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Natnarf
~Chapter 1~
"It's you...Mira...Kiel Mira."
"Hi!" she smiled.
He looks at her with disbelief. Compared to when she was still a high school student, she has grown a bit taller, and much prettier. She had such a transformation that he couldn't recognize her, as if she had just became a super model. Of course he couldn't bring himself to say that to her.
"Umm...Earth to Kei-kun? Hello?" she waves her hand in front of the frozen Hazuki. No response.
Lost control of his own body, he slowly embraces her, but with gentle arms.
"It's really you." he finally spoke.
"Y-yeah. It's me, in flesh and bone." she gently pats his back.
Hazuki finally pulls away, slowly, but was still uncertain of how to react.
"So how have you been doing?" She said.
"I'm fine." He tries to regain his composure, giving a soft smile. "Still modeling. Did you just arrive today?"
"Yeah. Just graduated last weekend in the Philippines."
"You really took your time rushing back here, huh?"
"Haha. Couldn't wait any longer. I wanted to come back home as soon as I could. I missed everything that goes on around here. You haven't changed since I last saw you." she examines him.
"You did though, at least in your clothing style." He parallels his hand in front of her just above her nose. "You were this tall back then, too."
"Haha. Are you trying to tell me that I could be a model?" she puts both her hands on her waist. "I could never be like one, not like you of course."
"You may never know." he lowers his hand.
"Meow~" the cat cries out in between them.
They both look at the cat and giggled slightly. Hazuki then picks it up and cradles it again.
"I was supposed to give you some milk. Sorry." He strokes its head.
"You'd better go feed it. I gotta carry my stuff in and turn over for the night."
"Do you need any help?" he attempts to lower the cat to the ground.
"Nope, it's alright. I can handle these." she takes one handle on her left and two handles in her right hand. "Is your phone number still the same?"
"Yeah."
He watches her carry her bags to her front door. She gets her keys from one of her pockets and puts it in the keyhole. She turns the knob and opens the door.
"Um...Mira." he walks over to her.
"Hm?" she turns to him.
"Would you...would you like to have breakfast with me in the morning?"
"Huh? S-sure, but don't you have to go to work early?"
"I usually start at 7, I have it at 11 for tomorrow though. Come by at 9. Just say it's my 'Welcome Home' gift to you."
"Well, if you insist. I can't turn down a gift like that now, can I?"
He chuckles. She carries all three of her bags into the house. Then she turns to him.
"Well, I'll see you in the morning then?" she pats his shoulder with one hand.
"Yeah. Good night."
"Good night, Kei-kun." She bows and goes inside.
He waits until the door closes and walks over to his gate. He goes inside the house and shuts the door behind him. The moonlight shone in from the windows of the house, illuminating throughout in different shades of blue, making the inside looking like a crystal palace. Without turning on any of the lights in the house, he puts down the cat and walks over to the kitchen. There was a square table with two chairs facing opposite of each other by the wall just opposite from the kitchen entrance, and beside it was a normal sized fridge and a sink. He goes over to the sink to open the cupboards just above and gets a small bowl. He opens the fridge with his free hand and takes out a small carton of milk. He pulls up a chair and sits down. He opens the carton and pours it into the bowl. Still sitting, he bends to put the bowl down in front of his feet.
"Meow~" the cat happily walks over and drinks away.
"She's really back huh, Mira?" He says and pats its head. "She doesn't seem to remember you though. You were still just a kitten when she used to play with you at the back of the school. Are you upset?"
"Meow~"
"I guess not, huh?" he turns to face the window on his right, looking at the full moon. "I wonder if she's still with him though. What do you think, Mira?"
"Meow!" The cat answered.
He pictures Mira dressed up as Golden Angel, floating across the moon with her arms open.
"He is lucky ike to have caught that angel." he says.
Hazuki brings over a plate of fried salmon to the middle of the table, and sits down in his chair next to the fridge.
"Would you like something to drink?" he asked.
"It's alright. The miso soup will do." Mira said. "I'll ask if I feel thirsty."
"Alright."
They both pick up their chopsticks and clasp their hands together.
"Bon appetite!" they both said. Mira looks closely on the fired salmon.
"You can really make a good meal, Kei-kun."
"...Thanks." he was chewing on his rice. He picks up the serving chopsticks, cuts the salmon in half and looks at the meat. "...It's well cooked."
"I can't believe you still live in this house. I had thought that maybe you had moved back to your parents' place since we finished high school." she takes a sip from her own bowl of miso soup. "Mmm...it's perfect!"
He smiled. He also drinks from his own bowl. "I haven't cook a meal like this for a while."
"Huh?" she almost dropped her chopsticks.
"I normally get take-outs for breakfast on the way to work since the shoots usually starts early in the morning."
"Weh?! 'Di Nga?!" she shouted.
"...huh?" he tilted head.
"Oops! Seems I'm still infected from the others at the university. It's an expression in Tagalog." she clears her throat. "Buying take-outs? Isn't that a little bad on your health?"
"I can take care of myself. I usually buy take-outs from Alucard cafe, so I'm not endangering my health. Don't need to worry." He puts some rice and fish into his mouth.
"Really, Kei~" She shakes her head in disbelief.
"Enough about me, what about you? Are you going to find a job or do something?"
"I was planning on job hunting tomorrow in the city. Since I only just graduated I plan on getting a lower position first, for the sake of having additional job experiences to top off my resume."
"Like what?"
"Custodial, Cashier, Sales Lady, something like that along the line. Can't expect to find a job that fits my diploma."
"What course did you actually take?"
"Mechanical Engineering on vehicles, although motorcycles are my specialty."
"...Wow. Such a low ambition for that impressive diploma?...You're joking."
"Sigh. You don't know how the job hunting in this industry really works." She says as she puts down her chopsticks.
"..."
"I need to have a lot of different kinds of job experiences if I really want to get the occupation that I desire. The position that I'd like to get is to work as a Manager in a motorcycle factory."
"Now that's too high."
"I know that, and I love to dream big, that's why I need to start out small." She sips her soup.
He thinks while tapping his index finger on the table. "Hmm...I might have a position you want."
"Really?!" then she pauses for a second. "Wait...It's not in the modeling agency, is it?"
"Nope."
"Phew! Don't really want to work too hard there."
"I actually have a shop, just a small one though, it's just next to the Alucard cafe. I don't get to open it because I have to work at the shoot most of the time, I can't even hire just anyone 'cause they might steal the goods there or sell them to others at a higher price."
"The goods in the shop...are they your handcrafted accessories that you used to make back then?"
"Mm."
'scratch, scratch' the cat scratched just at the foot of Hazuki's chair.
"Ah. Sorry." Hazuki says as he picks it up and puts it on his lap, and takes some of his salmon to hand feed the cat. "Don't choke now."
"Meow~" and the cat starts eating away.
"Funny thing." she says. "I can't believe you finally have a store to sell your accessories, and yet they're stuck inside without price tags. Couldn't you just try selling them online? You don't have to put your name up and it is more convenient that way."
"I'd like to try doing things the traditional way. I want to see the reaction of the public when a ring or a bracelet is displayed behind a window, in a glass casing, or even hang on a rank in a plastic wrap. I want to have a feel of having your own department store, but of course with accessories in a fun small size."
"Haha. Fun size. I like that."
"And I want to see how many would be sold if my name wasn't used or mentioned. I find it more fun and exciting this way."
"Alright, Kei-kun. You win." she giggles. "By the way, how long has it been on hiatus?"
"Oh...it's been on a stand still for about a year."
"Huh?! A WHOLE YEAR?"
The cat finishes its food and jumps down Hazuki's lap to lick its paws.
"Yeah, ever since I got the space."
"Hazuki, what the heck have you been thinking?" she shook her head in disbelief. "Fine, I'll take up the job on selling your accessories, your Highness."
"...you're exaggerating."
"You think? And how about the space? How long have you paid its rent?"
"Dad bought it before when he was starting out a small business of his, and since he's not using it anymore he said I could have it instead, so I don't have to pay anything apart from the water and electricity bill. Of course I didn't have to pay anything since I have never used the place."
"Alright, I'll do it all for you."
"Cool."
"I'll only open it every Tuesdays and Thursdays for now, to see how many numbers will come by the shop. Then I compare the selling statistics of each week, is that alright?"
"Uh...sure, whatever you say."
"Hm?" she stares at him. "Don't tell me...you didn't study any business subjects, didn't you?"
"..."
"Thought so. Lucky for you, I did study it."
"I thought you studied engineering only."
"In the Philippines, all students studying in universities have to study a bit of everything, at least a 101 lesson of each sub-subjects, like Mathematics, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Humanities, etc. They are for in-case of emergencies, like if you can't get the job you want and need to work somewhere or something else."
He nods, but he didn't understand a single she said.
She looks at him in the eyes again. "You didn't get a single I said, didn't you?"
"..."
"Hays. I'm not gonna take care of the shop forever, you know. You should take up vocational studies on business education, at least for a year, when the time comes if you'll ever retire from modeling and end up doing local businesses instead to make a living."
"...we'll see." he says without a care in the world, then shoves his hands into his pockets.
"C'mon, Kei-kun. You can't just wither away-" She was interrupted upon seeing a gray colored key attached to a ring with a gold shaped cat key chain.
"I'll leave my shop and my trust in your hands." He takes one of her hands and puts the key in her palm. "I don't mind how you arrange things there or how much you price them, just as long as it is you then I'll have no worries."
His smile was gentle that she also found herself smiling along.
"Well, I guess you did change a bit after all." She tightens the key in her hand. "I'll do my best, Boss!"
"...Kei-kun." He said.
"Haha, don't like being called on the top?"
"I don't deserve it, not yet at least, Manager."
"Now You're the one exaggerating, Kei-kun."
He gestures his hand in front of the plate asking if she's done, then he gathers up the dirty dishes and places them into the sink to soak in. He looks up at the clock wall, it was 9:45am.
"Ah."
"Something wrong?" She heard his soft whisper while she stands to stretch her muscles.
"I gotta get a shower. Need to leave by 10:15. Didn't get to shower last night since I was very tired."
"I'll wash the dishes for you. Go ahead and shower."
"Huh? I can't make you do this. I'll just wash them when I get back."
"I insist. Let me wash them at least for cooking me such a wonderful breakfast." She goes over next to him and grabs the sponge.
"...Thanks." He pats her shoulder.
She smiles and starts sponging one of the plates. At that point, he was staring at her absentmindedly. He used to invite her into his house before, at that time they had eaten cake together. Her smiles were always so vibrant and he would only picture her as an innocent doll, so pure. Although she grew more taller and prettier, she still had the face of innocence: her eyes were shinning like pearls, her hair still floating as if there wasn't any weight in it, the color of her skin was fair that when she smiles her cheeks would glow. If she were to be a model, this face would be just right, make-up would just ruin its beauty. As if his hand had a mind of its own, he pushes her hair and tucks it behind her ear. Mira was surprised that she almost dropped the plate in her hand, it was pretty heavy too.
"Kei-kun? Anything wrong?"
"Nothing...your hair was in the way." And walks off towards the shower.
"Take care! Be careful!" Mira waves to the running model. "Thanks again for breakfast!"
He waves back without looking back. She stood there until she could no longer see him in sight.
"Okay. I'd better get myself dressed up to go buy some of my necessities first." She walks towards her front door.
"Meow~" a cry cries out from behind her.
"Hey, aren't you the cat from earlier?" she squats down and strokes its head. "Your master will be back home later, so don't wander off too far from here, alright?"
"Purr~"
"Hmm?" She notices its rear end. It had some sort of shape on it, almost like a star. "This pattern...where have I-" her eyes caught sight of her wrist watch. "Ah! I have to hurry!"
She runs into the house, picks out a white sundress, grabs her sunhat, her black sunglasses, and her shoulder bag. It had her wallet and three folded shopping bags inside. She goes to the entrance hallway and picks out a pair of white sandals. Just above her shoe cabinets was a large oval mirror, she fixes her hair and puts on her hat and sunglasses. Satisfied with her look, she walks out of the house and locks up the door.
"Can't use the bike today until I find a sidecar for it, otherwise it would've been convenient for shopping. Aw well, I missed riding the buses here anyway."
The wind started picking up as she started walking. She takes out a scrunchie from her shoulder bag and ties her hair just under her hat.
"Nice wind today. Now I really wished I could ride my bike."
She walked along the pavement. About 5minutes later she sees a bus stop, and a bus had just arrived at the stop. She got onto the bus and stood in the middle holding a handrail since the bus had no seats available and takes her hat off..
She starts thinking about what things to get. Soap, shampoo, some food for the fridge,
"WAH!" a voice cried out. "They have this cute dress in the city already?! Oh my gosh! We have to go and check it out!"
"But Fujii-san, we're supposed to go to the Jobs Information center today. You can't go off getting distracted again." a much more calmer voice spoke.
"Don't worry! There's always room in my watch for shopping!"
"But not enough money in that small wallet of yours."
"Ah, Drats! That's why I needed a job in the first place. Hays, the dress will have to wait."
Mira found the owners of the voices, which were just a seat behind from where she was standing, and slides over to them.
"Nat-chan, you have to control your will power if you wanna land on a nice job." she slides her glasses up acting like a headband. "Tamami-chan is doing a great job at putting Nat-chan at her place."
Konn recognizes the voice and turns to face its owner. She face said it all, she was very happy.
"But I really want to get this dress, Mira-chan. I'll go nuts-" Fuiji-san looks up and her eyes widen in astonishment. "MIRA!" and she jumps onto Mira.
"Urgh!"
"Um...Fujii-san." Konno tries to free Mira from Fujii.
"You can hug her later, Konno-san." Fujii-san tightens her arms even more.
"But Mira can't...um...needs air."
"Huh?" Fujii finally pulls away and sees Mira's face so purple. "Ack! Sorry! Got carried away again!"
"HAA!" Mira inhaled deeply.
Mira took in a few deep breathes, as if her life depended on it. Then she turns to Fujii. "I thought I was a goner, with this bus probably taking me to heaven bus station. You're still the same, I guess."
"I already said sorry. Ah, here, take my seat instead." she pushes Mira into the chair without waiting for a response.
"Thanks, I think.' She then turns to face Konno, who was smiling gently as always.
"It has been awhile, Mira-chan. When did you come back?"
"Just arrived last night. I'm going into the city to get some necessities. Don't have much since I was abroad and I live on my own now." She looks at them both. "Are you both looking for jobs?"
"I already have a job. Today's my day off." Konno said.
"I asked for her help. I want a second opinion on job selecting. I got fired at my last one."
"Eh?! The one you were in since high school?"
"Nope, another one. It's almost the same as that one you mentioned."
"So, why did you get fired then?"
"She kept drinking the soft drinks that was meant for her boss." Konno said in disappointment.
"What!? They promised us free supply of water on the job, but we never got any. So I drank what I deserved." Fujii pouted.
"Hays. Nat-chan, you better give one can to her when you're done. Today's her day off for goodness."
"It's alright." Konno said. "I haven't had a chance to hang out with Fujii-san lately. It's a nice reunion."
"Why not join us?" Fujii invited Mira.
"I can't. Don't know how long it'll take me to buy everything I need. Maybe next time, along with Shiho-chan and Mizuki-chan."
"I don't mind Arisawa-san, but not Sudo-san! NO WAY!" Fujii disapproved strongly in English.
"Sudo-san? Oh, you mean the one that usually speaks in French/" Konno questioned.
"Yep. That's her. What's the problem with inviting her?"
"If she's with us, she'll end up buying things and ask us to carry her bags for her. There will be nothing left for us to take. I even feel sorry for her butler too."
"It's not that all bad." Konno said.
"Tamami-chan is right. There are times where she will give some considerations to others. Just try hanging out with her and you'll see."
"Oh c'mon! Give it a rest!" Fujii crossed her arms.
"Besides, you're only shopping for clothing to impress him anyway." Konno said.
"Ooh?" Mira sounded surprised. "Who is it you're trying to impress? Your boyfriend?"
"Eh...We're not exactly dating yet, we're just hanging out. You know, getting to know each other better." Fujii rubs the tip of her nose.
"But she does talk about him a lot, quite often actually." Konno added.
"Hey! And what about your guy, Konno-san? Always being quiet about it whenever I ask." Fujii attacks back.
"I-I'm not trying to hide it or anything!" Konno puts her hands on her cheeks. "I-It's just, we don't get to see each other that much since he's still in America."
"Eh? You have a boyfriend before Nat-chan does? That's very hard to absorb." Mira teased. "Who is the lucky guy?"
"Who else, but S-U-Z-U-K-A!" Fujii followed.
"H-hey!" Konno's face was visibly turning even more redder. "Y-you get Kijyou-kun first before you boost about others' guys."
"Ah! Konno-san!" Fujii turned as red as a tomato.
Mira laughed so hard that she almost cried.
"Not funny." Fujii added.
Then the bus speaker announces that it was approaching to a stop that Mira was going to get off at.
"Oh, my stop's almost here." Mira stood up. "You can take your seat back, Nat-chan."
"Thanks." Fujii was still red, very red.
"How about you, Mira. Do you have a special someone" Konno asks.
"Y-yeah, tell us! I don't wanna be stuck on the spotlight." Fujii faces at Mira.
"Why should I hide it?"
"S-so you really do have one?!' Konno was the most surprised. "Who is it?"
"Do we know him?" Fujii followed.
The bus stopped and the middle exit doors of the bus opened widely.
"Oh yes, you both know him very well." Mira smiled and quickly gets off the bus.
"Oi! Tell us!" Fujii shouted.
Mira only stood, facing them, smiling and waving goodbye as the doors closed and the bus left.
"It's not like I'd tell you both my secret." amusing herself and walks off to the nearest supermarket.
"Oi! Don't tell me you bought candy with the rest of the money again?" Kou yelled.
"I can't help it, they were calling for me." Ruka was sucking on a lollipop.
"Argh! How on earth are we going to buy shampoo now?"
"We can just use the soap or the dish washing liquid."
"Baka! I don't wanna smell like nicely washed dishes."
"We can't do anything about it at this point." Ruka offers a piece of candy to Kou. "Want one?"
"I don't like sweets, remember?"
"C'mon, just one piece?"
"Nope." And he crosses his arms. "I'd rather sell it."
"Hmm...that's not a bad idea. We can swap with other people for some cash."
Just then, a hand comes in and takes the candy from Ruka's hand, and lowers a large bottle of men's shampoo. Both of them turned to look at who the hand's owner was, and their eyes widened in surprise.
"Is this alright?" Mira said as she ate the piece of candy. "Mmm! Strawberry! My favorite!"