Chapter 1
Junk Shop Mediocrity
Inside the shop of Mediocrity, a phone rang near a computer as Aoba's All-Mate; Ren jumped on the counter and sniffed the phone. "Aoba. The phone is ringing." "Ah, hang on. I'm coming." Said Aoba while coming out of the backroom of the storage and picking up the phone.
"Hello? Junk Shop Mediocrity."
"Aoba."
"Ah! Mink?! How did you get this number? You should of called me on my watch."
"Tch. Didn't feel like it. Where are you?"
"I'm still at work…I don't get off until another 2 hours. Why?"
:Hmph. Hurry up and get back home now. I'll be waiting or I will find you myself."
The line clicked as Aoba put the phone down and had a blush on his face from hearing his name called out by Mink. "Aoba? Is everything alright?" "Ah, yeah. It was Mink. He sounded like he either happy or mad about something." Aoba sat down on a chair and sighs, leaning back. "Aoba. It has been quite a while since Mink has been heard or seen. If I may suggest, after you are done working here, for your three day weekend off, you could spend some time with Mink." Aoba jumped at the suggestion and looked at Ren, smiling, nodding. "Yeah…plus it would be good for you and Tori to see each other. You two are getting along well." Ren nodded and laid on counter as the door opened and the next thing that Aoba heard was the annoying yells and cheerfully sounds of the kids; Kio, NaoandMio. "Aha! You're here!" Aoba screamed as he got hit by a broomstick. "Yeah! We got him again! Way to go, Nao!" "You lost again, Aoba!" said Mio. "Prepare to face our doom!" said Kio. "Geez! Can't you three ever give me a break?!" Mio picked up Ren and plays with his paws. "How can we when we don't nothing else to do? Geez, you're so stupid." "P…please stop…" Ren tried to wiggled away but unable to. Aoba rubbed his head as it ached him painfully. "Ugh…I can't wait to leave this place and get away from you three." "Hmph! We will never stop attacking you! You are our worst enemy, Aoba!" Aoba looked at all of them with an annoyed expression. -2 Hours later after work- Aoba walked out the shop with Ren in his bag, as always when heading out home. "Ah. What a day. Ah, the sun is starting to set." "It would be wise to head home quickly, Aoba." "Yeah." Aoba kept walking down the road to his house as Ren spoke about him and Mink. "Aoba, if I may..do you think Mink has stopped waiting for death to arrive to him?" "Ah…I don't know…as much as I don't want him to die in battle or any circumstances. I have to admit I have gotten used to him being all tough on me." "I see. It sounds like you have grown a fond to him." Aoba blushed and looked at Ren, smiling. "Ren. Don't say silly things like that." "I'm sorry."
Aoba's Home
Aoba reached his house as he saw a bike parked infront of the doorway, leaning against the wall. "Eh? Mink's here? But how did he-" "Aoba." Mink's All-Mate; Tori flew down from a bathroom window and landed on Aoba's shoulder. "Tori. How did Mink find my house?" "He has his ways. You should know this by now." "Ah, I do. It just suprizes me how he found it. Ah. Has he been here the whole time while I was at work?" "Yeah. We have been here for quite a while. I will let him know you have return." "Ah, thank you." Tori then jumped off of Aoba's shoulder, flying back inside.
-Inside-
Aoba walked in and took off his shoes, setting them aside, seeing Mink's black boots next to the wall. "Even Mink knows to wear socks inside…" He set down his bag down as Ren jumped out and followed Aoba to the kitchen. "Grams. Where's Mink?" "He's in the bathroom washing up since he's spending his time here for dinner." "He's staying for dinner? …Meaning he'll want to spend the night here." Aoba muttered at his words. He sat down at the table and sighs. "For dinner, fried rice with gravy smeared over the rice, plus some sweet bread rolls. He sniffed the air, smelling the hint of cinnamon in the air as he blushed. 'Mink…you smell like you as always. So rich and sweet.' Tori flew in and landed next to Ren who was standing next to Aoba's leg as Mink came in wearing his black and red trench coat as his usual attire. "And here I was beginning to question how long it will take you to get home." "Still being you, Mink." Aoba smiled at Mink as Mink sat next to him showing no smile or no signs of happiness. "I did tell you I had two hours left a work…you should be happy I don't get to work all night." Mink scoffed as Tae served the food in brown bowls and chopsticks. "So, Mink. What brings you here? Do you plan to stay for the night?" Aoba asked as he slowly eat his food with the chopsticks while looking up at Mink. "What a ridiculous question. Of course I'm staying. I may stay even until the next day." "Ah…so two days…" Aoba's heart jumped in joy of Mink's words as he was glad that Mink was staying for two days. "Aoba…where do you find these strange friends of yours?" Aoba smiled. "Sorry, Grams. I guess I'm just popular." "Hmph! It's getting annoying." "Haha. Sorry Grams."
Aoba's Room
Aoba opened his bedroom door as he signed in tiredness. Mink, following him from behind, sat on the bed looking at Aoba. "Oi." "Hmm?" Mink patted the bed, wanting him to sit next to him. Aoba of course obeyed him. "Mink…how are the Starch members doing?" "They are well. They can take care of each other. After all I taught them." "Ah yeah…it's like your family, right?" "Hmph." Mink lit up his pipe he took out of his pocket and started smoking. "Why don't you want to join gangs…" "They are just not my type. I told Noiz that so many times and he still tries to force me to join his Rhyme Team." Mink growled quietly but not enough for Aoba to hear. Aoba leaned on his shoulder, blushing as he felt Mink wrapped an arm around him. "I see." "I'm not going to join Starch either." "I wasn't going to ask, idiot." Aoba looked down, feeling stupid to say such a thing knowing that Mink would never such a thing to him. "Gah!" The next thing that happened was Aoba was pushed down on the bed. Head on his pillow and body on the sheets as he looked up at Mink who was glaring at him. "…Did anyone touch you recently on your way from work?" "Huh?" Mink sighed waiting for an answer. "No. Why? Noiz didn't come in the shop from what I know. Koujaku-kun has been busy at his shop. Mizuki has been busy at well with the Black Needle." "Good…" Mink then laid his on Aoba's shoulder, having his body laying on his. 'Ah…his body is so warm. He's smells so sweet as usual too.' Mink…you told me a few months ago that you would take me to go see your hometown." "I'm still in the progress of making the time…as well as you know, Toue is still alive." "But you barely said a word about him since the call and when I came home." Aoba heard a soft sigh and felt a hug around his body. This made him smile happily. Aoba looked at Mink's hair and softly pinched it and rub it with his fingers. "Mink…you sure take care of your hair well." Mink was silent. "Mink?" Aoba tapped his head as he heard a light snore as Mink was fast asleep on his body. "Ah…he fell asleep." Aoba looked at the light switch which was far away from him. He picked up a teddy bear and threw it at the switch as the lights went off. "Goodnight, Mink." Aoba smiled as he snuggled in Mink's arms.