And suddenly, all the love songs were about you

 "But it won't be a problem, it won't," Naoki promised Tyra. 

After all, he didn't want to be at the condo alone. Of course, there was talk that he should sell it and just move in with her and her mom, but her dad was there now, and Naoki was certain her mom needed some alone time with that truck driver. 

It was great to have a place for Naoki and Tyra to learn to live together, without worrying about family every split second. 

"But..but it's, you know... It's such a drive on the freeway, and all." She hesitated at the thought of moving in with him.

"It'll be fine," he smiled back as if she needed to understand, it wasn't a big deal. He held her hands before she could fidget too much. 

"You'll be away from your mom." She squinted as if she might be keeping him from something, right now. They were in the kitchen, which looked so bare. It hadn't been used in weeks. 

Naoki had tossed out what was left in the fridge since the milk soured and the takeout leftovers were packed with mold. Had he ever really lived here? It didn't feel like it. There was nothing cozy, not even a rack of spices to use for scrambled eggs. 

"We could give it a try, who knows, maybe you could find something around here." He shrugged.

"Really?" She looked at him blankly as if that would be just crazy.

"Look, I'll help you."

He went to put on the kettle and opened the Google notebook. It was best to get her situated and let her look for job opportunities on her own, even if he had his own ideas on how to help her. He'd learned that she always wanted to do it herself. It wasn't easy making it look that way, but Naoki wanted to be someone she could count on.