Disclaimer: I wish I own the characters of PoT

In the Echizen household, the door swung open as Rinko Echizen came home earlier than usual.

"Huh? Auntie, you're early today," Nanako asked when she peered at the door and found her aunt in a rush to enter the temple which also serves as their home. Nanako was surprised to see a girl standing behind her aunt.

"Um, this is Sae. She will be living with us for a while," Rinko spoke as she noticed Nanako's gaze, "where is Nanjiroh?"

"He is in his usual spot."

"I need to speak with him. Can you take Sae to her room?"

"The one you asked me to prepare earlier?"

"Yes." Rinko turned to the girl, "Nanako will show you to your room. If you need anything, just tell her, okay?"

The girl nodded slowly. Rinko smiled at the girl as she ruffled her hair. When Rinko left, Nanako and the girl were left alone at the doorway. The girl has two big luggage on her sides.

"Um, nice to meet you, Nanako-nee-san. My name is Saeri Ichinomiya. Please call me Sae," the girl showed a bright smile as she shooke Nanako's hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Sae. Come, I'll take you to your room."

The two girls each took a luggage and carried them upstairs.

Nanako explained to Sae the rooms they passed by. They went upstairs and stopped when they arrived in Sae's room.

Inside is very cozy. The room is well-lit in addition to the light coming from the window. Their's no doubt that a room belonged to a girl since the things inside- from the door rag to the beddings up to the curtains- are colored pink. Pink is not to the girl's liking but she knows that she's in no place to complain.

As soon as they finished unpacking Sae's things, Nanako suggested Sae to take a bath. Sae felt the exhaustion from the long trip and took the offer. The girl took her time and enjoyed the water in the bathroom.

After a while...

"Um, Nanako-nee-san?" Sae called from inside the bathroom but she received no response. She took a peek outside the bathroom and found no one. She sighed. Shampoo bubbles fell from her head to her bare shoulders as she walked outside the bathroom door.

The water stopped flowing from the shower right in the middle of her bath. She needed to find a shower immediately since the soap was starting to get in her eyes. She took a peek outside her room to see if anyone is there. Seeing that the coast is clear, with a towel wrapped around her, she slowly walked outside the room and entered the room next to hers.

She almost shrieked when she felt something soft move around her feet. When she looked down, a cat was playing on her legs and brushing its head on it as if hinting wanting her to play with it. She fought the urge to touch the feline and ran to the bathroom to wash herself.

Sae felt relieved as the soap and shampoo were removed from her body. She prepared herself to leave the bathroom, but as her hand was about to touch the doorknob, the door opened itself. In front of her stood a boy looking straight at her. He was wearing the same expression as her. They both stared at each other for a moment but then, Sae realized what she is wearing- just a plain towel. Suddenly, a loud scream was heard all over the house.

Rinko, Nanako and Nanjiroh rushed at the source of the voice and found Ryoma, inside his room, shielding himself from the things thrown to him by a certain girl. From the looks of it, Reiko already had an idea what had happened.

"Sae, calm down," Rinko called out to the girl. Sae recognized the voice and stopped. She realized the state she was in and her face became red up to her ear. "Okay, you two. Get out." Rinko ordered her husband and son.

"Eh? But his is my room-" Ryoma's words were cut off when the door closed right in front of their faces.

The dinner that night became awkwardly quiet as Ryoma and Sae ate without uttering a single word.

Ryoma had Nanako treat the lump on his forehead which came from a tennis ball thrown at him by that girl earlier. A bandage was placed on the lump.

Sae, on the other hand, did not know how to apologize for her behavior a moment ago. She already explained what happened but it seemed like their son have not forgiven her yet, much to her dismay.

The three other persons on the table watched the two in silence.

"Ryoma, I still haven't introduced to you Saeri Ichinomiya. She is the daughter of a good friend and she will be staying with us for a while." Rinko tried to break the silence.

"What!?" Ryoma's eyes widen in surprise. His tone suggested a feeling of dislike with the idea. He has only been with her for a brief moment and she already caused him much trouble. How much more can he get if she were to stay there for several days.

"Ryoma, don't be like that," Rinko turned to Sae, "I apologize for Ryoma's attitude today. He can be stubborn sometimes."

"Who's stubborn?" Ryoma asked sarcastically.

"Please don't apologize. I'm the one who's causing you all the trouble. It is I who must apologize to you." Sae bowed her head slightly.

"Not at all. I owe a lot from your mother. This is the least I can do for her. Oh, before I forgot," Rinko turned to Ryoma, "starting tomorrow, Sae will be attending Seishun Gakuen. I expect that you help her in any way you can."

Ryoma wanted to argue but he knew that it will only be useless, thus he just kept quiet.

After everyone had finished their dinner, Ryoma walked back to his room.

"Um, Ryoma." The lad turned and saw Sae standing behind him. He waited for her to continue. "I apologize for what happened earlier."

"Is that all you're going to say?"

The girl thought for a moment and nodded. Ryoma turned his back and went inside his room without making any reply.

That's all... for now

(=^.^=)