"I considered it. But you wrote such a polite note."
"Courtesy seemed the appropriate initial approach."
"It was. Most people would have just ignored the complaint and kept practicing."
"Most people do not understand the value of neighborly cooperation."
I stand up, stretching muscles that have relaxed more than I realized. His apartment feels familiar now, comfortable in a way that surprises me.
"So, soundproofing research tomorrow?"
"I shall investigate options and costs."
"And I'll look into contractors. Maybe we can get quotes by the weekend."
"An efficient timeline."
"I'm motivated by the promise of uninterrupted sleep."
"And I am motivated by the prospect of unrestricted practice hours."
"Perfect. Mutual motivation."
I head toward the door, then pause.
"Ursak?"
"Yes?"
"For what it's worth, I think your family's wrong. About the weak and impractical thing."
"I appreciate the sentiment."
"It's not sentiment. It's professional opinion. Anyone who can master six languages and help people navigate bureaucratic nightmares through blog posts is pretty much the opposite of weak."
Something shifts in his expression, surprise giving way to something softer.
"Thank you, Maya."
"Thank you for reading my ridiculous blog."
"It is not ridiculous. It is quite helpful."
"Same thing, really."
I slip back into the hallway, closing his door behind me. The walk to 4C takes about thirty seconds, but something fundamental has shifted in that short distance.
My nightmare neighbor isn't a nightmare anymore.
He's just Ursak. Who practices Shakespeare for emotional regulation and reads lifestyle blogs for cultural immersion and got kicked out of his family for choosing academia over tradition.
Who makes excellent conversation at 1 AM and says my name like it matters.
Huh.
Maybe this soundproofing partnership won't be purely practical after all.
CHAPTER 4
