you'd fall off the window."

He gave a crooked smile.

— "You’re gonna be waiting a while then."

— "I’ll light a candle. Maybe the universe helps me out today."

He took a sip of his coffee without taking his eyes off me. It was always this game. Sharp words flying across the windows, like we’d ever get tired of this.

— "You should be grateful for the view," he said, arms wide open, full of mockery.

— "The only view I care about is the one of you leaving."

He laughed—a light, teasing, provoking laugh. And it pissed me off. Because he knew it pissed me off.

— "You in a bad mood 'cause you heard me having sex last night?"